Category archives: Science

Breakdown of the free electron gas concept for electronic stopping

Breakdown of the free electron gas concept for electronic stopping

Condensed matterMaterialsQuantum physics

By DIPC

There is a variable that is relevant for such seemingly different fields as outer space exploration , nanotechnology , fusion research , or medicine. And that is electronic stopping, its precise knowledge important for the understanding of space weathering, ion beam patterning, plasma-wall interactions, or radiation therapy, respectively. When ions propagate in matter, they are […]

How do flowers release their perfume?

How do flowers release their perfume?

Plant biology

By Daniel Marino

Plants emit a great amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). They are mainly produced in flowers and fruits and confer them their classical pleasant smell. However, leaves and roots also emit an important quantity of volatiles. VOCs have different functions mostly related with the communication of the plant with the environment. They are responsible of […]

Validating the existence of a new phase of matter, the exciton condensate

Validating the existence of a new phase of matter, the exciton condensate

Condensed matterMaterialsQuantum physics

By DIPC

According to how the electronic band theory is usually explained, solids can be classified as insulators, semiconductors, or metals. But, actually, there is another kind of solid between semiconductors and metals, the semimetals. In insulators and semiconductors the filled valence band is separated from an empty conduction band by a band gap, in metals there […]

Minibrains: a present from the tooth fairy

Minibrains: a present from the tooth fairy

Neurobiology

By José Ramón Alonso

S tem cells can be cultured, multiplied and differentiated. By interacting with each other in this process of specialization they can follow organization programs that show striking similarities with what happens in the entire organism. This way you can form organoids —microscopic, yet primitively functional versions of livers, kidneys, hearts and brains grown from real […]

What’s going on beneath Mexico?

What’s going on beneath Mexico?

Geosciences

By Daniel García

Something weird is happening in Mexico these days. Two powerful earthquakes have hit the country in two weeks. The second one occurred exactly on the same date of the thirty-second anniversary of the most damaging quake known in the country and the early warning system did not work properly. Even more: two hurricanes are causing […]

A new benchmark for any future models of solid-state photoemission

A new benchmark for any future models of solid-state photoemission

Condensed matterMaterialsPhysicsQuantum physics

By DIPC

In 1882, Heinrich Hertz devoted himself to the study of electromagnetism, including the recent and still generally unappreciated work of Maxwell. Two years later he began his famous series of experiments with electromagnetic waves. During the course of this work, Hertz discovered the photoelectric effect, which has had a profound influence on modern physics. The […]