Scientists make mind-blowing discovery after studying material that only exists exists for billionths of a second: 'Previously unimaginable'
Liquid carbon was thought to be impossible to study under normal conditions. The material only exists for billionths of a second under extreme pressure and temperatures of about 4,500 degrees Celsius, making this record-breaking technology limitless in its potential.
Nuclear fusion, combining light atomic nuclei to release massive amounts of clean energy, has long been considered the holy grail of power generation. Fusion could change society by providing unlimited electricity without radioactive waste, helping cities, individuals, and companies save money compared to resource-intensive traditional energy methods.
But fusion reactors require materials that can withstand high temperatures and radiation. That's where liquid carbon comes in. Thanks to its record-breaking melting point, liquid carbon could be both a coolant and a neutron moderator in future fusion plants.
The research team from the University of Rostock and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf used the United Kingdom's DiPOLE 100-X laser system to create these extreme conditions. They fired high-powered laser beams at solid carbon samples, turning them into liquid for just fractions of a second while X-ray beams captured the atomic structure.
"The [Science and Technology Facilities Council's] laser system has opened new research possibilities that were previously unimaginable," the researchers noted in their published findings.
"This is the first time we have ever been able to observe the structure of liquid carbon experimentally," said professor Dominik Kraus, head of the Carbon Working Group at the University of Rostock. "We are looking at a complex form of liquid, comparable to water, that has very special structural properties."
The team found that liquid carbon has four nearest neighbors around each atom, similar to a diamond's structure, which gives it strength and stability. This technological innovation will impact energy generation by creating more efficient, durable fusion reactors that could slash energy bills and improve resource efficiency for everyone.
Diversifying clean energy sources reduces harmful air pollution that causes respiratory problems and heart disease in millions of people worldwide.
The best way to take advantage of clean energy innovations right now is to install solar panels, bringing your home energy costs down to or near $0. EnergySage provides a free service that makes comparing quotes from vetted local installers easy and can save you up to $10,000 on a solar installation.
While this discovery is a step forward, fusion power plants are still years away from powering your home. Other fusion projects are targeting the 2030s for commercial power, bringing us closer to unlimited clean energy.
Do you think the U.S. should tax goods from China?
Definitely
No way
Only certain goods
I'm not sure
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.
Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Major city set to tap into limitless underground energy source — here are the details
Major city set to tap into limitless underground energy source — here are the details A city in Spain is launching the largest geothermal plant in its region in a project that could offer a blueprint for urban energy systems around the globe, Renewable Energy Magazine reported. The scheme in Valencia will use geothermal energy to heat and cool part of its City of Arts and Sciences, a cultural complex, dramatically cutting energy use and pollution at the site. Geothermal energy uses Earth's natural thermal energy and is renewable. Unlike solar or wind power, it provides consistent output, and it can also lower energy bills for buildings and cities. Valencia will use a closed-loop geothermal system to transfer heat between its Museum of Sciences and underground aquifers, which maintain a stable temperature of around 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) year-round. In summer, warm water from the museum will be cooled underground before cycling back. In winter, the process reverses, pulling heat from below to warm the building. Once operational, the project is expected to save over 1 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and eliminate 335,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide annually. The power source isn't new — humans have used these geothermal features for thousands of years to stay warm and clean — but these days it is also used to heat and cool homes and buildings through technologies such as heat pumps. This project stands out for applying the tech at scale in an urban, public setting. It also builds on Valencia's existing network of geothermal installations in public buildings, including its La Petxina sports complex. For cities looking to cut costs and carbon, geothermal systems are long-lasting and low-maintenance, helping to provide consistent savings by reducing dependence on dirty fuels and grid power. They also contribute to cleaner air, a direct win for public health. The project in Valencia is part of a broader €16 million ($18.5 million) overhaul of the City of Arts and Sciences to make it more sustainable, including with solar panels, air system upgrades, and water-efficiency measures. Do you think our power grid needs to be upgraded? Definitely Only in some states Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
