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Physics

Scandium superconducts at the highest temperature for a pure element

Two independent teams of researchers found that putting the silvery metal scandium under extreme pressure makes it into a superconductor at a temperature higher than any other element on its own

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City in Sierra Leone covers buildings in mirrors to fight extreme heat

Environment

City in Sierra Leone covers buildings in mirrors to fight extreme heat

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The material glows green under force

Chemistry

3D-printed material glows green under pressure or friction

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Physics

Graphene shows record-breaking magnetic properties at room temperature

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Caption Illustration of the double-slit experiment, showing a plane wave (top left) passing through a screen with two gaps. The gaps act as new wave sources and the wavefronts bend to create two sets of circular waves radiating outwards. These two new waves create an interference pattern as they interact. At the point where a wave peak from one hits a wave peak from another, or a trough hits a trough, they reinforce each other; their magnitudes are summed. This is known as constructive interference. Where a trough hits a peak, they cancel each other out. This is known as destructive interference.

Physics

Light interacts with its past self in twist on double-slit experiment

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Common sargasso weed

Chemistry

Plastic wrap made from seaweed withstands heat and is compostable

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A feather made using the technique

Technology

Origami glass technique produces hard-to-make shapes

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A colourful film made from plant matter could keep buildings cool An iridescent cellulose film can efficiently cool surfaces by 3?C and could one day be used in structures that remain cold without requiring energy.

Technology

Colourful material made from wood could help keep buildings cool

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Scientists convert Super Glue monomers into recyclable plastics

Chemistry

Recyclable plastic made from super glue could replace polystyrene

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A render of a quantum computer

Physics

Ultra-thin superconducting ink could be used in quantum computers

A superconducting ink made through a simple process called chemical exfoliation could be used to print the cold circuits inside quantum computers and MRI machines

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Physics

'Red matter' superconductor may not be a wonder material after all

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Technology

Windows filled with see-through wood layer help hold in heat

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Physics

'Red matter' superconductor could transform electronics – if it works

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Environment

Smart cladding could control whether buildings retain or emit heat

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