Physics
- Chemistry
Carbon monoxide junked for making plastic
Using a catalyst, chemists can swap in the less dangerous carbon dioxide.
- Materials Science
Scientists throw crystals a curve
Particles inside a sphere assemble into ordered ribbons, not lumps.
- Materials Science
Graphene strands free electrons from resistance
Ribbons of carbon can form electron freeways, potentially paving the way to new kinds of electronics.
- Quantum Physics
Tom’s Top 10 interpretations of quantum mechanics
Quantum mechanics has given birth to dozens of interpretations, which themselves need interpretations.
- Particle Physics
Single-pole magnet emerges in frozen concoction
An experiment has simulated the long-sought magnetic particle.
- Materials Science
Bone inspires strong, lightweight material
Tiny synthetic structures modeled after bone are as sturdy as metal.
- Physics
Quarks celebrate their 50th anniversary
In a 1997 interview with Context blogger Tom Siegfried, Murray Gell-Mann discussed the origin of the idea for the subatomic particles that he named quarks.
- Materials Science
Etched glass stops cracks in their tracks
Adding wavy lines to glass reduces the material’s notorious brittleness.
- Materials Science
Nanotube whiskers could aid robot-human interaction
Tiny hairlike sensors made from nanomaterials are more sensitive than existing devices to detect tiny pressures.
- Quantum Physics
Atomic clock sets world records for precision, stability
The strontium atomic clock is about 50 percent more precise than the previous record holder made of a single charged aluminum atom and rivals the ytterbium atomic clock for the title of most stable.
- Physics
Laser builds mirror by pushing beads together
The light technique may one day be used to build giant telescopes in space.
- Quantum Physics
Gell-Mann, Hartle spin a quantum narrative about reality
The “consistent histories” approach to quantum physics removes any role for people in creating “quasiclassical” reality.
