Caltech physicists have created the largest qubit array ever assembled: 6,100 neutral-atom qubits trapped in a grid by lasers. Previous arrays of this kind contained only hundreds of qubits.   

Woodrats’ dietary breadth is driven by the costs of both specialization and generalization. For example, generalist woodrats continued to eat harmful creosote year-round, even when less toxic plants were available. This suggests that the costs to introducing a new food source may be higher than maintaining a consistent, if more toxic, diet. Scientists assume that generalist species are more tolerant of change or more effective invaders. The research reveals this may be untrue when generalists are comprised of locally adapted specialists. 

The Rotating Detonation Engine offers the ability to deliver satellites to precise orbits in outer space with greater robustness and reduced fuel consumption and emissions than with current conventional engines. However, there are many fundamental scientific challenges that remain related to designing materials systems that can perform under these extreme engine conditions. A new multi-institutional collaborative $2 million grant, "Thriving While Detonating – Materials for Extreme Dynamic Thermomechanical Performance,” led by Natasha Vermaak, an associate professor of mechanical engineering and mechanics in Lehigh University’s P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science, addresses some of these materials design challenges.