American Institute of Physics News - SciTechDaily

How Sonic Technology Is Advancing Wind Detection on Mars

American Institute of Physics — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 07:21:06 +0000

Mars’s hostile environment presents significant challenges for measuring wind speeds, but new advancements are making it possible to collect more accurate data. Researchers have developed a novel sonic anemometric system using piezoelectric transducers, enabling faster and more precise measurements of Martian winds. This technology, which could measure up to 100 wind speeds per second, represents [...]

Avoiding Food Poisoning: How a Tiny Chip Can Make Your Food Safer Than Ever

American Institute of Physics — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 15:00:43 +0000

A new microfluidic chip developed by researchers enables quick, effective detection of multiple foodborne pathogens simultaneously, improving food safety and preventing contaminated products from entering the market. Every so often, a food product is recalled because of some sort of contamination. For consumers of such products, a recall can trigger doubt in the safety and [...]

Revolutionizing Volcano Monitoring With New Lava Viscosity Tool

American Institute of Physics — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 15:00:19 +0000

Researchers at the University at Buffalo developed a new tool to measure lava viscosity directly in volcanic environments, enhancing our understanding of lava flows and improving disaster response strategies. Millions of people live near active volcanoes, which are constantly monitored for signs of an impending eruption. When an eruption happens, scientists and governments rely on [...]

How Plant Biology Could Revolutionize Renewable Energy

American Institute of Physics — Tue, 28 May 2024 15:00:05 +0000

New research has revealed that the hydraulic systems of plants generate a streaming electric potential in sync with their circadian rhythms, presenting innovative opportunities for sustainable energy production. When plants draw water from their roots to nourish their stems and leaves, they produce an electric potential that could be harnessed as a renewable energy source. [...]

Inside the Cellular Tug-of-War: What Drives Cancer’s Spread?

American Institute of Physics — Tue, 07 May 2024 15:00:33 +0000

How cancer cells tug against each other determines whether they can migrate elsewhere in the body. Understanding how cancerous cells spread from a primary tumor is important for any number of reasons, including determining the aggressiveness of the disease itself. The movement of cells into the extracellular matrix (ECM) of neighboring tissue is an essential [...]

Accidental Discovery Transforms Cork Into an Eco-Friendly Oil Sponge

American Institute of Physics — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 15:00:58 +0000

Treated cork has higher absorbance, harnesses sunlight to trap oil in minutes. Oil spills are deadly disasters for ocean ecosystems. They can have lasting impacts on fish and marine mammals for decades and wreak havoc on coastal forests, coral reefs, and the surrounding land. Chemical dispersants are often used to break down oil, but they [...]

Ultrablack Coating Unleashes New Era for Telescopes

American Institute of Physics — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 23:24:20 +0000

Thin film coating can be applied to magnesium alloys for aerospace and optics applications. Sometimes, seeing clearly requires complete black. For astronomy and precision optics, coating devices in black paint can cut down on stray light, enhancing images and boosting performance. For the most advanced telescopes and optical systems, every little bit matters, so their [...]

Silica Surprises in China’s Lunar Sample Reveal Moon’s Hidden History

American Institute of Physics — Sat, 02 Mar 2024 18:51:04 +0000

The lunar sample returned by China’s 2020 lunar mission contained minerals that provide clues to their origin. Earth’s moon achieved its Swiss cheese appearance from celestial objects crashing into its surface, forming impact craters. But craters weren’t all that was left behind; the intense pressure and temperature of such a collision also impacts the rocks [...]

Scientists Unveil the Physics Behind 300-Year-Old Firefighting Methods

American Institute of Physics — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 01:08:57 +0000

Stabilizing the flow of water in pumping systems marked a significant breakthrough in the 18th century. Today, the technology behind water pressure is widespread, benefiting anyone who takes a shower, irrigates a garden, or combats fires. However, in the 17th and 18th centuries, a steady stream of water not punctuated by pressure drops was a [...]

Written in Blood: The Revealing Forensic “Tails” of Crime Scene Bloodstains

American Institute of Physics — Sun, 17 Dec 2023 01:59:59 +0000

A new study in forensic science reveals that the “tails” of bloodstains offer crucial information about the blood drop’s origin, enhancing crime scene analysis and evidence interpretation. Forensic science has captured the public imagination by storm, as the profusion of “true crime” media in the last decade or so suggests. By now, most of us [...]

Sunlight to Survival: Pioneering Solar Technology Transforms Air Into Water

American Institute of Physics — Sat, 09 Dec 2023 21:23:33 +0000

Atmospheric water harvester provides water to arid communities using hygroscopic gel and salts. More than 2.2 billion people currently live in water-stressed countries, and the United Nations estimates that 3.5 million die every year from water-related diseases. Because the areas most in need of improved drinking water are also located in some of the sunniest [...]

New Research: Energy Production Is Powered by More Than Just Physics

American Institute of Physics — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 05:46:33 +0000

Reframing power in terms of social and cultural dynamics enables students to actively participate in their communities. Large-scale energy generation endeavors are influenced equally by economic and political factors as they are by the availability of natural resources and raw materials. The output of power plants encompasses more than just electricity; it also results in [...]

The Battle of Tongues: When Languages Collide, Which Survives?

