Applied Physics

Lego Optics Lab: Small Lens Holder

In my previous article, I started building a Lego optics lab with a dichroic prism I salvaged from an old computer projector that I took apart (I used the prism to build a beam splitter). I also salvaged several lenses, mirrors, and filters. To continue t ...

Article - Steve Schuler - Jun 29 2015 - 9:24am

Lexus Hoverboard Gets Off The Ground

By Michael Greshko, Inside Science- In the classic 1989 film Back to the Future 2, intrepid time traveler Marty McFly jumps ahead a few decades, to October 21, 2015. Luxury car manufacturer Lexus appears to be ready for him. This week, they announced that ...

Article - Michael Greshko - Jun 29 2015 - 9:30am

Lego Optics Lab: Large Lens Holder

For my Lego Optics Lab I have so far built a beam splitter, and a small lens holder. The beam splitter article got a link on io9 (my name is misspelled) and on Scientific American. ...

Article - Steve Schuler - Jun 29 2015 - 9:56am

Topological Insulators: Donuts, Coffee Cups And Soundproofing With Quantum Physics

Donuts, electric current and quantum physics- if you are a theoretical physicist interested in topological insulators, materials whose ability to conduct electric current originates in their topology, it makes perfect sense. The easiest way to understand ...

Article - News Staff - Jul 11 2015 - 6:11am

Lego Optics Lab: Mirror/Filter Holder

I’ll demonstrate how I built a simple mirror or filter mount out of Lego. This mount can then be attached to a pan and/or tilt mechanism. Follow me on Twitter: @SteveSchuler20. Also see my previous article to see how I built a large lens holder for my Leg ...

Blog Post - Steve Schuler - Jul 6 2015 - 7:42am

How We Discovered An 'Impossible' Material: It Conducts Electrity – And Doesn't

Metals, which conduct electricity, and insulators, which don’t, are polar opposites. At least that’s what we’ve believed until now. But we have discovered that a well-known insulator can simultaneously act like a conductor in certain measurements. We don’ ...

Article - News Staff - Jul 13 2015 - 9:02am

Neutrons Find 'Missing' Magnetism Of Plutonium

New research has confirmed plutonium's magnetism, which scientists have long theorized but have never been able to experimentally observe.  Plutonium was first produced in 1940 and its unstable nucleus allows it to undergo fission, making it useful f ...

Article - News Staff - Jul 19 2015 - 2:52pm

Lego Optics Lab: Panoramic Mount

I’ll demonstrate how I built a very simple panoramic mount out of Lego for your various Lego optics lab lens and filter holders. Follow me on Twitter: @SteveSchuler20. Parts needed 1 Lego turntable 4 X 4 2 Lego Beams 1 X 4 Here’s how I built my Lego simpl ...

Blog Post - Steve Schuler - Jul 13 2015 - 7:49am

Non-magnetic Elements Form Unique Magnet

Titanium and gold are usually not magnetic and cannot be magnets – unless you combine them just so. Scientists at Rice University did so and discovered what is a first of its kind: an itinerant antiferromagnetic metal-- TiAu-- made from nonmagnetic consti ...

Article - News Staff - Jul 23 2015 - 2:42pm

Insulating Wallpaper Using Volcanic Popcorn

A humble soil additive used by millions of amateur and professional gardeners alike is set to slash the cost of the most effective form of insulation for buildings. Brunel University London academic Dr. Harjit Singh has proved in the laboratory that vacuum ...

Article - News Staff - Jul 20 2015 - 8:00am