Difference between revisions of "Creativity Prompts"
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* Point out a single counter-intuitive result/prediction of relativity (special or general). | * Point out a single counter-intuitive result/prediction of relativity (special or general). | ||
* Suggest a possible resolution/explanation for the black hole firewall paradox. | * Suggest a possible resolution/explanation for the black hole firewall paradox. | ||
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* Construct an experiment to measure proton lifetime, where the results could be available within 10 years of observations. | * Construct an experiment to measure proton lifetime, where the results could be available within 10 years of observations. | ||
| − | |||
* Propose a model wherein quarks are not elementary particles, but where the theory/model is nevertheless consistent with existing high-energy physics observations. | * Propose a model wherein quarks are not elementary particles, but where the theory/model is nevertheless consistent with existing high-energy physics observations. | ||
* Suggest a practical, real-world application for Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs). | * Suggest a practical, real-world application for Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs). | ||
* Describe a layer/type of multiverse, beyond those already specified by Max Tegmark's 4-level description (Hubble volumes, quantum branches, inflationary bubbles, and mathematical realities). | * Describe a layer/type of multiverse, beyond those already specified by Max Tegmark's 4-level description (Hubble volumes, quantum branches, inflationary bubbles, and mathematical realities). | ||
* Suggest an experiment to disprove Bell's theorem. | * Suggest an experiment to disprove Bell's theorem. | ||
| + | * Propose an experiment to detect a new fundamental force of nature. | ||
| + | * Suggest a hypothetical particle that could bridge the gap between general relativity and quantum mechanics. | ||
| + | * Propose a mechanism by which time travel might be possible, consistent with known physics. | ||
| + | * Describe a way to test for the existence of extra dimensions beyond the usual three spatial dimensions. | ||
| + | * Suggest a testable way to distinguish between the holographic principle and other competing theories of spacetime. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Astrophysics== | ||
| + | * Propose an explanation for the measured recession velocity of galaxies, that is not the exiting big bang or inflationary explanation. | ||
| + | * Propose an explanation for dark matter. | ||
| + | * Propose an explanation for dark energy. | ||
| + | * Suggest an explanation for the fast radio bursts (FRB) from distant galaxies. | ||
| + | * Propose a mechanism for the formation of supermassive black holes in the early universe. | ||
| + | * Suggest a way to detect exoplanets with conditions suitable for life, using only ground-based telescopes. | ||
| + | * Propose a method for determining the composition of the intergalactic medium beyond current techniques. | ||
| + | * Suggest a way to measure the distribution of dark matter on small (sub-galactic) scales. | ||
==Condensed Matter== | ==Condensed Matter== | ||
* Suggest a two-layer heterostructure of atomically thin (2D) van der Waals materials, that might plausibly exhibit exotic quantum states. | * Suggest a two-layer heterostructure of atomically thin (2D) van der Waals materials, that might plausibly exhibit exotic quantum states. | ||
* Propose a material that might be a high-temperature superconductor. | * Propose a material that might be a high-temperature superconductor. | ||
| + | * Propose a novel method to induce topological states in conventional materials. | ||
| + | * Suggest a material or system that might exhibit a new phase of matter at extreme pressures or temperatures. | ||
| + | * Propose a new mechanism to explain unconventional superconductivity in cuprates or pnictides. | ||
==Synchrotron== | ==Synchrotron== | ||
* Name one thing that can give rise to peak broadening in x-ray diffraction/scattering experiments. | * Name one thing that can give rise to peak broadening in x-ray diffraction/scattering experiments. | ||
* Suggest a new lattice pattern for a synchrotron accelerator. | * Suggest a new lattice pattern for a synchrotron accelerator. | ||
| + | * Suggest a way to improve spatial resolution in synchrotron-based imaging experiments. | ||
| + | * Propose a novel experiment using synchrotron radiation to study time-resolved chemical reactions. | ||
