For the first time, astronomers have obtained visual evidence that a star met its end by detonating twice. By studying the centuries-old remains of supernova SNR 0509-67.5 with the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (ESO’s VLT), they have found patterns that confirm its star suffered a pair of explosive blasts. Published today, this discovery shows some of the most important explosions in the Universe in a new light.

An international team of researchers, led by scientists of GSI/FAIR in Darmstadt, Germany, has studied r-process nucleosynthesis in measurements conducted at the Canadian research center TRIUMF in Vancouver. At the center of this work are the first mass measurements of three extremely neutron-rich tin isotopes: tin-136, tin-137 and tin-138. The results are published in the journal Physical Review Letters.

An international research team has developed certified biodegradable and recyclable multi-purpose foams.

African scaly-tailed squirrels use their scaled tails to safely move across the smooth bark of trees in their native rainforest habitats. Researchers from Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, and the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems have for the first time investigated the physics of these thorn-covered scales located on the underside of the squirrel tails through mathematical and physical models. Their findings could eventually enable agile and energy-efficient bionic robots and drones.

Operando recrystallization of ZnO nanoparticle layers has been found to transform disordered films into long-range, defect-passivated nanocrystals. This process enables a shift from hopping to potential band-like electron conduction, achieving on-demand electron injection and improved charge balance in QLEDs. The findings underscore the significance of interfacial chemical reactions and demonstrate that surface-active nanocrystals can be engineered during operation to boost device performance through post-treatment strategies.

Analytical Chemistry researchers at the University of Amsterdam’s Van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) have developed a novel algorithm that significantly improves the analysis of copolymers. It allows the determination of their block structure, which has until now been impossible using common analytical approaches. The researchers present their achievement in two recent scientific papers in ACS Macromolecules and Analytica Chimica Acta.