Author Archives: rberkowitz

Crystallizing the Path Toward a Nuclear Clock

Posted on July 2, 2024 by rberkowitz

Researchers have made the most precise measurement to date of the excited nuclear state of thorium-229, a candidate isotope for an ultraprecise nuclear clock. Continue reading →

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Glowing Algae Change Morphology to Avoid Light

Posted on June 26, 2024 by rberkowitz

Bright light triggers the chloroplast of a bioluminescent algae to fold into a pattern that minimizes the chloroplast’s exposed area. Continue reading →

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An Astronomer’s Appeal for Satellite Regulation

Posted on June 18, 2024 by rberkowitz

Samantha Lawler would like to see more done to reduce the detrimental impact of satellites on dark skies, telescope data, and publicly funded research. Continue reading →

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Adding Certainty to Plutonium’s Fission Yield

Posted on June 14, 2024 by rberkowitz

A first-of-its-kind measurement reveals the energy spectrum of the neutrons produced during the fission of plutonium, a common nuclear fuel component. Continue reading →

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How bats pick out their own calls when flying in enormous swarms

Posted on June 5, 2024 by rberkowitz

Researchers trained a hawk outfitted with microphones to fly through a swarm of 600,000 bats, revealing how they can hear their own voice in a crowd. Continue reading →

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Spider-Inspired Microphone Detects Tiny Gusts of Sound

Posted on May 30, 2024 by rberkowitz

A small device senses sounds using a spiderweb-like design—a strategy that could lead to chip-size microphones that are less affected by thermal noise. Continue reading →

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New Earplugs Won’t Amplify the Sound of Your Own Voice

Posted on May 29, 2024 by rberkowitz

Wearing earplugs, hearing aids and earphones can make your own voice sound booming, but a new design dampens the din. Continue reading →

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A Cleaner Way to Produce Ammonia

Posted on May 28, 2024 by rberkowitz

New research reveals how a surprising catalyst can help to efficiently convert nitrogen into useful products under ambient conditions. Continue reading →

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A Better Way to Charge a Quantum Battery

Posted on May 23, 2024 by rberkowitz

Coupling the charger and battery to a common reservoir induces a direct flow of energy into the battery. Continue reading →

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Icy Secrets

Posted on May 22, 2024 by rberkowitz

Oddly shaped bubbles tell a frozen story. Continue reading →

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