Physicists recreate black hole energy extraction in the lab
More than 50 years ago, physicist Sir Roger Penrose proposed a remarkable idea: under the right conditions, it might be possible to extract energy from a rapidly spinning black hole.…
Scientists discover the nutrient that can supercharge cellular energy
Mitochondria are often called the power plants of the cell because they generate the energy the body needs to function. These tiny structures constantly adjust their activity depending on how…
Scientists “bottle the sun” with a liquid battery that stores solar energy
As solar panels lose their ability to generate electricity after sunset, one major challenge remains for renewable energy: how to store solar power for use later, whether during cloudy weather…
AI breakthrough cuts energy use by 100x while boosting accuracy
Artificial intelligence is consuming enormous amounts of electricity in the United States. According to the International Energy Agency, AI systems and data centers used about 415 terawatt hours of power…
Depression may start with an energy problem in brain cells
Researchers may have identified a promising new approach to diagnosing and treating major depression at its earliest stage, potentially improving the chances of recovery for many patients. Scientists at the…
Universe may end in a “big crunch,” new dark energy data suggests
A Cornell physicist has calculated that the universe may be nearing the halfway point of a total lifespan of about 33 billion years. Using newly released data from major dark…
This tiny power module could change how the world uses energy
Global demand for electricity is rising fast. Energy-hungry data centers that support artificial intelligence, along with expanding manufacturing, are putting unprecedented pressure on power systems worldwide. Meeting that demand will…
A new theory of gravity could explain cosmic acceleration without dark energy
Why the universe is expanding faster and faster remains one of the biggest open questions in physics. Current theories cannot fully explain this accelerating growth. Today’s standard picture of the…
Something was pumping enormous energy into a young galaxy cluster
A team of astronomers from several countries, led by researchers in Canada, has identified a galaxy cluster that appears far earlier and far hotter than current science predicts. The cluster…
New graphene breakthrough supercharges energy storage
Engineers have achieved a significant advance in the international effort to create energy storage technologies that combine rapid charging with strong power output, paving the way for next-generation systems in…