Newton

From structural reconstructions to properties and applications of two-dimensional moiré superlattices This perspective highlights how atomic reconstruction in moiré superlattices of two-dimensional materials governs domain topology, polarization patterns, and electronic transport. By comparing rotation- and dilation-driven reconstructions, it shows how symmetry breaking and interlayer coupling produce distinct domain architectures and functional responses. This perspective also discusses how these processes enable functional applications such as ultra-low-power memory and neuromorphic computing, offering a framework for engineering reconfigurable quantum devices through moiré superlattice design.

Online now: From structural reconstructions to properties and applications of two-dimensional moiré superlattices #newton #physics

Field-tunable BKT and quantum phase transitions in spin-12 triangular lattice antiferromagnet The cobalt compound Na2BaCo(PO4)2 (NBCP) is the first to realize a spin-12 easy-axis triangular lattice antiferromagnet, hosting spin supersolidity and topological phase transitions. Using a newly developed high-sensitivity gradient force magnetometer, Zhang et al. mapped the magnetic phase diagram of NBCP at temperatures as low as 30 millikelvin. The results reveal BKT transitions and field-tunable quantum phase transitions, along with a giant magnetocaloric effect. These findings establish NBCP as an ideal platform for studying frustrated quantum magnetism.

Online now: Field-tunable BKT and quantum phase transitions in spin-12 triangular lattice antiferromagnet #newton #physics

Spinning states with a quantum turntable The coherent transfer of quantum information between different points in space is challenging. Ymai and Wilsmann et al. show that a spinning tetrahedral arrangement of optical traps realizes a quantum turntable that can coherently transfer the quantum states of magnetic atoms, including entangled states, around the axis of rotation with high fidelity.

Online now: Spinning states with a quantum turntable #newton #physics

"The editorial team at Newton congratulates Drs. John Clarke, Michel Devoret, and John Martinis on receiving the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics. Their discoveries in the early 1980’s helped bring the elusive principles of quantum mechanics within the grasp of our everyday experience. By using electronic circuits with superconducting elements, they demonstrated both quantum tunnelling and energy quantisation on a macroscopic scale. Awarded in the centenary year of quantum mechanics, this Nobel Prize highlights the enduring impact of the theory on both our understanding of nature and the technologies that shape our future." -Elisa De Ranieri, Editor-in-Chief, Newton.

The #Newton editorial team wishes heartfelt congratulations to the winners of the 2025 #NobelPrize in Physics, Drs. John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret, and John M. Martinis!

You can view research published in #CellPress related to this year's Nobel winners here: www.cell.com/nobelprize

How cells in growing tissues know the time Morphogen gradients carry positional information, dividing tissues into spatial domains of distinct cell types. Vetter et al. show that morphogen gradients with deceptively simple dynamics can also function as timers in growing tissues, where cells experience transient humps/depletions that tell them not only where they are in the tissue but also when to differentiate—two requirements for synchronized growth and patterning.

Online now: How cells in growing tissues know the time #newton #physics

Macroscale anomalous heat conduction in active thermal metamaterials Anomalous heat conduction, a non-Fourier phenomenon characterized by size-dependent effective thermal conductivity, was previously thought to be limited to the microscale. Wang et al. overcome this scale limitation and achieve macroscale anomalous heat conduction via active thermal metamaterials, demonstrating size-dependent effective thermal conductivity as κeff ∝ Lβ. The exponent β ranges from 0 to 1, controlled by modulating heat/cold sources. These results provide new insights into anomalous heat conduction and advanced thermal functionalities.

Online now: Macroscale anomalous heat conduction in active thermal metamaterials #newton #physics

Emerging optical imaging of three-dimensional cellular-scale mechanics in mechanobiology Mechanobiology is unveiling how forces and mechanical properties influence cell function, development, and disease. A key challenge in this area has been measuring cellular mechanics in situ, within living tissues. This perspective highlights recent advances in optical imaging, particularly Brillouin microscopy and optical coherence elastography, which now enable non-invasive, high-resolution mechanical measurements in three dimensions. We critically assess the strengths, limitations, and future potential of these methods in the context of the next generation of discoveries in mechanobiology.

Online now: Emerging optical imaging of three-dimensional cellular-scale mechanics in mechanobiology #newton #physics

The shifting reign of force in active nematics Epithelial cells can resemble nematic liquid crystals, exhibiting long-range alignment and topological defects. Bera et al. show that these defects do not arise randomly but that they are pre-patterned by coordinated cell forces and motions. Some of these defects can move in both directions within the same tissue, driven by distinct distributions of cell-generated traction forces and internal stresses.

