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  In the world of physics, some of the most fascinating discoveries happen when matter behaves in unexpected ways. One such breakthrough has recently come from researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), who have directly observed a completely new state of electronic matter: a liquid charge density wave (CDW) . This long-predicted but never-seen phenomenon challenges decades of debate and opens a new window into the mysterious behavior of electrons inside solids. What Is a Charge Density Wave? To understand this discovery, let’s start with the basics. In most metals, electrons move freely, carrying electric current. However, in certain materials, electrons can organize themselves into a repeating pattern, almost like atoms in a crystal. This organized pattern is called a charge density wave . Instead of individual electrons acting independently, they form a collective wave-like structure that repeats across the material. This “electron crystal” can strongly aff...

As the world races to cut carbon emissions, scientists are searching for solutions that are not just innovative but also practical. One such breakthrough has come from researchers at RMIT University in Australia, who have developed a new carbon-conversion technology that could one day help turn industrial emissions into jet fuel. By simplifying how carbon dioxide (CO₂) is captured and recycled, this technology offers fresh hope for cutting emissions in some of the world’s hardest-to-decarbonise industries—especially aviation. The big problem with carbon emissions When factories, power plants, and refineries operate, they release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This gas is a major driver of climate change. While renewable energy and electrification can reduce emissions in many sectors, some industries—such as aviation, steel, and cement—remain difficult to decarbonise. Aviation is a clear example. Long-distance flights require high-energy fuels, and current battery ...

In recent years, wearable and implantable electronics have emerged as game-changers in healthcare, fitness, and human-machine interfaces. From fitness trackers and smartwatches to advanced medical devices like implantable nerve stimulators, these technologies require electronics that are not only small and lightweight but also flexible enough to conform to the complex shapes of the human body. One of the biggest challenges in this field has been developing conductors —the materials that carry electricity—that are both extremely thin and stretchable, without losing their electrical performance. Traditional metal wires are excellent conductors, but they are rigid and prone to breaking when stretched. Soft materials, on the other hand, can stretch but often conduct electricity poorly. Achieving a balance between mechanical flexibility and electrical stability has been a major obstacle for researchers. Now, a team of scientists from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore , led...

Black holes are among the most fascinating and mysterious objects in the universe. Astronomers have discovered black holes of very different sizes: Stellar-mass black holes , a few times heavier than the Sun Intermediate-mass black holes (IMBHs) , thousands to millions of times the Sun’s mass Supermassive black holes (SMBHs) , billions of times heavier than the Sun, sitting at the centers of galaxies What makes this puzzling is that some supermassive black holes already existed when the universe was very young. According to standard theories, there simply was not enough time for them to grow so large. So how did they form so quickly? A recent study by Kallifatides, Papanikolaou, and Saridakis proposes a powerful and surprisingly simple answer. Their work suggests that primordial black holes , formed shortly after the Big Bang, could grow extremely fast by absorbing radiation from their hot surroundings—without needing any exotic new physics. What Are Primordial Black Holes? Primordial...

The early Universe was not always the calm and structured place we see today. In its first moments, it went through dramatic changes known as phase transitions , similar to how water freezes into ice. Some of these transitions were violent and sudden, releasing enormous energy and reshaping the contents of the cosmos. New research by Li, Liu, and Guo explores how one such event—a cosmological first-order phase transition —could naturally create unusual, long-lived objects called Q-balls , which may help explain the mystery of dark matter . What Is a First-Order Phase Transition in the Universe? A first-order phase transition (FOPT) is a process where the Universe shifts from one state (or vacuum) to another suddenly, rather than smoothly. Think of water boiling: bubbles form, expand, and collide. In the early Universe, similar “bubbles” of a new vacuum formed inside an old one as the Universe cooled. These transitions are extremely important. Scientists believe they may have: Created...

Imagine a material that bends, contracts, and relaxes just like a human muscle. It moves smoothly, responds quickly, and adapts to different tasks—all without rigid motors or hard mechanical parts. For scientists, creating such a material has long been a dream. Now, researchers are taking important steps toward making this vision a reality. A research team led by Stephen Morin, an associate professor of chemistry at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, has developed a new synthetic material that behaves in many ways like biological muscle. Their work, recently published in the scientific journal Advanced Functional Materials , introduces a hydrogel-based actuator system that combines movement, control, and fuel delivery into one integrated platform. This breakthrough could open new doors in soft robotics, prosthetic devices, and advanced human–machine interfaces. Why Biological Muscle Inspires Scientists Biological muscle is one of nature’s most impressive inventions. It can generate st...

Perovskite solar cells have rapidly moved from laboratory curiosities to serious contenders for next-generation solar energy. They are lightweight, low-cost, and capable of very high power conversion efficiencies (PCEs). However, one major challenge still limits their large-scale adoption: long-term stability. A recent breakthrough from researchers at Xiamen University offers an elegant and practical solution to this problem. By introducing a novel technique called molecular press annealing (MPA) , the team has achieved record efficiency while significantly improving device durability. Why Annealing Matters in Perovskite Solar Cells Annealing is a heat treatment process widely used in material science. In perovskite solar cells, thermal annealing helps improve the crystallinity of the perovskite film. Better crystallinity means fewer defects, smoother charge transport, and ultimately higher efficiency. However, conventional thermal annealing has a downside. When perovskite films are ...