Simulating microswimmers in nematic fluids
New research shows how control over self-propelled microswimmers could be achieved using exotic materials named 'nematic liquid crystals' - whose viscosity and elasticity can vary depending on the direction of an applied force......»»
Study shows cells respond quickly to small light-induced micro-environment movements
Life sciences and photonics researchers at Tampere University have made a remarkable discovery in studying superficial cells' response to mechanical stimuli. By simulating the deformation of the extracellular matrix below the cells, researchers have.....»»
Shape of water jet found to influence sound of impact on still water
A trio of mechanical engineers at Seoul National University has found that the shape of a water jet dropped into a glass of water is the determining factor in the noise that results. In their paper published in the journal Physical Review Fluids, Mou.....»»
Stripes in a flowing liquid crystal suggest a route to "chiral" fluids
Hold your hands out in front of you, and no matter how you rotate them, it's impossible to superimpose one over the other. Our hands are a perfect example of chirality—a geometric configuration by which an object cannot be superimposed onto its mir.....»»
From "liquid lace" to the "Drop Medusa," researchers compete for the best image of fluid flow
Each year at its annual meeting, the American Physical Society's Division of Fluid Dynamics sponsors a contest for the best images in a variety of categories, all related to the flow of fluids......»»
Discovery of magnetic liquid crystal: First direct observation of spin quadrupole moments in a spin-nematic phase
Liquid crystal is a state of matter that exhibits properties of both liquid and solid. It can flow like a liquid, while its constituent molecules are aligned as in a solid. Liquid crystal is widely used nowadays, for example, as a core element of LCD.....»»
New understanding of "oobleck-like" fluids contributes to smart material design
If you mix cornstarch and water in the right proportions, you get something that seems not-quite-liquid but also not-quite-solid. Oobleck flows and settles like a liquid when untouched but stiffens when you try to pick it up or stir it with a spoon......»»
Shape-changing helical microswimmers could revolutionize biomedical applications
Artificial helical microswimmers with shape-morphing capabilities and adaptive locomotion are promising for precision medicine and noninvasive surgery. However, current fabrication methods are slow and limited......»»
Study suggests nature may have had a hand in shaping Great Sphinx of Giza
A trio of experimental physicists and applied mathematicians at New York University has found evidence that Egypt's Great Sphinx of Giza may have originated as a natural formation. For their study, published in the journal Physical Review Fluids, Sam.....»»
Simulating space to explore the great mystery of interstellar chemistry
The universe is more than 13 billion years old and space is often depicted as a vast, empty vacuum. Other than planets and stars, there's nothing there, right? Actually, space is littered with complex, carbon-based molecules. However, the range of mo.....»»
Geotechnical centrifuge modeling for simulating long-term radionuclide migration in large-scale fractured rocks
Deep geological disposal is a globally recognized and safe method for long-term management of high-level radioactive waste (HLW). However, over extended periods of nuclear waste storage, there is the potential for the waste canister to experience lea.....»»
New method may accurately identify body fluids at crime scenes
Identifying different types of body fluids can help forensic experts reconstruct a crime scene, but it's difficult to do so. In a study published in Electrophoresis, researchers developed a method using two different types of RNA—called microRNA (m.....»»
The dance of organ positioning: A tango of three proteins
In order to keep track of their environment, cells use cilia, antenna-like structures that can sense a variety of stimuli, including the flow of fluids outside the cell. Genetic defects that cause cilia to malfunction and lose their sensory abilities.....»»
New quasi-particle bridges microwave and optical domains
In a paper published today (Sept. 18) in Nature Communications, researchers from the Paul-Drude-Institut in Berlin, Germany, and the Instituto Balseiro in Bariloche, Argentina, demonstrated that the mixing of confined quantum fluids of light and GHz.....»»
Where was the pleasure when Anthony lost his "ass virginity" in "And Just Like That"?
'And Just Like That' season 2 episode 11 featured Anthony Marentino (Mario Cantone) losing his "ass virginity" or bottoming for the first time. But where was the sexual pleasure? Sex in real life is messy. You end up with lube or bodily fluids.....»»
Study proves the difficulty of simulating random quantum circuits for classical computers
Quantum computers, technologies that perform computations leveraging quantum mechanical phenomena, could eventually outperform classical computers on many complex computational and optimization problems. While some quantum computers have attained rem.....»»
Researchers reveal electronic nematicity without charge density waves in titanium-based kagome metal
Electronic nematic order in kagome materials has thus far been entangled with charge density waves. Now it is finally observed as a stand-alone phase in a titanium-based Kagome metal, a team of researchers led by Boston College physicists reported re.....»»
Let there be matter: Simulating the creation of matter from photon–photon collisions
A team led by researchers at Osaka University and University of California, San Diego has conducted simulations of creating matter solely from collisions of light particles. Their method circumvents what would otherwise be the intensity limitations o.....»»
Stick-to-itiveness: Engineers show self-organization of sticky micron-to-mesoscale 3D structures in confined fluids
Automating the construction of three-dimensional structures that are 10s of millimeters in size would revolutionize manufacturing of devices for optical, electrical and biomedical applications. An economical process for constructing such 3D microstru.....»»
Simulating damage propagation in composite materials to realize high-quality carbon fiber reinforced plastics
Structural materials with useful mechanical properties have applications in a diverse range of fields. A reliable way to enhance the properties of structural materials is to make them lighter without compromising their strength......»»
Simulation claims to find solutions to a central mystery in space physics
How are plasma eruptions in near-Earth space formed? Vlasiator, a model designed at the University of Helsinki for simulating near-Earth space, demonstrated that the two central theories on the occurrence of eruptions are simultaneously valid: erupti.....»»