Online now: The shifting reign of force in active nematics #newton #physics

Online now: Spontaneous self-wrapping in chiral active polymers #newton #physics

Liquid droplets reel in the spindle in yeast The underlying mechanisms of harnessing microtubule depolymerization to generate pulling forces that reposition the mitotic spindle have remained unclear. Morelli et al. show that yeast plus-end tracking protein (+TIP) bodies are biomolecular condensates that function as force transducers, driving spindle positioning by coupling shrinking astral microtubules to cortical anchors, thereby raising the prospect of a general principle of cytoskeletal force transduction.

Online now: Liquid droplets reel in the spindle in yeast #newton #physics

Observation of universal expansion anisotropy from cold atoms to hot quark-gluon plasma As cold-atom experiments are conducted and compared to high-energy nuclear collisions, Li et al. observe a universal scaling in opacity (average number of collisions per particle) of the expansion anisotropy between the two systems, despite their vast differences in scale and physics. The scaling is of an approximate square-root dependence, characteristic of random walks. This finding may alter the hydrodynamic paradigm of expansion dynamics and potentially unifies a variety of physical systems, from dilute gases to dense quark-gluon plasma of the early universe.

Online now: Observation of universal expansion anisotropy from cold atoms to hot quark-gluon plasma #newton #physics

Online now: Speeding up spin-based in-memory computing #newton #physics

Traction and stress control formation and motion of +1/2 topological defects in epithelial cell monolayers Topological defects in an epithelial cell monolayer affect the stress state, thereby impacting processes such as cell extrusion and invasion. However, it remains unclear how the defects form and how they affect the cell motion. Bera et al. quantify forces, motion, and energy exchange near +1/2 topological defects in epithelial cell monolayers and show that the direction of defect motion depends on whether energy is injected primarily by stresses transmitted between neighboring cells or tractions applied by the cells to the substrate.

Online now: Traction and stress control formation and motion of +1/2 topological defects in epithelial cell monolayers #newton #physics

Morphogen gradients can convey position and time in growing tissues Morphogen gradients are known to guide spatial patterning, but can they also encode time? Vetter and Iber propose that a co-expanding morphogen source generates transient signals, allowing cells to measure time without additional molecular clocks. The Sonic Hedgehog gradient in the mouse neural tube is used to show how this mechanism can act as a timer. Opposing gradients synchronize differentiation across the tissue, providing a simple, widely applicable strategy for coordinating space and time during development.

Online now: Morphogen gradients can convey position and time in growing tissues #newton #physics

High-fidelity transfer of entangled states on a quantum turntable Realizing platforms that can reliably transfer quantum states is key for quantum technologies, and recent efforts have proposed the use of cold atom systems. Ymai et al. design a quantum turntable for the transport of entangled states using a tetrahedral circuit. The performance is quantified through fidelity analyses, and potential applications for quantum sensing are identified. The feasibility of operating the system using ultracold dipolar atoms is also discussed. The results showcase the benefits of superintegrability in the design of supersensitive quantum architectures.

Online now: High-fidelity transfer of entangled states on a quantum turntable #newton #physics

Ultrafast and reliable domain-wall and skyrmion logic in a chirally coupled ferrimagnet Modern computers face speed limits as memory scales up. Spin-based logic, using magnetic textures like domain walls and skyrmions, could offer a faster, energy-efficient alternative. Ma et al. demonstrate control of the magnetic coupling in a ferrimagnetic CoGd alloy that achieves domain-wall speeds of over 1 km/s, enabling 50 nm logic gates to operate in 50 ps. They also demonstrate a stable skyrmion NOT gate, paving the way for ultrafast, low-power chips for AI and data-intensive applications.

Online now: Ultrafast and reliable domain-wall and skyrmion logic in a chirally coupled ferrimagnet #newton #physics

A one-transistor organic electrochemical self-sustained oscillator model for neuromorphic networks Designs for neuromorphic systems typically involve multiple transistors or external amplifiers. Bisquert and Tessler propose a minimalist neuromorphic circuit using a single organic electrochemical transistor and passive RC elements to generate self-sustained spiking. By exploiting negative transconductance and timescale separation, the system achieves relaxation oscillations without amplifiers. The design offers a compact, energy-efficient, and flexible platform for bioelectronic interfaces and neuromorphic computing, with tunable dynamics and potential for scalable integration.

Online now: A one-transistor organic electrochemical self-sustained oscillator model for neuromorphic networks #newton #physics

Time-translation symmetry, ergodicity, and entropy dynamics in a time crystal driven by optical interaction forces There is growing interest in non-equilibrium active matter, which converts a source of energy into motion. Liu et al. study the dynamics of an ensemble of nanoscale oscillators and show how light can induce nonreciprocal interactions between oscillators, triggering persistent coherent oscillations across the ensemble. The breaking of ergodicity and time-translation symmetry signifies a transition to the time-crystal state, which is of interest for implementing timetronics—a new data processing paradigm based on time crystals.

