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Physicsworld

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Nanocrystal shape affects molecular binding

Molecules known as ligands attach more densely to flatter, platelet-shaped semiconductor nanocrystals than they do to spherical ones.
The density of the ligand oleylamine (OLA) is highest on the surface of nanoplatelets, followed by nanorods and nanospheres.
Nanocrystal shape plays a role in ligand density due to the ability of ligands to stack more tightly on flat basal planes of nanoplatelets.
The findings have implications for improving LEDs, solar cells, and applications in biomedicine through targeted drug delivery.

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Physicsworld

260

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A PhD in cups of espresso: how logging my coffee consumption helped me write my thesis

PhD students are warned that writing a thesis can be stressful, leading to worry for those working on topics they are passionate about.
Vittorio Aita, when finishing up his research, recorded his writing activity on a spreadsheet, tracking the hours of writing, page and figure completions.
Aita used espresso cups as an alternative measurement unit when recording his progress – he drank seven cups in one day, writing seven pages, hitting peak productivity.
A sudden two-unit increase in daily coffee consumption in May corresponded with an increase in the number of pages written.
In the last months of work, Aita's slow-paced rhythm was replaced by a full-time commitment to his thesis, working days interspersed with new data collection in the lab.
In October, Aita contracted Covid-19, leading to a sudden increase in coffee units throughout the last weeks of writing.
Through the process, Aita learned that the act of logging his coffee consumption helped him in his writing process.
The log helped him realize that he made more progress than he thought, and on other days reminded him of how challenging his work was to complete.
Aita hopes sharing his experience will help future students around the world to embrace the challenge of achieving a PhD.
Overall, Aita logged 304 hours of writing, 199 pages and an impressive 180 cups of espresso.

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Hobbieroth

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Why Are Oxygen and Nitrogen Not Greenhouse Gases But Carbon Dioxide and Water Vapor Are?

Oxygen and nitrogen are not greenhouse gases because they do not have dipole moment to get shaken by the infrared electromagnetic wave; and they are transparent to both visible and thermal radiation.
Carbon dioxide, with linear structure, can absorb infrared radiation through the asymmetric vibration of its two oxygen atoms, and thus forms a net dipole moment.
Water vapor, with a bent shape, is an absorber of infrared radiation even when at rest.
Methane absorbs infrared radiation by complicated rotational and vibrational modes, and is a much stronger greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.
Sulfur dioxide, a molecule like water, carries a partial positive charge and can have a cooling effect in addition to greenhouse gas warming effect through reflecting sunlight.
Hydrogen is diatomic and does not absorb infrared radiation.
Nitrous oxide can be a greenhouse gas too, although its concentration is so small that it doesn’t make much contribution to global warming.
Water vapor plays a complex role in climate change and can lead to positive feedback loops. Some of the water in the atmosphere is in the form of clouds that can block sunlight and contribute to cooling.
Carbon dioxide is the primary contributor to climate change and earth is lucky that its concentration in its atmosphere is low unlike Venus where atmosphere is made of over 95% CO2 with average surface temperature of 464°C.
The atmosphere of earth consists mostly of nitrogen and oxygen. We are fortunate that the most common form these elements take in the atmosphere are diatomic N2 and O2.

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COSMOS

214

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Quantum simulator to find materials for next-gen electronics

A new quantum device has been developed by researchers at MIT that can generate synthetic electromagnetic fields and simulate how electrons move between atoms.
The device comprises 16 superconducting quantum bits or qubits, allowing the researchers to test a range of material properties.
This analogue quantum simulator provides a straightforward and powerful application of quantum hardware for studying materials.
The device allows researchers to examine the effects of external electromagnetic fields on the behavior of materials, providing valuable insights for designing next-generation electronics.

