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Categories: Offbeat: Space, Physics: Optics

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Offbeat: General Offbeat: Space Space: Astronomy Space: Astrophysics Space: Exploration Space: General Space: Structures and Features
Published

Astronomers report oscillation of our giant, gaseous neighbor      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A few years ago, astronomers uncovered one of the Milky Way's greatest secrets: an enormous, wave-shaped chain of gaseous clouds in our sun's backyard, giving birth to clusters of stars along the spiral arm of the galaxy we call home. Naming this astonishing new structure the Radcliffe Wave, the team now reports that the Radcliffe Wave not only looks like a wave, but also moves like one -- oscillating through space-time much like 'the wave' moving through a stadium full of fans.

Computer Science: General Energy: Technology Engineering: Nanotechnology Mathematics: General Mathematics: Modeling Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General Physics: Optics
Published

New chip opens door to AI computing at light speed      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Engineers have developed a new chip that uses light waves, rather than electricity, to perform the complex math essential to training AI. The chip has the potential to radically accelerate the processing speed of computers while also reducing their energy consumption.

Offbeat: General Offbeat: Space Space: Astronomy Space: Cosmology Space: Exploration Space: General Space: The Solar System
Published

Evidence of geothermal activity within icy dwarf planets      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A team found evidence for hydrothermal or metamorphic activity within the icy dwarf planets Eris and Makemake, located in the Kuiper Belt. Methane detected on their surfaces has the tell-tale signs of warm or even hot geochemistry in their rocky cores, which is markedly different than the signature of methane from a comet.

Engineering: Graphene Physics: Optics
Published

Two-dimensional waveguides discovered      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists announce the discovery of slab waveguides based on the two-dimensional material hexagonal boron nitride.

Offbeat: General Offbeat: Space Space: Astronomy Space: Exploration Space: General Space: The Solar System
Published

Diverse ancient volcanoes on Mars discovered by planetary scientist may hold clues to pre-plate tectonic activity on Earth      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A geologist has revealed intriguing insights into the volcanic activity on Mars. He proposes that Mars has significantly more diverse volcanism than previously realized, driven by an early form of crust recycling called vertical tectonics. The findings shed light on the ancient crust of Mars and its potential implications for understanding early crustal recycling on both Mars and Earth.

Offbeat: General Offbeat: Space Physics: General Physics: Quantum Physics Space: Astronomy Space: Astrophysics Space: Exploration Space: General Space: Structures and Features
Published

A star like a Matryoshka doll: New theory for gravastars      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

If gravitational condensate stars (or gravastars) actually existed, they would look similar to black holes to a distant observer. Two theoretical physicists have now found a new solution to Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity, according to which gravitational stars could be structured like a Russian matryoshka doll, with one gravastar located inside another.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General Physics: Optics
Published

A new optical metamaterial makes true one-way glass possible      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have discovered how to make an optical metamaterial that would underpin a variety of new technologies.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: Optics
Published

Exploring the effect of ring closing on fluorescence of supramolecular polymers      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The properties of supramolecular polymers are dictated by the self-assembled state of the molecules. However, not much is known about the impact of morphologies on the properties of nano- and mesoscopic-scale polymeric assemblies. Recently, a research team demonstrated how terminus-free toroids and random coils derived from the same luminescent molecule show different photophysical properties. The team also presented a novel method for purifying the toroidal structure.

Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Energy: Technology Physics: General Physics: Optics Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

How electron spectroscopy measures exciton 'holes'      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Semiconductors are ubiquitous in modern technology, working to either enable or prevent the flow of electricity. In order to understand the potential of two-dimensional semiconductors for future computer and photovoltaic technologies, researchers investigated the bond that builds between the electrons and holes contained in these materials. By using a special method to break up the bond between electrons and holes, they were able to gain a microscopic insight into charge transfer processes across a semiconductor interface.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Physics: General Physics: Optics
Published

Molecular manganese complex as superphotooxidant      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Highly reducing or oxidizing photocatalysts are a fundamental challenge in photochemistry. Only a few transition metal complexes with Earth-abundant metal ions have so far advanced to excited state oxidants, including chromium, iron, and cobalt. All these photocatalysts require high energy light for excitation and their oxidizing power has not yet been fully exploited. Furthermore, precious and hence expensive metals are the decisive ingredients in most cases. A team of researchers has now developed a new molecular system based on the element manganese. Manganese, as opposed to precious metals, is the third most abundant metal after iron and titanium and hence widely available and very cheap.

