ScienceDaily: Matter & Energy News

Researchers are developing a new filter membrane that is highly efficient at filtering and inactivating a wide variety of air-borne and water-borne viruses.

Hydrogels are polymer materials made mostly from water. They can be used in a wide range of medical and other applications. However, previous incarnations of the materials suffered from repeated mechanical stress and would easily become deformed. A novel crystal that can reversibly form and deform, allows hydrogels to rapidly recover from mechanical stress. This opens up the use of such biocompatible materials in the field of artificial joints and ligaments.

A group has worked out theoretically how the communication between two quantum dots can be influenced with light. The team shows ways to control the transfer of information or energy from one quantum dot to another. To this end, the researchers calculated the electronic structure of two nanocrystals, which act as quantum dots. With the results, the movement of electrons in quantum dots can be simulated in real time.

Using a piece of magnet, researchers have designed a simple system that can control the movement of a small puddle of water, even when it's upside down. The new liquid manipulation strategy can have a wide range of applications including cleaning hard-to-reach environments or delivering small objects.

In the world of quantum mechanics, researchers can even make empty space, the lack of something, do their bidding. Scientists have now created a new setup to control the absence of electrons in a solid material. They want to use these holes as a basis for a quantum computer.

Disruptions from sea-level rise and coastal flooding events have significant indirect impacts on urban traffic networks and road safety.

Hydrogels are commonly used inside the body to help in tissue regeneration and drug delivery. However, once inside, they can be challenging to control for optimal use. A team of researchers is developing a new way to manipulate the gel -- by using light.

Scientists have built the smallest and best acoustic amplifier. And they did it using a concept that was all but abandoned for almost 50 years.