Category Physics

Boeing has patented technology to 3D print objects while Levitating in Space.

Boeing eyes 3D printing objects levitating in space

Has Boeing been exploring the printing of 3D printing of levitating objects? Yes, Boeing has patented technology to 3D print objects while levitating in space. PatentYogi has presented a video that explains what Boeing had in mind in their patent application, first filed in 2014.

PatentYogi has presented a video that explains what Boeing had in mind in their patent application, first filed in 2014. Multiple 3d printers are used to simultaneously print various features. The material has diamagnetic properties. PatentYogi said that when super-cooled, the printing material becomes a superconductor.

MOA: A nugget of the printing material is ejected into space; magnetic levitation holds it in place; further deposition begins...

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Physicists Solve 40 yo Thermoelectric ‘Paradox’ in Superconductors

Bimetallic superconducting loop and experimental setup for thermoelectric flux measurements.

Bimetallic superconducting loop and experimental setup for thermoelectric flux measurements.

In the 1970s, scientists made a theoretical breakthrough when they predicted that measurable thermoelectric magnetic flux would be generated in loops made of superconducting material. However, a major crisis developed when the experiments began to show paradoxical discrepancies with the theory by up to several orders of magnitude. The results of the experiments were also in disagreement with each other, leading some scientists to believe the theory was incomplete.

By taking advantage of the improvement in nanofabrication technologies over the last 30 years the team from the Department of Physics, led by Professor Victor Petrashov, was able to design and fabricate microscopic sized, bimetallic super...

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How Metal Clusters Grow

Step by step towards the complete shell: Formation of a metal cluster from the atomic constituents to the compound. Credit: Dehnen Group, Philipps-Universität Marburg

Step by step towards the complete shell: Formation of a metal cluster from the atomic constituents to the compound. Credit: Dehnen Group, Philipps-Universität Marburg

First the nucleus, then the shell: Researchers from Marburg and Karlsruhe have studied stepwise formation of metal clusters, smallest fractions of metals in molecular form. The shell gradually forms around the inner atom rather than by later inclusion of the central atom. Knowledge of all development steps may allow for customized optoelectronic and magnetic properties.

To specifically synthesize chemical compounds, mechanisms responsible for their formation have to be known. “Purely inorganic compounds are a black box in this respect,” Florian Weigend of KIT and Stefanie Dehnen of Philipps-Universität Marburg explain...

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Graphene Slides Smoothly across Gold

A graphen nanoribbon was anchored at the tip of a atomic force microscope and dragged over a gold surface. The observed friction force was extremely low. Credit: University of Basel, Department of Physics

A graphen nanoribbon was anchored at the tip of a atomic force microscope and dragged over a gold surface. The observed friction force was extremely low. Credit: University of Basel, Department of Physics

Graphene offers versatile potential for coating machine components and in the field of electronic switches. An international team of researchers led by physicists at the University of Basel have been studying the lubricity of this material on the nanometer scale. Since it produces almost no friction at all, it could drastically reduce energy loss in machines when used as a coating. In future, graphene could be used as an extremely thin coating, resulting in almost zero energy loss between mechanical parts. This is based on superlubricity of modified carbon in the form of graphene...

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