Researchers ‘tattoo’ gold nanopatterns onto live cells

05 Sep 2023 Tami Freeman

Printing nanopatterns False-coloured gold nanodot array on a living fibroblast cell. (Courtesy: Kam Sang Kwok and Soo Jin Choi, Gracias Lab/Johns Hopkins University)

The ability to merge electronics and optical sensors with the human body at the single-cell level could one day enable remote monitoring and control of individual cells in real time. Advances in electronics fabrication have made it possible to create transistors and sensors with nanoscale resolution, while innovative nanopatterning techniques enable assembly of these devices on flexible substrates. Such processes, however, generally require harsh chemicals, high temperatures or vacuum techniques that are unsuitable for living cells and tissues.

 

Measuring gravity outdoors using a quantum gas, breakthroughs in materials processing and particle physics

14 Apr 2022 Hamish Johnston

In this episode of the Physics World Weekly podcast, four physicists at the University of Birmingham explain how they used two clouds of ultracold atoms as a portable gravity sensor. Their device was able to locate a small tunnel on the university campus and can be used outdoors – and impressive feat because the atoms were held in ultrahigh vacuum and millikelvin temperatures.

 

Quantum science and technology thrives when industry and governments join forces

27 Jul 2023 Hamish Johnston

In this episode of the Physics World Weekly podcast our guest is Celia Merzbacher, who is executive director of the Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C).

Based near Washington, DC, QEC-C is an international organization that identifies gaps in quantum-related technologies, standards, and workforces and addresses those gaps through collaboration between industry and governments.

 

Exciton–polaritons enhance magneto-optical responses in van der Waals crystals

02 Sep 2023 Kirsty McGhee

How it happens: illustration of an antiferromagnetic CrSBr mirror-less cavity that allows the formation of exciton–polaritons. (Courtesy: Florian Dirnberger/City College of New York)

An international team of researchers has shown that hybrid light-matter quasiparticles can enhance magneto-optical effects in layered crystals. This research has strong implications for the development of magneto-optic devices, such as sensors and imaging devices, which allow the direct determination and mapping of magnetic domains in materials. The research could also lead to the creation of high-speed switches and all-optically controlled magnetic memory devices.

 

So you think hard disks are boring? It’s time to get real

28 Aug 2023 James McKenzie

James McKenzie explains why magnetism is so important for physics-based businesses

Super science The vast numbers of hard disks in data-storage centres that underpin “cloud computing” rely entirely on the physics of magnets. (Courtesy: iStock/IR_Stone)

In 2022 I stood for election to the magnetism group of the Institute of Physics (IOP) as I always think the best way to be involved in anything is simply to get stuck in. I’d only joined the group the year before after starting to work at a company specializing in permanent magnetic materials. Despite not knowing much about the group, I was – to my surprise – elected.

 

Aerosol geoengineering will not stop Antarctic ice sheet from melting, simulations suggest

31 Aug 2023

Running out of time: geoengineering will not prevent the collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, study suggests. (Courtesy: Shutterstock Bernhard Staehli)

Artificially dimming the Sun by injecting aerosols into Earth’s atmosphere may help to delay a significant consequence of climate change in Antarctica, but not stop it — researchers in Switzerland and the UK have revealed. Through new simulations, a team led by Johannes Sutter at the University of Bern has showed that the collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) can only be avoided if we eliminate global emissions of greenhouse gases as quickly as possible.

 

How scientific models both help and deceive us in decision making

07 Jun 2023

Michela Massimi reviews Escape from Model Land by Erica Thompson

Human insights Given the inherent limitation to scientific models of, say, climate change or the spread of viruses, it could make sense to get a wider range of people involved when turning the predictions from such models into public policy decisions. (Courtesy: iStock/FotoMaximum)

We live in a society where scientific models surround us. They are used for everything from creating weather bulletins and making climate projections to providing economic forecasts and informing policies for public health. But despite being such useful tools, all scientific models have limitations. Because as any modeller knows, the output of a model is only as good as the data you put in.