The human brain holds the secret to our unique personalities. But did you know that it can also form the basis of highly efficient computing devices? Researchers recently showed how to do this, through graphene-diamond junctions that mimic some of the human brain’s functions. But, why would scientists try to emulate the human brain? Today,…

An icy ocean world in our solar system that could tell us more about the potential for life on other worlds is coming into focus with confirmation of the Europa Clipper mission’s next phase. «We are all excited about the decision that moves the Europa Clipper mission one key step closer to unlocking the mysteries…

A novel electronic component could be an important key to the era of quantum information technology: Using a tailored manufacturing process, pure germanium is bonded with aluminum in a way that atomically sharp interfaces are created. This structure shows unique effects that are particularly evident at low temperatures. The aluminium becomes superconducting — but not…

Low-cost, active teaching techniques — particularly group work and worksheets — substantially improve learning in university science classes, according to a new study involving 3,700 biology students. «Many university STEM classes continue to rely on conventional lectures, despite substantial research that suggests active teaching techniques like peer instruction and group discussion are more effective,» said…

Researchers have developed a biocompatible material that can be 3D printed into any shape and pre-programmed with reversible shape memory. The material is made using keratin, a fibrous protein found in hair, nails and shells, extracted from leftover Agora wool used in textile manufacturing. It could be used in anything from self-fitting bras to actuating…

A type of Martian aurora first identified by NASA’s MAVEN spacecraft in 2016 is actually the most common form of aurora occurring on the Red Planet, according to new results from the mission. The aurora is known as a proton aurora and can help scientists track water loss from Mars’ atmosphere. At Earth, aurora are…

A new ‘flash’ process can turn carbon black into functionalized nanodiamond and other materials. The carbon atoms evolved through several phases depending on the length of the flash. The Rice University lab of chemist James Tour is now able to «evolve» carbon through phases that include valuable nanodiamond by tightly controlling the flash Joule heating…

Researchers have built a self-assembled nanocage with a very unusual nanospace: Its walls are made of antiaromatic molecules, which are generally considered too unstable to work with. By overturning assumptions about the limits of nano-chemical engineering, the study creates an entirely new nanospace for scientists to explore. Nanometer-sized cavities are already finding a range of…

Scientists took a unique and detailed nanoscale look at how oxygen seeps out of lithium-ion battery electrodes, sapping their energy over time. The results could suggest a fix. Now researchers have measured this super-slow process with unprecedented detail, showing how the holes, or vacancies, left by escaping oxygen atoms change the electrode’s structure and chemistry…

Using holography, researchers have found when gravity is combined with quantum mechanics, symmetry is not possible. «Many physicists believe that there must a beautiful set of laws in Nature and that one way to quantify the beauty is by symmetry. Some of the symmetries may be hidden in our world, but they should manifest themselves…