Exploring the world of clathrates: nature’s cages of ice and gas

• Maria Rescigno

When water and non-polar gas molecules come together under low temperatures and high pressures, they crystallise into clathrate structures — hydrogen-bonded cages of water molecules in which gas molecules are entrapped. These fascinating structures provide valuable insights into the fundamental study of molecular interactions. Beyond their scientific interest, clathrates show great potential for practical energy-related applications, such as gas storage and carbon capture. In this presentation, we will explore the history of clathrate discovery and highlight key aspects of current research, from the fundamental physics behind the interactions that govern these systems to their role in energy innovations.

Dicussion

Chasing Whispers from the Cosmos: Detecting Continuous Gravitational Waves

• Francesco Amicucci

Continuous gravitational-wave signals (CWs), emitted by rapidly rotating neutron stars with non-axisymmetric deformations, are compelling targets for the Advanced LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA detectors. These dense, compact objects possess strong magnetic fields and emit electromagnetic radiation from hotspots near the poles or from the magnetosphere. Observation of CWs from a neutron star would yield crucial insights into the star’s structure and its equation of state. In this presentation, I will explain how the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA collaboration aims to detect these signals and discuss the most recent results.

Discussion