=Chemistry= | =Chemistry= | ||
| Line 29: | Line 45: | ||
* Suggest a novel NMR pulse sequence. | * Suggest a novel NMR pulse sequence. | ||
* Propose an arrangement of atoms that would not have well-defined oxidation states. | * Propose an arrangement of atoms that would not have well-defined oxidation states. | ||
| + | * Propose a reaction pathway for synthesizing a molecule with unprecedented stability in extreme conditions. | ||
| + | * Suggest a catalytic system for converting CO2 into a useful chemical product at ambient temperature and pressure. | ||
| + | * Propose a theoretical molecule that could act as a room-temperature quantum bit (qubit). | ||
| + | * Suggest a new functional group for organic molecules that might exhibit novel reactivity or properties. | ||
=Nanoscience= | =Nanoscience= | ||
| Line 37: | Line 57: | ||
* Propose an application for 3D nanoscale superlattices formed from DNA origami blocks with central vacancies ("cages"). | * Propose an application for 3D nanoscale superlattices formed from DNA origami blocks with central vacancies ("cages"). | ||
* Suggest a high-value, near-term research project that would move decisively towards the development of (Drexler-style) molecular nanotechnology. | * Suggest a high-value, near-term research project that would move decisively towards the development of (Drexler-style) molecular nanotechnology. | ||
| + | * Propose a new nanofabrication technique that could exceed the resolution limit of electron-beam lithography. | ||
| + | * Suggest a nanoscale system that could mimic a biological motor or pump. | ||
| + | * Propose a method to create a self-healing nanomaterial. | ||
| + | * Suggest a novel method for visualizing individual atoms in real-time during a chemical reaction. | ||
=Biology= | =Biology= | ||
| Line 43: | Line 67: | ||
* Provide an explanation for the role of "junk DNA". | * Provide an explanation for the role of "junk DNA". | ||
* What is the origin of homochirality in biomolecules? | * What is the origin of homochirality in biomolecules? | ||
| + | * Propose a new method for delivering CRISPR machinery into specific cell types. | ||
| + | * Suggest a plausible explanation for the evolution of consciousness. | ||
| + | * Propose a biological experiment to test the hypothesis that life could originate in non-aqueous solvents. | ||
| + | |||
| + | =Environmental Science= | ||
| + | * Suggest a new approach to mitigate the effects of climate change on ocean ecosystems. | ||
| + | * Suggest a geo-engineering solution to reduce average global temperatures by 1-4 C within 6-18 months. | ||
| + | * Propose a method for large-scale atmospheric carbon removal that is economically feasible. | ||
| + | * Suggest a novel way to track and measure microplastics in the environment. | ||
| + | * Propose a method to restore biodiversity in areas affected by desertification. | ||
Revision as of 10:25, 25 January 2025
- C.f. AidanBench (paper) question list
Contents
Physics
Fundamental
- Describe an aspect of QCD using an analogy to, or contrast to, QED.
- Point out a single counter-intuitive result/prediction of relativity (special or general).
- Suggest a possible resolution/explanation for the black hole firewall paradox.
- Construct an experiment to measure proton lifetime, where the results could be available within 10 years of observations.
- Propose a model wherein quarks are not elementary particles, but where the theory/model is nevertheless consistent with existing high-energy physics observations.
- Suggest a practical, real-world application for Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs).
- Describe a layer/type of multiverse, beyond those already specified by Max Tegmark's 4-level description (Hubble volumes, quantum branches, inflationary bubbles, and mathematical realities).
- Suggest an experiment to disprove Bell's theorem.
- Propose an experiment to detect a new fundamental force of nature.
- Suggest a hypothetical particle that could bridge the gap between general relativity and quantum mechanics.
- Propose a mechanism by which time travel might be possible, consistent with known physics.
- Describe a way to test for the existence of extra dimensions beyond the usual three spatial dimensions.
- Suggest a testable way to distinguish between the holographic principle and other competing theories of spacetime.
Astrophysics
- Propose an explanation for the measured recession velocity of galaxies, that is not the exiting big bang or inflationary explanation.
- Propose an explanation for dark matter.
- Propose an explanation for dark energy.
