Physics

  1. Chemistry

    Carbon monoxide junked for making plastic

    Using a catalyst, chemists can swap in the less dangerous carbon dioxide.

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  2. Materials Science

    Scientists throw crystals a curve

    Particles inside a sphere assemble into ordered ribbons, not lumps.

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  3. Materials Science

    Graphene strands free electrons from resistance

    Ribbons of carbon can form electron freeways, potentially paving the way to new kinds of electronics.

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  4. Quantum Physics

    Tom’s Top 10 interpretations of quantum mechanics

    Quantum mechanics has given birth to dozens of interpretations, which themselves need interpretations.

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  5. Particle Physics

    Single-pole magnet emerges in frozen concoction

    An experiment has simulated the long-sought magnetic particle.

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  6. Materials Science

    Bone inspires strong, lightweight material

    Tiny synthetic structures modeled after bone are as sturdy as metal.

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  7. 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.

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  8. Materials Science

    Etched glass stops cracks in their tracks

    Adding wavy lines to glass reduces the material’s notorious brittleness.

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  9. 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.

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  10. 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.

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  11. Physics

    Laser builds mirror by pushing beads together

    The light technique may one day be used to build giant telescopes in space.

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  12. 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.

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