Clipmarks | taksmaster's 'physics' clips

Extra-terrestrial life almost certainly exists

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 12:01:38 GMT

clipped by: taksmaster
clipper's remarks: Nothing new. It's just interesting to hear more and more scientists say they believe extra-terrestrial life exists.

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Intelligent extra-terrestrials almost certainly exist on distant planets beyond our solar system, leading British astronomers told the government yesterday.

The scientists expect that the first evidence of primitive alien life, such as microbes and vegetation, will emerge within 10 years, with more substantial finds following future space missions.

The experts, from high-ranking UK universities and research institutes, were gathered in London by the science minister, Malcolm Wicks, to describe the latest advances in the search for distant, habitable planets capable of harbouring life.

"Twenty years ago we only had one solar system to study and that's the one we live in. But since then, there's been an explosion in the number of planets outside our solar system that we've been able to detect," said Professor Keith Mason, chief executive of the Science and Technology Facilities Council and former head of space physics at University College London.

Tags: space, universe, life, aliens, ufo, intelligence, astronomy

The Cosmology Quest - Challenging the Big Bang Theory

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 04:47:52 GMT

clipped by: taksmaster

Clip Source: video.google.com

[Video]

Clip Source: video.google.com

[Video]

Tags: physics, astronomy, cosmology, science, universe, space, electricity, einstein

Thunderbolts of the Gods - Plasma Cosmology

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 04:21:19 GMT

clipped by: taksmaster
clipper's remarks: A lesser known theory of cosmology that challenges the the big bang theory.

Clip Source: video.google.com

[Video]

Tags: big bang, astronomy, cosmology, physics, science

Fingerprinting Atoms

Sat, 03 Mar 2007 02:20:38 GMT

clipped by: taksmaster

Clip Source: physicsweb.org

Physicists in Japan, Spain and the Czech Republic have developed a new type of atomic force microscope (AFM) that can "fingerprint" the chemical identity of individual atoms on a material's surface.

The key challenge with this approach, however, is that the attractive chemical forces responsible for the topographic map are heavily dependent on the quality of the probe's tip – put simply, there is no way to give atomic species a "fingerprint" that remains consistent between measurements. Custance's team got over this hurdle by inventing a sensitive calibration method that begins by taking detailed readings of how the force on the tip varies with distance for different atoms, amassing numerous force-distance curves.

although this technique is adept at distinguishing different atoms, until now it has been unable to divulge their actual chemical identity

The AFM – invented some 20 years ago – is the best eye scientists have for examining atoms on the surfaces of both insulators and conductors

Tags: science, technology, nanotechnology, physics, engineering

The ATLAS Experiment Episode 2

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 23:59:21 GMT

clipped by: taksmaster
clipper's remarks: Episode 2:

part 1 & 2

Clip Source: www.youtube.com

[Video]

Clip Source: www.youtube.com

[Video]

Tags: science, technology, physics

The ATLAS Experiment Episode 1

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 18:47:03 GMT

clipped by: taksmaster
clipper's remarks: Link to Episode 2:

http://clipmarks.com/clipmark/878294A0-06C2-478C-9862-233FF8671F52/

Clip Source: www.youtube.com

[Video]

ATLAS is a particle physics experiment that will explore the fundamental nature of matter and the basic forces that shape our universe. The ATLAS detector will search for new discoveries in the head on collisions of protons of extraordinarily high energy. ATLAS is one of the largest collaborative efforts ever attempted in the physical sciences. There are 1800 physicists (Including 400 students) participating from more than 150 universities and laboratories in 35 countries.
Visit http://atlas.ch for more information.

Tags: science, technology, physics

Scientists Dubious of Quantum Claims

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 01:35:11 GMT

clipped by: taksmaster

Clip Source: www.physorg.com

Quantum computing is such an elusive goal that even the company claiming to have the "world's first commercial quantum computer" acknowledged it isn't entirely sure the machine is performing true quantum calculations.

And independent quantum computing researchers said they are dubious of some of the claims made by D-Wave Systems Inc. because the privately held Canadian company has not yet submitted its findings for peer review, a standard step for gaining acceptance in scientific circles.

Many scientists believe that true quantum computing - which is based on the unusual properties of quantum physics - promises to solve certain factoring, simulation and other intensive problems faster than today's machines that rely on classical physics. Most say it's likely still years or decades away.

"Until we see more actual measurements, it's hard to know whether they succeeded or not," said Phil Kuekes, a computer architect in the Quantum Science Research Group at Hewlett-Packard Co.'s HP Labs.

D-Wave held its first public demonstration Tuesday of a machine it claims uses quantum mechanics to solve a certain type of problems, such as searching a database for matching molecular structures.

Tags: computer, computers, computing, quantum, science, technology

No Big Bang? Endless Universe Made Possible by New Model

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 05:45:59 GMT

clipped by: taksmaster

Clip Source: www.physorg.com

A new cosmological model demonstrates the universe can endlessly expand and contract, providing a rival to Big Bang theories and solving a thorny modern physics problem, according to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill physicists.

