Science

Nanostructured two-dimensional gold monolayers offer possibilities in catalysis, electronics, and nanotechnology.

Nanostructured two-dimensional gold monolayers offer possibilities in catalysis, electronics, and nanotechnology.

A groundbreaking piece of navigation technology that uses the ability to sense information through touch can help people with visual impairment perform a location task as well as sighted people, according to new research.

A groundbreaking piece of navigation technology that uses the ability to sense information through touch can help people with visual impairment perform a location task as well as sighted people, according to new research.

For human researchers, it takes many years of work to discover new super-resolution microscopy techniques. The number of possible optical configurations of a microscope -- for example, where to place mirrors or lenses -- is enormous. Researchers have now developed an artificial intelligence (AI) framework which autonomously discovers new experimental designs in microscopy. The framework, called XLuminA, performs optimizations 10,000 times faster than well-established methods.

For human researchers, it takes many years of work to discover new super-resolution microscopy techniques. The number of possible optical configurations of a microscope -- for example, where to place mirrors or lenses -- is enormous. Researchers have now developed an artificial intelligence (AI) framework which autonomously discovers new experimental designs in microscopy. The framework, called XLuminA, performs optimizations 10,000 times faster than well-established methods.

Using microparticles consisting of extremely thin petals, medicines can be delivered via the bloodstream in a precisely targeted manner, for example to a tumour or blood clot. Ultrasound and other acoustic procedures guide the particles through the body and reveal their locations. This makes the particles easy to deploy, as ultrasound procedures are common practice in medicine.

The rapidly increasing aging population will lead to a shortage of care providers in the future. While robotic technologies are a potential alternative, their widespread use is limited by poor acceptance. In a new study, researchers have examined a user-centric approach to understand the factors influencing user willingness among caregivers and recipients in Japan, Ireland, and Finland. Users' perspectives can aid the development of home-care robots with better acceptance.

The rapidly increasing aging population will lead to a shortage of care providers in the future. While robotic technologies are a potential alternative, their widespread use is limited by poor acceptance. In a new study, researchers have examined a user-centric approach to understand the factors influencing user willingness among caregivers and recipients in Japan, Ireland, and Finland. Users' perspectives can aid the development of home-care robots with better acceptance.

A research group has developed a new design for the electrolytes used in fuel cells. The material complies with environmental regulations and demonstrates moderate conductivity in harsh conditions, reaching four times the conductivity of cross-linked sulfonated polystyrene, a conventional material. Their findings contribute to developing next-generation fuel cells, paving the way toward achieving net-zero carbon goals.

Mathematicians have applied statistical mechanics to climate change detection and attribution for first time. They have shown how to separate the 'signal' of human-made climate change from the 'noise' of natural climate fluctuations. This allows for a dramatic improvement in the ability to detect climate change and early warnings of climatic tipping points.

A ground-breaking study showcases a significant advancement in laser technology, promising more affordable and scalable solutions for applications ranging from environmental monitoring to biomedical imaging. Researchers have developed the first colloidal quantum dot (CQD)-based laser capable of operating across the entire extended short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectrum.

A ground-breaking study showcases a significant advancement in laser technology, promising more affordable and scalable solutions for applications ranging from environmental monitoring to biomedical imaging. Researchers have developed the first colloidal quantum dot (CQD)-based laser capable of operating across the entire extended short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectrum.

New research has shown how the quantum mechanical principle of strong coupling opens unrivalled possibilities for designing optical filters.

New research has shown how the quantum mechanical principle of strong coupling opens unrivalled possibilities for designing optical filters.

Artificial intelligence provides new evidence that rapid decarbonization will not prevent warming beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius. The hottest years of this century are likely to shatter recent records.

Researchers have created organic materials for brain and heart pacemakers, which rely on uninterrupted signal delivery to be effective. Using a plastic base known as polypropylene, the researchers added a specially formulated clay called Montmorillonite and different ratios of graphene, one of the strongest lightweight materials. They created five different materials that could be performance-tested and took detailed measurements of the structure of the composite materials using scanning electron microscopy.

Scientists have developed a unique nanolaser. Although the dimensions of this laser are so small that its structure can only be seen through a powerful microscope, its potential is vast. With applications in early medical diagnostics, data communication, and security technologies, this invention could also become a key tool for the study of light and matter interactions.

Atoms cooled to near absolute zero let researchers make a measurement of gravity 20 per cent more precise than the standard quantum limit usually allows

Dyson spheres and rings have always held a special fascination for me. The concept is simple, build a great big structure either as a sphere or ring to harness the energy from a star. Dyson rings are far more simple and feasible to construct and in a recent paper, a team of scientists explore how we might detect them by analysing the light from distant stars. The team suggests they might be able to detect Dyson rings around pulsars using their new technique.

Like their spherical cousins, Dyson rings remain for now, a popular idea in science fiction yet they are starting to appear more and more in scientific debates. The concept of the ring is similar to the sphere, a megastructure designed to encircle a star, harnessing its energy on a gargantuan scale. It might consist of a series of satellites or even habitats in a circular orbit with solar collectors and unlike the spheres, require far less resources to build. The concept of the sphere was first proposed by physicist and mathematician Freeman Dyson in 1960. Such structures might be detectable and reveal the existence of intelligent civilisations. 

A Type II civilization is one that can directly harvest the energy of its star using a Dyson Sphere or something similar. Credit: Fraser Cain (with Midjourney)

It’s fascinating to think about civilisations building such constructions. Our own civilisation currently consumes around 15,000 terawatts per hour and that number is only going to increase as our population grows and we become even more reliant on technology. To endeavour to quantify the energy usage from the level of technological capability, the Kardashev scale was developed. On this scale, we are currently at Type I which means our power usage is  4 × 1019 erg s?1 (4 terawatts) If a civilisation requires 4 × 1033 erg s?1 (400 trillion terawatts) then it is considered to be type II and it is these civilisations that may be capable and indeed it may be necessary to build Dyson structures. 

To create either a solid sphere or even a sphere with orbiting satellites would require phenomenal amounts of material. A sphere which had a radius of 1 astronomical unit (the average distance between Earth and the Sun) would require more material than exists in the entire Solar System. It is far more likely that civilisations would create ring structures. Rings of this nature around a star would be able to harness significant amounts of energy but a ring around a pulsar would, if the pulse beam of the star could be tracked, be able to capture even more energy, of the order of 10 thousand trillion terawatts.

There are Dyson rings and spheres and this, an illustration of a Dyson swarm. Could this or a variation of it be what we’re detecting around KIC? Not likely, but a fun thought experiment. Credit: Wikipedia

In the paper written by Ogetay Kayali from Michigan Technological University and team, they propose further exploration of pulsar light curves to see if features that could reveal their presence have been missed. The features the team suggest arise from effects of the pulsar beam striking the ring structure. The beams travel at superluminal speeds which could result in multiple images of the pulsar spot on the Dyson ring appearing simultaneously. This may be visible in light curve analysis. A similar effect is seen when dust rings are illuminated with pulsar radiation.

Source : Search for Dyson Rings Around Pulsars: Unexpected Light Curves 

The post New Technique for Spotting Dyson Rings Unveiled. appeared first on Universe Today.