Oxygen collisions reveal how quark–gluon matter approaches equilibrium
High-energy nuclear collisions recreate extreme conditions similar to those in the early universe, producing quark–gluon plasma (QGP), a hot state of matter in which quarks and gl…
Deep underground, SuperCDMS begins hunting light dark matter with 24 cryogenic crystals
In the hunt for one of nature's most elusive substances—dark matter, which makes up 85% of all matter in the universe—scientists are going to extremes. Deep underground and chille…
First observation of optical Magnus effect could sharpen quantum computer control
Table tennis professionals are true masters at redirecting fast-moving projectiles. Putting a targeted spin on a serve can make the little white ball fly straight toward the edge …
Geomimicry offers a new framework for engineering sustainable materials
When engineers look to nature for inspiration, they often turn to living systems. The flight of birds has influenced aircraft design, gecko feet inspired new adhesives and lotus l…
Going beyond simple models of neural networks: Extended mean-field theory offers a better approach
Physics is most readily applied to relatively simple systems: a pendulum, two electrons colliding or the structure of the solar system. But when systems become complicated—when ma…
Light particles reveal critical scaling in a two-dimensional photon gas
A team of researchers from the University of Bonn, Heidelberg University and the National Autonomous University of Mexico has studied the critical behavior of light particles (pho…
Electrically charged raindrops could be corroding metal with protective coatings
Electrically charged raindrops, a naturally occurring phenomenon, can break down surfaces treated with protective coatings, according to new research published in Nature. This pre…
Ramped fields create more robust entanglement between trapped-ion qubits
While quantum computing could be the future, it is currently plagued by finicky hardware. To make the technology practical, researchers must demonstrate that it consistently and c…
Machine learning methods move self-driving labs closer to materials discovery at scale
Machine learning doesn't replace human intelligence, but it can outlast human endurance, which makes it a helpful tool for chemistry and materials discovery. Scientists know machi…
Observing the vibrations of neighboring atoms with an atomic-scale double slit
Efficiently controlling heat generation has become a major challenge as the semiconductors used in smartphones, computers and similar devices have become higher-performing and mor…
Narrow ultrasonic beam enables stable 3D levitation six times farther than before
Scientists have developed a new acoustic levitation technique using an ultrasonic beam capable of levitating and moving small objects in midair over distances of up to 40 cm (16 i…
One molecule, one photon: Entanglement makes an imperceptible recoil measurable
For decades, light has been used to understand the molecular structures of matter. A sample is irradiated with light, and measurements determine the wavelengths at which it is abs…
High magnetic fields revive superconductivity in nickelates
Scientists from the National University of Singapore (NUS), in collaboration with Los Alamos National Laboratory in the United States, have uncovered that a class of nickel-based …
LLM-based platform for generating new materials synthesis recipes dramatically cuts trial and error
A research team led by Professor Sung Beom Cho of the School of Advanced Materials Science and Engineering at Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), in collaboration with the teams of Pr…
Hyperdoped silicon photodiode advances short-wave infrared detection at room temperature
Detecting short-wave infrared (SWIR) light, a region of the electromagnetic spectrum just beyond the light visible to the human eye, could be advantageous for many real-world appl…
New quantum computing method broadens spectroscopy of hard-to-model matter
Scientists could have a new way to explore the hidden behavior of matter, thanks to research involving Queen Mary University of London that uses a quantum computer to carry out a …
Plant-like chemical gardens show how simple reactions build complex structures
The famous quote by Cicero, "If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need," reminds us that the beauty of life lies in the harmony between nature and knowledge…
Four ζ-carotene isomers reveal light-driven shifts and skin-protective potential
ζ-Carotene, a key intermediate in lycopene biosynthesis, is widely found in plants and photosynthetic microorganisms, but its isomer-specific properties remain poorly understood d…
3D atomic imaging reveals a new pathway to crystal formation
The most common scientific approach for thinking about how condensation, freezing and other phase transitions begin is based in classical nucleation theory, which was developed ab…
Sound waves do double duty, carrying and protecting quantum information
Researchers at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) have demonstrated a promising new way to protect fragile quantum information using not…
Chemists harness light to build 3D molecular structures for drug discovery
Researchers from the Department of Chemistry at The University of Hong Kong (HKU), led by Professor Jian He and collaborators, have developed a new light-driven method for constru…
Simulations reveal asymmetric diffusion of magnetic skyrmions through an off-center gate
Diffusion is a fundamental natural phenomenon that can be observed across a wide range of length and time scales. It plays a key role in many fields, including physics, biology an…
Using plutonium to probe the universe: Magneto‑ν experiment advances dark matter and neutrino research
Astronomers can't see dark matter directly, but they know it's there: Its gravity shapes galaxies and the large-scale structure of the cosmos. In an effort to uncover the composit…
Exact calculations sharpen view of atomic nuclei
Every high-energy nuclear collision leaves behind a trail of clues about the structure of atomic nuclei. Deciphering those clues, however, depends on the accuracy of the underlyin…