Offbeat: General Offbeat: Space Space: Astronomy Space: Exploration Space: General Space: Structures and Features
Published

Mysterious gap in size distribution of super-earths explained      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Astronomers have uncovered evidence of how the enigmatic gap in the size distribution of exoplanets at around two Earth radii emerges. Their computer simulations demonstrate that the migration of icy, so-called sub-Neptunes into the inner regions of their planetary systems could account for this phenomenon. As they draw closer to the central star, evaporating water ice forms an atmosphere that makes the planets appear larger than in their frozen state. Simultaneously, smaller rocky planets gradually lose a portion of their original gaseous envelope, causing their measured radius to shrink over time.

Computer Science: Quantum Computers Physics: General Physics: Optics Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

Technique could improve the sensitivity of quantum sensing devices      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new technique can control a larger number of microscopic defects in a diamond. These defects can be used as qubits for quantum sensing applications, and being able to control a greater number of qubits would improve the sensitivity of such devices.

Physics: Optics
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Spiral-shaped lens provides clear vision at a range of distances and lighting conditions      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have developed a spiral-shaped lens that maintains clear focus at different distances in varying light conditions. The new lens works much like progressive lenses used for vision correction but without the distortions typically seen with those lenses. It could help advance contact lens technologies, intraocular implants for cataracts and miniaturized imaging systems.

Offbeat: General Offbeat: Space Space: Astronomy Space: Exploration Space: General Space: The Solar System
Published

Mimas' surprise: Tiny moon of Saturn holds young ocean beneath icy shell      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Saturn's moon Mimas harbors a global ocean beneath its icy shell, discovered through analysis of its orbit by Cassini spacecraft data. This ocean formed just 5-15 million years ago, making Mimas a prime candidate for studying early ocean formation and potential for life. This discovery suggests life-essential conditions might exist on seemingly inactive moons, expanding our search for life beyond Earth.

Offbeat: General Offbeat: Space Space: Astrophysics Space: Exploration Space: General
Published

Astrophysicists crack the case of 'disappearing' Sulphur in planetary nebulae      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Two astrophysicists have finally solved a 20-year-old astrophysical puzzle concerning the lower-than-expected amounts of the element sulphur found in Planetary Nebulae (PNe) in comparison to expectations and measurements of other elements and other types of astrophysical objects. The expected levels of sulphur have long appeared to be 'missing in action'. However, they have now finally reported for duty after hiding in plain sight, as a result of leveraging highly accurate and reliable data.

Offbeat: General Offbeat: Space Space: Astronomy Space: Astrophysics Space: Cosmology Space: Exploration Space: General Space: Structures and Features
Published

Which came first: Black holes or galaxies?      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Black holes not only existed at the dawn of time, they birthed new stars and supercharged galaxy formation, a new analysis of James Webb Space Telescope data suggests.

Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: General Physics: Optics
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Unveiling the generation principles of charged particles 'trion' in 2D semiconductor      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers pioneer dynamic manipulation and the generation principles of trion at the nanoscale using tip-enhanced cavity-spectroscopy.

Energy: Nuclear Offbeat: General Physics: General Physics: Optics
Published

Scientists create effective 'spark plug' for direct-drive inertial confinement fusion experiments      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

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.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Computer Science: General Engineering: Biometric Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: General Physics: Optics
Published

A sleeker facial recognition technology tested on Michelangelo's David      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

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.