Harvesting more solar energy with two-dimensional supercrystals
When Emiliano Cortés goes hunting for sunlight, he doesn't use gigantic mirrors or sprawling solar farms. Quite the contrary, the professor of experimental physics and energy conversion at LMU dives into the nanocosmos......»»
An interstellar visitor helped shape the orbits of the planets
The orbits of the planets around the sun have been the source for many a scientific debate. Their current orbital properties are well understood but the planetary orbits have evolved and changed since the formation of the solar system......»»
Deformable mirror technology takes laser welding and 3D printing to new heights
Yongcui Mi has developed a new technology that enables real-time shaping and control of laser beams for laser welding and directed energy deposition using laser and wire. The innovation is based on the same mirror technology used in advanced telescop.....»»
New technique for spotting Dyson rings unveiled
Dyson spheres and rings have always held a special fascination for me. The concept is simple: build a great big structure either as a sphere or ring to harness the energy from a star. Dyson rings are far more simple and feasible to construct and in a.....»»
Graphene stacking discovery could herald new era for quantum applications
Graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a two-dimensional honeycomb lattice, is known for its exceptional properties: incredible strength (about 200 times stronger than steel), light weight, flexibility, and excellent conduction of elect.....»»
Cosmic rays" vast energy traced to magnetic turbulence
Ultra-high energy cosmic rays, which emerge in extreme astrophysical environments—like the roiling environments near black holes and neutron stars—have far more energy than the energetic particles that emerge from our sun. In fact, the particles.....»»
Predicting atomic structures proves useful in energy and sustainability
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) have developed a new approach that combines generative artificial intelligence (AI) and first-principles simulations to predict three-dimensional atomic structures of highly complex materia.....»»
Feast your eyes on 10 years of Hubble images of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
The Hubble Space Telescope has been imaging the outer planets of our solar system for a decade, learning about their strange weather conditions......»»
EV charging infrastructure isn’t just for road trippers
Energy management will be key for electrified vehicle fleets. Although there's been a whole lot of pessimism recently, electric vehicle sales continue to grow, even if it is less.....»»
Lower-cost sodium-ion batteries are finally having their moment
World's largest battery maker touts second-generation sodium-ion battery. Sodium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage are moving toward the mainstream. Wider use.....»»
Speaking crystal: AI learns language of atom arrangements in solids
A new artificial intelligence model that can predict how atoms arrange themselves in crystal structures could lead to faster discovery of new materials for everything from solar panels to computer chips......»»
Solving waste plastic processing with heat circulation: Researchers develop large-scale pyrolysis process
Dr. Byungwook Hwang's research team from the CCS Research Department at the Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) has successfully developed a process that applies the circulating fluidized bed technology, commonly used in coal-fired power plant.....»»
3D models help researchers understand the climate impact of eddies
Mesoscale eddies are ocean vortices less than 100 kilometers in diameter that are responsible for the localized "weather" of the oceans. Because of the large amount of mass and energy movement associated with these currents, mesoscale eddies play an.....»»
Experiments provide evidence that interaction of light with a hydrocarbon molecule produces strained molecular rings
When molecules interact with ultraviolet (UV) light, they can change shape quickly, producing strain—stress in a molecule's chemical structure due to an increase in the molecule's internal energy. These processes typically take just tens of picosec.....»»
Discovery of key protein complex shows evolution and adaptability of photosynthetic organisms
A team of researchers has revealed the structure of a modified and evolved version of Photosystem I (PS I), a key protein complex used by plants and cyanobacteria to convert sunlight into chemical energy. This discovery sheds light on the evolution a.....»»
Here"s how interstellar objects and rogue planets can be trapped in the solar system
When 'Oumuamua traversed our solar system in 2017 it was the first confirmed Interstellar Object (ISO) to do so. Then in 2019, Comet 2l/Borisov did the same thing. These are the only two confirmed ISOs to visit our solar system. Many more ISOs must h.....»»
European satellites launched to create artificial solar eclipses in a tech demo
A pair of European satellites rocketed into orbit Thursday on the first mission to create artificial solar eclipses through fancy formation flying in space......»»
A rare Venus solar transit helps unravel exoplanet atmospheres
In the next decade, researchers will start probing the atmosphere of planets as small as Earth and Venus orbiting nearby stars. But although these two solar system planets are similar in size and bulk density—so that some call them "twins"—their.....»»
Gene editing and plant domestication essential to protect food supplies in a worsening climate, scientists say
We all need to eat, but the impact of the climate crisis on our crops is throwing the world's food supply into question. Modern crops, domesticated for high food yields and ease of harvesting, lack the genetic resources to respond to the climate cris.....»»
Tim Cook denies OpenAI rumors; talks AI energy use; Apple Glasses; saving lives
A wide-ranging interview with Apple CEO Tim Cook reveals him (kind of) denying OpenAI rumors; addressing the potential conflict between the power requirements of AI and Apple’s environmental goals; the journey toward Apple Glasses; and how Apple’.....»»
Approaching the unexplored "plasma phase-space" with data science
Fusion energy is being researched and developed as a new source of electric power that will contribute to the realization of a carbon-neutral society. At the National Institute for Fusion Science, research on magnetically confined plasma is being con.....»»