Physics

  1. Physics

    Matter’s Missing Piece Shows Up

    The first direct evidence of the tau neutrino, the last of the 12 subatomic particles considered the fundamental building blocks of matter, has finally been found.

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  2. Physics

    Muon Manna? Particle shower may spotlight loose nukes

    Radiation from space may help border guards spot loose nukes stowed in shipping containers.

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  3. Physics

    Squirming through space-time

    In the exotic realm of curved space, the topography of space itself might provide a propulsion assist—albeit a tiny one.

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  4. Physics

    In orbit, water makes the stretch

    An astronaut-at-play stumbled upon an unexpected behavior of water in near-zero gravity: The formation of durable films—some as wide as saucers—that would instantly break here on Earth.

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  5. Physics

    Bunches of atoms madly morph

    While investigating the instability of tiny clusters of atoms, scientists observe ultrasmall salt grains switching shapes at a stupendous rate.

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  6. Physics

    New approach smooths wrinkle analysis

    A simple new theory of wrinkle formation predicts basic traits of wrinkled surfaces, such as how close together the folds will be, without miring scientists in impossible-to-solve equations.

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  7. Materials Science

    Making Polymers That Self-Destruct: Layers break apart in controlled way

    A new polymer film chews itself apart under certain conditions, making it a potential candidate for the controlled delivery of therapeutic drugs.

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  8. Physics

    Device Sees More inside Live Cells

    A new type of optical microscope, which can discern objects smaller than a supposedly fundamental limit for visible-light viewing, may make it possible to see finer details of the insides of living cells.

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  9. Physics

    A Curie-ous Tale

    Marie Curie discovered two elements and won two Nobel Prizes for her pioneering studies on radioactivity. A new online exhibit at the American Institute of Physics’ history site depicts how she displayed her ardor and brilliance in many other facets of life as well, such as organizing and equipping a radiological medicine unit for French […]

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  10. Materials Science

    Waterproof Coats: Materials repel water with simplicity, style

    Researchers have produced new types of water-repelling surfaces, including one that's colorful and another made of inexpensive plastic.

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  11. Materials Science

    Technique may yield vocal cord stand-in

    A plastic material used in some biological implants could someday form a foundation for tissue that can repair or replace human vocal cords.

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  12. Materials Science

    Ceramic rebounds from stressful situations

    The ceramic titanium silicon carbide can fully recover after being compressed to a degree that would leave most ceramics shattered and most metals permanently deformed.

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