Tiny, biocompatible nanolaser could function inside living tissues
Researchers have developed a tiny nanolaser that can function inside of living tissues without harming them.
Physics
Researchers create first three-photon color-entangled W state
Researchers have constructed a quantum-mechanical state in which the colors of three photons are entangled with each other. The state is a special combination, called a W state, that retains some entanglement even if one of the three photons is lost, which makes it useful for quantum communication. Such entangled states also enable novel quantum applications and tests of fundamental physics.
Read moreCracking the ethylene code
Separating pure ethylene from ethane is a difficult and costly process, but one that new research is poised to streamline. The technique would avoid liquefaction and distillation by designing a material that only binds ethylene molecules, thus separating them from ethane.
Read more'Valley states' in this 2D material could potentially be used for quantum computing
New research on 2-dimensional tungsten disulfide (WS2) could open the door to advances in quantum computing. Scientists report that they can manipulate the electronic properties of this super-thin material in ways that could be useful for encoding quantum data.
Read moreThinner shells for delivering gentler therapeutic bursts
Releasing drugs that are packaged into microcapsules requires a significant amount of force, and the resulting burst can cause damage to human tissues or cause blood clots. A new technique creates lopsided microcapsule 'shells' that can burst and release their cargo at much lower pressure, making them safer for use in the body.
Read moreBetter samples, better science: New study explores integrity of research specimens
Biological samples can be highly susceptible to changes over time, which often occur when they are removed from deep refrigeration. Degraded samples can produce spurious results in research. To address these concerns, scientists have designed a highly sensitive test that can be used to establish the integrity of blood plasma and serum, the most common biosamples used in medical research.
Read moreHow molecular footballs burst in an x-ray laser beam
An international research team has observed in real time how football molecules made of carbon atoms burst in the beam of an X-ray laser. The study shows the temporal course of the bursting process, which takes less than a trillionth of a second, and is important for the analysis of sensitive proteins and other biomolecules, which are also frequently studied using bright X-ray laser flashes.
Read moreNew framework for nanoantenna light absorption
Harnessing light's energy into nanoscale volumes requires novel engineering approaches to overcome a fundamental barrier known as the 'diffraction limit.' However, researchers have breached this barrier by developing nanoantennas that pack the energy captured from light sources.
Read moreHow to predict crucial plasma pressure in future fusion facilities
Feature describes improved model for forecasting the crucial balance of pressure at the edge of a fusion plasma.
Read moreUnified sensor to better control effects of shock waves
Researchers have developed a unified shock sensor to quickly and accurately dispel harmful shock waves.
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