Some days really are longer than others. And now scientists know by precisely how much. Using a laser gyroscope, scientists have measured variations in Earth’s rotation rate smaller than a millionth of…
Category: Physics
A breakthrough in nuclear fusion announced
Since nuclear fusion research began in the mid-20th century, researchers have been unable to a demonstrate a positive energy gain and a self-sustained reaction — a condition known as “ignition”. However, today…
Why does Oreo cream stick to one side of the cookie?
Mechanical engineers put Oreo cream filling through a battery of tests to understand what happens when two wafers are twisted apart. One could argue there are many ways to eat an Oreo…
Nuclear fusion record broken by UK scientists
In a major breakthrough, scientists have demonstrated sustained nuclear fusion energy, providing hope for future large-scale projects. Scientists working at the Joint European Torus (JET) have just broken a record for sustained…
What can AI tell us about the early universe?
Using an artificial neural network and AI, researchers are developing a powerful computational tool to model particle physics following the Big Bang. In the first moments following the Big Bang, the universe…
Stable qubits for more compact quantum computers
A new endeavor explores the idea of topological qubits that are easy to engineer for error-free quantum computing. Quantum computers, which operate using quantum bits or qubits, are being touted as the…
Accessing forbidden colors using “twisted” nanoparticles
Scientists have found a way to reveal forbidden colors of light through a new physical effect. Image credit: Ventsislav Valev and Lukas Ohnoutek What makes a musical instrument’s sound unique? Why does…
“Artificial sun” breaks a new fusion record
New milestone in fusion energy made with China’s HL-2M Tokamak reactor. Fusion reactor Tokamak. Shutterstock China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) set a new world record last week when its “artificial sun”…
Researchers chill antimatter for the first time
By cooling antimatter to absolute zero, physicists may finally be able to answer questions that could fundamentally alter our understanding of the universe. An artistic illustration of the movement of an antihydrogen…
Black holes take 2020 Nobel prize in physics
Three laureates share this year’s Nobel prize in physics for their discoveries about one of the most exotic phenomena in the universe: the black hole. Image credit: Niklas Elmehed. © Nobel Media…