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Cover: These aerial displays by flocks of starlings have long been a tourist attraction in Rome. The patterns the birds form change shape and density when a predator attacks. Now scientists have mapped the flocks in three dimensions, making them the first large aggregates of animals for which such data are available. The next step is to use the data to learn more about collective behavior—of everything from starlings to insects to fish to humans. Read about the StarFlag project beginning on page 28.

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Physics Today -- October 2007

Volume 60, Issue 10, pp. 8-112

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  • ARTICLES
  • FROM THE EDITOR
  • REFERENCE FRAME
  • LETTERS
  • SEARCH AND DISCOVERY
  • ISSUES AND EVENTS
  • BOOKS
  • NEW PRODUCTS
  • OBITUARIES
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    ARTICLES

      Space Debris
      Controlling the production of debris is crucial to the sustainable use of space. But even without additional launches, let alone antisatellite tests, the amount of debris orbiting Earth will continue to increase far into the future.
      David Wright
      pp. 35-40
      Abstract    Full Text: [ HTML   PDF (2519 kB)  ]   

      Clathrate Hydrates Under Pressure
      Icy solids in Earth's permafrost and deep ocean basins store an enormous reservoir of natural gas. That reservoir, and scientists' efforts to synthesize related molecular-storage compounds, may help solve our energy problems.
      Wendy L. Mao, Carolyn A. Koh, and E. Dendy Sloan
      pp. 42-47
      Abstract    Full Text: [ HTML   PDF (528 kB)  ]   

      Frontiers of Surface Science
      The field of surface physics is evolving to include molecular-scale studies of nanoparticle surfaces, as well as single-crystal surfaces in contact with liquids or high-pressure gases.
      Gabor A. Somorjai and Jeong Y. Park
      pp. 48-53
      Abstract    Full Text: [ HTML   PDF (1203 kB)  ]   

    FROM THE EDITOR

    REFERENCE FRAME

    LETTERS

      Solar Energy Conversion can be Small-Scale and Low-Tech
      Robert Levy
      pp. 12-14
      Abstract    Full Text: [ HTML   PDF (104 kB)  ]   

    SEARCH AND DISCOVERY

      Varying Cosmic-Ray Flux May Explain Cycles of Biodiversity
      The solar system oscillates through the Milky Way's midplane with a period of about 60 million years. That cyclic excursion might be causing periodic fivefold increases in Earth's exposure to extragalactic cosmic rays.
      Bertram Schwarzschild
      pp. 18-20
      Abstract    Full Text: [ HTML   PDF (455 kB)  ]   

      Ultrafast Laser Spectroscopy Measures Heat Flow Through Molecular Chains
      Analysis of the time-resolved disorder in hydrocarbon molecules indicates that heat propagates ballistically.
      Mark Wilson
      pp. 20-23
      Abstract    Full Text: [ HTML   PDF (427 kB)  ]   

      Wrinkles Provide the Means to Measure the Elasticity of Thin Floppy Films
      Charles Day
      p. 24
      Abstract    Full Text: [ HTML   PDF (61 kB)  ]   

    ISSUES AND EVENTS

      Statistical Physics is for the Birds
      Three-dimensional mapping of starling flocks could shed light not only on the birds' collective behavior but also on a broad range of other aggregate systems.
      Toni Feder
      pp. 28-30
      Abstract    Full Text: [ HTML   PDF (379 kB)  ]   

      Fermilab Forms Backup Plan to Avoid Science Gap
      High-intensity beams of rare particles could give Fermilab a vibrant scientific program if delays in the International Linear Collider spell a dry period for the lab.
      Toni Feder
      pp. 30-32
      Abstract    Full Text: [ HTML   PDF (369 kB)  ]   

      Enrollments up, but Physics Lacks Women and Minorities
      Toni Feder
      p. 32
      Abstract    Full Text: [ HTML   PDF (149 kB)  ]   

    BOOKS

      New Books

      pp. 61-66
      Abstract    Full Text: [ HTML   PDF (593 kB)  ]   

    NEW PRODUCTS

    OBITUARIES

    QUICK STUDY

    BACK SCATTTER

      Hearing Links

      p. 112
      Abstract    Full Text: [ HTML   PDF (223 kB)  ]   

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