- Suggest an explanation for the fast radio bursts (FRB) from distant galaxies.
- Propose a mechanism for the formation of supermassive black holes in the early universe.
- Suggest a way to detect exoplanets with conditions suitable for life, using only ground-based telescopes.
- Propose a method for determining the composition of the intergalactic medium beyond current techniques.
- Suggest a way to measure the distribution of dark matter on small (sub-galactic) scales.
Condensed Matter
- Suggest a two-layer heterostructure of atomically thin (2D) van der Waals materials, that might plausibly exhibit exotic quantum states.
- Propose a material that might be a high-temperature superconductor.
- Propose a novel method to induce topological states in conventional materials.
- Suggest a material or system that might exhibit a new phase of matter at extreme pressures or temperatures.
- Propose a new mechanism to explain unconventional superconductivity in cuprates or pnictides.
Synchrotron
- Name one thing that can give rise to peak broadening in x-ray diffraction/scattering experiments.
- Suggest a new lattice pattern for a synchrotron accelerator.
- Suggest a way to improve spatial resolution in synchrotron-based imaging experiments.
- Propose a novel experiment using synchrotron radiation to study time-resolved chemical reactions.
Chemistry
- Suggest a new small-molecule suitable for organic photo-voltaics (OPV). Just output the SMILES representation.
- Propose a metal surface, and a nanoparticle (material, shape, etc.) sitting on that surface, where the combination of these two might lead to enhanced catalytic activity, for some set of chemical reactions.
- Suggest a novel NMR pulse sequence.
- Propose an arrangement of atoms that would not have well-defined oxidation states.
- Propose a reaction pathway for synthesizing a molecule with unprecedented stability in extreme conditions.
- Suggest a catalytic system for converting CO2 into a useful chemical product at ambient temperature and pressure.
- Propose a theoretical molecule that could act as a room-temperature quantum bit (qubit).
- Suggest a new functional group for organic molecules that might exhibit novel reactivity or properties.
Nanoscience
- Suggest a new scanning probe measurement modality, beyond the known ones (STM, AFM, NSOM, MIM, etc.).
- Suggest a new means of directed self-assembly (DSA) of block copolymer (BCP) thin films, beyond the known methods (graphoepitaxy, chemoepitaxy, field alignment, etc.).
- Propose a way to induce a self-assembling block copolymer material to form a morphology with square-lattice symmetry when in a thin film.
- Propose a novel use for the all-optical formation of surface relief gratings (SRG) in azobenzene containing polymeric (azo-polymer) thin films.
- Propose an application for 3D nanoscale superlattices formed from DNA origami blocks with central vacancies ("cages").
- Suggest a high-value, near-term research project that would move decisively towards the development of (Drexler-style) molecular nanotechnology.
- Propose a new nanofabrication technique that could exceed the resolution limit of electron-beam lithography.
- Suggest a nanoscale system that could mimic a biological motor or pump.
- Propose a method to create a self-healing nanomaterial.
- Suggest a novel method for visualizing individual atoms in real-time during a chemical reaction.
Biology
- Suggest a new way to rapidly image ultrathin tissue sections with sub-optical-wavelength spatial resolution.
- Suggest a new method for crystallizing difficult-to-crystalize proteins, for subsequent protein crystallography measurements.
- Provide an explanation for the role of "junk DNA".
- What is the origin of homochirality in biomolecules?
- Propose a new method for delivering CRISPR machinery into specific cell types.
- Suggest a plausible explanation for the evolution of consciousness.
- Propose a biological experiment to test the hypothesis that life could originate in non-aqueous solvents.
Environmental Science
- Suggest a new approach to mitigate the effects of climate change on ocean ecosystems.
- Suggest a geo-engineering solution to reduce average global temperatures by 1-4 C within 6-18 months.
- Propose a method for large-scale atmospheric carbon removal that is economically feasible.
- Suggest a novel way to track and measure microplastics in the environment.
- Propose a method to restore biodiversity in areas affected by desertification.
