A team led by Rice University physicist Frank Geurts has achieved a major milestone in particle physics by measuring the temperature of quark-gluon plasma (QGP) at different stages of its evolution. This plasma is a form of matter thought to have filled the universe only millionths of a second afterContinue Reading
Researchers at Hiroshima University have developed a realistic, highly sensitive method to detect the Unruh effect — a long-predicted phenomenon at the crossroads of relativity and quantum theory. Their novel approach opens new possibilities for exploring fundamental physics and for developing advanced technologies. The work was recently published in PhysicalContinue Reading
Crystals and glasses have opposite heat-conduction properties, which play a pivotal role in a variety of technologies. These range from the miniaturization and efficiency of electronic devices to waste-heat recovery systems, as well as the lifespan of thermal shields for aerospace applications. The problem of optimizing the performance and durabilityContinue Reading
The solar atmosphere, or corona, is far hotter than the Sun’s surface, a paradox that has puzzled scientists for decades. Furthermore, the constant outflow of plasma and magnetic fields from the Sun, known as the solar wind, is accelerated to incredible speeds. Turbulent dissipation – the process by which mechanicalContinue Reading
The ability to conduct heat is one of the most fundamental properties of matter, crucial for engineering applications. Scientists know well how conventional materials, such as metals and insulators, conduct heat. However, things are not as straightforward under extreme conditions such as temperatures close to absolute zero combined with strongContinue Reading
straga/iStock via Getty Images U.S. natural gas futures surrendered part of the previous session’s gains on Tuesday, while spot natural gas prices in Texas fell below zero for the first time since May. The forecast for the next two weeks “remains rather hot and with a bullish lean most days,”Continue Reading
