Computer Science: Encryption Computer Science: General Computer Science: Quantum Computers
Published

A new design for quantum computers      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Creating a quantum computer powerful enough to tackle problems we cannot solve with current computers remains a big challenge for quantum physicists. A well-functioning quantum simulator -- a specific type of quantum computer -- could lead to new discoveries about how the world works at the smallest scales. Quantum scientists have developed a guide on how to upgrade these machines so that they can simulate even more complex quantum systems.

Computer Science: Quantum Computers Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General
Published

1,000 atomic qubits and rising      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Making quantum systems more scalable is one of the key requirements for the further development of quantum computers because the advantages they offer become increasingly evident as the systems are scaled up. Researchers have recently taken a decisive step towards achieving this goal.

Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Energy: Batteries Energy: Technology Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Geochemistry
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Discovery of new Li ion conductor unlocks new direction for sustainable batteries      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have discovered a solid material that rapidly conducts lithium ions. Consisting of non-toxic earth-abundant elements, the new material has high enough Li ion conductivity to replace the liquid electrolytes in current Li ion battery technology, improving safety and energy capacity. The research team have synthesized the material in the laboratory, determined its structure and demonstrated it in a battery cell.

Computer Science: General Energy: Technology
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'Scientists' warning' on climate and technology      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Throughout human history, technologies have been used to make peoples' lives richer and more comfortable, but they have also contributed to a global crisis threatening Earth's climate, ecosystems and even our own survival. Researchers have suggested that industrial civilization's best way forward may entail embracing further technological advancements but doing so with greater awareness of their potential drawbacks.

Computer Science: General Computer Science: Quantum Computers Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound Physics: General Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
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Fundamental equation for superconducting quantum bits revised      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Physicists have uncovered that Josephson tunnel junctions -- the fundamental building blocks of superconducting quantum computers -- are more complex than previously thought. Just like overtones in a musical instrument, harmonics are superimposed on the fundamental mode. As a consequence, corrections may lead to quantum bits that are 2 to 7 times more stable. The researchers support their findings with experimental evidence from multiple laboratories across the globe.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics Energy: Technology Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Benefits of heat pumps      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Millions of U.S. households would benefit from heat pumps, but the cost of installing the technology needs to come down to make their use a more attractive proposition.

Biology: Cell Biology Chemistry: Thermodynamics Energy: Technology Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues
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Eco-friendly way to generate power from waste wood      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new study by researchers has revealed a sustainable method of efficiently converting waste heat into electricity using Irish wood products, while minimizing costs and environmental impact.

Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Energy: Technology Physics: General Physics: Optics Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
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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: General Energy: Technology Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
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Conversion process turns greenhouse gas into ethylene      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Engineers have created a more efficient way of converting carbon dioxide into valuable products while simultaneously addressing climate change.

Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Energy: Alternative Fuels Energy: Technology Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
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Towards A Better Way of Releasing Hydrogen Stored in Hydrogen Boride Sheets      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Hydrogen stored in hydrogen boride sheets can be efficiently released electrochemically, report scientists. Through a series of experiments, they demonstrated that dispersing these sheets in an organic solvent and applying a small voltage is enough to release all the stored hydrogen efficiently. These findings suggest hydrogen boride sheets could soon become a safe and convenient way to store and transport hydrogen, which is a cleaner and more sustainable fuel.

Computer Science: General Computer Science: Quantum Computers Mathematics: Statistics Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General
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Researchers show classical computers can keep up with, and surpass, their quantum counterparts      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A team of scientists has devised means for classical computing to mimic a quantum computing with far fewer resources than previously thought. The scientists' results show that classical computing can be reconfigured to perform faster and more accurate calculations than state-of-the-art quantum computers.

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

Chemistry: Biochemistry Computer Science: General Computer Science: Quantum Computers Physics: General Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
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Combining materials may support unique superconductivity for quantum computing      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new fusion of materials, each with special electrical properties, has all the components required for a unique type of superconductivity that could provide the basis for more robust quantum computing.

Energy: Batteries Energy: Technology Offbeat: General
Published

Smart earrings can monitor a person's temperature      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers introduced the Thermal Earring, a wireless wearable that continuously monitors a user's earlobe temperature. Potential applications include tracking signs of ovulation, stress, eating and exercise. The smart earring prototype is about the size and weight of a small paperclip and has a 28-day battery life.

Energy: Fossil Fuels Energy: Technology Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues
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Japan's electric vehicle transition by 2035 may be insufficient to combat the climate crisis, but there are solutions      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers report that Japan's policy of banning the sale of new gas vehicles by 2035 may be insufficient to reduce the country's CO2 emissions. The team's analysis showed that to effectively reach their climate goals, Japan must also implement policies that extend vehicle lifetime, implement more renewable energy into its energy sector, and decarbonize the manufacturing process of vehicles.

Energy: Technology Environmental: General
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New study finds 'sweet spot' for length of yarn-shaped supercapacitors      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have identified a 'sweet spot' at which the length of a threadlike energy storage technology called a 'yarn-shaped supercapacitor' (YSC) yields the highest and most efficient flow of energy per unit length.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Microbiology Chemistry: Biochemistry Energy: Technology Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General
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Microbial division of labor produces higher biofuel yields      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have found a way to boost ethanol production via yeast fermentation, a standard method for converting plant sugars into biofuels. Their approach relies on careful timing and a tight division of labor among synthetic yeast strains to yield more ethanol per unit of plant sugars than previous approaches have achieved.

Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Computer Science: Quantum Computers Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: General Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
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Direct view of tantalum oxidation that impedes qubit coherence      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have used a combination of scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and computational modeling to get a closer look and deeper understanding of tantalum oxide. When this amorphous oxide layer forms on the surface of tantalum -- a superconductor that shows great promise for making the 'qubit' building blocks of a quantum computer -- it can impede the material's ability to retain quantum information. Learning how the oxide forms may offer clues as to why this happens -- and potentially point to ways to prevent quantum coherence loss.

Computer Science: Quantum Computers Physics: General Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
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Magnesium protects tantalum, a promising material for making qubits      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have discovered that adding a layer of magnesium improves the properties of tantalum, a superconducting material that shows great promise for building qubits, the basis of quantum computers. The scientists show that a thin layer of magnesium keeps tantalum from oxidizing, improves its purity, and raises the temperature at which it operates as a superconductor. All three may increase tantalum's ability to hold onto quantum information in qubits.