news

Earth Sciences - Physics - 24.06.2022

Defects in quartz crystal structure reveal the origin of dust
Global warming and a progressively drier climate in many parts of the world are causing more dust storms. To predict how these storms are caused, researchers are looking into the past to understand where the dust came from, for how long, and over what distances it was transported. An international research team led by Dr. Aditi K. Dave and Professor Kathryn Fitzsimmons from the Department of Geosciences at the University of Tübingen, along with colleagues from Romania, Brazil, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, have now developed a new method of doing this.

Physics - 23.06.2022

Long-sought tetra-neutron discovered
After 60 years of unsuccessful searches, an international research team has discovered a neutral nucleus for the first time - the tetra-neutron. The collaboration succeeded in creating an isolated four-neutron system with low relative kinetic energy in a volume equivalent to an atomic nucleus. The building blocks of atomic nuclei are the nucleons, which come in two types, the neutral neutrons and the positively charged protons - the two so-called isospin states of the nucleon.

Physics - Life Sciences - 22.06.2022

Microscopy technique enables 3D super-resolution nanometre-scale imaging
Research team led by Göttingen University combine two techniques to achieve isotropic super -resolution imaging Over the last two decades, microscopy has seen unprecedented advances in speed and resolution. However, cellular structures are essentially three-dimensional, and conventional super-resolution techniques often lack the necessary resolution in all three directions to capture details at a nanometer scale.

Life Sciences - Physics - 21.06.2022

Another step towards synthetic cells
Introducing functional DNA-based cytoskeletons into cell-sized compartments - Publication Scientists from the 2. Physics Institute at the University of Stuttgart and the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research were now able to take the next step towards synthetic cells: They introduced functional DNA-based cytoskeletons into cell-sized compartments and showed functionality.

Chemistry - Physics - 21.06.2022

A nose for damaged plants and fake perfumes
Researchers develop a highly sensitive novel technique capable of detecting chiral molecules within complex gas mixtures The chiral signature of a fragrance can reveal whether a perfume is genuine or fake. Similarly, the chiral signature of the emissions of a plant can provide information on whether the plant is healthy or sick.

Physics - Innovation - 20.06.2022

Using quantum technology to ensure low-noise microphones
Use of quantum light leads to a significant improvement in signal-to-noise ratio [Picture: PI 3 / Florian Kaiser] Whether it's an online conference or a hearing aid, a high noise level in the microphones used, or significant background noise will disrupt any conversation, and better microphones are urgently needed.

Physics - Chemistry - 15.06.2022

New insights into binding configuration and mobility of molecules on nanoparticle surfaces
Freiburg physicists investigate binding between molecules and nanoparticles with high resolution How molecules bind to a surface is of central importance in chemical reactions, making the possibility of studying binding configurations in isolated nanosystems of great interest. A Freiburg research team led by Dr. Lukas Bruder and Frank Stienkemeier has now succeeded in studying the binding configurations and mobility of organic molecules on ultracold noble gas particles.

Physics - Materials Science - 01.06.2022

Sharp X-ray images despite imperfect lenses
Research team at Göttingen University develops new method for X-ray microscopy X-rays make it possible to explore inside human bodies or peer inside objects. The technology used to illuminating the detail in microscopically small structures is the same as that used in familiar situations - such as medical imaging at a clinic or luggage control at the airport.

Chemistry - Physics - 26.05.2022

Catalysis Collaborative Research Center enters its second phase
Researchers aim for more targeted control of catalytic reactions and are focusing on mesoporous materials [Picture: SFB 1333] The collaborative research center "Molecular heterogeneous catalysis in confined geometries" (SFB 1333) at the University of Stuttgart is entering its second funding period and has received funding of almost 12 million euros.

Physics - Chemistry - 19.05.2022

Ions and Rydberg-atoms: a bond between David and Goliath
Physicists at the University of Stuttgart detect a novel binding mechanism between small and giagantic particles. [Picture: PI 5, Nicolas Zuber] Researchers at the 5th Physical Institute of the University of Stuttgart have verified a novel binding mechanism forming a molecule between a tiny charged particle and in atomic measures gigantic Rydberg atom.

