Physics

  1. Particle Physics

    Catching Particle Fever

    Interspersed with the plot of Particle Fever are artful explanatory animations and commentary by six articulate physicists. Through these characters, we learn that the Higgs is a stepping stone toward a deeper understanding of the universe.

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  2. Physics

    Graphene film blocks wireless signals

    A transparent film made of graphene layered with quartz absorbed 90 percent of radio waves.

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  3. Quantum Physics

    Quantum timekeeping

    Recent advances in controlling the quantum behavior of particles have inspired physicists to dream of a global clock that would tell the same time everywhere. It would be hundreds of times as accurate as current atomic clocks.

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  4. Materials Science

    Making artificial muscles with a spin

    Scientists have given ordinary fishing line and sewing thread a new twist. When coiled into tight corkscrews, the fibers can lift loads more than 100 times as heavy as those hefted by human muscles.

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  5. Particle Physics

    More precision added to mass estimate of electron

    The electron has been weighed with unprecedented precision. Its new and improved mass is 17 times as precise as the previous best estimate.

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  6. Quantum Physics

    Einstein was wrong about spooky quantum entanglement

    Einstein’s biggest blunder wasn’t about vacuum energy in space, but in confusing people about quantum entanglement.

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  7. Physics

    Levitating objects with sound

    Physicists have levitated milli­meter-sized objects. Now, the objects can levitate and move in all directions.

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  8. Quantum Physics

    History affects superfluid’s flow, study shows

    The speed to stop the stirring motion can be slower than what was need to set the fluid spinning in the first place, which shows that what happens to the current state of the superatom depends on what it has already experienced.

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  9. Math

    Goldberg variations: New shapes for molecular cages

    Scientists have figured a way to iron out the wrinkles in a large class of molecular cages.

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  10. Physics

    Getting warmer in attempt to reach ignition

    Fusion energy output hits modest milestone at National Ignition Facility.

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  11. Materials Science

    Making it work, on paper and just maybe in practice

    Last spring, Science News reported on the lack of progress by the main U.S. nuclear fusion effort. As the researchers still contend, laser-initiated fusion should work. It works on paper. But in practice, even a set of extremely powerful lasers failed to trigger the fusion of hydrogen nuclei and the concomitant chain reaction and release of net energy expected.

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  12. Materials Science

    Graphene-based material prevents blood clots

    When researchers coated a plastic film with the new material, clotting was greatly reduced and continued even after three days.

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