9 D Universe

A lauded professor, theoretical physicists, and fusion scientist, Loureiro is keenly positioned to advance the center’s research and education goals. Nuno Loureiro, professor of nuclear science and engineering and of physics, has been appointed the new director of the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center, effective May 1. Loureiro is taking the [...]

Answers Wave range? A plum tide at sea (9) [AMPLITUDE] Sequence of hobo sonata carries force (5) [BOSON] Yell out “circle” immediately? Overpowered freezer (8) [CRYOSTAT] Nineties served up “greatest physicist” candidate (8) [EINSTEIN] Devotion to closeness (8) [FIDELITY]                                                                        Hubbub after unwanted disturbances (5) [NOISE]                                                                Line, we heard, for bishop with computers? A quantum of [...]

An English proverb states, “A cat has nine lives. For three he plays, for three he strays, and for the last three he stays.” In the quantum world, however, objects can be in a superposition of states simultaneously. Therefore, a quantum cat could exist in a superposition of playing, straying, [...]

Humanity has a remarkable drive for exploration. We have sent astronauts 384,400 kilometres out into space to walk on the Moon; delivered rovers and helicopters roughly 225 million kilometres away to survey Mars; and sent probes a whopping 24.3 billion kilometres out to the furthest reaches of our solar system. [...]

Author(s): Ryan WilkinsonA method for freely adjusting the parameters of a loop of optical fiber enables the exploration of exotic topological phases of matter.[Physics 17, s46] Published Wed May 01, 2024 [...]

Author(s): Ryan WilkinsonA proposed experiment could bring scientists closer to answering the long-standing question of whether gravity is a classical or a quantum phenomenon.[Physics 17, 65] Published Wed May 01, 2024 [...]

Following almost three decades of planning and construction the world’s highest observatory has begun operations. The University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory (TAO), which is located at an altitude of 5640 m on the summit of Cerro Chajnantor at Atacama in northern Chile, officially opened today. The infrared telescope will be [...]

A team of astronomers and citizen scientists has discovered a planet in the habitable zone of an unusual star system, including two stars and potentially another exoplanet. [...]

The lack of observed gamma rays from a recent supernova has cast doubt on the generally-accepted idea that exploding stars are a major source of cosmic rays. The observation was made using NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. Cosmic rays are high-energy charged particles (mostly protons) that arrive at Earth from beyond [...]

A novel detector designed to search for so-called “dark” photons has placed unprecedented constraints on where this type of dark matter might be found. The detector uses a coaxial dish antenna to trap and funnel photons, and its US-based developers say it could easily be scaled up and made more [...]

  Optics and photonics serve as enabling technologies in various industries, including communication, medical technology, sensor development, quantum computing, and manufacturing. In these fields, simulation helps accelerate and reduce the cost of R&D of optical components, which can range in size from the sub-wavelength scale to optically large. Utilizing multiphysics analysis [...]

An unusual group of stars in the Orion constellation have revealed their secrets. FU Orionis, a double star system, first caught astronomers' attention in 1936 when the central star suddenly became 1,000 times brighter than usual. This behavior, expected from dying stars, had never been seen in a young star [...]

Unexpected result introduces new approach to designing unusual material By tinkering with a quantum material characterized by atoms arranged in the shape of a sheriff’s star, MIT physicists and colleagues have unexpectedly discovered a new way to make a state of matter known as a strange metal. Strange metals are of [...]

At MIT’s Festival of Learning 2024, panelists stressed the importance of developing critical thinking skills while leveraging technologies like generative AI. How can MIT’s community leverage generative AI to support learning and work on campus and beyond? At MIT’s Festival of Learning 2024, faculty and instructors, students, staff, and alumni exchanged perspectives [...]

Author(s): Peter ThirolfResearchers use a laser to excite and precisely measure a long-sought exotic nuclear state, paving the way for precise timekeeping and ultrasensitive quantum sensing.[Physics 17, 71] Published Mon Apr 29, 2024 [...]

MIT professors Roger Levy, Tracy Slatyer, and Martin Wainwright appointed to the 2024 class of “trail-blazing fellows.” MIT faculty members Roger Levy, Tracy Slatyer, and Martin Wainwright are among 188 scientists, artists, and scholars awarded 2024 fellowships from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. Working across 52 disciplines, the fellows were [...]

Author(s): Charles DayThe commercialization of magnesium-ion batteries could be closer thanks to the development of a cathode material inspired by multispecies metal alloys.[Physics 17, 75] Published Fri Apr 26, 2024 [...]

Author(s): Charles DayMost models for the overall shape and geometry of the Universe—including some exotic ones—are compatible with the latest cosmic observations.[Physics 17, 74] Published Fri Apr 26, 2024 [...]

Fellowship funds graduate studies for outstanding immigrants and children of immigrants. MIT graduate student Riyam Al Msari and alumna Francisca Vasconcelos ’20 are among the 30 recipients of this year’s Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans. In addition, two Soros winners will begin PhD studies at MIT in the [...]

Author(s): Michael SchirberInterest in developing batteries based on sodium has recently spiked because of concerns over the sustainability of lithium, which is found in most laptop and electric vehicle batteries.[Physics 17, 73] Published Thu Apr 25, 2024 [...]