Phys.org news

Phys.org / Study: Superconductivity switches on and off in 'magic-angle' graphene
With some careful twisting and stacking, MIT physicists have revealed a new and exotic property in "magic-angle" graphene: superconductivity that can be turned on and off with an electric pulse, much like a light switch.

Phys.org / Researchers work to reduce the amount of precious metals in catalytic converters
The precious metals, such as platinum, palladium and rhodium, in catalytic converters make the vehicle devices attractive to thieves, but University of Central Florida researchers are working to reduce the amount of precious ...

Phys.org / New freshwater mussels discovered in southwestern Australia
Genetic techniques have helped uncover a new threatened species of freshwater mussel in southern Western Australia and redefine the range of existing species.

Phys.org / Even chess experts perform worse when air quality is lower, suggesting a negative effect on cognition
Here's something else chess players need to keep in check: air pollution.

Phys.org / Mixing between species may reduce vulnerability to climate change
Genetic diversity is the raw material that enables populations to evolve in response to changes in the environment—essentially, the more diversity the better.

Phys.org / Mating causes 'jet lag' in female fruit flies, changing behavior
An innovative technique from Cornell University researchers finds seminal fluid protein transferred from male to female fruit flies during mating changes the expression of genes related to the fly's circadian clock.

Phys.org / Chemists pioneer responsive polymers that heat up when exposed to LED light
Creating new materials and speeding up reactions is what they do. Sounds a bit mundane, no? It is anything but. Materials that catalyze faster can be used in a wide range of fields from pharmaceuticals to future Mars habitats.

Phys.org / Researchers identify important molecular switch for hearing development
In the inner ear, there are two different types of sensory cells that are responsible for hearing. An MHH research team has now identified the molecular switch for the formation of these inner and outer hair cells and thus ...

Phys.org / Experiments visualize how 2D perovskite structures change when excited
Rice University researchers already knew the atoms in perovskites react favorably to light. Now they can see precisely how those atoms move.

Phys.org / New analog quantum computers to solve previously unsolvable problems
Physicists have invented a new type of analog quantum computer that can tackle hard physics problems that the most powerful digital supercomputers cannot solve.

Phys.org / Modulating magnetism in a Weyl semi-metal using current-assisted domain wall motion
Spintronic devices are emerging technologies that exploit the intrinsic spin of electrons to store and process data. These technologies have the potential to outperform conventional electronics both in terms of speed and ...

Phys.org / A method to change the mechanical and transport properties of conductive polymers
Conductive polymers, synthetic substances with large molecules that can conduct electricity, can have a broad range of valuable applications. For instance, they have been used to create sensors, light-emitting diodes, photovoltaics ...