news from the lab 2010

Researchers have shown that a magnetically polarised current can be manipulated by electric fields. This important discovery opens up the prospect of simultaneously processing and storing data on electrons held in the molecular structure of computer chips - combining computer memory and processing power on the same chip.

The ASACUSA experiment at CERN has taken an important step forward in developing an innovative technique for studying antimatter. Using a novel particle trap, called a CUSP trap, the experiment has succeeded in producing significant numbers of antihydrogen atoms in flight. Antimatter - or the lack of it - remains one of the biggest mysteries of science.

A team of physicists from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) has measured a giant optical phenomenon in graphene. This material, the discovery of which was awarded the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics, consists of a single layer of carbon atoms. Its exceptional properties are at the heart of global research in disciplines as diverse as engineering, biology and chemistry, with great potential for future applications.

The ALPHA experiment at CERN has taken an important step forward in developing techniques to understand one of the Universe's open questions: is there a difference between matter and antimatter? A study shows that it has successfully produced and trapped atoms of antihydrogen. This development opens the path to new ways of making detailed measurements of antihydrogen, which will in turn allow scientists to compare matter and antimatter.

Graphene is a promising material for tomorrow's nanoelectronics devices, as reported myScience.ch earlier . Precise and upscaleable methods to fabricate graphene and derived materials with desired electronic properties are however still searched after. To overcome the current limitations, researchers have fabricated graphene-like materials using a surface chemical route and clarified in detail the corresponding reaction pathway.

Proton running for 2010 in the LHC at CERN came to a successful conclusion. Since the end of March 2010, when the first collisions occurred at a total energy of 7 TeV, the machine and experiment teams have achieved all of their objectives for the first year of proton physics at this record energy and new ground has been explored.

A novel nano-tomography method developed by a team of researchers opens the door to computed tomography examinations of minute structures at nanometer resolutions.

Researchers discover why implant coatings detach - and a method to prevent it. Extra-hard coatings made from diamond-like carbon (DLC) extend the operating lifetime of tools and components.

Using a simple chemical method, researchers have succeeded for the first time in growing graphene ribbons just a few nanometers wide on specially prepared surfaces. Graphene ribbons are seen as highly promising candidates for electronic applications, as their properties can be varied according to their width and the shape of their edges .

Astrophysicists have for the first time observed a quasar that is located between the earth and a more distant galaxy and acts as a gravitational lens.

The proton - one of the smallest building blocks of all matter - is even smaller than previously assumed. As a consequence of this discovery, a correction will have to be made to either the quantum theory of how light and matter interact or to the value of the Rydberg Constant - i.e. an important change is needed to either the most precise theory in physics or the most precisely determined physical constant.

Researchers have developed novel socks which reduce the chances of blisters forming on the wearer's feet.

With beams routinely circulating in the Large Hadron Collider at 3. TeV, the highest energy yet achieved in a particle accelerator, CERN has set the date for the start of the LHC research programme.

At just after 5:20 this morning, two 3. TeV proton beams successfully circulated in the Large Hadron Collider for the first time.

Those who witnessed the first takeoff of an Airbus A380 Superjumbo from Zurich airport at the end of January know that elegant is not the right word for the aircraft.

IBM researchers today announced they have demonstrated a world record in areal data density on linear magnetic tape — a significant update to one of the computer industry's most resilient, reliable and affordable data storage technologies.