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Physicsworld

429

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Bursts of embers play outsized role in wildfire spread, say physicists

New field experiments suggest that intermittent bursts of embers play an unexpectedly large role in the spread of wildfires, calling into question some aspects of previous fire models.
Understanding ember behaviour is important for predicting how a wildfire will spread and helping emergency services limit infrastructure damage and prevent loss of life.
The experiments conducted by physicists in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains build a “pile fire” in the foothills and recorded the fire’s behaviour for 20 minutes.
The researchers brought the ember samples back to the laboratory and measured their size, shape and density to estimate the fire’s intensity based on its height.
Ember generation is highly intermittent, with occasional bursts containing orders of magnitude more embers than were ejected at baseline, says Alec Petersen, an experimental fluid dynamicist at UC Irvine.
While existing models can predict how far an average firebrand with a certain size and shape will travel, the accuracy of those predictions is poor.
Large embers are precisely the ones with enough thermal energy to start spot fires, and new models must take such events into account.
The researchers hope to reformulate operational models to predict spot fire risk, but they acknowledge that this will be challenging.
More experiments will be carried out in conjunction with a consortium of fire researchers beginning in November in UC Berkeley Research Forests.
The experiments aim to refine firebrand tracking experiments, using multiple cameras to track them in 3D, supplemented with a thermal camera to measure their temperatures.

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Physicsworld

164

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IHEP-SDU in search of ‘quantum advantage’ to open new frontiers in high-energy physics

The Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP) in China is investigating quantum computing and quantum machine-learning technologies to speed up scientific breakthroughs.
The lab has established a joint working group with Shandong University’s Institute of Frontier and Interdisciplinary Science.
The Quantum Computing for Simulation and Reconstruction (QC4SimRec) initiative aims to create a player for quantum computing applications in high-energy physics research.
The program will investigate detector simulation, particle tracking, particle identification, particle dynamics, and collision analysis.
Hideki Okawa, who heads quantum applications at IHEP, said the organisation is keen to work with early-career scientists from domestic and international institutions.
The SDU has been seeking to recruit senior-level scientists from Europe and the US, while both organisations want to establish a joint national laboratory with dedicated quantum computing facilities across their campuses.
The QC4SimRec team is also studying the rediscovery of the exotic particle Zc(3900) using quantum machine-learning techniques.
The discovery of new exotic particles like Zc(3900) could lead to a paradigm shift called “quantum advantage”, enabling practical calculations that are currently expensive or unattainable on classical machines.
QC4SimRec is part of IHEP’s at-scale quantum computing effort, tapping into cutting-edge technology from a network of academic and industry partners in China.
Quantum computing is having a transformative effect on a variety of research fields, including climate modelling, finance and drug discovery.

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Physicsworld

347

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Chip-based optical tweezers manipulate microparticles and cells from a distance

Researchers from MIT have developed a miniature, chip-based optical trap that can manipulate particles up to 5 mm away from the chip surface.
The device, made from a silicon-photonics chip, can act as a 'tractor beam' for studying DNA, classifying cells, and investigating disease mechanisms.
The chip-based optical trap allows particles to be trapped and manipulated at larger distances from the chip's surface, making it suitable for biological research.
The device is reusable, biocompatible, and maintains a sterile environment for cells during manipulation.

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Knowridge

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Best places to stand in airport smoking lounges: new study reveals

A study from the University of Hormozgan in Iran has identified the safest standing positions in airport smoking lounges to minimize exposure to cigarette smoke.
Researchers found that smokers sitting farther away from ventilation inlets experienced lower levels of pollution compared to those sitting near the inlets.
Body heat affects smoke absorption, with more cigarette pollution being absorbed when body heat is present.
The study suggests that improving ventilation in smoking lounges, including installing exhaust vents on walls, can enhance airflow and remove smoke particles more effectively.

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Medium

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A novel 4D spiral model and the Yang-Mills mass gap issue

This paper presents a novel 4D spiral model designed to address the Yang-Mills mass gap problem in theoretical math and physics.
The model utilizes parametric equations to capture the geometric representation of energy gaps, demonstrating the consistency of non-zero gaps across different parameter sets.
Visualizations are provided to illustrate the circular motion in 2D, vertical growth in 3D, and the complexity of the fourth dimension in a 4D representation.
The model offers a fresh perspective on gauge theories and invites further exploration in the context of non-zero gaps.