The cyclic model proposed by Dr. Paul Frampton, Louis J. Rubin Jr. distinguished professor of physics in UNC's College of Arts & Sciences, and co-author Lauris Baum, a UNC graduate student in physics, has four key parts: expansion, turnaround, contraction and bounce.

Cosmologists first offered an oscillating universe model, with no beginning or end, as a Big Bang alternative in the 1930s. The idea was abandoned because the oscillations could not be reconciled with the rules of physics, including the second law of thermodynamics, Frampton said.

Tags: physics, cosmology, big bang, universe, space

Big Bang Losing Grip

Fri, 15 Dec 2006 01:59:32 GMT

clipped by: taksmaster

Clip Source: www.physorg.com

The light from galaxies in the background has been warped and “arced” by the galaxy cluster Abell 1689 in the foreground, and perhaps with some help by either dark matter or a stronger type of gravity on this large scale. Image Source: NASA, N. Benitez (JHU), T. Broadhurst (Racah Institute of Physics/The Hebrew University), H. Ford (JHU), M. Clampin (STScI),G. Hartig (STScI), G. Illingworth (UCO/Lick Observatory), the ACS Science Team and ESA.

In the standard theory of gravity—general relativity—dark matter plays a vital role, explaining many observations that the standard theory cannot explain by itself. But for 70 years, cosmologists have never observed dark matter, and the lack of direct observation has created skepticism about what is really out there.

Lately, some scientists have turned the question around, from “is dark matter correct?” to “is our standard theory of gravity correct?” Most recently, Fermilab scientists Scott Dodelson and former Brinson Fellow Michele Liguori demonstrated one of the first pieces of theoretical evidence that an alternative theory of gravity can explain the large scale structure of the universe.

“It is extremely important to see how well a no-dark-matter cosmology does,” said Dodelson. “[In the standard theory,] we are asking the community to believe in the existence of a particle that has never been seen. We have to be damned sure that you can't explain the universe without this huge leap. Our Figure 1 [see citation below] illustrates that, in standard gravity, a no-dark-matter model does not do well at all.”

Tags: physics, cosmology, science, astronomy, space

The Coming Era of Magical Physics

Mon, 11 Dec 2006 19:27:07 GMT

clipped by: taksmaster
clipper's remarks: Invisibility, anti-gravity, and perpetual motion aren't science fiction anymore.

Clip Source: english.ohmynews.com

In the past year several scientific claims that apparently contradict "known" physical laws have been making headline news. Some are so contradictory to personal experience that their application would seem like "magic" if we were not already in an age of remarkable discoveries.

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Scientific history is full of such botched predictions, though when a scientist of rank and experience says, "it will never work", they are frequently right. When new scientific claims seem to contradict "known" physical laws objectivity is difficult to maintain, even for the best trained scientists.

In 2007 three of these breakthrough discoveries and claims could either make it into demonstrable prototypes or be confirmed by other research labs. Some of the claims are already experimentally confirmed, some are unconfirmed but from credible sources, and some are scientifically unsubstantiated but just too bold to ignore. If confirmed they would be a "hat trick" of remarkable advances that seemingly contradict everyday physical laws. In colloquial terms they are: invisibility, anti-gravity and perpetual motion.

Tags: science, technology, physics

Guiding an Atom Laser

Fri, 24 Nov 2006 19:11:35 GMT

clipped by: taksmaster

Clip Source: www.physorg.com

One of the biggest differences between photons and atoms is that the latter are massive particles, making gravity is a huge factor. It can be seen as an advantage when designing new high accuracy atom interferometers based inertial sensors, but can be a major drawback when controlling atom laser beams. “Gravity makes for higher velocity,” William Guerin explains to PhysOrg.com, “and that means wavelengths become small.”

According to Guerin, a scientist at the Institute d'Optique Graduate School in Palaiseau (south of Paris), in order for an atom laser to be practicable for many applications, a method for creating longer wavelengths needs to be found. And, with his colleagues from Aspect's Atom Optics Group of the Laboratoire Charles Fabry, he has. An article published in Physical Review Letters by Guerin and his coworkers Riou and Gaebler from the team led by Josse and Bouyer, is titled “Guided Quasicontinuous Atom Laser”; it demonstrates how this longer wavelength can be achieved.

“By making our atom laser into a wave carrier, we can get rid of the acceleration of gravity,” says Guerin. “We can create an atom laser with a constant.” The French team’s Letter describes how such a laser works with trapped Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC):

But rather than getting too carried away with the future, Guerin sticks with the basics. “There are two main points that we have realized because of this work,” he says. “First, we have a well-defined and large wavelength. This is new.” He continues his explanation: “And, second, we can control the amounts of interaction. It is great that we can control the flux of the atom laser, by controlling the flux, we control the density inside the beam.” And it is great for the world of atomic science as well.

