Asegun Henry has a big idea for tackling climate change: Store up the sun
“This is the key, the linchpin that will set a lot of things in the right direction,” says the mechanical engineering professor.
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New clues to why there’s so little antimatter in the universe
Radioactive molecules are sensitive to subtle nuclear phenomena and might help physicists probe the violation of the most fundamental symmetries of nature.
Physicists observationally confirm Hawking’s black hole theorem for the first time
Study offers evidence, based on gravitational waves, to show that the total area of a black hole’s event horizon can never decrease.
Sweat-proof “smart skin” takes reliable vitals, even during workouts and spicy meals
The design could lead to conformable wearable monitors to track skin cancer and other conditions.
LIGO and Virgo detect rare mergers of black holes with neutron stars for the first time
In a 3Q, Salvatore Vitale describes how gravitational-wave signals suggest black holes completely devoured their companion neutron stars.
Looking for similarities across complex systems
Jörn Dunkel uses the “common language” of math to bridge disparate phenomena, from an embryo’s wrinkles to the twist of spaghetti.
Ultralight material withstands supersonic microparticle impacts
The new carbon-based material could be a basis for lighter, tougher alternatives to Kevlar and steel.
Physicists bring human-scale object to near standstill, reaching a quantum state
The results open possibilities for studying gravity’s effects on relatively large objects in quantum states.
MIT study compares the four largest internet meganetworks
With thousands of satellites, each network could beam down tens of terabits per second, filling gaps left by land-based services.
CHIME telescope detects more than 500 mysterious fast radio bursts in its first year of operation
Observations quadruple the number of known radio bursts and reveal two types: one-offs and repeaters.
Ozone-depleting chemicals may spend less time in the atmosphere than previously thought
New results point to unexpected, illegal production of several CFCs in recent years.
Supermassive black holes devour gas just like their petite counterparts
Regardless of size, all black holes experience similar accretion cycles, a new study finds.
Physicists find a novel way to switch antiferromagnetism on and off
The findings could lead to faster, more secure memory storage, in the form of antiferromagnetic bits.
Cave deposits show surprising shift in permafrost over the last 400,000 years
Study finds Earth’s frozen surfaces became less susceptible to thawing, potentially locking in more carbon than expected.
Synthetic gelatin-like material mimics lobster underbelly’s stretch and strength
The membrane’s structure could provide a blueprint for robust artificial tissues.