Author Archives: rberkowitz

Toward an Ultrahigh Energy Density Capacitor

Posted on August 19, 2020 by rberkowitz

By introducing defects to a common material, Berkeley Lab researchers create a highly efficient capacitor with dramatically increased energy density. Continue reading →

Posted in Berkeley Lab | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Mechanically stressed phytoplankton light up

Posted on August 13, 2020 by rberkowitz

The intensity of bioluminescence depends on the rate and amplitude of the microorganism’s deformation.  Continue reading →

Posted in Physics Today | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Coldest Electrons Ever from Photocathodes

Posted on August 6, 2020 by rberkowitz

Researchers have generated the coldest electrons to date from solid-state photocathodes, an achievement that could improve electron sources for particle accelerators and ultrafast electron microscopy applications.  Continue reading →

Posted in APS Physics | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Real-Time Measurements of Earth’s Spin and Tilt

Posted on July 17, 2020 by rberkowitz

An array of ring lasers provides the first continuous measurement of Earth’s motion from a single location.  Continue reading →

Posted in APS Physics | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Building Novel Carbon Allotropes

Posted on July 2, 2020 by rberkowitz

Calculations indicate that a form of carbon synthesized from pentagonal hydrocarbon molecules could have unusual electrical and mechanical properties.  Continue reading →

Posted in APS Physics | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Cold, supersaturated urban air could be accelerating pollutant particle growth

Posted on July 2, 2020 by rberkowitz

A new experiment suggests that ammonium nitrate particles nucleate and quickly grow in winter conditions.  Continue reading →

Posted in Physics Today | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Ion Recoil from Photon Beam Observed

Posted on June 22, 2020 by rberkowitz

Experiments confirm that photonionized molecules get a backward kick, as predicted by theory.  Continue reading →

Posted in APS Physics | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Smog-forming particles may grow quickly in supersaturated urban air

Posted on June 18, 2020 by rberkowitz

Ammonium nitrate particles nucleate and grow in winter-like conditions, according to a new experiment. Continue reading →

Posted in Physics Today | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Seafloor avalanches travel fast and far

Posted on June 3, 2020 by rberkowitz

Acoustic measurements of sediment concentration quantify the wide-reaching influence of turbidity currents.  Continue reading →

Posted in Physics Today | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Unjammed Emulsions Collapse to Liquids

Posted on May 27, 2020 by rberkowitz

An emulsion’s rigidity disappears when the droplets’ random thermal motion overcomes the confining pressure that binds them.  Continue reading →

Posted in APS Physics | Tagged , , | Leave a comment