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Physicsworld

233

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AI enters the fold with the 2024 Nobel Prize for Physics:

The 2024 Nobel Prize for Physics has been awarded to John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton for their contributions to machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI).
Hopfield's work on building networks of neurons using the physics of spin glasses and Hinton's development of Boltzmann machines paved the way for modern-day AI.
Machine learning and AI draw on multiple disciplines, including physics, mathematics, neuroscience, computer science, and cognitive science.
The Nobel Prize highlights how physics not only utilizes AI but also played a crucial role in its development.

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Medium

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The Least Action Principle

The universe is always optimizing to the least amount of action.
The least action principle has a rich history involving great thinkers such as Newton, Lagrange, Fermat, Euler, Maupertuis, and Hamilton.
Maupertuis faced ridicule but was ultimately proven right, showcasing the recurring theme of history and science.
Small changes have minimal impact in the universe, leading to the exploration of quantum mechanics and the possibility of a least action explanation.

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COSMOS

187

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New satellite tech can detect plastic on beaches

New satellite technology has been successfully tested on a remote Australian coastline to better detect plastic pollution on beaches.
The technology distinguishes the differences in reflection of infrared light by sand, water, and plastic.
Plastic pollution in marine and coastal environments is projected to more than double by 2030.
The new tool, called the Beached Plastic Debris Index (BPDI), could be used to monitor plastic pollution and assist in clean-up operations.

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Physicsworld

150

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Reanimating the ‘living Earth’ concept for a more cynical world

Science writer Ferris Jabr has reanimated the idea of a “living Earth” and co-evolution of the Earth and life over geological time. In his book “Becoming Earth: How Our Planet Came to Life” Jabr argues that the appreciation of these synchronies can help us to steer away from environmental breakdown. The book is a reappraisal of the Gaia hypothesis, proposed in 1972 by British scientist James Lovelock and developed by US microbiologist Lynn Margulis. With almost 50 years’ worth of scientific evidence now available to back up the theory of the earth’s biosphere as a self-regulating living organism, Jabr suggests we have the tools to mitigate the worst impacts of environmental breakdown.
Becoming Earth is structured into three parts; Rock, Water, and Air. Accessible scientific discussions are interspersed with reportage based on Jabr’s visits to various research sites. The book kicks off at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in South Dakota in search of iron-loving microbes and continues through exploration of soil, oxygenation of the atmosphere, rainforest 'rain making', and how humans tipped the system by hunting megafauna into extinction. Jabr suggests that tools to mitigate the worst impacts of environmental breakdown will likely require far more than just cutting emissions.
A criticism of the original Gaia hypothesis is that it may have fuelled a type of climate denialism. Science historian Leah Aronowsky argued that Gaia created the conditions for people to deny humans’ unique capacity to tip the system. In contrast, Jabr uses the concept of a Living Earth to deepen the understanding of the interdependency between life and the environment to help adjust human behavior for the collective survival of Earth.
Becoming Earth is an impressive debut from the Oregon-based writer. In an epilogue, Jabr revisits James Lovelock, the British scientist who proposed the Gaia hypothesis, at his home in Dorset, England in 2022, three years before his death. The now 100-year-old Lovelock is still cheerful and articulate, though according to Jabr prone to the occasional alarmist statement. Nevertheless, the living Earth concept is alive and kicking in 2024.

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Knowridge

105

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Scientists take first steps toward delivering antimatter by truck

Scientists at CERN have made progress in transporting antimatter.
The BASE-STEP project aims to develop a transportable device for storing and moving antimatter.
A successful test involved transporting protons, similar to antiprotons, across CERN's site using a truck.
The ultimate goal is to establish an antiproton delivery service for scientific research.

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Mit

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MIT Schwarzman College of Computing launches postdoctoral program to advance AI across disciplines

The MIT Stephen A. Schwarzman College of Computing has launched the Tayebati Postdoctoral Fellowship Program.
The program aims to support postdocs conducting research at the intersection of artificial intelligence and specific disciplines.
It will focus on addressing challenging problems in select scientific research areas and on AI for music composition and performance.
The program will provide an environment that facilitates academic and professional development of the fellows and offers the opportunity for ambitious discoveries.

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