A diagram of the quantum battery charging through indefinite causal order (ICO)2023 Chen et al. CC-BY-ND 4.0Causality plays a crucial role in shaping our reality; for instance, dropping a glass leads to its breaking, and it cannot break before being dropped. However, in the quantum realm, these principles may not always hold true. Scientists have...
Credit: StatNanoTop Olympic performers receive the esteemed gold medal, symbolizing wealth and honor both in Eastern and Western cultures. This metal, prized for its stability in air, excellent electrical conductivity, and compatibility with living organisms, plays a pivotal role across various domains. It holds significant favor in medical and energy sectors as a 'preferred...
Credit: Michigan Engineering NewsFor two centuries, scientists struggled to replicate a common mineral's natural formation conditions in lab settings. Recently, a collaboration between the University of Michigan and Hokkaido University cracked this puzzle, achieving success by applying a novel theory derived from atomic simulations.This breakthrough addresses the persistent geological enigma known as the "Dolomite...
The desirable substance, unless environmental stability is your preference. Credit: Energy.The common notion that oil is derived from decomposed dinosaurs, a belief often associated with pumping refined velociraptors into vehicles, is a prevalent misconception. Contrary to this widely held belief, fat does not originate from the remains of ancient dinosaurs.Geologist Reidar Müller from the...
Global OTEC's clean energy barge, Dominique, harvests power from the temperature differential between deep water and surface waterGlobal OTECOn an average day, tropical oceans absorb around 278 petawatt-hours of solar energy. Capturing just 1/4000th of this energy could fulfill global daily electricity needs, and ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) offers a potential solution.Pioneering OTEC...
Interfacial nonlinear susceptibility in twisted bilayer WS2. Credit: Nature Photonics (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41566-023-01318-6Physics and materials science comprehensively understand the interaction of light with naturally occurring materials. However, over the last few decades, scientists have engineered metamaterials capable of interacting with light in unconventional ways, surpassing the inherent physical limitations of naturally occurring materials.A metamaterial typically consists...
Liquid gallium in a Petri dish. Credit: University of Sydney/Philip RitchieResearchers have unveiled a groundbreaking approach that leverages liquid metals to transform and "green" the chemical industry. This innovative technique could replace the energy-intensive methods rooted in the early 20th century, offering a much-needed shift away from solid catalysts.Reducing Greenhouse Gas EmissionsChemical production contributes...
Credit: carscoops.Chinese automaker GAC (Guangzhou Automobile Group) recently unveiled an innovative combustion engine that runs on liquid ammonia in collaboration with Toyota.This breakthrough explores an unconventional alternative to traditional fossil fuels, promising a more sustainable and environmentally friendly driving experience.The Ammonia-Powered EngineAt its annual technology showcase, GAC introduced a remarkable 2.0-liter engine designed to...
An economic cycle of ammonia from production to utilization. Credit: Wiley Online Library.As the world strives to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and make the transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy sources, alternative fuels have been at the forefront of innovation. Among these alternatives, ammonia, a common industrial chemical, has been gaining attention...
Uranium stone, a very radioactive element. Credit: RHJPhtotos/Istockphoto.Discovering uranium in 1789 initially led to its application as a colorant in pottery. However, over time, it has transitioned into a coveted resource, serving the nuclear energy industry and medical field. This transformation underscores its increasing importance and utility.Abundance and Detection AdvantageUranium, more abundant than gold,...
