Explaining Mars’ Patchy Aurora

Posted on February 2, 2024 by rberkowitz

The solar wind’s orientation relative to Mars’ magnetic-field lines changes as the planet rotates, creating conditions ripe for magnetic reconnection. Read more in APS Physics…

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Hot Surfaces Make Droplets Move Erratically

Posted on January 31, 2024 by rberkowitz

A droplet of a volatile liquid can move on a uniformly heated surface thanks to a nonuniform evaporation effect that drives an unstable fluid flow within the droplet. Read more in APS Physics…

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How Fur Frustrates Fouling

Posted on January 12, 2024 by rberkowitz

A hair’s resistance to dirt depends on how much it deforms in a flowing fluid. Read more in APS Physics…

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Water Reduces Ground Coffee’s Charge

Posted on January 6, 2024 by rberkowitz

Adding water to coffee beans before grinding can reduce the buildup of static charge—and make a stronger espresso. Read more in APS Physics…

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Canada attempts to entice H-1B workers from US

Posted on January 3, 2024 by rberkowitz

The country’s new open work permit program is designed to capitalize on US-vetted STEM talent. Read more in Physics Today…

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Ping-Pong Ball Insulators Can Block Noise

Posted on December 19, 2023 by rberkowitz

Researchers harness acoustics principles to seal out noise pollution. Read more in Scientific American…

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Why Humidity Doesn’t Affect Drying Paint

Posted on December 15, 2023 by rberkowitz

Experiments verify a theory that explains why paint doesn’t dry any faster on a dry day than on a wet day. Read more in APS Physics…

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Ultrasound Enables Remote 3-D Printing—Even in the Human Body

Posted on December 11, 2023 by rberkowitz

For the first time, researchers have used sound waves to 3-D print an object from a distance—even with a wall in the way. Read more in Scientific American…

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An Unexpected Discovery at the Air-Water Interface

Posted on December 4, 2023 by rberkowitz

New research reveals a surprising chemical pathway for a CO2 reaction important in many geological and biological processes. Read more at Berkeley Lab…

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Solid-State Physicist Turns to Rocks

Posted on December 1, 2023 by rberkowitz

An archaeology-focused sabbatical prompted semiconductor physicist Kristin Poduska to ask questions about how the environment impacts the chemical and structural properties of natural materials. Read more in APS Physics…

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