Physics

  1. Quantum Physics

    A quantum computer corrected its own errors, improving its calculations 

    The corrected calculation had an error rate about a tenth of one done without quantum error correction.

    By
  2. Health & Medicine

    50 years ago, some of plastic’s toxic hazards were exposed

    Worker exposure to vinyl chloride became tightly regulated after the chemical was linked with liver cancer. Now, its use may be on the chopping block.

    By
  3. Physics

    A nuclear clock prototype hints at ultraprecise timekeeping 

    Nuclear clocks could rival atomic clocks and allow for new tests of fundamental physics. A new experiment demonstrates all the ingredients needed.

    By
  4. Physics

    Mayo is weirdly great for understanding nuclear fusion experiments

    Mayonnaise’s texture is perfect for mimicking what a fusion fuel capsule goes through after it’s blasted with lasers.

    By
  5. Particle Physics

    The possibilities for dark matter have just shrunk — by a lot 

    The LZ dark matter experiment has ruled out weakly interacting massive particles, or WIMPs, with a wide range of properties.

    By
  6. Physics

    The world’s fastest microscope makes its debut

    Using a laser and an electron beam, the microscope can snap images of moving electrons every 625 quintillionths of a second.

    By
  7. Climate

    Zigzag walls could help buildings beat the heat

    A corrugated exterior wall reflects heat to space and absorbs less heat from the ground, keeping it several degrees cooler than a flat wall.

    By
  8. Physics

    Paper cut physics pinpoints the most hazardous types of paper

    Dot matrix printer paper is the most treacherous, physicists report. Magazine paper comes in second.

    By
  9. Particle Physics

    Dark matter experiments get a first peek at the ‘neutrino fog’ 

    The hint of fog marks a new way to observe neutrinos, but points to the beginning of the end for this type of dark matter detection.

    By
  10. Chemistry

    A new element on the periodic table might be within reach 

    Scientists made the known element 116 with a beam of titanium atoms, a technique that could be used to make the undiscovered element 120.

    By
  11. Physics

    Can light spark superconductivity? A new study reignites debate

    Brief blasts of light might make some materials into fleeting superconductors. Magnetic measurements strengthen the case for this controversial claim.

    By
  12. Materials Science

    Jurassic Park’s amber-preserved dino DNA is now inspiring a way to store data 

    DNA is capable of encoding all sorts of data. Storing it in an amberlike material may keep that information safe for nearly forever.

    By