Dark matter does not interact with electromagnetic force and does not absorb, emit or reflect light, making it difficult to observe directly. The presence of dark matter has only been inferred through observations of galaxies and galaxy clusters moving at higher rates of speed than should be possible based on their mass. A researcher has detected gamma rays from the central region of the Milky Way galaxy that are consistent with the energy and intensity that would be emitted by the annihilation of two weakly interacting massive particles, or WIMPs, that are proposed to make up dark matter. If the anaylsis is correct, this could signify the first time that dark matter has been directly observed since it was first proposed in 1933.

As cities continue to expand and face rising environmental pressure, scientists are seeking innovative solutions that can help urban areas become cleaner, greener, and more resilient. A new perspective paper highlights biochar, a carbon rich material made from organic waste, as a transformative tool that could significantly improve the environmental future of cities around the world.

A new study marks a significant step forward in positioning synthetic polymers as an alternative for expensive, unsustainable minerals used in the manufacture of devices such as conductors, transistors and diodes.

● Ultrafast process: Highly charged krypton ions are doubly excited by absorption of two X-ray photons within femtoseconds.

● Efficiency boost: Autoionization of the resonantly excited state is 100 times more efficient compared to direct photoionisation.

● High precision: The effect opens new possibilities for high-precision X-ray measurements.

A new study shows that lithium — a critical element used in rechargeable batteries and susceptible to supply chain disruption — can be recovered from battery waste using an electrochemically driven recovery process. The method has been tested on commonly used types of lithium-containing batteries and demonstrates economic viability with the potential to simplify operations, minimize costs and increase the sustainability and attractiveness of the recovery process for commercial use.

A study by researchers at ICIQ and Ben-Gurion University reveals that the choice of deuterium source can steer hydrogen isotope exchange reactions along entirely different mechanistic routes.