Showing papers in "Physics Today in 2015"
1,530 citations
TL;DR: The drive to replace volatile liquid refrigerants is gaining steam, with potentially disruptive technologies on the horizon as discussed by the authors, and the development of new technologies is being discussed in a number of countries.
Abstract: The drive to replace volatile liquid refrigerants is gaining steam, with potentially disruptive technologies on the horizon.
156 citations
TL;DR: A new class of nanomaterials that convert near-IR radiation into tunable visible light has important implications for many fields of science and technology as mentioned in this paper, which has been shown to be useful in many applications.
Abstract: A new class of nanomaterials that convert near-IR radiation into tunable visible light has important implications for many fields of science and technology
129 citations
TL;DR: The freedom to choose the size, stiffness, and spatial distribution of macroscopic particles in a lattice makes granular crystals easily tailored building blocks for shock absorbing materials, sound-focusing devices, acoustic switches, and other exotica as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The freedom to choose the size, stiffness, and spatial distribution of macroscopic particles in a lattice makes granular crystals easily tailored building blocks for shock-absorbing materials, sound-focusing devices, acoustic switches, and other exotica.
113 citations
TL;DR: The discovery of the new materials raised researchers' hopes of solving the riddle of high-temperature superconductivity as discussed by the authors. But the unexpectedly diverse systems turned out to possess their own treasure trove of unusual physics that continues to challenge condensed-matter theorists.
Abstract: Discovery of the new materials raised researchers’ hopes of solving the riddle of high-temperature superconductivity. But the unexpectedly diverse systems turned out to possess their own treasure trove of unusual physics that continues to challenge condensed-matter theorists.
109 citations
TL;DR: In this article, thought experiments that long puzzled the thermodynamics community are now being performed in the lab, and they’re forging a deeper understanding of the second law of thermodynamics.
Abstract: Thought experiments that long puzzled the thermodynamics community are now being performed in the lab—and they’re forging a deeper understanding of the second law.
100 citations
96 citations
Abstract: Small drops bouncing across a vibrating liquid bath display many features reminiscent of quantum systems.
94 citations
TL;DR: The quantum state of a photon can be transferred to a single trapped atom or to a bunch of atoms in a gas or solid and be stored for later release on demand.
Abstract: The quantum state of a photon can be transferred to a single trapped atom or to a bunch of atoms in a gas or solid and be stored for later release on demand.
80 citations
TL;DR: Because deep water in the Southern Ocean is cold, centuries old, and rich in nutrients, its circulation exerts an outsized influence on Earth’s heat balance, the carbon cycle, and much of ocean biology.
Abstract: Because deep water in the Southern Ocean is cold, centuries old, and rich in nutrients, its circulation exerts an outsized influence on Earth’s heat balance, the carbon cycle, and much of ocean biology
79 citations
TL;DR: A 70-year-old idea for measuring blood cells has evolved into a powerful, versatile tool for studying DNA, proteins, and other biomolecules.
Abstract: A 70-year-old idea for measuring blood cells has evolved into a powerful, versatile tool for studying DNA, proteins, and other biomolecules.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe experiments to synthesize the heaviest elements have dramatically expanded the periodic table and the Segre chart of nuclides, leading to the development of the world's largest periodic table.
Abstract: Recent experiments to synthesize the heaviest elements have dramatically expanded the periodic table and the Segre chart of nuclides.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors propose a probe of time-reversal-symmetry violation, the constancy of the proton-to-electron mass ratio, and more.
Abstract: Thanks to the rich structure of their energy levels, molecules can be exquisite probes of time-reversal-symmetry violation, the constancy of the proton-to-electron mass ratio, and more.
TL;DR: The next generation of transmission electron microscopes can image individual atoms and molecules as discussed by the authors, but to unlock new science, the next generation instruments must look beyond just higher spatial resolution, which is difficult to achieve.
Abstract: Modern transmission electron microscopes can image individual atoms and molecules. But to unlock new science, the next generation of instruments must look beyond just higher spatial resolution.
TL;DR: A piece of plastic discarded into the sea travels far and wide, carried by complex currents. Eventually, the material settles into one of five distinct garbage patches in the subtropical oceans as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: A piece of plastic discarded into the sea travels far and wide, carried by complex currents. Eventually, the material settles into one of five distinct garbage patches in the subtropical oceans.
TL;DR: Proton and carbon-ion radiotherapy are powerful tools for killing tumor cells, but only if the particles deposit their energy where they are supposed to as mentioned in this paper, which is not always the case.
