Recent Comments

    Category Physics

    Long-Awaited Hyperloop pod demonstrates Magnetic Levitation

    October 21, 2016, Categories  Physics, Technology/Electronics

    A team of students from the University of Cincinnati looks on as their Hyperloop Prototype prepares to levitate. Credit: Jay Yocis/University of Cincinnati

    A team of students from the University of Cincinnati looks on as their Hyperloop Prototype prepares to levitate. Credit: Jay Yocis/University of Cincinnati

    The whirring sound of Hyperloop UC’s hover engines filled the conference room as an anxious crowd shuffled closer for a better view. The answer came in a matter of moments as the 8 miniature engines gained revolutions per minute – emitting noises reminiscent of Star Wars sound effects – and the 14-foot-long Hyperloop UC pod achieved roughly a quarter-inch of magnetic levitation.

    The unveiling and demo of Hyperloop UC’s prototype at the University of Cincinnati’s Myers Alumni Center on Oct...

    Read More

    It’s official: Phonon and Magnon are a Couple

    October 20, 2016, Categories  Physics, Technology/Electronics

    The image shows a good match between the results of the neutron scattering experiments (top) and the theoretical model (bottom). Credit: IBS, Nature Comms

    The image shows a good match between the results of the neutron scattering experiments (top) and the theoretical model (bottom). Credit: IBS, Nature Comms

    Scientists have observed, quantified and created a new theoretical model of the coupling of 2 forms of collective atomic excitation, known as magnons and phonons in crystals of the antiferromagnet manganite (Y,Lu)MnO3, a mineral made of manganese oxide and rare-earth elements called yttrium (Y) and lutetium (Lu). This study could provide an important breakthrough for solving a 100 year old physical problem, and deepen our knowledge of multiferroics.

    While we generally think of solids as static objects, their molecules are actually in a constant state of vibration...

    Read More

    Full-circle Viewing: 360-degree Electronic Holographic Display

    October 19, 2016, Categories  Physics, Technology/Electronics

    Schematic of the design of 360-degree tabletop electronic holographic display, the design concept of which allows several persons to enjoy the hologram contents simultaneously. Credit: Yongjun Lim, of the 5G Giga Communication Research Laboratory, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, South Korea

    Schematic of the design of 360-degree tabletop electronic holographic display, the design concept of which allows several persons to enjoy the hologram contents simultaneously. Credit: Yongjun Lim, of the 5G Giga Communication Research Laboratory, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, South Korea

    Princess Leia, your Star Wars hologram moment may be redeemed. In the original ‘Star Wars’ movie, the inviting but grainy special effects hologram might soon be a true full-color, full-size holographic image, due to advances by a South Korean research team refining 3-D holographic displays...

    Read More

    Scientists develop a Semiconductor Nanocomposite material that moves in response to Light

    October 18, 2016, Categories  Physics, Chemistry/Nanotechnology, Biology/Biotechnology

    Figure 1

    (a) Crystal structure of MoS2: S atoms in gold and Mo in black with unit cell parameter a and b, (b) top view of a single-layer MoS2 structure in honeycomb shape; (c) HRTEM of 2H-MoS2 (top insert is the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) image showing the planes; slight distortion is due to the tilting of the flake in the TEM; a1, a2 and a3 presented HRTEM image is the Mo-Mo interatomic distance of 2.8 Å for 2H-MoS2 (d–e) schematic of the indirect electron transition in bulk MoS2 and direct electron transition in single layer MoS2 respectively.

    A research team at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has developed a revolutionary, light-activated semiconductor nanocomposite material that can be used in a variety of applications, including microscopic actuators and grippers for surgical robots...

    Read More