Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Physics: Optics
Published

Researchers 'film' novel catalyst at work      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A novel catalysis scheme enables chemical reactions that were previously virtually impossible. The method is also environmentally friendly and does not require rare and precious metals. The researchers recorded the exact course of the catalysis in a kind of high-speed film. They did this using special lasers that can make processes visible that last only fractions of a billionth of a second. The results allow them to further optimize the catalyst.

Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Physics: General Physics: Optics
Published

Making molecules dance to our tune reveals what drives their first movements      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Bringing ultrafast physics to structural biology has revealed the dance of molecular 'coherence' in unprecedented clarity.

Physics: Optics
Published

Technology advance could expand the reach of 3D nanoprinting      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have developed an easy-to-build, low-cost 3D nanoprinting system that can create arbitrary 3D structures with extremely fine features. The new 3D nanoprinting technique is precise enough to print metamaterials as well as a variety of optical devices and components such as microlenses, micro-optical devices and metamaterials.

Physics: Optics Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

Researchers use SPAD detector to achieve 3D quantum ghost imaging      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have reported the first 3D measurements acquired with quantum ghost imaging. The new technique enables 3D imaging on a single photon level, yielding the lowest photon dose possible for any measurement.

Physics: Optics
Published

Uncovering the Auger-Meitner Effect's crucial role in electron energy loss      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Defects often limit the performance of devices such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The mechanisms by which defects annihilate charge carriers are well understood in materials that emit light at red or green wavelengths, but an explanation has been lacking for such loss in shorter-wavelength (blue or ultraviolet) emitters.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Computer Science: General Engineering: Robotics Research Mathematics: Modeling Offbeat: Computers and Math Physics: Optics Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

Self-supervised AI learns physics to reconstruct microscopic images from holograms      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have unveiled an artificial intelligence-based model for computational imaging and microscopy without training with experimental objects or real data. The team introduced a self-supervised AI model nicknamed GedankenNet that learns from physics laws and thought experiments. Informed only by the laws of physics that universally govern the propagation of electromagnetic waves in space, the researchers taught their AI model to reconstruct microscopic images using only random artificial holograms -- synthesized solely from 'imagination' without relying on any real-world experiments, actual sample resemblances or real data.

Energy: Alternative Fuels Engineering: Robotics Research Geoscience: Environmental Issues Physics: Optics
Published

New photocatalytic system converts carbon dioxide to valuable fuel more efficiently than natural photosynthesis      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A research team recently developed a stable artificial photocatalytic system that is more efficient than natural photosynthesis. The new system mimics a natural chloroplast to convert carbon dioxide in water into methane, a valuable fuel, very efficiently using light. This is a promising discovery, which could contribute to the goal of carbon neutrality.

Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: Optics Physics: Quantum Computing
Published

Unleashing a new era of color tunable nano-devices -- smallest ever light source with switchable colors formed      (via sciencedaily.com) 

New research has achieved a significant breakthrough in color switching for nanocrystals, unlocking exciting possibilities for a simple, energy efficient display design and for tunable light sources needed in numerous technologies. The discovery also has potential applications in sensitive sensors for various substances, including biological and neuroscience uses, as well as advancements in quantum communication technologies. This nanomaterial breakthrough holds the promise of inspiring exciting innovations in the future.

Physics: Optics
Published

Butterfly-inspired films create vibrant colors while passively cooling objects      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

New films inspired by butterfly wings circumvent the heating effect usually experienced by colored objects absorbing light on a hot day. The new films could be used on the outside of buildings, vehicles and equipment to reduce the energy needed for cooling while preserving vivid color properties.

Geoscience: Earthquakes Geoscience: Geology Physics: Optics
Published

Fiber optic cables detect and characterize earthquakes      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The same fiber optic networks that provide internet can simultaneously act as earthquake sensors, as demonstrated in a new study.

Physics: Optics Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

Absence of universal topological signatures in high harmonic generation      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Theoreticians report that they found no evidence of any universal topological signatures after performing the first ab initio investigation of high harmonic generation from topological insulators.

Energy: Alternative Fuels Geoscience: Geology Geoscience: Geomagnetic Storms Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: Space Physics: Optics Space: The Solar System
Published

Sun 'umbrella' tethered to asteroid might help mitigate climate change      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Earth is rapidly warming and scientists are developing a variety of approaches to reduce the effects of climate change. An astronomer has proposed a novel approach -- a solar shield to reduce the amount of sunlight hitting Earth, combined with a tethered, captured asteroid as a counterweight. Engineering studies using this approach could start now to create a workable design that could mitigate climate change within decades.

Physics: Optics Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

New method improves proton acceleration with high power laser      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Bringing protons up to speed with strong laser pulses -- this still young concept promises many advantages over conventional accelerators. For instance, it seems possible to build much more compact facilities. Prototypes to date, however, in which laser pulses are fired at ultra-thin metal foils, show weaknesses -- especially in the frequency with which they can accelerate protons. An international working group has tested a new technique: In this approach, frozen hydrogen acts as a 'target' for the laser pulses.

Physics: Optics Physics: Quantum Computing
Published

Novel Raman technique breaks through 50 years of frustration      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have developed a new technique that vastly improves readings of protein-to-ligand interactions through Raman spectroscopy.

Engineering: Biometric Physics: Optics
Published

Engineering team uses diamond microparticles to create high security anti-counterfeit labels      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have developed a pioneering technological solution that counterfeiters have no response to.

Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds Paleontology: General
Published

Flying reptiles had nurturing parental style      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Did the pterosaurs, flying reptiles from the days of the dinosaurs, practice parental care or not? New research shows that pterosaurs were indeed caring parents -- but only the larger species.

Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology Paleontology: Dinosaurs Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds Paleontology: Fossils Paleontology: General
Published

Unusual fossil shows rare evidence of a mammal attacking a dinosaur      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have described an unusual fossil from around 125 million years ago in China that shows a dramatic moment in time when a carnivorous mammal attacked a larger plant-eating dinosaur. The two animals are locked in mortal combat, and it's among the first evidence to show actual predatory behavior by a mammal on a dinosaur. The fossil's presence challenges the view that dinosaurs had few threats from their mammal contemporaries during the Cretaceous, when dinosaurs were the dominant animals.

Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds Paleontology: Fossils Paleontology: General
Published

Ice Age saber-tooth cats and dire wolves suffered from diseased joints      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Ice Age saber-tooth cats and dire wolves experienced a high incidence of bone disease in their joints, according to new research.

Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds Paleontology: General
Published

Tiny scales reveal megalodon was not as fast as believed, but it had a mega-appetite explaining its gigantism      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new study reveals the iconic extinct Megalodon, or 'megatooth shark', was a rather slow cruiser that used its warm-bloodedness to facilitate digestion and absorption of nutrients.