Latest news with #SkolkovoInstituteofScienceandTechnology
Scoop
22-04-2025
- Science
- Scoop
New Study Reveals How Solar Coronal Holes Spray Solar Wind Like A Sun Garden Hose
Press Release – Skoltech A pioneering study led by solar physicists has revealed how coronal holes propel fast solar wind streams of charged particles that race across our solar system. Scientists from Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, together with scientists from the University of Graz, Kanzelhöhe Observatory, and Columbia University, have discovered how coronal holes — vast magnetic windows in the Sun's corona — launch fast solar wind streams into space at supersonic speeds, shaping their flow throughout the heliosphere. These findings set the stage for the upcoming Vigil mission to Lagrange point L5 — a dedicated solar sentinel that will monitor our dynamic Sun, transforming deep-space observations into unprecedented early warnings of solar storms to protect critical infrastructure on Earth and in orbit. The study's findings are published in Scientific Reports, Nature. The Sun doesn't just shine — it blows. A relentless stream of charged particles, known as the solar wind, surges outward at hundreds of kilometers per second, drenching Earth and the entire solar system in a flood of electrons, protons, and helium nuclei. But this isn't a smooth breeze — it's a turbulent river with fast and slow currents that spark dazzling auroras and disruptive geomagnetic storms. The fastest streams come from coronal holes — dark, cooler patches in the Sun's outer atmosphere where magnetic fields stretch open and high-speed solar wind streams can escape from the Sun into interplanetary space. Yet how exactly these holes shape the solar wind's behavior remains an open question. When high-speed solar wind streams collide with slower solar wind, they create massive structures called corotating interaction regions that spiral outward as the Sun rotates. Since the Sun rotates every 27 days, a single coronal hole can bombard us repeatedly — a celestial metronome of space weather. A pioneering study led by solar physicists has revealed how coronal holes propel fast solar wind streams of charged particles that race across our solar system. The research also delivers a major advance in space weather forecasting, extending prediction lead times from hours to days. Using a unique observational vantage point at the L5 Lagrange point (60° behind Earth in orbit), scientists can now better predict when these solar winds will reach Earth. The team solved a key puzzle — why solar wind measurements differ between L5 and Earth-orbiting L1 observatories. They traced the variations to three critical factors — the combined effect of smaller coronal holes, their precise locations on the Sun's surface, and the latitudinal position of spacecraft detecting the solar wind. These findings underscore the importance of future missions to L5 and L4 Lagrange points, like ESA's Vigil, to improve early warnings for geomagnetic storms — helping protect satellites, aviation, and power grids from disruptive space weather. 'Imagine watering your garden with a hose,' explains lead author Associate Professor Tatiana Podladchikova, who heads the Engineering Center at Skoltech. 'If you stand directly in front of the stream, you get hit hard. But if you're off to the side, you only catch splashes. This 'garden hose effect' explains why satellites directly aligned with a solar wind stream measure higher speeds than those at an angle. Our study shows this effect is most pronounced for smaller coronal holes at higher solar latitudes, and depends strongly on the latitudinal separation between spacecraft. In contrast, larger coronal holes deliver solar wind more uniformly across the heliosphere.' These findings will not only improve space weather forecasting and advance the fundamental understanding of the solar-terrestrial environment but also underscore the importance of continued exploration from diverse vantage points like L5 and L4 to fully unravel the Sun's influence on the Solar System, enriching the broader field of heliophysics and space exploration. Skoltech is a private international university in Russia, cultivating a new generation of leaders in technology, science, and business. As a factory of technologies, it conducts research in breakthrough fields and promotes technological innovation to solve critical problems that face Russia and the world. Skoltech focuses on six priority areas: life sciences, health, and agro; telecommunications, photonics, and quantum technologies; artificial intelligence; advanced materials and engineering; energy efficiency and the energy transition; and advanced studies. Established in 2011 in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Skoltech was listed among the world's top 100 young universities by the Nature Index in its both editions (2019, 2021). On the Institute ranks as Russian university No. 2 overall and No. 1 for genetics and materials science. In the recent SCImago Institutions Rankings, Skoltech placed first nationwide for computer science. Website:
Scoop
22-04-2025
- Science
- Scoop
New Study Reveals How Solar Coronal Holes Spray Solar Wind Like A Sun Garden Hose
Scientists from Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, together with scientists from the University of Graz, Kanzelhöhe Observatory, and Columbia University, have discovered how coronal holes — vast magnetic windows in the Sun's corona — launch fast solar wind streams into space at supersonic speeds, shaping their flow throughout the heliosphere. These findings set the stage for the upcoming Vigil mission to Lagrange point L5 — a dedicated solar sentinel that will monitor our dynamic Sun, transforming deep-space observations into unprecedented early warnings of solar storms to protect critical infrastructure on Earth and in orbit. The study's findings are published in Scientific Reports, Nature. The Sun doesn't just shine — it blows. A relentless stream of charged particles, known as the solar wind, surges outward at hundreds of kilometers per second, drenching Earth and the entire solar system in a flood of electrons, protons, and helium nuclei. But this isn't a smooth breeze — it's a turbulent river with fast and slow currents that spark dazzling auroras and disruptive geomagnetic storms. The fastest streams come from coronal holes — dark, cooler patches in the Sun's outer atmosphere where magnetic fields stretch open and high-speed solar wind streams can escape from the Sun into interplanetary space. Yet how exactly these holes shape the solar wind's behavior remains an open question. When high-speed solar wind streams collide with slower solar wind, they create massive structures called corotating interaction regions that spiral outward as the Sun rotates. Since the Sun rotates every 