Tags: quantum, physics, science, nanotechnology

Brilliant Minds Forecast the Next 50 Years

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 12:16:28 GMT

clipped by: taksmaster

Clip Source: www.newscientist.com

Instant Expert: Brilliant Minds Forecast the Next 50 Years

What will be the biggest breakthrough of the next 50 years? As part of our 50^th anniversary celebrations we asked over 70 of the world's most brilliant scientists for their ideas.

In coming decades will we: discover that we are not alone in the universe? Unravel the physiological basis for consciousness? Routinely have false memories implanted in our minds? Begin to evolve in new directions? And will physicists finally hit upon a universal theory of everything? In fact, if the revelations of the last 50 years are anything to go on - the internet and the human genome for example - we probably have not even thought up the exciting advances that lay ahead of us.

Delve into those visions of the future by author in the story list of this special report, or navigate forecasts by topic here:

Life: Ageing, alien life, consciousness, ecology, embryology, environment, evolution, genetics, health, humans, language, neuroscience, oceans, psychology, sex and social science.

Space and technology: Artificial intelligence, communications, computing, cosmology, space and technology.

Physical sciences: Chemistry, energy, materials, maths and physics.

more...

Tags: science, future, space, technology, biology, singularity, evolution, genetics, nanotechnology, robotics, artificial intelligence

A Quantum (Computer) Step

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 09:04:02 GMT

clipped by: taksmaster

Clip Source: www.physorg.com

University of Utah physicist Christoph Boehme works with equipment that he uses to show it it feasible for a superfast qunatum computer of the future to read data that is stored in the form of magnetic "spins" of phosphorus atoms. Photo by John Lupton, UU

A University of Utah physicist took a step toward developing a superfast computer based on the weird reality of quantum physics by showing it is feasible to read data stored in the form of the magnetic "spins" of phosphorus atoms.

"We have resolved a major obstacle for building a particular kind of quantum computer, the phosphorus-and-silicon quantum computer," says Boehme. "For this concept, data readout is the biggest issue, and we have shown a new way to read data."

Quantum computers, which have not been built yet, would be based on the strange principles of quantum mechanics, in which the smallest particles of light and matter can be in different places at the same time.

In a quantum computer, one "qubit" - quantum bit - could be both 0 and 1 at the same time. So with three qubits of data, a quantum computer could store all eight combinations of 0 and 1 simultaneously. That means a three-qubit quantum computer could calculate eight times faster than a three-bit digital computer.

"We discovered a mechanism that will allow us to measure the spins of the nuclei of individual phosphorus atoms in a piece of silicon when the phosphorus is close [within about 50 atoms] to the surface," Boehme says. With improved design, it should be possible to build a much smaller device that "lets us read a single phosphorus nucleus."

While Boehme is excited by this advance, numerous obstacles remain before quantum computing becomes a reality.

Tags: computers, science, technology, quantum

Animation: Anatomy of a Black Hole

Sat, 18 Nov 2006 03:25:18 GMT

clipped by: taksmaster
clipper's remarks: Cool flash animation describing black holes and how they are formed.

Clip Source: www.thinktechnologies.com

Tags: astronomy, cosmology, physics, space, science

Wireless energy transfer can one day recharge laptops, cell phones without cords

Wed, 15 Nov 2006 08:55:11 GMT

clipped by: taksmaster

Clip Source: www.physorg.com

Marin Soljacic of MIT will present his work on wireless energy transfer at the 2006 American Institute of Physics Industrial Physics Forum. Credit: Donna Coveney/MIT

Recharging your laptop computer -- and also your cell phone and a variety of other gadgets -- might one day be doable in the same convenient way many people now surf the Web: wirelessly.

Marin Soljacic of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology will present research by himself and his colleagues Aristeidis Karalis and John Joannopoulos on the physics of electromagnetic fields, showing how wireless energy could power future gadgets. The MIT team is also working on demonstrating the technology in practice. The work will be described on Tuesday, November 14 in San Francisco, at the 2006 American Institute of Physics Industrial Physics Forum (IPF), which will be co-located with the Nanotechnology Topical Conference at the AVS 53rd International Symposium & Exhibition at the Moscone Center West.

Like many of us, Soljacic (pronounced Soul-ya-cheech) keeps forgetting to recharge his cell phone, and when the thing is about to die it starts to complain with an unpleasant noise. "Needless to say, this always happens in the middle of the night," he said. "So, one night, at 3 a.m., it occurred to me: Wouldn't it be great if this thing charged itself?" The experience got the MIT scientist thinking hard to see if any of the physics principles he knew of could turn into new ways of transmitting energy.

After all, scientists and engineers have known for nearly two centuries that transferring electric power does not require wires to be in physical contact all the way. Electric motors and power transformers contain coils that transmit energy to each other by the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction. A current running in an emitting coil induces another current in a receiving coil; the two coils are in close proximity, but they do not touch.

Tags: science, technology