Abstract: Proton and carbon-ion radiotherapy are powerful tools for killing tumor cells, but only if the particles deposit their energy where they’re supposed to.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors proposed a method to deal with the nuclear waste legacy of the Cold War, which will require state-of-the-art facilities and advanced glass formulations.
Abstract: Vitrification has emerged as the treatment option of choice for the most dangerous radioactive waste. But dealing with the nuclear waste legacy of the Cold War will require state-of-the-art facilities and advanced glass formulations.
TL;DR: The electron density distribution completely characterizes the ground state of a many-electron system as discussed by the authors, which is the most popular method for calculating the electronic structure of atoms, molecules, liquids, solids, and plasmas.
Abstract: Today’s most popular method for calculating the electronic structure of atoms, molecules, liquids, solids, and plasmas began as a bold hypothesis: The electron density distribution completely characterizes the ground state of a many-electron system.
TL;DR: Some of nature's rhymes, the appearance of similar structures in different areas of physics, underlie the way that string theory potentially unifies gravity with the other forces of nature and eliminates the ultraviolet divergences that plague quantum gravity.
Abstract: Some of nature’s rhymes—the appearance of similar structures in different areas of physics—underlie the way that string theory potentially unifies gravity with the other forces of nature and eliminates the ultraviolet divergences that plague quantum gravity.
TL;DR: Starting with the Linac Coherent Light Source in 2009, free-electron lasers are using x rays in new ways as mentioned in this paper, and early results are wowing scientists the world over.
Abstract: Starting with the Linac Coherent Light Source in 2009, free-electron lasers are using x rays in new ways. Early results are wowing scientists the world over.
TL;DR: In this article, dual-polarization radar has been used to improve the modeling of convective storms, which has been shown to be useful for convective storm forecasting. But, it is not yet suitable for the forecasting of hurricanes.
Abstract: Dual-polarization radar promises to improve the modeling of convective storms. Dual-polarization radar promises to improve the modeling of convective storms.
TL;DR: A small fraction of light absorbed by leaves is reemitted as fluorescence, and studies of that process at both large and small scales will help scientists better understand global photosynthesis and its connection to climate as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: A small fraction of light absorbed by leaves is reemitted as fluorescence. Studies of that process at both large and small scales will help scientists better understand global photosynthesis and its connection to climate.
TL;DR: In his later years, Einstein often claimed that he had obtained the field equations of general relativity by choosing the mathematically most natural candidate as mentioned in this paper, but his writings during the period in which he developed general relativity tell a different story.
Abstract: In his later years, Einstein often claimed that he had obtained the field equations of general relativity by choosing the mathematically most natural candidate. His writings during the period in which he developed general relativity tell a different story.
TL;DR: Investigations of the fundamental physical principles underlying Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s diseases are providing new insights into their origins and are suggesting rational strategies through which to combat their onset and progression.
Abstract: Investigations of the fundamental physical principles underlying Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases are providing new insights into their origins and are suggesting rational strategies through which to combat their onset and progression.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used three-dimensional imaging to understand why certain synthetic materials adhere to bone and others do not, and why some adhere to certain bone types and others don't.
Abstract: Thanks to advances in three-dimensional imaging, researchers are on the verge of understanding why certain synthetic materials adhere to bone and others don’t.
TL;DR: This paper showed that helium-4 atoms can flow through an experimental cell filled with solid helium, but that incompletely understood flow is quite different from the reported superfluid-like motion that so excited physicists a decade ago.
Abstract: Recent experiments suggest that helium-4 atoms can flow through an experimental cell filled with solid helium. But that incompletely understood flow is quite different from the reported superfluid-like motion that so excited physicists a decade ago.
TL;DR: Budker and Derevianko as discussed by the authors proposed a data archive for storing precision measurements, which can be used to collect data from the International Journal of Astronautics (IJOA).
Abstract: Physics Today A data archive for storing precision measurements Dmitry Budker and Andrei Derevianko Citation: Physics Today 68(9), 10 (2015); doi: 10.1063/PT.3.2896 View online: http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/PT.3.2896 View Table of Contents: http://scitation.aip.org/content/aip/magazine/physicstoday/68/9?ver=pdfcov Published by the AIP Publishing This article is copyrighted as indicated in the article. Reuse of AIP content is subject to the terms at: http://scitation.aip.org/termsconditions. Downloaded to IP: 134.93.111.193 On: Wed, 02 Sep 2015 08:29:39
TL;DR: This poster presents a probabilistic procedure that can be used to select patients with radiation-resistant tumors for treatment with or without a prior history of chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Abstract: Radiation-resistant tumors are targets for heavy-ion particles. But high capital costs have prevented construction of treatment facilities in the US.