Tuesday 31 October 2017

Lens trick doubles odds for quantum interaction

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It's not easy to bounce a single particle of light off a single atom that is less than a billionth of a meter wide. However, researchers have shown they can double the odds of success, an innovation that might be useful in quantum computing and metrology.
via Science Daily

Opening the Van der Waals' sandwich

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Eighty years after the theoretical prediction of the force required to overcome the van der Waals' bonding between layers in a crystal, engineering researchers have measured it directly.
via Science Daily

Medical-like tools for NASA to study samples of the solar system

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A diagnostic tool, similar in theory to those used by the medical profession to noninvasively image internal organs, bones, soft tissue, and blood vessels, could be equally effective at 'triaging' extraterrestrial rocks and other samples before they are shipped to Earth for further analysis.
via Science Daily
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Graphene enables high-speed electronics on flexible materials

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A flexible detector for terahertz frequencies (1,000 gigahertz) has been developed using graphene transistors on plastic substrates. It is the first of its kind, and can extend the use of terahertz technology to applications that will require flexible electronics, such as wireless sensor networks and wearable technology.
via Science Daily

'Monster' planet discovery challenges formation theory

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A giant planet, which should not exist according to planet formation theory, has been discovered around a distant star.
via Science Daily
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EU project to standardize graphene measurements

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Graphenea is participating in a EU project to enable standardized electrical measurements for future graphene-based electronics. The focus of the project “Grace” is on the development of novel electrical characterization methodologies. Grace brings together graphene producers, metrologists, equipment manufacturers and standardization experts from four countries in a consortium driven to develop industrial-scale graphene characterization tools.

Having started with a kick-off meeting in Torino (Italy) in July 2017, the project will run until July 2020. The consortium consists of Instituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica (INRIM), Centro Español de Metrología (CEM), NPL Management Limited (NPL), Das-Nano S.L., Graphenea, ISC International Standards Consulting GmbH & Co. KG (ISC), The University of Manchester (UoM) and VDE Verband der Elektrotechnik Elektronik Informationstechnik e.V (VDE).

Grace is part of EMPIR, the main programme for European research on metrology, which currently coordinates more than 20 metrology projects across disciplines such as air quality, 3D stacked integrated circuits, biomethane, single-electron devices, etc. The project already resulted in a published comparison of existing experimental methods for electrical characterization of graphene. The objectives of project Grace include:

  • Development of an accurate and traceable approach for the electrical characterization of graphene for both contact and non-contact electrical measurements, with traceability to SI units.
  • Development of a high-throughput approach for the electrical characterization of graphene and its validation with established techniques.
  • Dissemination of the methodologies established in this project in the form of Good Practice Guides (GPGs) and input to documentary standards.
  • Contribution to the standards development work of the technical committees of IEC/TC113 and CENELEC WS SGRM

As such, this project is on the forefront of graphene standardization, which has been a top priority for graphene technology development continuously over the past years, and is one of the primary goals of the Graphene Flagship project.


via Graphenea

Minor merger kicks supermassive black hole into high gear

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Astronomers are studying the galaxy M77, which is famous for its super-active nucleus that releases enormous energy. The unprecedented deep image of the galaxy reveals evidence of a hidden minor merger billions of years ago. The discovery gives crucial evidence for the minor merger origin of active galactic nuclei.
via Science Daily
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Happy Dark Matter Day

A simulation of the large-scale structure of the Universe that shows density filaments in blue and places of galaxy formation in yellow. (Image: Zarija Lukic/Berkeley Lab)

This 31 October might be the spookiest Halloween yet. Scientists at CERN are celebrating the hidden sectors of our Universe as part of the international celebration of Dark Matter Day. Dark matter warps distant starlight and enables galaxies to rotate at unfathomable speeds, yet is completely invisible to traditional detectors. In fact, scientists only know that dark matter exists because of its massive gravitational pull on ordinary matter. To catch this stealthy stuff, scientists must become a little more creative with how they search for it.

Today, CERN scientists will be showcasing the tools and techniques they are using to uncover the true nature of dark matter. At 15.00 CET, researchers from the CAST experiment will explain, during a Facebook Live session, how the Sun could radiate these invisible particles. Later this evening, scientists will explore how and why they are looking for dark matter, during a public event in CERN’s Globe of Science and Innovation, webcast live from 20.00 CET.

Can’t make it to the CERN events? There are numerous organisations around the world hosting activities to celebrate Dark Matter Day and plenty of ways to engage with the hunt from home. Check out this TED-Ed animation, which explains how the LHC could create dark matter, or find out when the  Phantom of the Universe show is being screened at a planetarium near you.

As you celebrate and explore unexplainable mysteries during your Halloween celebrations, remember, don’t be afraid of the dark!


via CERN: Updates for the general public
http://home.cern/about/updates/2017/10/happy-dark-matter-day