Modified wood modulates electrical current: researchers at Linköping University, together with colleagues from the KTH Royal Institute of Technology, have developed the world’s first electrical transistor made of wood. (Courtesy: Thor Balkhed) Topics: Applied Physics, Biomimetics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Research Researchers in Sweden have built a transistor out of a plank of wood byContinue reading “Balsa Chips…”
Category Archives: Applied Physics
Superconductors, 3D Disorder, Fractals…
Fractals are a never-ending pattern that you can zoom in on, and the image doesn’t change. Fractals can occur in two dimensions, like frost on a window, or in three dimensions, like the limbs of a tree. A recent discovery from Purdue University researchers has established that superconducting images, seen above in red and blue,Continue reading “Superconductors, 3D Disorder, Fractals…”
Electrical Wound Care…
New research from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, and the University of Freiburg, Germany, shows that wounds on cultured skin cells heal three times faster when stimulated with electric current. The project was recently granted more funding so the research can get one step closer to the market and the benefit of patients. Credit: ScienceContinue reading “Electrical Wound Care…”
Strange Metals II…
Credit: CC0 Public Domain Topics: Applied Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Metamaterials, Quantum Mechanics The behavior of so-called “strange metals” has long puzzled scientists—but a group of researchers at the University of Toronto may be one step closer to understanding these materials. Electrons are discrete, subatomic particles that flow through wires like molecules of water flowingContinue reading “Strange Metals II…”
Green Homing…
Divine light The Dean of Gloucester Cathedral, Stephen Lake, blesses the cathedral’s solar panels after the solar-energy firm MyPower installed them in November 2016. The array of PV panels generates just over 25% of the building’s electricity. (Courtesy: MyPower) Topics: Alternate Energy, Applied Physics, Battery, Chemistry, Economics, Solar Power With energy bills on the rise, plentyContinue reading “Green Homing…”
Caveat Super…
Diamond anvil used to put superconducting materials under high pressure. Credit: J. Adam Fenster/University of Rochester Topics: Applied Physics, Condensed Matter Physics, Materials Science, Superconductors Will a possible breakthrough for room-temperature superconducting materials hold up to scrutiny? This week researchers claimed to have discovered a superconducting material that can shuttle electricity with no loss ofContinue reading “Caveat Super…”
When Water Outpaces Silicon…
On target: Water is fanned out through a specially developed nozzle, and then a laser pulse is passed through it to create a switch. (Courtesy: Adrian Buchmann) Topics: Applied Physics, Lasers, Materials Science, Photonics, Semiconductor Technology A laser-controlled water-based switch that operates twice as fast as existing semiconductor switches has been developed by a trio ofContinue reading “When Water Outpaces Silicon…”
Chip Act and Wave Surfing…
Massive subsidies to regain the edge of the US semiconductor industry will not likely succeed unless progress is made in winning the global race of idea flow and monetization. Topics: Applied Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Semiconductor Technology Intelligent use of subsidies for winning the global idea race is a must for gaining andContinue reading “Chip Act and Wave Surfing…”
CEM for SEI…
Panel A shows how the native SEI on Li metal is passivating to nitrogen gas, which means that no reactivity with Li metal is possible. Panel B shows that a proton donor like Ethanol will disrupt the SEI passivation and enable Li metal to react with nitrogen species. Panel C describes 3 potential mechanisms throughContinue reading “CEM for SEI…”
Caveat Emptor…
Topics: Alternate Energy, Applied Physics, Climate Change, Energy, Global Warming, Lasers, Nuclear Fusion After the heady, breathtaking coverage of pop science journalism, I dove into the grim world inhabited by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists on their take on the first-ever fusion reaction. I can say that I wasn’t surprised. With all this publicity,Continue reading “Caveat Emptor…”
Physics and Nano 