Physics - Materials Science - 13.05.2022

Quantum one-way street in topological insulator nanowires
Very thin wires made of a topological insulator could enable highly stable qubits, the building blocks of future quantum computers. Scientists see a new result in topological insulator devices as an important step towards realising the technology's potential / publication in 'Nature Nanotechnology' An international group of scientists have demonstrated that wires more than 100 times thinner than a human hair can act like a quantum one-way street for electrons when made of a peculiar material known as a topological insulator.

Astronomy / Space Science - Physics - 12.05.2022

An image of the Milky Way’s black hole
Observation with the Event Horizon Telescope improves our understanding of the processes at the galactic centre It sits deep in the heart of the Milky Way, is 27,000 light years from Earth, and resembles a doughnut. This is how the black hole at the centre of our galaxy appears in the image obtained by researchers using the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT).

Physics - Innovation - 11.05.2022

Physicists study optically induced quantum dynamics in single-photon emitters
For tomorrow's quantum technologies: hexagonal boron nitride under the magnifying glass / findings published in -Optica- Quantum technologies are a seminal field of research, especially in relation to their application in communication and computing. In particular, the so-called single-photon emitters - materials that emit single light quanta in quick sequence - are an important building block for such applications.

Computer Science - Physics - 06.05.2022

In balance: Quantum computing needs the right combination of order and disorder
Study shows that disorder in quantum computer chips needs to be designed to perfection / Publication in 'Nature Communications' Research conducted within the Cluster of Excellence 'Matter and Light for Quantum Computing' (ML4Q) has analysed cutting-edge device structures of quantum computers to demonstrate that some of them are indeed operating dangerously close to a threshold of chaotic meltdown.

Physics - Chemistry - 21.04.2022

Atomic terahertz vibrations generate soliton molecules
Stable packets of light waves - called optical solitons - are emitted in ultrashort-pulse lasers as a chain of light flashes. These solitons often combine into pairs with very short temporal separation. Introducing atomic vibrations in the terahertz range, researchers at the Universities of Bayreuth and Wroclaw have now solved the puzzle of how these temporal links are formed.

Physics - Microtechnics - 21.04.2022

Microdrones With Light-driven Nanomotors
04/21/2022 Propelling micrometre-sized drones using light only and exerting precise control: Physicists at the University of Würzburg have succeeded at this for the first time. Their microdrones are significantly smaller than red blood cells. A hand-held laser pointer produces no noticeable recoil forces when it is "fired" - even though it emits a directed stream of light particles.

Astronomy / Space Science - Physics - 14.04.2022

MAGIC telescopes observe stellar explosion
The MAGIC telescopes have observed the nova RS Ophiuchi shining brightly in gamma rays at extremely high energy. The Gamma rays emanate from protons that are accelerated to very high energies in the shock front following the explosion. This suggests that novae are also a source of the ubiquitous cosmic radiation in the universe which consists mainly of protons rich in energy, which race through space at almost the speed of light.

Physics - 13.04.2022

Rotating blue laser light reveals unimagined dynamics in living cells
Using a novel laser-scanning microscope scientists observe processes in cells changing within milliseconds When cities transform into a colorful world of lights as darkness falls, it's often only possible to estimate their contours, which depending on the perspective can draw the attention to key details or trivia.

Physics - Chemistry - 30.03.2022

Less waste from lower enriched Uranium targets
New separation process for key radiodiagnostic agent reduces radioactive waste Nuclear medicine uses technetium-99m among other things for tumor diagnostics. With over 30 million applications worldwide each year, it is the most widely used radioisotope. The precursor material, molybdenum-99, is mainly produced in research reactors.

Physics - 25.03.2022

Physicists create extremely compressible ’gas of light’
Study by the University of Bonn could pave the way to new types of highly sensitive sensors Researchers at the University of Bonn have created a gas of light particles that can be extremely compressed. Their results confirm the predictions of central theories of quantum physics. The findings could also point the way to new types of sensors that can measure minute forces.