Shear ultrasound shaking found to lower friction between solids
When high-frequency shaking occurs at an interface between two solids, recent experiments have revealed that the frictional forces between the objects can be weakened. Through a simple new experiment detailed in The European Physical Journal E, Julie.....»»
Scientists reveal how light behaves in formless solids
For a long time, it was thought that amorphous solids do not selectively absorb light because of their disordered atomic structure. However, a new uOttawa study disproves this theory and shows that amorphous solids actually exhibit dichroism, meaning.....»»
The best speakers for 2024: great hi-fi options for music and more
From critical music listening to furniture-shaking home theater, a great pair of speakers can make all the difference. We found the top picks on the market......»»
Reports are spreading about a very specific Apple Vision Pro front glass crack
Multiple users on Reddit have shared images of a clean-cut shear in their Apple Vision Pro front glass appearing for reportedly no reason.Apple Vision Pro cover glass with a crack. Source: Reddit u/dornbirnApple Vision Pro is a precisely built produc.....»»
Variability of bat nasal bone morphology found to determine ultrasonic localization
Japanese horseshoe bats—or Nihon Kikugakushira—emit high-amplitude, ultrasonic waves from their nostrils. Several ultrasound-related studies have previously attempted to address the significant regional variability noted in bats' nasal morphologi.....»»
Acoustic invention enhances ultrasound to access enclosed metal spaces
The inside of underwater pipes and enclosed nuclear containers were inaccessible—until recently. Acoustics researchers in Penn State's College of Engineering have developed a way to convey energy and transmit communications through metal walls usin.....»»
Application of ultrasound found to greatly speed up motility of human sperm
A team of engineers at Monash University in Australia has found that exposing human sperm to ultrasound can cause them to swim faster. In their study, published in the journal Science Advances, the group exposed human semen samples to ultrasonic wave.....»»
The dynamics of deformable systems: Study unravels mathematical mystery of cable-like structures
Are our bodies solid or liquid? We all know the convention—that solids maintain their shapes, while liquids fill the containers they're in. But often in the real world, those lines are blurred. Imagine walking on a beach. Sometimes the sand gives w.....»»
Ultrasound can save fish in hydropower rivers
The phenomenon of gas supersaturation occurs when air enters water-filled hydropower inlets and is then exposed to high pressure. When this water is subsequently released into the river below the hydropower plant, it's almost like opening a bottle of.....»»
Secondary eyewall formation in upper- and lower-layer vertical wind shear simulated in idealized tropical cyclones
About 80% of intense tropical cyclones (TCs) possess concentric eyewalls—namely, the primary and secondary eyewalls. The intensity of the TC can vary considerably during secondary eyewall formation (SEF) and eyewall replacement, posing a great chal.....»»
Political polarization may slow legislation, make higher-stakes laws likelier
The United States House of Representatives held more than 700 votes in 2023, but fewer than 30 bills were signed into law. Partisan politics may explain why, with polarization potentially causing enough friction to slow down the legislative process a.....»»
A new approach to monitoring ultrafast excitations in correlated systems
An international team of researchers have presented new ideas for ultrafast multi-dimensional spectroscopy of strongly correlated solids. Their work is published in Nature Photonics......»»
A means for tuning friction on a flat surface without the use of math
A team of microsystems engineers at Université de Lyon, École Centrale de Lyon has developed a method to create a desired amount of friction between two flat surfaces without resorting to math. Their project is reported in the journal Science. Viac.....»»
Review covers optical aspects of quantitative photoacoustic tomography
Quantitative photoacoustic tomography (QPAT) is a medical imaging technique that combines laser-induced photoacoustic signals and ultrasound detection to create detailed three-dimensional images of biological tissues. The process involves irradiating.....»»
Scientists resolve intriguing phenomenon of superlubricity and formulate its laws
Skoltech researchers have explained why very weak friction obeys different laws than those governing regular friction as we know it from school physics. Among other unexpected and counterintuitive features, the alternative friction laws formulated by.....»»
Scientists examine how friction forces propel development in a marine organism
As the potter works the spinning wheel, the friction between their hands and the soft clay helps them shape it into all kinds of forms and creations. In a fascinating parallel, sea squirt oocytes (immature egg cells) harness friction within various c.....»»
Titan"s "magic islands" are likely to be honeycombed hydrocarbon icebergs, finds study
Titan's "magic islands" are likely floating chunks of porous, frozen organic solids, a new study finds, pivoting from previous work suggesting they were gas bubbles. The study was published in Geophysical Research Letters......»»
Examining the effects of ultrasound-assisted fermentation on Chinese rice wine
Traditional Chinese rice wine (RW) has been popular in China for thousands of years. The brewing process involves simultaneous saccharification and solid-state fermentation using mixed saccharifying starters, such as wheat starter and distiller's yea.....»»
In quest to prevent debilitating traumatic brain injuries, new foam material rises to the top
From falls to football tackles, most blows to the head occur at odd angles. And those impacts trigger simultaneous linear and rotational head motions. The rotating movement in particular causes shear strain, which is especially damaging to the brain......»»
Watch sand defy gravity and flow uphill thanks to “negative friction”
Applying magnetic forces to single iron oxide-coated particles spurs strange collective motion. There's rarely time to write about every cool science-y story that comes our way. So this year, we're once again running a special Twe.....»»
Lighting a fire using friction requires an understanding of physics principles—there are ways to make the process easier
Humans have been making fire using friction for thousands of years, with evidence of its use found in archaeological records across different cultures worldwide......»»