Category Physics

A 4D Printer for Smart Materials with Magneto- and Electro-Mechanical Properties

A 4D printer for smart materials with magneto-and electro-mechanical properties
A new smart printer enables the manufacture of soft multifunctional materials by continuously adapting extrusion parameters. Combining experimental and computational methods, it prints conductive and magneto-active materials with mechanical properties that mimic biological tissues. Credit: UC3M

Researchers at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) have created software and hardware for a 4D printer with applications in the biomedical field. In addition to 3D printing, this machine allows for controlling extra functions: programming the material’s response so that shape-changing occurs under external magnetic field, or changes in its electric properties develops under mechanical deformation...

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An Innovative Twist on Quantum Bits: Tubular Nanomaterial of Carbon makes Ideal Home for Spinning Quantum Bits

Artistic rendering of chemically modified carbon nanotube hosting a spinning electron as qubit.
Artistic rendering of chemically modified carbon nanotube hosting a spinning electron as qubit. (Image by Argonne National Laboratory.)

Scientists find that a tubular nanomaterial of carbon makes for ideal host to keep quantum bits spinning in place for use in quantum information technologies.

Scientists are vigorously competing to transform the counterintuitive discoveries about the quantum realm from a century past into technologies of the future. The building block in these technologies is the quantum bit, or qubit. Several different kinds are under development, including ones that use defects within the symmetrical structures of diamond and silicon. They may one day transform computing, accelerate drug discovery, generate unhackable networks and more.

Working with researchers...

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Researchers Fabricate Novel Flexible Supercapacitors on Paper

Chung-Ang University researchers fabricate novel flexible supercapacitors on paper
Researchers from Chung-Ang University, Korea have fabricated a flexible paper-based high energy storage device that can be used in both parallel and serial single supercapacitor (SC) configurations without modifying external wires and circuits. The equivalent circuits and corresponding electrochemical performance data are shown on the bottom right. Credit: Dr. Inho Nam and Prof. Suk Tai Chang from Chung-Ang University, Korea

Wearable devices such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, and virtual reality headsets are becoming commonplace. They are powered by flexible electronics that consist of electrodes with plastic or metal foil as substrates. However, both of these come with their own drawbacks...

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Quantum Chemistry: Molecules Caught Tunneling

Blue and red balls fly through a cage and hit a wall

Physicists led by Roland Wester of the University of Innsbruck have now for the first time observed a quantum mechanical tunneling reaction in experiments. The observation can also be described exactly in theory. With the study published in Nature, the scientists provide an important reference for this fundamental effect in chemistry. It is the slowest reaction with charged particles ever observed.

Tunneling reactions in chemistry are very difficult to predict. The quantum mechanically exact description of chemical reactions with more than three particles is difficult, with more than four particles it is almost impossible. Theorists simulate these reactions with classical physics and must neglect quantum effects...

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