GEM simplifies the internal structure of protons and their collisions
Inside each proton or neutron there are three quarks bound by gluons. Until now, it has often been assumed that two of them form a “stable” pair known as a diquark. It seems, however, that it’s the end of the road for the diquarks in physics. This is one of the conclusions of the new model of proton-proton or proton-nucleus collisions, which takes into account the interactions of gluons with the sea of virtual quarks and antiquarks.
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Scientists create nanosystem to make artificial photosynthesis more efficient
A nanosystem in the form of an organic platform that will improve the work of devices for artificial photosynthesis, such as an artificial leaf, has been developed by scientists from several Polish research units. The solution may also be used to build photosensors with very high sensitivity, detecting important molecules, for example in human blood.
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We know the cost of free choice and locality – in physics and not only
Do we have free choice or are our decisions predetermined? Is physical reality local, or does what we do here and now have an immediate influence on events elsewhere? The answers to these questions are sought by physicists in the Bell inequalities. It turns out that free choice and local realism can be skilfully measured and compared. The results obtained reveal surprising relationships of a fundamental and universal nature, going far beyond quantum mechanics itself.
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Scroll'n'roll – Nanomaterials towards effective photocatalytic pollution treatment
Thanks to the technology developed by the team of prof. Juan Carlos Colmenares from the Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences (IPC PAS), it is easy to create materials that, under the sunlight, can effectively capture toxic compounds from the environment and neutralize them.
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Creation without contact in the collisions of lead and gold nuclei
When heavy ions, accelerated to the speed of light, collide with each other in the depths of European or American accelerators, quark-gluon plasma is formed for fractions of a second, or even its “cocktail” seasoned with other particles. According to scientists from the IFJ PAN, experimental data show that there are underestimated actors on the scene: photons. Their collisions lead to the emission of seemingly excess particles, the presence of which could not be explained.
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Calculations show unexpected way to produce super-heavy elements
A new study shows that the probability of synthesizing a new nucleus does not decrease as rapidly as previously assumed with the increase in excitation energy.
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Run, process, run!
Solid-matrix catalysts called heterogeneous catalysts are among the most widespread industrial applications in reducing toxic gases, unburned fuel, and particulate matter in the exhaust stream from the combustion chamber. They are also used in energy, chemical, and pharmaceutical sectors, i.e., production of biodiesel, polymers, biomass/waste conversion into valuable products, and many others processes. All thanks to their active sites and high surface. Nevertheless, their high efficiency is limited by the astronomic price of noble metals, So, cost-effective substitutes with comparable effectivity seem to be a holy grail for the industry.
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Mechanochemical boost: a solution without a solution
If you were asked to identify ancient chemists’ and pharmacists' attributes, your best answer would probably be the mortar and pestle. For centuries, this mechanical tool was used for crushing and homogenizing solids like food ingredients or natural medicines. Together with its electrically-powered twin called a ball mill, this antique instrument has become must-have equipment for any laboratory devoted to green chemical synthesis. It enables us to create some materials and molecules more efficiently and even makes some entirely new ones. Recently, a research team led by Janusz Lewiński, a Professor at the Institute of Physical Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences (IChF PAN) in Warsaw has brought this idea to the nanoscale by developing sustainable and efficient synthesis of coated zinc oxide nanocrystals by mechanochemical grinding.
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Perturbations of artificial satellites in orbit described by team with Polish researchers
What happens to artificial satellites orbiting the Earth, and how does General Relativity affect orbits and movement of satellites? Scientists from the Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences and ESA explain.
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Hydrogen bonds help transfer electrons
An international team has observed for the first time that long-range electron transfer within a chemical molecule can occur through hydrogen bonds without the so-called hopping. The discovery published in PNAS (https://www.pnas.org/content/118/11/e2026462118) could help not only better understand how proteins work, but also design new materials.
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Polish scientists reinterpret petroglyphs of Toro Muerto
The geometric patterns, lines and zigzags that accompany the images of dancers (danzantes) carved in the rocks of the Peruvian Toro Muerto are not snakes or lightning bolts, but a record of songs - suggest Polish scientists who analyse rock art from 2,000 years ago.
