Electricity behaves like water. Free Technical Library News

NEWS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, NOVELTY IN ELECTRONICS
Free technical library / timeline

Electricity behaves like water

20.11.2022

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have observed "electronic whirlpools" for the first time. Strange behavior occurs when electricity flows as a liquid, which can make electronics more efficient. Like water, electricity is made up of discrete particles, so you would expect them both to flow in the same way. But while water molecules are large enough to push each other and flow together, electrons are much smaller, meaning they are more affected by their environment than each other.

However, it was envisaged that under ideal conditions—at temperatures close to absolute zero and in pure, defect-free materials—quantum effects should take control of their movement and allow them to flow as an e-liquid with the viscosity of honey. If scientists could use this, it could create more efficient electronic devices where electricity flows with less resistance.

In a new study, the MIT team observed clear signs of e-liquid - whirlpools. These are common patterns in fluid flows, but not something that electrons can normally produce and therefore have never been observed before. Researchers have noticed electronic whirlpools in tungsten ditelluride crystals.

The team etched a narrow channel with a circular chamber on either side, then ran a current through it and measured the electron flow. In standard materials such as gold, the electrons will always move in the same general direction, even if they propagate into the chambers and then return to the central channel. But in tungsten diluride, electrons swirled through circular chambers, changing direction and creating whirlpools.

"Theoretically, electronic vortices are predictable, but there was no direct evidence, and to see is to believe," Levitov said. "Now we've seen it, and it's a clear sign of being in a new regime where the electrons are behaving like a liquid, not like individual particles." The team says that confirming long-standing predictions could help scientists develop more efficient electronics.

<< Back: Super low sounds make people dance 21.11.2022

>> Forward: Sweet makes ants more fun 20.11.2022

Latest news of science and technology, new electronics:

The existence of an entropy rule for quantum entanglement has been proven 09.05.2024

Quantum mechanics continues to amaze us with its mysterious phenomena and unexpected discoveries. Recently, Bartosz Regula from the RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing and Ludovico Lamy from the University of Amsterdam presented a new discovery that concerns quantum entanglement and its relation to entropy. Quantum entanglement plays an important role in modern quantum information science and technology. However, the complexity of its structure makes understanding and managing it challenging. Regulus and Lamy's discovery shows that quantum entanglement follows an entropy rule similar to that for classical systems. This discovery opens new perspectives in the field of quantum information science and technology, deepening our understanding of quantum entanglement and its connection to thermodynamics. The results of the study indicate the possibility of reversibility of entanglement transformations, which could greatly simplify their use in various quantum technologies. Opening a new rule ... >>

Mini air conditioner Sony Reon Pocket 5 09.05.2024

Summer is a time for relaxation and travel, but often the heat can turn this time into an unbearable torment. Meet a new product from Sony - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-air conditioner, which promises to make summer more comfortable for its users. Sony has introduced a unique device - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-conditioner, which provides body cooling on hot days. With it, users can enjoy coolness anytime, anywhere by simply wearing it around their neck. This mini air conditioner is equipped with automatic adjustment of operating modes, as well as temperature and humidity sensors. Thanks to innovative technologies, Reon Pocket 5 adjusts its operation depending on the user's activity and environmental conditions. Users can easily adjust the temperature using a dedicated mobile app connected via Bluetooth. Additionally, specially designed T-shirts and shorts are available for convenience, to which a mini air conditioner can be attached. The device can oh ... >>

Energy from space for Starship 08.05.2024

Producing solar energy in space is becoming more feasible with the advent of new technologies and the development of space programs. The head of the startup Virtus Solis shared his vision of using SpaceX's Starship to create orbital power plants capable of powering the Earth. Startup Virtus Solis has unveiled an ambitious project to create orbital power plants using SpaceX's Starship. This idea could significantly change the field of solar energy production, making it more accessible and cheaper. The core of the startup's plan is to reduce the cost of launching satellites into space using Starship. This technological breakthrough is expected to make solar energy production in space more competitive with traditional energy sources. Virtual Solis plans to build large photovoltaic panels in orbit, using Starship to deliver the necessary equipment. However, one of the key challenges ... >>

New method for creating powerful batteries 08.05.2024

With the development of technology and the expanding use of electronics, the issue of creating efficient and safe energy sources is becoming increasingly urgent. Researchers at the University of Queensland have unveiled a new approach to creating high-power zinc-based batteries that could change the landscape of the energy industry. One of the main problems with traditional water-based rechargeable batteries was their low voltage, which limited their use in modern devices. But thanks to a new method developed by scientists, this drawback has been successfully overcome. As part of their research, scientists turned to a special organic compound - catechol. It turned out to be an important component that can improve battery stability and increase its efficiency. This approach has led to a significant increase in the voltage of zinc-ion batteries, making them more competitive. According to scientists, such batteries have several advantages. They have b ... >>

Alcohol content of warm beer 07.05.2024

Beer, as one of the most common alcoholic drinks, has its own unique taste, which can change depending on the temperature of consumption. A new study by an international team of scientists has found that beer temperature has a significant impact on the perception of alcoholic taste. The study, led by materials scientist Lei Jiang, found that at different temperatures, ethanol and water molecules form different types of clusters, which affects the perception of alcoholic taste. At low temperatures, more pyramid-like clusters form, which reduces the pungency of the "ethanol" taste and makes the drink taste less alcoholic. On the contrary, as the temperature increases, the clusters become more chain-like, resulting in a more pronounced alcoholic taste. This explains why the taste of some alcoholic drinks, such as baijiu, can change depending on temperature. The data obtained opens up new prospects for beverage manufacturers, ... >>

Random news from the Archive

Energy-saving solar-powered clothing 20.12.2023

With increasing temperatures on the planet and environmental challenges, people are faced not only with the need to adapt to a changing climate, but also to ensure biological safety in conditions of elevated temperatures. One innovative approach is the creation of solar-powered smart clothing, which scientists say can function as a personal air conditioner (or heater, if necessary).

Innovative technologies in the field of energy-saving clothing that use solar panels for thermoregulation are opening up new prospects for providing comfort in a changing climate. Systems developed by scientists that can regulate body temperature using solar energy provide an effective and convenient way to maintain biological safety in conditions of elevated temperatures. Further development and industrialization of such technologies could make them accessible to a wider range of consumers, reducing dependence on traditional temperature control methods and promoting resilience to climate change.

To ensure the comfort and safety of the human body, it is important to maintain a certain temperature regime. However, with the planet's rising temperatures and the cold regions at the poles, creating clothing that can regulate temperature has become essential. Scientists have developed an innovative thermoregulation system for clothing that combines an organic photovoltaic module and bidirectional electrocaloric devices to provide cooling or heating.

Both components are not only flexible and suitable for use in clothing, but are also powered by sunlight, eliminating the need for external power sources. The developed clothing is designed to expand the thermal comfort zone from 22° - 28°C to 12,5° - 37,6°C.

The efficiency of the device is sufficient to provide 24 hours of operation after 12 hours of charging in sunlight. In addition, it has a simple structure, compact design and can be integrated into existing clothing.

Perhaps the future will bring universal thermoregulation technologies that are not limited to just power supply, and can even support the operation of electronic devices in special conditions.

With the increase in temperature on the planet, clothing with cooling systems is becoming more and more in demand. Over the summer, reports emerged that global companies were providing cooling vests to their outdoor workers. New technologies also include vests with built-in water pumps, made from breathable fabrics, and even built-in fans.

See full Archive of science and technology news, new electronics

All languages of this page

Home page | Library | Articles | Website map | Site Reviews