Latest science news in Physics & Chemistry
Viruses, start your engines!
Peering at structures only atoms across, researchers have identified the clockwork that drives a powerful virus nanomotor. read more
Structural study backs new model for the nuclear pore complex
Inside the cell nucleus, DNA is transcribed into RNA that then leaves the nucleus and binds to the cell’s ribosomes, where it is translated into proteins. But in order to...
Microscale System To Study Frustration In Buckled Monolayers Of Microspheres
Physicists have demonstrated a simple system based on micron-sized spheres in water to study and control geometric frustration. Their research elucidates open questions about frustration and frustration relief and provides...
DNA Profiling For Tracing Parental Ancestry Becomes More Accurate And Reliable
A lesser known but rapidly growing application of DNA profiling is tracing paternal ancestry. NIST researchers recently published a paper with recommendations for genealogy testing that they hope will improve...
How Helium Can Be Solid And Perfect Liquid At Same Time, Now Explained By Computer-assisted Physics
At very low temperatures, helium can be solid and a perfect liquid at the same time. Theoreticians, though, have incorrectly explained the phenomenon for a long time. Computer simulations have...
Breakthrough In Production Of Double-walled Carbon Nanotubes
In recent years, the possible applications for double-walled carbon nanotubes have excited scientists and engineers, particularly those working on developing renewable energy technologies. These tiny tubes, just two carbon atoms...
New Methods For The Environmental Chemist’s Toolbox
Organic compounds exhibit specific isotopic compositions that can be used as their "fingerprint". Environmental chemists nowadays exploit changes of isotopic compositions to identify the origin of organic pollutants and to...
Crystallographers Use Computers To Find New Superconductor
New calculations predict that germanium hydride will be superconducting at relatively high temperatures, but will be easier to process than the high-temperature superconductors known up to now.
Quantum Electronics: Tunneling Effect In Strong Laser Field Interaction Under Attack
Physicists have worked on the quantum physics description of the tunneling effect for 60 years. The group has now for the first time succeeded in measuring time intervals that enable...
New Titanium-glass Alloys Are Tough, Cheap And Light-weight
Scientists have created a range of structural metallic-glass composites, based in titanium, that are lighter and less expensive than any the group had previously created, while still maintaining their toughness...
Enhancing Solar Cells With Nanoparticles
Deriving plentiful electricity from sunlight at a modest cost is a challenge with immense implications for energy, technology and climate policy. A new article describes a relatively new approach to...
Michele Hanson: Quantum physics and me
Quantum physics is a bit of a black hole to me. You jump in and where do you get?
Researchers develop rapid assembly process in nanoscale
The rapidly advancing field of nanotechnology demands simple and quick fabrication processes in the nanoscale. With more lightweight flexible plastic solar collectors (organic photovoltaics) and flexible plastic electronics, the challenge...
Nanowires Can Now Be Controlled Down To Single Atom Level
Nanoscience researchers have shown that they can control the growth and crystal structure of nanowires down to the single atom level.
CoolIT takes the heat off your PC
Heat is your computer's enemy. Heat is the reason there's some kind of fan constantly whirring inside your computer's case. And if you were to open up your desktop PC,...
Software eases flow to fluid power trucks
Eaton Corporation is using IBM modeling software to develop series hydraulic hybrid systems. Replacing a vehicle`s conventional drive train and transmission, the series hydraulic hybrid (SHH) system promises dramatic fuel...
Structural study backs new model for the nuclear pore complex
(PhysOrg.com) -- In higher organisms, the genetic material is confined and protected in the cell nucleus. In order for a healthy cell to function, the DNA must send manufacturing orders...
Seeing The Unseen With 'Super-resolution' Fluorescence Microscopy
Thanks to new "super-resolution" fluorescence microscopy technique, researchers have succeeded in resolving features of cells as minuscule as 20-30 nanometers, an order of magnitude smaller than conventional fluorescence light microscopy...
NIST Seeks White Papers on Critical National Needs
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is interested in detailed pitches for critical national and societal needs that could be the basis for new competitions for research funding...
Electromagnetic Phantom Exorcises Specters of Metal Detector Tests
An electromagnetic phantom--a carbon and polymer mixture that simulates the human body--is being readied by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for its upcoming role as a standardized...
Cracking a Tough Nut for the Semiconductor Industry
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a method to measure the toughness--the resistance to fracture--of the thin insulating films that play a critical role...
VHS' Days Appear Numbered
It seems headed the way of 8-tracks and other outdated technologies, says Daniel Sieberg, who explained why, then showed how to transfer video from VHS to DVD.
Platypus's new challenge: Bring special sensors to market
For eight years, a small Fitchburg, Wis., company has been working to create inexpensive portable sensors that detect deadly gases, pesticide exposure, even rotting fish and meat. The challenge now...
New technique is quantum leap forward in understanding proteins
In this ongoing quest, a group of Scripps Research Institute scientists, along with colleagues from the University of California, San Diego, (UCSD) have borrowed from physics to deliver one of...
Gallium and uranium join forces
First ever uranium-gallium bond may shed light on the chemistry of nuclear waste separation
Researcher Nabs Doubly Magic Tin Isotope, A North American First
Researchers have been able to make first-of-its-kind measurements of several rare nuclei, one of which has been termed a "holy grail" of experimental nuclear physics.
Optical fibres feel light's recoil
Experiment claims to resolve an old debate about how light behaves.
Researcher hopes to put fuel cells on the fast track
(PhysOrg.com) -- The slow evolution of clean-energy solutions is about to kick into high gear, if Sossina M. Haile has anything to say about it. As a fuel cell researcher...