Physical Sciences

Simons Foundation commits $20 million in quest to understand universe’s beginning

Wednesday, Jul 10, 2019

by Liz Fuller-Wright, Office of Communications

What was the universe like in the moments after its inception?

Princeton scientists will soon be better equipped to answer that question, thanks to a future commitment of $20 million made by the Simons Foundation. The funds will support five years of operations of the Simons Observatory, contingent upon the successful completion of the construction, which is currently underway in Chile’s Atacama Desert, at 17,200 feet in elevation. The official groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 30.
Princeton scientists spot two supermassive black holes on collision course with each other

Wednesday, Jul 10, 2019

by Princeton University

Astronomers have discovered a distant pair of titanic black holes on a collision course.
Princeton astrophysicists are closing in on the Hubble constant

Tuesday, Jul 9, 2019

by Liz Fuller-Wright, Office of Communications

Exactly how fast is the universe expanding?

Scientists are still not completely sure, but a Princeton-led team of astrophysicists has used the neutron star merger detected in 2017 to come up with a new value for this figure, known as the Hubble constant. Their work appears in the current issue of the journal Nature Astronomy.
For hydrogen fuel cells, mundane materials might be almost as good as pricey platinum

Monday, Jun 17, 2019

by Jen A. Miller for the Office of Engineering Communications

As anyone who has purchased jewelry can attest, platinum is expensive. That's tough for consumers but also a serious hurdle for a promising source of electricity for vehicles: the hydrogen fuel cell, which relies on platinum.
Optimizing operations for an unprecedented view of the universe

Monday, Jun 17, 2019

by Molly Sharlach, Office of Engineering Communications

Under construction on a remote ridge in the Chilean Andes, the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) will boast the world’s largest digital camera, helping researchers detect objects at the solar system’s edge and gain insights into the structure of our galaxy and the nature of dark energy.
Princeton astrophysicist James Gunn wins Kyoto Prize

Friday, Jun 14, 2019

by Jamie Saxon, Office of Communications

Princeton University’s James Gunn, the Eugene Higgins Professor of Astronomy, Emeritus, and professor of astrophysical sciences, has been named a recipient of the Kyoto Prize.
Quantum chemist Schoop wins Beckman Young Investigator Award

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

by Liz Fuller-Wright, Office of Communications

Leslie Schoop, an assistant professor of chemistry, is one of 10 winners of the 2019 Beckman Young Investigator Awards for faculty within the first three years of a tenure-track position.
Forensic engineering preserves art treasures by saving historic buildings

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

by Amelia Herb, Office of Engineering Communications

Italian Renaissance frescos of the gods and goddesses of air, water, fire and earth enliven the ceiling and four walls of the Room of the Elements in Florence’s famed Palazzo Vecchio, but without structural engineers’ work to preserve such historic buildings, the world could eventually lose these masterpieces.
Avalos wins teacher-scholar award

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

by Liz Fuller-Wright, Office of Communications

José Avalos has been named a Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar “for spatial and dynamic control of engineered metabolism for microbial chemical production."
Princeton scientists bioengineer a cellular speedometer

Monday, May 13, 2019

by Liz Fuller-Wright, Office of Communications

An all-Princeton research team has identified bacteria that can detect the speed of flowing fluids.