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Categories: Energy: Nuclear, Engineering: Biometric
Published Measuring neutrons to reduce nuclear waste



Nuclear power is considered one of the ways to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, but how to deal with nuclear waste products is a concern. Radioactive waste products can be turned into more stable elements, but this process is not yet viable at scale. New research reveals a method to more accurately measure, predict and model a key part of the process to make nuclear waste more stable. This could lead to improved nuclear waste treatment facilities and also to new theories about how some heavier elements in the universe came to be.
Published New nuclei can help shape our understanding of fundamental science on Earth and in the cosmos



In creating five new isotopes, scientists have brought the stars closer to Earth. The isotopes are known as thulium-182, thulium-183, ytterbium-186, ytterbium-187 and lutetium-190.
Published Astronomy observation instrument used to uncover internal structure of atomic nuclei



Researchers have used equipment originally intended for astronomy observation to capture transformations in the nuclear structure of atomic nuclei, reports a new study.
Published New method to more accurately spot underground nuclear tests



A more accurate way of identifying underground nuclear tests, including those conducted in secret, has been developed.
Published Scientists create effective 'spark plug' for direct-drive inertial confinement fusion experiments



Scientists completed several successful attempts to fire 28 kilojoules of laser energy at small capsules filled with deuterium and tritium fuel, causing the capsules to implode and produce a plasma hot enough to initiate fusion reactions between the fuel nuclei. These results demonstrate an effective 'spark plug' for direct-drive methods of inertial confinement fusion.
Published A sleeker facial recognition technology tested on Michelangelo's David



Many people are familiar with facial recognition systems that unlock smartphones and game systems or allow access to our bank accounts online. But the current technology can require boxy projectors and lenses. Now, researchers report on a sleeker 3D surface imaging system with flatter, simplified optics. In proof-of-concept demonstrations, the new system recognized the face of Michelangelo's David just as well as an existing smartphone system.
Published Physicists develop highly robust time crystal



Researchers recently succeeded in producing a highly durable time crystal that lived millions of times longer than could be shown in previous experiments. By doing so, they have corroborated an extremely interesting phenomenon that Nobel Prize laureate Frank Wilczek postulated around ten years ago and which had already found its way into science fiction movies.
Published Liquid lithium on the walls of a fusion device helps the plasma within maintain a hot edge



Emerging research suggests it may be easier to use fusion as a power source if liquid lithium is applied to the internal walls of the device housing the plasma. Past experiments studied solid lithium coatings and found they could enhance a plasma. The researchers were pleased they could yield similar results with liquid lithium, as it's better suited for use in a large-scale tokamak.
Published Gravity helps show strong force strength in the proton



New research conducted by nuclear physicists is using a method that connects theories of gravitation to interactions among the smallest particles of matter. The result is insight into the strong force, a powerful mediator of particle interactions in the subatomic realm. The research has revealed, for the first time, a snapshot of the distribution of the shear strength of the strong force inside the proton -- or how strong an effort must be to overcome the strong force to move an object it holds in its grasp. At its peak, the nuclear physicists found that a force of over four metric tons would be required to overcome the binding power of the strong force.
Published A non-proliferation solution: Using antineutrinos to surveil nuclear reactors



Antineutrinos generated in nuclear fission can be measured to remotely monitor the operation of nuclear reactors and verify that they are not being used to produce nuclear weapons, report scientists. Thanks to a newly developed method, it is now possible to estimate a reactor's operation status, fuel burnup, and fuel composition based entirely on its antineutrino emissions. This technique could contribute massively to nuclear non-proliferation efforts and, in turn, safer nuclear energy.
Published Solid-state qubits: Forget about being clean, embrace mess



New findings debunk previous wisdom that solid-state qubits need to be super dilute in an ultra-clean material to achieve long lifetimes. Instead, cram lots of rare-earth ions into a crystal and some will form pairs that act as highly coherent qubits, a new paper shows.
Published AI discovers that not every fingerprint is unique



Engineers have built a new AI that shatters a long-held belief in forensics -- that fingerprints from different fingers of the same person are unique. It turns out they are similar, only we've been comparing fingerprints the wrong way!
Published Machine learning boosts search for new materials



During X-ray diffraction experiments, bright lasers shine on a sample, producing diffracted images that contain important information about the material's structure and properties. But conventional methods of analyzing these images can be contentious, time-consuming, and often ineffective, so scientists are developing deep learning models to better leverage the data.
Published Newly developed material gulps down hydrogen, spits it out, protects fusion reactor walls



A recent advance could enable more efficient compact fusion reactors that are easier to repair and maintain.
Published Extracting uranium from seawater as another source of nuclear fuel



Oceans cover most of Earth's surface and support a staggering number of lifeforms, but they're also home to a dilute population of uranium ions. And -- if we can get these particular ions out of the water -- they could be a sustainable fuel source to generate nuclear power. Researchers have now developed a material to use with electrochemical extraction that attracts hard-to-get uranium ions from seawater more efficiently than existing methods.
Published Ancient stars made extraordinarily heavy elements



How heavy can an element be? An international team of researchers has found that ancient stars were capable of producing elements with atomic masses greater than 260, heavier than any element on the periodic table found naturally on Earth. The finding deepens our understanding of element formation in stars.
Published Revolutionary breakthrough in the manufacture of photovoltaic cells



Engineers have achieved a world first by manufacturing the first back-contact micrometric photovoltaic cells.
Published Nuclear expansion failure shows simulations require change



A team of researchers looked back at a model that predicted nuclear power would expand dramatically in order to assess the efficacy of energy policies implemented today.
Published A novel system for slip prevention of unmanned rovers



Planetary rovers, which help humanity explore other planets, can deviate from their targeted paths or get stuck due to slipping on loose soil. To combat this problem, researchers have developed a novel system for rovers to detect their slip condition from the change in the shape of their chassis. This novel technology, inspired by human muscles, can lead to advanced sensing technologies that make travel safer for unmanned vehicles.
Published Milestone moment toward development of nuclear clock



Physicists have started the countdown on developing a new generation of timepieces capable of shattering records by providing accuracy of up to one second in 300 billion years, or about 22 times the age of the universe.