Category Physics

This is a diagram of the dielectric capacitor research developed by a University of Delaware-led research team. Credit: Kathy F. Atkinson/University of Delaware

Nanotechnology offers new approach to increasing storage ability of dielectric capacitors. In the movie ‘Back to the Future,’ Doc Brown and Marty McFly landed in the future in their DeLorean, with time travel made possible by a ‘flux capacitor.’ Today, capacitors are key components of portable electronics to electric cars, providing fast delivery of energy but poor storage capacity. Researchers now report a new approach to increasing storage ability.

In contrast to batteries, which offer high storage capacity but slow delivery of energy, capacitors provide fast delivery but poor storage capacity...

This is a picture of the comet C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy) on 22 Feb. 2015. Credit: Fabrice Noel

Comet Lovejoy lived up to its name by releasing large amounts of alcohol as well as a type of sugar into space, according to new observations by an international team. The discovery marks the first time ethyl alcohol, the same type in alcoholic beverages, has been observed in a comet. The finding adds to the evidence that comets could have been a source of the complex organic molecules necessary for the emergence of life.

“We found that comet Lovejoy was releasing as much alcohol as in at least 500 bottles of wine every second during its peak activity,” said Nicolas Biver of the Paris Observatory, France...

Phosphors are efficient light emitters but they’re not optimal for high-speed communications because they turn on and off slowly. Researchers from Brown and Harvard have now found a way to modulate light from phosphor emitters three orders of magnitude faster using phase-change materials (VO2, in this case), which could make phosphors useful in a range of new optoelectronic applications. Credit: Zia Lab / Brown University

The technique provides a new approach to modulation useful in silicon-based nanoscale devices, including computer chips and other optoelectronic components.

Phosphors are efficient light emitters (eg light bulbs, LEDs) but they’re not optimal for high-speed communications because they turn on and off slowly...

The Jena research team and its innovative battery (from left to right) are: Prof. Dr. Ulrich S. Schubert, Tobias Janoschka und Dr. Martin Hager. Credit: Anne Guenther/FSU

It is simple to handle, safe and economical at the same time. The new redox-flow battery can withstand up to 10,000 charging cycles without losing a crucial amount of capacity. Jena (Germany) Sun and wind are important sources of renewable energy, but they suffer from natural fluctuations: In stormy weather or bright sunshine electricity produced exceeds demand, whereas clouds or a lull in the wind inevitably cause a power shortage. For continuity in electricity supply and stable power grids, energy storage devices will become essential...