Business Wire
a day ago
- Business Wire
ZAP Surgical Celebrates 5,000th Patient Treated Globally with ZAP-X
SAN CARLOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ZAP Surgical Systems, Inc., a global leader in non-invasive robotic brain surgery, today announced the treatment of the 5,000th patient using its ZAP-X ® Gyroscopic Radiosurgery ® platform — a major milestone reflecting the platform's rapid worldwide adoption. The case was performed at Hackensack Meridian Neuroscience Institute at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, New Jersey. The patient, Christopher Czerwinski, a 64-year-old Trauma & ICU Nurse, was treated for a right-sided cavernous sinus meningioma. Mr. Czerwinski first noticed diplopia (double vision) nearly two years ago, with symptoms peaking in April 2025 while on vacation at Disney World with his wife — where he humorously recalls seeing two Cinderella castles. An ophthalmologist subsequently referred him for further testing, which led to an MRI and diagnosis. His condition was originally managed with prism glasses and contact lenses. Mr. Czerwinski ultimately selected Jersey Shore University Medical Center for his radiosurgical care due to the capabilities of the ZAP-X platform and the proven expertise of the medical team. Mr. Czerwinski underwent ZAP-X treatment and tolerated the procedure exceptionally well, resuming his active lifestyle immediately thereafter. 'Stereotactic radiosurgery continues to redefine how we manage challenging cranial conditions,' said Shabbar F. Danish, M.D., FAANS, chair of Neurosurgery, Hackensack Meridian Neuroscience Institute at Jersey Shore University Medical Center and professor of Neurosurgery, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. 'With the precision and versatility of ZAP-X, we were able to deliver focused treatment while minimizing exposure to surrounding critical structures. Mr. Czerwinski's case is a prime example of how we can address complex tumors while preserving quality of life.' An avid runner and budding pianist, Mr. Czerwinski also enjoys photography, working out with his wife, and spending time with friends and family. As a healthcare provider himself, he expressed deep appreciation for the compassionate care he received and the non-invasive nature of the ZAP-X procedure. 'I'm pleased our clinical experts have enabled the communities we serve to receive this advanced procedure at our academic medical center, without the need to travel far from home,' said Vito Buccellato, MPA, LNHA, president and chief hospital executive of Jersey Shore University Medical Center. The ZAP-X platform represents a new frontier in cranial radiosurgery. By employing gyroscopic beam delivery, ZAP-X can direct radiation from thousands of angles to concentrate dose on the tumor while sparing healthy brain tissue and helping protect nearby organs at risk, such as the optic nerves and brainstem. The procedure is painless, incisionless, and often completed in a single outpatient session — without the need for anesthesia or hospital admission. 'The treatment of our 5,000th patient not only represents a numerical milestone, but a reaffirmation of our mission to make brain radiosurgery safer, smarter, and more accessible,' said John R. Adler, M.D., founder and CEO of ZAP Surgical, and Emeritus Dorothy & TK Chan Professor of Neurosurgery and Radiation Oncology at Stanford University. ZAP-X is the first and only dedicated cranial SRS platform that does not require radioactive Cobalt-60. Instead, it uses a modern linear accelerator to generate radiation, eliminating the safety, storage, and regulatory challenges associated with isotope-based systems. Furthermore, ZAP-X is the only vault-free solution in its category, thereby allowing installation in clinical settings with interior and exterior facing windows. 'We recruited experts in their fields, Dr. Shabbar Danish and Dr. Timothy Chen, in part so that we could add to the available, leading-edge treatment technologies at Jersey Shore and HMH,' said Kenneth N. Sable, M.D., MBA, FACEP, president, Acute Hospital Division, Hackensack Meridian Health. 'I'm thrilled that the 5,000th patient to receive ZAP-X treatment is from our local community.' For information about Jersey Shore University Medical Center's ZAP-X program, visit About ZAP Surgical Systems, Inc. ZAP Surgical Systems, Inc. designs and manufactures the ZAP-X ® Gyroscopic Radiosurgery ® platform. ZAP was founded in 2014 by Dr. John R. Adler, Emeritus Dorothy & TK Chan Professor of Neurosurgery and Radiation Oncology at Stanford University. Dr. Adler is also renowned as the inventor of the CyberKnife ® system and founder of Accuray, Inc. The ZAP-X platform incorporates a unique vault-free design that typically eliminates the need for costly shielded treatment rooms. ZAP-X also utilizes a modern linear accelerator to eliminate legacy use of Cobalt-60. Learn more at and follow us on LinkedIn. Hackensack Meridian Health is a leading not-for-profit health care organization and New Jersey's largest, most comprehensive, and integrated health network. Our network includes 18 hospitals, more than 500 patient care locations, and a complete range of services from innovative research and life-enhancing care to lifesaving air medical transportation. Our 38,000 team members and 7,000 physicians are committed to the health and well-being of the communities we serve, making Hackensack Meridian Health a distinguished leader in healthcare philanthropy. Hackensack University Medical Center is the first-ever New Jersey hospital to be ranked a Top 20 hospital in the nation. It is also ranked #1 in New Jersey and the New York metro area by U.S. News & World Report, 2025-26. Hackensack Meridian Health is proud to be home to New Jersey's #1 children's hospital and the state's only nationally-ranked cancer center, the John Theurer Cancer Center. To learn more, visit
