Excitons with non-zero momentum have the ability to condense and form charge density waves (CDW), leading to the emergence of excitonic insulators in materials. A recent study conducted by researchers at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and other institutes delved into the possibility of a metal-insulator transition in the atomically thin semi-metallic HfTe2. Their findings, published
In a groundbreaking study published in Nature Physics, Cornell quantum researchers have identified the elusive Bragg glass phase through the use of advanced machine learning data analysis tools and large volumes of X-ray data. This discovery marks a significant milestone in the field of quantum physics, resolving a long-standing debate about the existence of the
Indoor air quality is a major concern, with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) being a significant source of pollution. These compounds, such as formaldehyde, can cause a range of health issues, from watery eyes to difficulty breathing and even certain cancers. However, current sensors lack the sensitivity to detect VOCs at low concentrations, making it difficult
In a groundbreaking discovery by RIKEN chemists, an elusive structure involving two water molecules, which had long been predicted but never observed, has finally been isolated. This discovery has the potential to have wide-ranging implications in various fields such as astrochemistry and the corrosion of metals. The research paper detailing this discovery has been published
Photon-number-resolving detectors (PNRDs) are essential for accurate determination of the number of photons in various quantum systems. Two key performance indicators for PNRDs are resolving fidelity and dynamic range. Superconducting nanostrip single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) are considered the leading technology for single-photon detection due to their high efficiency and speed. However, SNSPD-based PNRDs have faced challenges
The realm of quantum computing has long been praised for its potential to surpass classical computing in terms of both speed and memory utilization. Contrary to classical computers that rely on digital bits (0s and 1s), quantum computers make use of qubits to store quantum information in values between 0 and 1. The ability of
The field of photochemistry has long been dominated by precious metals like ruthenium and iridium, which are both rare and expensive. However, recent research by a team of scientists at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) has opened up new possibilities by developing a molecular system based on the Earth-abundant metal manganese. This breakthrough not only
A team of engineers at the University of Cincinnati has developed an innovative method for converting carbon dioxide into valuable products, with the goal of addressing climate change and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. This new approach, led by Associate Professor Jingjie Wu, focuses on improving the electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide into ethylene, a
OpenAI Chief Sam Altman is on a mission to revolutionize the global semiconductor industry by securing trillions of dollars in funding. His objective is to address critical issues faced by the rapidly growing artificial intelligence sector, such as the scarcity of costly computer chips required to operate large-language models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Currently, the global
In late 2023, a river of magma was discovered flowing under an Icelandic fishing village at a rate that had never been seen before. This led to a state of emergency being declared as lava erupted, causing significant damage to the surrounding area. The region had not experienced such volcanic activity in 800 years, indicating
The concept of living to be 100 years old was once considered a rarity, but it has now become increasingly common. This demographic group is growing at a rapid rate, doubling every decade since the 1970s. Questions about how long humans can live and what factors contribute to a long and healthy life have intrigued
The Moon, our closest cosmic neighbor, is currently undergoing a gradual but significant change – it’s shrinking. This process, attributed to the cooling down of the Moon, is causing the lunar surface to contract at a rate of about 45 meters every few hundred million years. While this may not seem like a rapid transformation,
When radiation hits water, it initiates a series of complex reactions that have significant implications, especially in medical settings where X-rays are commonly used. Recent research conducted by a team of theoretical physicists at DESY, in collaboration with colleagues from Argonne National Laboratory, has shed light on the behavior of free electrons in water when
Protein synthesis is a fundamental process in cells, with ribosomes playing a crucial role as the cell’s “protein factories.” Ribosomes read the genetic information encoded in messenger RNA (mRNA) and use it to synthesize proteins. These complex molecules consist of two subunits, with the small subunit responsible for reading the mRNA and the large subunit
Imagine a time when the Earth was almost completely frozen over, with ice stretching from the poles to the equator, causing temperatures to plummet. This scenario may sound like something out of a science fiction movie, but it actually occurred more than 700 million years ago. Geologists in Australia have delved into the mysteries of