Technology

Astronomers have discovered a supermassive black hole at the center of a galaxy just 1.5 billion years after the Big Bang that is consuming matter at a phenomenal rate -- over 40 times the theoretical limit. While short lived, this black hole's 'feast' could help astronomers explain how supermassive black holes grew so quickly in

The temperature of elementary particles has been observed in the radioactive glow following the collision of two neutron stars and the birth of a black hole. This has, for the first time, made it possible to measure the microscopic, physical properties in these cosmic events. Simultaneously, it reveals how snapshot observations made in an instant

Bio-based thermoplastics are produced from renewable organic materials and can be recycled after use. Their resilience can be improved by blending bio-based thermoplastics with other thermoplastics. However, the interface between the materials in these blends sometimes requires enhancement to achieve optimal properties. A team has now investigated at BESSY II how a new process enables

Researchers show that the improvements in signal strength during surface-enhanced fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy can extend even through a nanoscale protective layer. This research may lead to significant improvements in the sensitivity of biosensors and the development of novel point-of-care diagnostics. While we might picture a biologist as a researcher hunched over a light microscope

SURD, an algorithm, reveals causal links in complex systems. Applications may include forecasting climate to projecting population growth to designing efficient aircraft. Getting to the heart of causality is central to understanding the world around us. What causes one variable -- be it a biological species, a voting region, a company stock, or a local

More accurate orbit predictions for satellites and space debris as well as a better understanding of the water masses present on Earth: Researchers at achieved both using satellite laser ranging. More accurate orbit predictions for satellites and space debris as well as a better understanding of the water masses present on Earth: Researchers at TU

A research study describes a systematic high-throughput design approach for virtual screening and creation of novel polypeptide-based molecules that form regular secondary structures that can be used in biology or materials science research. A research study led jointly by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's (RPI) Gaetano Montelione, Ph.D., Professor and Constellation Endowed Chair of Chemistry and Chemical

Research provides a deeper understanding of precisely what is happening in organic solar cells as light is converted into electricity. Researchers developed a new method which visualizes interfaces where the sunlight's energy is converted to electrical charges and used the findings to develop a set of design rules that can improve the efficiency of organic

Researchers created a synthetic magnetic field using a superconducting quantum processor, which could enable them to precisely study complex phenomena in materials, like phase changes. This could shed light on properties of unique materials that may be used to create faster or more powerful electronics. Quantum computers hold the promise to emulate complex materials, helping

New process addresses a current environmental challenge in the transportation and energy sectors. The method is the first of its kind, reclaiming high-value materials from both the carbon fiber fabric and polymer of a material commonly used in manufacturing. USC researchers have developed a new process to upcycle the composite materials appearing in automobile panels

Researchers have synthesized a conducting polymer, polyaniline, exhibiting perfect diamagnetic properties, which eliminate external magnetic fields within the material. These properties are typically associated with superconductors. While conducting polymers generally display paramagnetism -- where they are weakly attracted to magnetic fields -- this breakthrough marks the first step towards developing a conducting material that demonstrates

Singlet fission (SF) is an exciton amplification phenomenon in which two triplet excitons are generated from a singlet exciton produced by the absorption of a single photon in chromophores. A team of researchers has demonstrated that SF can be promoted by introducing chirality and controlling chromophore orientation and arrangement. Their innovative study is expected to