News
EPJ ST Highlight - Exploring strangeness and the primordial Universe
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- Published on 24 January 2020
Having studied quark-gluon plasma since the late 1970s, Dr Johann Rafelski summarises the evolution in our understanding of the exotic quark signature of this primordial material which once filled the whole Universe.
Physicists believe that in the Universe’s first ten microseconds free quarks and gluons filled all of spacetime, forming a new phase of matter named ‘quark-gluon plasma’ (QGP). Experimental and theoretical work at CERN was instrumental in the discovery of this hot soup of primordial matter, which is recreated today in accelerator-based lab experiments. To discover QGP in such experiments, the observation of exotic ‘strange’ quarks is very important. If QGP is created, strangeness is readily produced through collisions between gluons. In analysis published in EPJ Special Topics, Dr Johann Rafelski from The University of Arizona, United States, also working at CERN, presents how our understanding of this characteristic strangeness production signature has evolved over the span of his long career.
Erik Akkermans joins the EPJ Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC)
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- Published on 24 January 2020
The SAC is very pleased to welcome Eric Akkermans as a new representative of the Israel Physical Society. Eric Akkermans is a professor at the physics department at Technion. He is working on condensed matter physics and more particularly on subjects that sit at the crossroad between quantum physics, equilibrium and out of equilibrium physics, quantum field theory, cold atomic gases and mesoscopic physics. The theoretical activity of the research group of E. Akkermans is systematically related to experimental works either triggering new experiments or trying to explain existing results.
EPJ Plus Focus Point: Scientific Research in Conservation Science
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- Published on 17 January 2020
This special issue is related to the 3rd edition of the International Conference on Innovation in Art Research and Technology (inArt 2018) held in Parma (Italy). The Focus Point includes 20 excellent examples of the research works presented at the Conference. In particular, attention is focused on: non-invasive investigation techniques; new materials for restoration in compliance with the artifacts and the environment; products for the prevention of corrosion and of degradation; self-cleaning materials. The articles are devoted to the study of many different art objects and materials, including paintings (pigments, dyes, binders), textiles, manuscripts, buildings as well as building materials, metals, glasses, gems, bones and ivory. The analyzed objects span a huge time interval, ranging from antiquity (ancient Egypt) to contemporary art. Many different techniques are involved: spectroscopy in the different ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum (from infrared to X-rays); visible and electron microscopy; multispectral imaging; three-dimensional reconstruction, using instruments as handheld spectrometers, neutron sources or particle accelerators. Data treatment is also discussed, from databases to data integration and decision tools.
EPJ B Highlight - Spinning quantum dots
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- Published on 15 January 2020
A theoretical analysis of electron spins in slowly moving quantum dots suggests these can be controlled by electric fields.
The name ‘quantum dots’ is given to particles of semiconducting materials that are so tiny – a few nanometres in diameter – that they no longer behave quite like ordinary, macroscopic matter. Thanks to their quantum-like optical and electronic properties, they are showing promise as components of quantum computing devices, but these properties are not yet fully understood. Physicists Sanjay Prabhakar of Gordon State College, Georgia, USA and Roderick Melnik of Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada have now described the theory behind some of these novel properties in detail. This work is published in EPJ B.
EPJ N Highlight - A minimal predictive viscosity model of solvent phases
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- Published on 15 January 2020
A novel thermodynamic model to predict macroscopic viscosity of concentrated extractant systems in the presence of heavy metals is presented. The viscosity increase of monoamides in presence of uranyl is a challenging technological lock for industrial extraction processes. This work presents experimental indications on the origin of the viscosity increase and introduces a model based on the three well-established concepts of molecular packing parameters, supramolecular curvature and elasticity of amphiphilic film, as well as polymer physics extended to “living polymers”.
EPJB - Eduardo Hernandez and Heiko Rieger appointed Editors-in-Chief
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- Published on 10 January 2020
The new year sees big changes for EPJ B, with two new Editors-in-Chief appointed from January 2020. Prof Dr Heiko Rieger (Saarland University, Germany) and Prof Eduardo Hernandez (ICMM-CSIC, Spain) take on joint EiC roles, with broad responsibility for papers in statistical physics and condensed matter physics respectively. At the same time, Prof Bikas Chakrabarti (Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata, India) and Prof Wenhui Duan (Tsinghua University, China) step down from their roles as Executive Editors on the journal.
Eduard Boos joins the EPJ Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC)
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- Published on 08 January 2020
The Scientific Advisory Committee of EPJ is delighted to welcome Professor Eduard Boos as the new representative for the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Eduard Boos is Professor at Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU) and head of high energy experimental physics department in the D.V. Skobeltsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics of MSU.
He is an active member of CMS collaboration at CERN LHC http://www.sinp.msu.ru/en/strukted/1655
His expertise will be highly appreciated for the review of and advice on the publishing strategy of EPJ. His membership of the committee will support the visibility of EPJ in his community.
EPJE Topical review - Viscosity of nanofluids containing anisotropic particles: A critical review and a comprehensive model
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- Published on 24 December 2019
When compared to nanofluids with spherical particles, nanofluids with anisotropic particles possess higher thermal conductivity and thus offer a better enhancement option in heat transfer applications. The viscosity variation of such nanofluids becomes of great importance in evaluating their pumping power in thermal systems.
EPJ D Highlight - Buckyballs release electron-positron pairs in forward directions
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- Published on 23 December 2019
Theoretical calculations reveal that when impacted by positrons of particular energies, spherical nanoparticles release unstable electron-positron pairs, with signals dominating in the same direction as the incoming positrons.
When electrons collide with positrons, their antimatter counterparts, unstable pairs can form in which both types of particle orbit around each other. Named ‘positronium’, physicists have now produced this intriguing structure using a diverse range of positron targets – from atomic gases to metal films. However, they have yet to achieve the same result from vapours of nanoparticles, whose unique properties are influenced by the ‘gases’ of free electrons they contain in well-defined, nanoscopic regions. In new research published in EPJ D, Paul-Antoine Hervieux at the University of Strasbourg, France and Himadri Chakraborty at Northwest Missouri State University, USA, reveal the characteristics of positronium formation within football-shaped nanoparticles, C60, for the first time. At specific positron impact energies, they show that positronium emission dominates in the same direction as the incoming antiparticles.
EPJE appoints new Editors-in-Chief
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- Published on 23 December 2019
EPJ is pleased to announce that January 2020 will see the appointment of two new Editors-in-Chief for EPJ E, Prof Fabrizio Croccolo (Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, France) and Prof Dr Holger Stark (Technische Universität Berlin, Germany).