American Institute of Physics — Sat, 18 Nov 2023 14:01:13 +0000

The life or death of a language often depends on individual preferences and social prestige. Researchers from the University of the Balearic Islands have shown through a mathematical model how language preferences and societal interactions affect the coexistence and survival of languages in multilingual societies, with significant implications for language preservation and policy-making. Language has [...]

Molecular Motion: Powering the Next Wave in Electricity Generation

American Institute of Physics — Sun, 22 Oct 2023 00:37:12 +0000

There is power in numbers when generating electricity from the movement of molecules. Wave energy technology is a proven source of power generation, but there is power inherent in every molecule of liquid on earth, even when the liquid is at rest. At the molecular scale, atoms and ions are always moving. If this nanoscale [...]

Rewiring Time: How Synchronizing Your Internal Clocks Can Ease Jet Lag and Aging

American Institute of Physics — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 06:22:29 +0000

Consuming a hearty breakfast rather than a late-night snack might improve sleep quality during travel. Exploring distant destinations offers a wealth of novel experiences, yet the accompanying jet lag can be an unpleasant side effect. Adapting to a different time zone frequently brings about exhaustion, sleep challenges, and various issues that can overshadow the thrill [...]

Breathing In Plastic – Microplastics Stick Around in Human Airways

American Institute of Physics — Sun, 20 Aug 2023 13:18:07 +0000

Fluid dynamics simulations reveal how detrimental plastic particles accumulate inside the nose and at the back of the throat. Research indicates that humans could potentially inhale approximately 16.2 bits of microplastic each hour, amounting to the weight of a credit card over a week’s time. These microplastics, which are minuscule environmental remnants resulting from the [...]

The Science Behind Skipping Stones: Gateway to Marine Engineering Advances

American Institute of Physics — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 21:23:53 +0000

Researchers uncover dynamics of buoyant spheres and the formation of horizontal air cavities at the air-water interface. Driven by the need to safeguard marine animals and promote sustainable solutions within marine environments, an interdisciplinary team of researchers from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia and Sofia University in Bulgaria are [...]

Sweet Science: Unraveling the Physics of Gummy Candies

American Institute of Physics — Tue, 16 May 2023 15:00:25 +0000

Dozens of ingredient and storage combinations reveal what factors make some gummies harder than others and how product formulation affects shelf life. For gummy candies, texture might be even more important than taste. Biting into a hard, stale treat is disappointing, even if it still carries a burst of sweetness. Keeping gummies in good condition [...]

A Shot of Science: Perfecting Espresso Extraction for Maximum Flavor

American Institute of Physics — Wed, 10 May 2023 12:42:07 +0000

Understanding the origin of uneven extraction in brewing espresso can improve the beverage and enable substantial financial savings by using coffee more efficiently and sustainably. University of Huddersfield researchers found that uneven extraction in espresso brewing leads to weaker coffee when using finely ground beans. Understanding and preventing this phenomenon could improve coffee taste and [...]

Revolutionizing Highways: Superconductors Unlock High-Speed Travel and Energy Transportation

American Institute of Physics — Tue, 02 May 2023 17:26:12 +0000

Revolutionary design could combine superconductor levitation, lossless electricity transmission, and liquid hydrogen transportation into one system. A proof of concept for a superconducting highway has been developed, which can transport vehicles and electricity while using a liquid hydrogen pipeline for cooling. This innovative design could enable high-speed transportation of people and goods at 400+ miles [...]

Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for a Cutting-Edge Tsunami Early Warning System

American Institute of Physics — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 15:00:24 +0000

Real-time classification of underwater earthquakes based on acoustic signals enables earlier, more reliable disaster preparation. Researchers have developed an AI-powered early warning system for tsunamis that uses acoustic technology and hydrophones to measure and classify underwater earthquakes in real-time, allowing for faster and more accurate risk assessments. Tsunamis are incredibly destructive waves that can destroy [...]

Artificial Cells – The Powerhouse of the Future

American Institute of Physics — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 13:36:24 +0000

Assessing how energy-generating synthetic organelles could sustain artificial cells. Researchers have assessed the progress and challenges in creating artificial mitochondria and chloroplasts for energy production in synthetic cells. These artificial organelles could potentially enable the development of new organisms or biomaterials. The researchers identified proteins as the most crucial components for molecular rotary machinery, proton [...]

A Recipe for 3D-Printing Food: Additive Manufacturing of Edible Materials

American Institute of Physics — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 07:26:25 +0000

Researchers identify factors affecting the quality of edible materials produced by additive manufacturing. 3D-printing food could address global challenges in food supply and nutrition. But there are hurdles involved in adapting additive manufacturing to produce edible materials. In the journal Physics of Fluids, from AIP Publishing, University of Ottawa researchers Ezgi Pulatsu and Chibuike Udenigwe [...]

More Efficient Carbon Capture: Cleaning Up the Atmosphere With Quantum Computing

American Institute of Physics — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 15:00:02 +0000

A quantum computing algorithm could identify better compounds for more efficient carbon capture. The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases daily with no sign of stopping or slowing. Too much of civilization depends on the burning of fossil fuels, and even if we can develop a replacement energy source, much of the damage [...]