Folknasty t1_j5jn2yy wrote on January 23, 2023 at 2:07 PM

Reply to comment by chrisdh79 in Magnetic solution removes toxic "forever chemicals" from water in seconds by chrisdh79

This is pretty awesome, especially the success rate. Sounds like it might be expensive though.

Folknasty t1_j29r1no wrote on December 30, 2022 at 5:53 PM

Reply to comment by arcosapphire in harnessing quantum mechanics, physicists discovered a new way to observe objects without directly looking at them. Using a superconducting qubit called a transmon device, they were able to “see” microwave pulses generated by classical instruments without having to absorb or re-emit any light waves. by MistWeaver80

So, do you think that the object measured does have the capable to re-emit those photons? That phrasing is a bit confusing, but it seems like they're saying that normally for objects to be observed without direct interaction, the object would have to absorb the energy, and not re-emit it so we'd get a measurable.

They're saying the object measured has the capability to re-emit this energy, so it's more along the lines that they're preventing the re-emmittance (with the super conductors maybe?), and now measuring the energy lost from absorbance?

Wish they'd give some experimental details to clarify this. Otherwise it just seems like the author made up some exciting headline for clicks.

Folknasty t1_j29ppbl wrote on December 30, 2022 at 5:44 PM

Reply to comment by Contain_the_Pain in harnessing quantum mechanics, physicists discovered a new way to observe objects without directly looking at them. Using a superconducting qubit called a transmon device, they were able to “see” microwave pulses generated by classical instruments without having to absorb or re-emit any light waves. by MistWeaver80

I guess it's more along the lines of not "direct" interaction. Basically they aren't shining a laser through a material like plastic, for example, and having a detector on the other side measuring how much of the energy from the laser was absorbed by the plastic.

My guess is that the material is in some sort of chamber. Microwaves are being released in this sealed chamber that doesn't allow the microwaves to escape. The object absorbs this energy, and now the loss of the microwave energy that is present is less than what was released because the object isn't re-emitting the energy. The net difference in energy is giving us a measurable to do some sort of analysis.

So, while the energy isn't directly being blasted into this material and monitored on the other side of it, it's more of a 3-dimension energy absorption with the loss of energy being measured. This is all hypothetical of course since they didn't go into any details of what the experiment actually was, it's just my guess as someone who's done all sorts of instrumental analysis with other types of lab equipment. I think the title is more sensationalist than anything, but I'd like to be proven wrong.

It would be cool if there was some way to measure energy absorbance or emittance by skipping distance and time though.

Folknasty t1_j29ed89 wrote on December 30, 2022 at 4:33 PM

Reply to harnessing quantum mechanics, physicists discovered a new way to observe objects without directly looking at them. Using a superconducting qubit called a transmon device, they were able to “see” microwave pulses generated by classical instruments without having to absorb or re-emit any light waves. by MistWeaver80

So, instead of the conventional method of shining UV light or infrared lasers or x-rays through an object to be able to see what light is absorbed or transmitted through your material, they have some sort of instrument that is absorbing microwave radiation?

Is that the gist of this? The article doesn't go into much detail, but it seems like that's probably all it is. Like the object is giving off microwave radiation, the qubit or whatever it is absorbs said radiation, maybe some electron orbitals are excited, and the qubit is able to tell us what the material is.

I mean, I'd hardly say that's not seeing the object. You're just absorbing energy in 3 dimensions instead of a laser going through the material and bouncing around mirrors to give you your read-out.

Edit: typo

Folknasty t1_j27m9p3 wrote on December 30, 2022 at 5:38 AM

Reply to Likely-hood of becoming an astronaut by MisFitLoves

I wanted to be a surgeon my entire life up until around the age of 15. At 15 I decided I wanted to go to space and become an astronaut. I gave it my all and even set out a life plan to accomplish this:

Study physics in college. Age 18-22
Go to medical school and become a surgeon. Age 22-34
Have the Air Force pay for my medical school.
Spend time in the Air Force, since I'd have to if they're going to pay for my schooling, but get my pilots license in the meantime. Age 34-44. Most likely required ten years of service, but maybe only 34-39. I'd also be an officer with a medical degree.
Join NASA. I'd be a surgeon with a physics degree and pilot's license, as well as retired military. Seems like an appropriate resume to become an astronaut.

However, as I was on the path towards medical school, even though I was a physics major, I was required to take other necessary classes such as chemistry and organic chemistry. So, my third year in college I changed my major to chemistry because I had fallen in love with it.

Do I regret not sticking with my original plan from over half my life ago? Not at all. I've been working as a chemist for a decade now and I still love it. However, to be honest, my dream now is to one day open a restaurant/bar (maybe even multiple).

So, the point of my story is that you'll change as a person as you age, and your dreams and passions will also change in the process. But, that doesn't mean you shouldn't do everything it takes to accomplish that dream. You'll grow by venturing out, learning new skills, trying new things, and it's even possible (and highly likely) that you might discover another dream or goal along the way that you find much more exciting.