Physics
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Tech
Nuclear energy: As Germany goes…
The German government surprised many energy analysts May 30, with its pledge to phase out use of nuclear power. What makes the announcement particularly noteworthy is that this government is not offering to walk away from a bit player. Nuclear power currently supplies almost one-quarter of that nation’s electrical energy — more than its share in the United States.
- Chemistry
Molecules/Matter & Energy
The electron is still round, plus waterfall-jumping objects, a blood-clotter spotter and more in this week’s news.
- Physics
What it means to ‘feel the noise’
Scientists investigating the nexus between sound and touch suggest that the ear arose from skin.
- Physics
Gators go a-courtin’ with fancy physics
Their subsonic mating bellows generate Faraday waves, a phenomenon almost never seen outside the lab.
- Chemistry
Molecules/Matter & Energy
Finding materials harder than diamond, plus spintronic devices, wrinkle physics and more in this week's news.
- Physics
Rogue waves captured
Re-creating tiny versions of these monster swells in a laboratory tank reveals their mathematical underpinnings.
- Chemistry
Molecules/Matter & Energy
How leeches are able to swell tenfold, plus not-so-super solids, new natural toxins and more in this week's news.
- Physics
New laser is from the birds
Inspired by an optical trick that colors feathers without pigment, physicists come up with a cheap, practical design.
- Chemistry
Molecules/Matter & Energy
A moth with chemical weapons, light-up bubbles and insidious fungi in this week’s news.
- Physics
American Physical Society meeting
Gas sheds light on dark matter, plus cosmic ray clusters and blue-light imaging in the news.
- Chemistry
Molecules/Matter & Energy
Groovy snake bites, buzzy microphones and coiling liquids in this week’s news.
- Tech
Nanotubes coming to a screen near you
New technology promises brighter, bigger display screens that use less energy.