Online now: Time-translation symmetry, ergodicity, and entropy dynamics in a time crystal driven by optical interaction forces #newton #physics

Electric-field-induced quantum anomalous valley Hall effect in antiferromagnetic bilayer The quantum anomalous valley Hall effect (QAVHE) offers promising valleytronic applications. Unlike previous methods needing strain or magnetic fields, Zhang et al. propose a universal electric tuning approach in bilayer antiferromagnetic materials. The approach features unique optical selectivity and strong magnetoelectric coupling, advancing understanding of the QAVHE and providing a strategic pathway for innovative valleytronic device development.

Online now: Electric-field-induced quantum anomalous valley Hall effect in antiferromagnetic bilayer #newton #physics

A field biology guide for the curious physicist Stupski et al. provide a practical guide for conducting interdisciplinary, curiosity-driven field research, based on experiences creating the in situ Jungle Biomechanics Lab, an interdisciplinary field methods course in the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest. Seven essential steps for planning and executing field research that is scientifically rigorous, logistically feasible, and ethically sound are proposed. Prioritizing collaboration and interdisciplinary training creates a more robust foundation for all sciences, allowing researchers from disparate fields to unleash new creativity and gain a wider perspective.

Online now: A field biology guide for the curious physicist #newton #physics

A fluid droplet harvests the force generated by shrinking microtubules in living cells How cells capture the force generated by microtubule depolymerization to move large cargos has remained unresolved. Morelli et al. show that fluid biomolecular droplets whose surfaces are coated with motors at dynamic microtubule ends can harness their dynamics to move the mitotic spindle in living cells.

Online now: A fluid droplet harvests the force generated by shrinking microtubules in living cells #newton #physics

Modeling of current-voltage characteristics of high-efficiency kesterite solar cells Kesterite-based solar cells do not typically show close agreement with the idealistic single diode model. Scaffidi et al. demonstrate that the optoelectronic quality enhancements in recent solution processing baselines for kesterite thin films lead to a closer-to-ideal behavior, remarkably reconciling dark and light responses. Through robust device modeling, the dominant source of losses in the device is identified as a defect-rich layer restraining its voltage output, while light is also shed on the mechanism responsible for leakage currents.

Online now: Modeling of current-voltage characteristics of high-efficiency kesterite solar cells #newton #physics

Join today's webinar with Stefaan De Wolf (‘@KAUST_news), Joseph Luther (‘@NREL), and Annamaria Petrozza (‘@IIT) on tackling stability challenges in silicon-perovskite tandem solar cells. May 23, 10:00 AM ET
Don’t miss the live discussion—register now! www.bigmarker.com/cellpress-so...

Join our live webinar exploring new strategies to enhance the durability of silicon-perovskite tandem solar cells.

May 23, 10:00 AM ET. Watch live or on demand! www.bigmarker.com/cellpress-so...

⚠️ NEW PAPER ALERT!!! ⚠️ Neutron inelastic scattering reveals phonon behavior and phase transition details in Cs₂AgBiBr₆, key for solar cell stability. Read more: www.cell.com/newton/fullt...

🌟 Preview!👀🌟 Check out this Preview written by Mingchao Liu, discussing recent work in Newton on mimicking prions for self-replicating mechanical systems!

Read more: www.cell.com/newton/fullt...

⚠️ NEW PAPER ALERT!!! ⚠️ Prions are evildoers, notorious shape-shifting proteins. Newton's new paper by Mathieu Ouellet and co-workers show how prions inspire a physics-based mechanical system that self-assembles and replicates its conformation!

Read more at: www.cell.com/newton/fullt...

The future of tandem #solar depends on lasting stability.
Be part of our upcoming webinar where leading experts reveal the latest insights into silicon-perovskite research and real-world applications.
May 23, 2025, 10:00 AM ET www.bigmarker.com/cellpress-so...

⚠️ NEW PAPER ALERT!!! ⚠️ Konstantin Bliokh, Alexey Nikitin and colleagues demonstrate the emergence of a new type of wave vortices which are localized around subwavelength holes in a 2D plane and observed in physical systems from nanophotonics to ocean tidal waves: www.cell.com/newton/fullt...

⚠️ NEW PAPER ALERT!!! ⚠️Bing Huang and colleagues introduce a universal methodology consisting of five basic rules by enumerating symmetry operations and exploring their roles! Read more --> www.cell.com/newton/fullt...