Acoustical Society annual meeting wire for AIP
Acoustical Society annual meeting wire for AIP
Enhanced Phantom Limb Perception Improves Prosthesis Function, Study Finds
In exploring ways to make it easier for users to control a prosthesis, researchers at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), in Laurel, Maryland, found that giving them sensory stimulation enhances the perception of their phantom hand and leads to more reliable and repeatable muscle movement signals, which are used to control a prosthetic arm. Their most recent findings, "Sensory Stimulation Enhances Phantom Limb Perception and Movement Decoding," were published in the Journal of Neural Engineering.
Imitation Mosquito Ears Help Identify Mosquito Species and Sex
Using an imitation "ear" modeled on the organs that mosquitos use to hear, researchers have identified a mosquito's species and sex using sound -- just like mosquitos do themselves. The researchers hope this bioinspired detector could someday be used in the field to save lives by aiding in more selective pesticide use and possibly preventing mosquitos from mating. A presentation of the new research will be given as part of the 179th ASA Meeting.
Driving Water Splitting to Create Chemical Fuels
Scientists improved the performance of bismuth vanadate, an electrode material for converting solar energy to hydrogen--an energy-dense and clean-burning fuel.
A Swift Kick to Initiate Electronic Motion in Molecules
Researchers have observed the production of electronic excitations near a single atom in a molecule. This is caused by impulsive stimulated X-ray Raman scattering of X-ray pulses that last less than a femtosecond. The combination of X-ray Raman scattering and the ability produce sub-femtosecond X-ray pulses allows scientists to view motion in molecules at atom-scale resolution and helps them understand chemical reactions involving light.
Researchers develop unique process for producing light-matter mixture
In groundbreaking new research, an international team of researchers led by the University of Minnesota Twin Cities has developed a unique process for producing a quantum state that is part light and part matter.
Harnessing Quantum Properties to Create Single-Molecule Devices
Researchers, led by Columbia Engineering Prof Latha Venkataraman, report today that they have discovered a new chemical design principle for exploiting destructive quantum interference. They used their approach to create a six-nanometer single-molecule switch where the on-state current is more than 10,000 times greater than the off-state current--the largest change in current achieved for a single-molecule circuit to date.
Smarter Traffic Signs Ahead?
Researchers in Poland have created smart road signs that use built-in Doppler radar, video, and acoustic radar and weather stations to monitor road traffic and conditions to warn drivers in real-time of hazards and prevent collisions on highways. During the 179th ASA Meeting, Dec. 7-10, Andrzej Czyzewski will describe his applied research project to develop autonomous road signs with built-in acoustic radar devices.
Acoustics Virtually Everywhere: Schedule for ASA Meeting Press Conferences Dec. 9-11
Press conferences at the 179th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of American will cover the latest in acoustical research, from the impact of face masks to the beating of mosquito wings, and will be held virtually Dec. 9-11. To ensure the safety of attendees, volunteers, and ASA staff, Acoustics Virtually Everywhere will be hosted entirely online.
90 Years of Neutrino Science
Berkeley Lab has a long history of participating in neutrino experiments and discoveries in locations ranging from a site 1.3 miles deep at a nickel mine in Ontario, Canada, to an underground research site near a nuclear power complex northeast of Hong Kong, and a neutrino observatory buried in ice near the South Pole.
DUNE publishes first physics results from prototype detector
Results from the ProtoDUNE single-phase detector at CERN pave the way for detectors 20 times larger for the international Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment, hosted by Fermilab.
Battery of tests: Scientists figure out how to track what happens inside batteries
The new method could be the key to designing more efficient batteries for specific uses, like electric cars and airplanes.
Supernova surprise creates elemental mystery
Michigan State University researchers have discovered that one of the most important reactions in the universe can get a huge and unexpected boost inside exploding stars known as supernovae.
High-impact research: How meteorite strikes may change quartz on the Earth's surface
Scientists using a unique combination of capabilities at the Advanced Photon Source have learned more about how meteorites affect one of the most abundant materials in the Earth's crust.
New glue sticks easily, holds strongly, and is a gas to pull apart
Temporary glues may not steal headlines, but they can make everyday life easier.
An escape route for seafloor methane
Methane, the main component of natural gas, is the cleanest-burning of all the fossil fuels, but when emitted into the atmosphere it is a much more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.
Scientists Solve Big Limitation of Stratospheric Balloon Payloads
Nearly all photons emitted after the Big Bang are now visible only at far-infrared wavelengths. Earth's atmosphere blocks most of this light, so scientists are turning to huge stratospheric balloons to explore it. However, it is quite difficult to cool a telescope the size of a living room to nearly absolute zero while flying it from a balloon. This is where the Balloon-Borne Cryogenic Telescope Testbed comes in. NASA researchers discuss the mission in Review of Scientific Instruments.
Clothing, Tattoos Could Be Used to Monitor Patient Health
A shirt that monitors your blood pressure or a pair of socks that can keep track of your cholesterol levels might be just a few years away from becoming reality. In Applied Physics Reviews, researchers examine the use of microfibers and nanofibers as wearable monitors that could keep track of a patient's vital signs. The microfiber- and nanofiber-based technology addresses growing concerns in the medical community about monitoring chronic illnesses as the population ages.
Out of Many COVID-19 Tests, Which One to Choose?
Curbing the coronavirus pandemic relies heavily on how quickly a potentially exposed individual can be tested and quarantined. However, the current diagnostic techniques vary in reliability and relevance, so an understanding of which test is most appropriate for a given circumstance is necessary to avoid false reports. Researchers evaluated the available diagnostic techniques and determined key steps required for better testing moving forward. They present their findings in the journal APL Bioengineering.
Selecting Best Microalgae for Biodiesel Production
Microalgae are a promising source of energy to replace fossil fuels, as they have several advantages over conventional crops used for commercial biodiesel. Microalgae have a shorter lifecycle and they can be developed in environments unfit for agriculture. In the Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, researchers developed a methodology to analyze different species to select the best microalgae for use as an energy source by taking into account biological, economic, and environmental aspects.
American Vacuum Society Honors Jefferson Lab Accelerator Scientist
Some of the most advanced work to enable research at the U.S. Department of Energy's Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility is focused on ensuring that nothing gets in the way of the electron beam produced for nuclear physics experiments. Now, one Jefferson Lab staff scientist is being honored for her work on producing ultra-high to extreme-high vacuum environments to do just that.
JSA Announces 10 New Graduate Fellows
Jefferson Science Associates has announced the award of ten graduate fellowships to doctoral students for the 2020-2021 academic year. The fellowships will support students' advanced studies at their universities and research at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, a U.S. Department of Energy nuclear physics research laboratory managed and operated by JSA.
Inside the black box of iron oxide formation
Young-Shin Jun, an engineer at Washington University in St. Louis, has developed a new use for a high-energy X-ray technique that has allowed her the first glimpse at the formation of iron hydroxides on a quartz surface. The implications are sweeping.
Grabbing viruses out of thin air
The future could hold portable and wearable sensors for detecting viruses and bacteria in the surrounding environment. But we're not there yet.
PPPL awarded total of $4 million to simplify design and construction of stellarator fusion energy facilities
Design and construction of start of unique permanent magnet stellarator funded to begin.