Professor Igor Lesanovsky from the Institute of Theoretical Physics at the University of Tübingen, Professor Ferdinand Schmidt-Kaler from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) and Professor Markus Hennrich from the University of Stockholm have been awarded a Synergy Grant from the European Research Council (ERC). Their research project uses quantum simulators consisting of electronically excited ion crystals to tackle unsolved questions in physics, but also to illuminate complex processes in chemistry, biology, and information processing. The ERC is providing funds of nearly EUR 10 million over a period of six years. Around EUR 3.5 million of these are earmarked for the research at JGU.

POSTECH and Korea University research team unveils a next-generation transparent cooling film using the principles of radiative cooling.

Researchers from the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST) and the University of Tokyo have designed bioinspired hydrogels capable of using sunlight to produce hydrogen and oxygen from water. Hydrogels contain polymer networks that facilitate energy conversion, offering a breakthrough approach to generating renewable hydrogen energy. This research shows how polymer-based systems could revolutionize sustainable energy production.

The presence of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in all the world’s oceans but one has been in steady decline since 2001, when 152 countries agreed on a comprehensive global ban. The exception has been the Arctic Ocean, which has seen a sharp rise in POPs in its frigid waters over the past several decades. A new study in Science Advances says ocean and air currents are transporting POPs northwards, where cold waters extend their half-lives. This could impact the overall health of the fragile Arctic ecosystem as it permeates the food web.

SAN ANTONIO — November 5, 2024 —Southwest Research Institute’s Dr. James Walker has received the Distinguished Scientist Award from the Hypervelocity Impact Society. This honor recognizes individuals who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of hypervelocity science. Hypervelocity impact is typically viewed as impacts at speeds above 2 kilometers per second (4,475 miles per hour); for some materials, however, lower speed impacts display hypervelocity impact effects.

An advanced aqueous battery design incorporating photothermal technology enables rapid self-heating, making it well-suited for low-temperature environments. The battery uses photothermal current collectors to convert sunlight into heat, which is efficiently distributed throughout the system by high-conductivity suspension electrodes. This design mitigates common cold-climate challenges such as electrolyte freezing and slow ion transfer, ensuring stable performance in sub-zero conditions.

Materials called cubic rare earth hydrides could be superconductors in everyday conditions