Phys.org November 4, 2019 Researchers in China reviewed the 30-year development of the understanding and applications of these intriguing phenomena. The light waves of optical vortices (OVs) are twisted around their direction of travel, with a point of zero intensity at their center. They emphasized that the tunability of OVs includes not only the spectral and temporal tunability but also the OAM-, chirality-, topological-charge-, and singularity-distribution tunability. Prominent applications include sophisticated optical computing processes, novel microscopy and imaging techniques, the creation of ‘optical tweezers’ to trap particles of matter, and optical machining using light to pattern structures on the nanoscale…read […]
Engineers develop new way to know liars’ intent
Science Daily November 1, 2019 Researchers at Dartmouth College present a detection model that captures a speaker’s intent by measuring his patterns of reasoning. Through empirical studies, these intent-driven reasoning patterns can identify as well as explain deceptive communications. They developed a unique approach and resulting algorithm that can tell deception apart from all benign communications by retrieving the universal features of deceptive reasoning. However, the framework is currently limited by the amount of data needed to measure a speaker’s deviation from their past arguments. The model which could be developed to extract opinion from “fake news,” among other uses, […]
Flexible yet sturdy robot is designed to “grow” like a plant
MIT News November 7, 2019 In a factory or warehouse the robots have a harder time winding through narrow spaces to carry out tasks such as reaching for a product at the back of a cluttered shelf etc. Engineers at MIT have developed a robot designed to extend a chain-like appendage flexible enough to twist and turn in any necessary configuration, yet rigid enough to support heavy loads or apply torque to assemble parts in tight spaces. When the task is complete, the robot can retract the appendage and extend it again, at a different length and shape, to suit […]
Have the great theories become obsolete?
Eurekalert November 6, 2019 Be it relativity theory, systems theory, or game theory: to this day, great theories are the figureheads of science. Today’s technology makes it possible to store huge amounts of data and analyse them rapidly. This has an effect on academic work. Researchers automatically evaluate large amounts of data in order to explain phenomena. Great theories and mid-range theories have always been questioned. However, nowadays, criticism has taken on a completely different quality. Digitalization has the ability to change the foundations of sciences. At an upcoming conference in Germany, ‘The Theoretical University in the Data Age. Have […]
Light-based ‘tractor beam’ assembles materials at the nanoscale
Nanowerk November 4, 2019 A team of researchers in the US (University of Washington, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) adapted optical tweezers which act as a light-based “tractor beam” that can assemble nanoscale semiconductor materials precisely into larger structures. They demonstrated the technique by assembling a heterostructure starting with shorter nanorods of crystalline germanium and capped each with a metallic bismuth nanocrystal. As all the components are suspended in solution the size and shape of the nanostructure can be controlled as it is assembled. The process is repeated to assemble the structure to desired size. They believe that this nanosoldering approach […]
Microbes harvest electrons: Novel process discovered
Science Daily November 5, 2019 Bacteria don’t have mouths, so they need another way to bring their fuel into their bodies. Researchers at Washington University have shown how a naturally occurring bacteria (a strain of Rhodopseudomonas palustris TIE-1) builds a conduit to accept electrons across its outer membrane. The bacteria rely on an iron-containing helper molecule called a deca-heme cytochrome c. By processing this protein, TIE-1 can form an essential bridge to its electron source. According to the researchers the study will aid in designing a bacterial platform where bacteria can feed on electricity and carbon dioxide to produce value-added […]
More Than 11,000 Scientists Just Officially Declared a Global Climate Emergency
Science Alert November 5, 2019 An international team of researchers (USA – State University of Oregon, Tufts University, Australia, South Africa) explores four decades-worth of publicly available data, covering energy use, surface temperature, population, deforestation, polar ice, fertility rates, and, of course, carbon emissions. According to the researchers the human population is still increasing by roughly 80 million people per year, deforestation in the Amazon is once again on the up and up and we have generally conducted business as usual and are essentially failing to address this crisis. To stop the worst consequences of the climate crisis, they say […]
Nanotechnology breakthrough enables conversion of infrared light to energy
Phys.org October 31, 2019 Invisible infrared light accounts for half of all solar radiation on the Earth’s surface, yet ordinary solar energy systems have limited ability in converting it to power. A team of international researchers (Sweden, China) has developed film combining nanocrystals with chains of microlenses that can be applied on top of ordinary solar cells. The ability of the microlenses to concentrate light allows the nanoparticles to convert the weak IR light radiation to visible light which is useful for solar cells increasing their efficiency by 10 percent or more…read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Russian Air Force Begins Testing MALE Strike Drones
Defense Systems November 2, 2019 The user testing follows the manufacturer test phase and state trials culminated with weapons tests with several drones deployed to Syria. Following those tests, the Ministry of Defense is expected to make the final procurement decision. In the strike-reconnaissance configuration, Orion-E can carry four missiles. The Russian Air Force plans to deploy MALE drones in a mixed formation of manned and unmanned reconnaissance and attack platforms. These are expected to use MALE drones such as long loitering but slow Orion, and fast, long-range strike aircraft such as the S-34…read more.
The scientists who are creating a bio-internet of things
MIT Technology Review November 1, 2019 Bacteria are a potential substrate for Internet of Bio-Nano Things (IoBNT), which involve networking and communication through nanoscale and biological entities. Researchers in the UK outline significant features of bacteria that allow analogies between them and traditional computerized IoT device to be made. They argue that such comparisons are critical in terms of helping researchers to explore human-bacteria interaction in the context of IoT and HCI. Furthermore, the current lack of tangible infrastructure for researchers in IoT and HCI to access and experiment with bacteria. As a potential solution, they propose to utilize the […]