Phys.org July 17, 2018 An international team of researchers (Austria, France, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Switzerland, Spain, UK) show how carefully constructed measurements in two bases (one of which is not orthonormal) can be used to faithfully and efficiently certify bipartite high-dimensional states and their entanglement for any physical platform. In an experimental set-up, they were able to verify 9-dimensional entanglement for a pair of photons on a 11-dimensional subspace each. The group is currently looking into a more direct use of this technique in actual quantum cryptography protocols and expect their technique to be widely applied in other quantum systems […]
Researchers develop first-of-its-kind optic isolator
Phys.org July 13, 2018 Photonic isolator efficiency is necessary for applications that include quantum optics communication devices and building high-powered lasers. Researchers in Israel have constructed a spherical glass isolator. Light traveling in opposite directions is delivered to the sphere rotating at high speed. Counter-circulating light have different colors. In the future, the researchers may be able to generate such lasers that are based on vibrations where the restoring force is Casimir or Van der Waals. Using their self-aligned nano separation method might also allow MEMS… read more.
Researchers suggest uncertainty may be key in battlefield decision making
Phys.org July 13, 2018 A team of researchers in the US (U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) discovered that being initially uncertain when faced with making critical mission-related decisions based on various forms of information may lead to better overall results in the end. According to the researchers as human cognition is limited in detecting good or bad information or processing large volumes of information, errors are inevitable; if an individual is not biased towards false information, systematic errors do not cascade in the network; high uncertainty can even help the decision maker to maximize the effect of small […]
Roadmap for Biosecurity and Biodefense Policy in the United States [2018]
Global Biodefense July 15, 2018 The report presents a roadmap for implementing biosecurity and biodefense policy to leverage the capabilities of science and technology advances and minimize security risks. Supporting the conclusions and suggestions in the Roadmap are detailed analyses of the overall system of U.S. biosecurity and biodefense policy, existing methodologies for evaluating successful implementation of policies, and historical case studies with which to develop an analytic framework for assessing potential opportunity and costs of biosecurity policy requirements. The study was supported by the U.S. Air Force Academy and Defense Threat Reduction Agency under their Project on Advanced Systems […]
A silicon-nanoparticle photonic waveguide
Nanowerk July 16, 2018 To efficiently transport light on small scales, researchers in Singapore have developed a more efficient method that involves a string of cylindrical silicon nanoparticles. The first nanoparticle is excited using light and then measured the light that reaches another nanoparticle further down the line. They found the fall in the light intensity to be low. The nanoparticles are not in direct contact with each other. Instead, light is transferred to the next particle through magnetic-field resonances. Although each particle is a resonant scatterer when they are lined up they work as a single waveguide without leaking […]
Slippery when dry
Phys.org July 13, 2018 Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have developed a process based on graphene which shows that a few layers of graphene not only reduce friction in steel rubbing against steel by seven times and the wear by 10,000 times but also significantly reduces the tribo-corrosion problem. Graphene can be applied by spraying a solution in the air and can coat any complicated shape or size—and over a large surface area. According to the researchers it could help wind turbines move with greater ease, allowing them to produce more energy. It can better seal off machinery as it […]
Solutions to water challenges reside at the interface
Phys.org July 17, 2018 Interfaces between components of water systems and the water-based fluids themselves govern the performance of the vast majority of water treatment and conveyance processes. A team of researchers in the US (Argonne National Laboratory, University of Chicago) examines many of these interfaces, ranging from those in sorbents and sensors to membranes and catalysts, and surveys opportunities for scientists and engineers to reveal new insights into their function and, thereby, to design novel technologies for next-generation solutions to our collective energy-water challenges… read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Tuning into quantum: Scientists unlock signal frequency control of precision atom qubits
Phys.org July 13, 2018 In their experiments, an international team of researchers (Australia, USA – Purdue University) has confirmed the ability to tune neighbouring qubits into resonance without impacting each other. Creating engineered phosphorus molecules with different separations between the atoms within the molecule allows for families of qubits with different control frequencies. Each molecule can be operated individually by selecting the frequency that controls its electron spin. It creates a built-in address which will provide significant benefits for building a silicon quantum computer. By engineering the atomic placement of the atoms within the qubits in the silicon chip, the […]
TechSight Snapshot Reports
While we are no longer providing contractor support to the Office of Net Technical Assessments (ONTA) of ASD(R&E) (now USDR&E), we are proud of the work we performed and are pleased to share some of the products that have been cleared for publicly release. Over the course of several months in 2017, we helped ONTA develop several bibliometric reports on key emerging technologies using their TechSight system. These TechSight Snapshot Reports were cleared for public release and sent to S&T News Bulletin readers and TechSight users on a monthly cycle. After receiving multiple inquiries about where these can be found, we decided to […]
Top 10 Science and Technology Innovations for the Week of July 13, 2018Â
01. Qubits as valves: Controlling quantum heat engines 02. A Step Toward Quantum Repeaters 03. Trapping light using Tetris-like clusters of crystals 04. For The First Time, Scientists Achieve ‘Liquid Light’ at Room Temperature 05. Heat-conducting crystals could help computer chips keep their cool 06. A step closer to single-atom data storage 07. High-power thermoelectric generator utilizes thermal difference of only 5C 08. Manipulating single atoms with an electron beam 09. Bacteria-powered solar cell converts light to energy, even under overcast skies 10. Scientists teach the neural network to carry out video facial recognition — using a single photo And […]