Recent Physics News

Recent Physics News [2008] January 8: Scientists create the most light-absorbent material yet. Scientists have created a material that absorbs more than 99.9 percent of light. It is composed of tiny carbon tubes standing on end and is more than three times darker than the current record holder (a nickel-phosphorous alloy), and 30 times darker than the current benchmark, which is also made of carbon. Practical applications include usage on solar panels. January 9: Researchers use silicon nanowires to convert heat into electricity. U.S. scientists have discovered that by using rough, rather than smooth, nanowires they can more efficiently turn heat into electricity. Scientists hope to eventually be able to build on this technology to improve the efficiency of energy production. February 13: Scientists create a theoretical "periodic table" of black hole orbit patterns.The shape of the orbital pattern an object traces is largely influenced by its proximity to the black hole. The farthest objects trace standard elliptical paths, whereas the nearest objects trace more complex paths that could be essentially different each time. The table of patterns was compiled using computational models of idealized situations and will be used