USA Today
a day ago
- USA Today
FX's 'Alien: Earth' is everything 'Alien' fans could want: Review
There's nothing quite like the primal fear that the "Alien" franchise can instill in viewers. The original 1979 Ridley Scott film is a classic for a reason, a master class in body horror and bone-jangling terror grounded in philosophical musings and deeply uncomfortable truths about humanity. The face-hugging xenomorph aliens of the film aren't just scary, they're violating in their torrent of consumption and obliteration, their cold, ceaseless hunger the very anathema of the warmth and hope of the human condition. Noah Hawley, creator of FX's "Fargo" and trippy X-Men series "Legion," fundamentally understands what makes the aliens of "Alien" scary, and what makes the world Scott created so enticing to return to for film after film. His big-budget, big-impact FX series "Alien: Earth" (Tuesdays, 8 ET/PT, streaming simultaneously on Hulu, ★★★½ out of four), the first time "Alien" has graced the small screen, is a worthy entry in the franchise. Literally bringing things down to Earth, the series manages to preserve the aesthetics and feeling of "Alien" while creating a truly unique, compelling story. By the time you finish eight episodes of terror, both comfortingly familiar and disturbingly novel, you might feel the same way you did after watching the film. "Earth" smacks you in the face with all things "Alien" from its very first moments, describing a capitalist world controlled by corporations instead of governments, and bringing us to a deep space research vessel with sleep pods and a congenial crew. Nothing could possibly go wrong with all the vicious alien specimens on board, right? Well, as this doomed spacecraft comes crashing down to Earth, it encounters a world where those powerful corporations are vying for a scientific answer to mortality itself. There are "cyborgs," humans who have been altered with technology; "synths," full-on robots like the android Ash (played by Ian Holm in the original film); and a new category of being: "hybrids," human minds who have been downloaded into a synthetic body. Annoying trillionaire Boy Kavalier (Samuel Blenkin) is experimenting with hybrids, by downloading children's brains into adult bodies. The very first hybrid is Wendy (Sydney Chandler), self-named after the "Peter Pan" character (there is heavy-handed homage to the J.M. Barrie story throughout). She has what appear to be limitless physical and cybernetic powers that are only getting stronger. When Wendy discovers her brother Hermit (Alex Lawther) is a first responder investigating the crash of that contaminated spacecraft, she manages to get herself and her fellow synths deployed in search and rescue. The series sets the various human and humanoid segments of its cast on a direct course with the distinctly inhuman alien flora and fauna on the ship – there are some inventive little monsters aboard, disgusting and harrowing in their own special ways – to great effect. Everyone wants what's on the spacecraft, for profit or discovery or just to kill to protect others. The aliens simply want to divide, devour and destroy. Hawley's scripts and deft direction create a near-constant tension and apprehension in each episode, jam-packed with action and violence. Its opening installments even find a way to cram in some exposition amid all the terror and mayhem, but by the end of the season the ceaseless adrenaline and motion of the plot is something to behold. But lest you think all that action leaves little time for something more intellectual, "Earth" is deeply philosophical, sometimes so overtly so it's a bit too on the nose. When Timothy Olyphant's dead-eyed "synth," informs Wendy that humans are all really just food, it's hard not to feel as though we're being beaten over the head with the show's theme. But anyone who has seen Hawley's "Legion" will easily spot his penchant for asking questions about what makes us human and why. And fans of his five seasons of "Fargo" adaptations will see his penchant for sprawling casts full of idiosyncratic characters that are lovable in odd and surprising ways. The actors portraying the child/adult hybrids never lose the physicality of adolescence, even as they tumble about at full height. Olyphant and the other humanoid characters radiate a robotic alienness all their own. The series is immersive even before any extraterrestrials try to hug your face. "Earth" has many masters to serve: The "Alien" fans who want a faithful extension of their beloved franchise, Disney and FX, seeking a hit that will bring in the film's fans and newcomers alike, plus all those fans watching. It must do all this and make a coherent story in the process. The series pleases all, without ever giving into something gimmicky or tawdry with the signature long-headed monster at its core. You'll certianly hear yourself scream at the horrors the show creates.
