Phys.org news

Phys.org / Novel ferroelectric ultraviolet photodetector achieves near-10,000-fold speed increase

Researchers from the Institute of Metal Research (IMR) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a new ferroelectric ultraviolet photodetector material that overcomes the long-standing performance limitations of conventional ...

Jan 28, 2026 in Physics
Phys.org / Quantum batteries could quadruple qubit capacity while reducing energy infrastructure requirements

Scientists have unveiled a new approach to powering quantum computers using quantum batteries—a breakthrough that could make future computers faster, more reliable, and more energy efficient.

Jan 28, 2026 in Physics
Phys.org / AI model forecasts severe thunderstorms 4 hours ahead with higher accuracy

In a critical advance for climate resilience, researchers from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have developed an AI model that can predict dangerous convective storms—including Black Rainstorms, ...

Jan 28, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / Record stretching of metallic bond reveals quantum conductance in gold atomic chains

Researchers from the Institute of Metal Research (IMR) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have stretched a chain of gold atoms by a record-breaking 46%, providing direct evidence of how fundamental metal bonds behave under ...

Jan 28, 2026 in Nanotechnology
Phys.org / Alfvén waves act as the power source behind Earth's auroral displays, research reveals

The dazzling lights of the aurora are created when high-energy particles from space collide with Earth's atmosphere. While scientists have long understood this process, one big mystery remained: What powers the electric fields ...

Jan 28, 2026 in Astronomy & Space
Phys.org / Ultrathin kagome metal hosts robust 3D flat electronic band state

A team of researchers at Monash University has uncovered a powerful new way to engineer exotic quantum states, revealing a robust and tunable three-dimensional flat electronic band in an ultrathin kagome metal, an achievement ...

Jan 28, 2026 in Physics
Phys.org / Simple statistical method predicts landslide risk more accurately than classic method

A relatively simple statistical analysis method can more accurately predict the risk of landslides caused by heavy rain, according to a study coordinated by Brazilian researchers affiliated with the Institute of Mathematical ...

Jan 28, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / Corals sleep like us, but their symbionts never rest

Sleep is essential for much of the animal kingdom. During the night, neuron and tissue repair mechanisms are activated to aid recovery from daily activity. This is risky: organisms that sleep are more vulnerable to predators. ...

Jan 28, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Tropical feedback loop: Butterfly mimicry patterns evolve faster near the equator

In the early 1990s, Keith Willmott and a friend, both undergraduate students from the United Kingdom, arrived in Ecuador with impressionable minds and big aspirations. Willmott initially imagined there might be 20 to 30 butterfly ...

Jan 28, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Caterpillars hear through tiny body hairs, which could inspire improved microphones

No ears, no problem. The tobacco hornworm caterpillar, a common garden pest, can actually detect airborne sound via microscopic hairs on its body, according to a team of faculty and graduate students at Binghamton University. ...

Jan 28, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Microplastics found in a third of surveyed fish off the coasts of remote Pacific Islands

A third of fish living in the remote coastal waters of the Pacific Island Countries and Territories are contaminated with microplastics, with especially high rates in Fiji, according to an analysis published in PLOS One by ...

Jan 28, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / AI bosses are creating a new problem for gig workers

For millions of gig workers driving for companies such as Uber Eats, DoorDash and Deliveroo, there is no human manager to call, no supervisor to appeal to and no office to walk into. Decisions about pay, performance, penalties ...

Jan 28, 2026 in Other Sciences