27 days, a single coronal hole can bombard us repeatedly — a celestial metronome of space weather. A pioneering study led by solar physicists has revealed how coronal holes propel fast solar wind streams of charged particles that race across our solar system. The research also delivers a major advance in space weather forecasting, extending prediction lead times from hours to days. Using a unique observational vantage point at the L5 Lagrange point (60° behind Earth in orbit), scientists can now better predict when these solar winds will reach Earth. The team solved a key puzzle — why solar wind measurements differ between L5 and Earth-orbiting L1 observatories. They traced the variations to three critical factors — the combined effect of smaller coronal holes, their precise locations on the Sun's surface, and the latitudinal position of spacecraft detecting the solar wind. These findings underscore the importance of future missions to L5 and L4 Lagrange points, like ESA's Vigil, to improve early warnings for geomagnetic storms — helping protect satellites, aviation, and power grids from disruptive space weather. 'Imagine watering your garden with a hose,' explains lead author Associate Professor Tatiana Podladchikova, who heads the Engineering Center at Skoltech. 'If you stand directly in front of the stream, you get hit hard. But if you're off to the side, you only catch splashes. This 'garden hose effect' explains why satellites directly aligned with a solar wind stream measure higher speeds than those at an angle. Our study shows this effect is most pronounced for smaller coronal holes at higher solar latitudes, and depends strongly on the latitudinal separation between spacecraft. In contrast, larger coronal holes deliver solar wind more uniformly across the heliosphere.' These findings will not only improve space weather forecasting and advance the fundamental understanding of the solar-terrestrial environment but also underscore the importance of continued exploration from diverse vantage points like L5 and L4 to fully unravel the Sun's influence on the Solar System, enriching the broader field of heliophysics and space exploration. Skoltech is a private international university in Russia, cultivating a new generation of leaders in technology, science, and business. As a factory of technologies, it conducts research in breakthrough fields and promotes technological innovation to solve critical problems that face Russia and the world. Skoltech focuses on six priority areas: life sciences, health, and agro; telecommunications, photonics, and quantum technologies; artificial intelligence; advanced materials and engineering; energy efficiency and the energy transition; and advanced studies. Established in 2011 in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Skoltech was listed among the world's top 100 young universities by the Nature Index in its both editions (2019, 2021). On the Institute ranks as Russian university No. 2 overall and No. 1 for genetics and materials science. In the recent SCImago Institutions Rankings, Skoltech placed first nationwide for computer science. Website:
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists make critical discovery after zapping next-gen batteries with X-rays: 'An example of great synergy'
Russian researchers may have saved other battery scientists some time by ruling out at least one cause of lithium-rich cathode degradation. It seems that oxygen gas molecules that had been blamed for cell performance problems were formed by the X-ray scans that found them, according to the findings. The discovery happened at the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, or Skoltech, with aid from international labs. "Thankfully, our latest study relegates the molecular oxygen hypothesis to history," assistant professor Dmitry Aksyonov said in a news release. He co-authored the report. "By examining the data from major X-ray scattering experiments, we have demonstrated that the O2 molecules trapped in the cathode material and supposedly responsible for its worsening performance are likely the artifact of the experiment." When batteries operate, ions move between the anode and cathode through the electrolyte. Experts in labs around the world are trying to find cheaper, more planet-friendly parts while improving performance. As a result, substances, including potassium, silicon, and sodium, are being tapped for various types of packs. Nickel-manganese-cobalt, or NMC, cathodes are among the promising components being studied. Skoltech said that the electrode could provide for 30% more energy storage, a boon for electric vehicles and other battery-reliant tech if the bugs are worked out. Success is vital to advancing the transition to a cleaner energy system and eliminating heat-trapping air pollution, which is impacting even our food system, according to a farm production and rising temperature study published by Wiley. Now, experts examining NMC cathodes can cross oxygen off the list of culprits behind voltage fade and capacity drop. The findings "suggest that the issue of … deterioration be approached from a different angle," per the release. It's good news, because the oxygen is entrenched after forming, making it tough to mitigate. "Stabilizing cathode materials … will be easier than if the molecular oxygen hypothesis had proved right," the release stated. Should the U.S. invest more in battery innovations? Absolutely Depends on the project We're investing enough We should invest less Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. For their part, lithium-ion batteries are already charging faster than ever before. They can provide hundreds of miles in about 15 minutes if using a fast hookup, such as one of Tesla's 60,000-plus Superchargers. They are now available to most rides with an adapter. And the U.S. Department of Energy reported that the median EV range increased to 283 miles for model year 2024. What's more, costs are expected to drop. Goldman Sachs estimated that pack prices could plummet by 50% next year thanks to better tech, cheaper parts, and more recycling. It's a great time to switch, too, as tax breaks worth $4,000 and $7,500 for used and new EVs remain available. That's in addition to the $1,500 you can bank annually in gas and maintenance costs, and the thousands of pounds of air pollution the DOE estimated will be prevented when parking your gas car. At Skoltech, the team credited modeling experiments — originating from across the continent at the Collège de France and University of Montpellier — for making the cathode findings possible. Even better batteries could soon be a result. "This study is an example of great synergy between experiments, theory, and computer modeling," research scientist Andrey Geondzhian said. 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.
