Phys.org June 29, 2021 Nanolattices exhibit attractive mechanical, energy conversion and optical properties, but it is challenging to fabricate large nanolattices while maintaining the dense regular nanometre features that enable their properties. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania developed a crack-free self-assembly approach for fabricating centimetre-scale nickel nanolattices with much larger crack-free areas. The nanolattices have a feature size of 100 nm, a grain size of 30 nm and a tensile strength of 260 MPa, which approaches the theoretical strength limit for porous nickel. The work may advance the fabrication and applications of high-strength multifunctional porous materials…read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE
A new piece of the quantum computing puzzle
Phys.og June 29, 2021 The challenge in optical quantum information processing has been the realization of two-qubit gates for photonic qubits due to the lack of highly efficient optical Kerr nonlinearities at the single-photon level. A team of researchers in the US (Washington University, University of Michigan) found that a high-fidelity frequency-encoded deterministic two-photon controlled-phase gate can be achieved by exploiting the strong photon-photon correlation enabled by photonic dimers, and the unique nonreciprocal photonic propagation in chiral quantum nanophotonic systems. They are testing the design to show that it can operate under moderate conditions. According to the researchers so far […]
Non-stop signal achieved in high-power Erbium-doped mid-infrared lasers
Phys.org July 1, 2021 Based on their previous research work on laser, researchers in China further improved the laser performance of Er:YAP laser crystal by laser-diode side-pumping method. A Er:YAP crystal rod with concave end-faces was used to compensate the thermal lensing effect. They achieved maximum output power of 26.75 W at 250 Hz, and 13.18 W at 1000 Hz. They demonstrated a LD side-pumped and electro-optical Q-switched Er,Pr:YAP laser with emission at 2.7 μm. A giant pulse laser was obtained with pulse energy of 20.5 mJ, pulse width of 61.4 ns, and peak power of 0.33 MW at the […]
NSF-funded study will examine college tenure and promotion process, challenge assumptions
EurekAlert June 30, 2021 At the core of the college tenure and promotion system is the notion that those who are the most deserving are promoted. But, is that truly the case? In a 3-year study sponsored by NSF, a team of researchers in the US (University of Houston, Hampton University, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, University of Alabama, Louisiana State University, Texas A&M University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Rice University) is examining the college tenure and promotion process in academic careers in STEM and challenge some basic assumptions regarding merit as the sole driving force. They posit that candidate […]
Optical superoscillation without side waves
EurekAlert June 24, 2021 Optical superoscillation refers to a phenomenon of a wave packet that can oscillate locally faster than its highest Fourier component, which potentially produces an extremely localized wave in the far field. It provides an alternative way to overcome the diffraction limit and improve the resolution of an optical microscopy system. However, the optical superoscillatory waves are inevitably accompanied by strong side lobes, which limits their fields of view and, hence, potential applications. Researchers in China report both experimentally and theoretically a new superoscillatory wave form, which not only produces significant feature size down to deep subwavelength, […]
Optical tweezer technology tweaked to overcome dangers of heat
Phys.org June 26, 2021 The requirement of a strongly focused and high-intensity laser beam results in potential photon-induced thermal damages to target objects, including nanoparticles, cells, and biomolecules. Researchers at UT Austin have developed a new version of optical tweezers which exploit solid-state optical refrigeration and thermophoresis to trap particles and molecules at the laser-generated cold region. While laser refrigeration can avoid photothermal heating, the use of a weakly focused laser beam can further reduce the photodamages to the target object. The noninvasive optical tweezing technique will bring new possibilities in the optical control of nanomaterials and biomolecules for essential […]
Pathfinder satellite paves way for constellation of tropical-storm observers
Phys.org July 1, 2021 To bring more data to forecasters and have a more consistent watch over Earth’s tropical belt where these storms form, NASA has launched a test satellite (pathfinder) ahead of a constellation of six weather satellites called TROPICS (Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats) planned for launch in 2022. The TROPICS satellites will work together to provide near-hourly microwave observations of a storm’s precipitation, temperature, and humidity—a revisit time for these measurements not currently possible with other satellites. The new constellation will provide high frequency temperature and humidity soundings as […]
Researchers discover unique ‘spider web’ mechanism that traps, kills viruses
Phys.org June 29, 2021 Injectable vaccines are designed to bolster antibodies in the blood, but those antibodies are not as prevalent at the sites where infection begins. Researchers in Canada found that neutrophils, the most abundant white blood cells in the human body, explode when they bind to pathogens coated in antibodies and release DNA outside of the cell, creating a sticky tangle which acts as a trap. Mechanisms that can stop the infection at the site where it enters our body can prevent the spread and serious complications. According to the researchers we should be thinking carefully about next […]
Scientists design 3D-grown material that could speed up production of new technologies for smart buildings and robotics
Phys.org June 29, 2021 An international team of researchers (UC Berkeley, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, UK) has developed a nanoparticle composite that grows into 3-D crystals. They discovered that a tiny trace of polyolefin molecules from the centrifuge tube lining had somehow entered the mix. Subsequent experiments revealed that as the toluene solvent quickly evaporates at room temperature, the polyolefin additive helps the Au-PS nanoparticles form into 3D PGNP crystals, and to grow into crystal structure and the size and shape of the 3D PGNP crystals are driven by the kinetic energy of olyolefins as they precipitate in the solution. […]
Transforming a van-der-Waals ferromagnet for future spintronics
Nanowerk June 28, 2021 An international team of researchers (Australia, China) demonstrated that ultra-high electron doping concentration (above 1021 cm-3) can be induced in the layered van der Waals (vdW) metallic material Fe5GeTe2 by proton intercalation and can further cause a transition of the magnetic ground state from ferromagnetism to antiferromagnetism. Compared to itinerant ferromagnets, antiferromagnets (AFMs) have unique advantages as building blocks of such future spintronic devices. Their robustness to stray magnetic fields makes them suitable for memory devices. All the samples showed that the ferromagnetic state can be gradually suppressed by increasing proton intercalation, and finally several samples […]