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Center for High Pressure Science & Technology Advanced Research


Curved post-garnet phase boundary may explain puzzled subducting slabs and upwelling plumes

A team of scientists has precisely determined the temperature dependence of a mantle mineral's phase transition pressure, revealing a curved post-garnet phase boundary that accelerates upwelling plumes and decelerates subduction. This discovery could explain puzzling seismic observations in the upper part of the lower mantle.

SourceCenter for High Pressure Science & Technology Advanced Research·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2023

Accelerated relaxation dynamics in compressed cerium-based metallic glass

A new method has revealed an unexpected acceleration of relaxation dynamics in compressed cerium-based metallic glass under high pressure. The study shows a non-monotonic crossover at ~3 GPa, indicating that structural details play a crucial role in glass relaxation dynamics.

SourceCenter for High Pressure Science & Technology Advanced Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 7, 2023

Aluminous silica: A major water carrier in the lower mantle

Researchers have discovered that aluminous silicas play a significant role in transporting water into the Earth's deep interior. These minerals can hold large amounts of water even at high temperatures, challenging previous assumptions about the water cycle in the mantle.

SourceCenter for High Pressure Science & Technology Advanced Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 26, 2022

Earth's deep mantle may have proton rivers made of superionic phases

A research group led by Dr. Qingyang Hu discovered a hydrous mineral that enters an exotic superionic phase, similar to water ice in giant planets. The team found that this superionic state may lead to a significant increase in electrical conductivity, potentially changing our understanding of Earth's mantle convection.

First direct band gap measurements of wide-gap hydrogen using inelastic X-ray scattering

Researchers have made the first direct measurements of the electronic band and gap of solid hydrogen up to 90 GPa using inelastic X-ray scattering. The study found that the electronic band gap decreased linearly from 10.9 eV to 6.57 eV as pressure increased, with a densification factor of 8.6.

Regulating off-centering distortion maximizes photoluminescence in halide perovskites

Researchers at HPSTAR have discovered a universal relationship between regulating off-centering distortion and maximizing photoluminescence in halide perovskites. By applying high pressure, they achieved optimal PL performance, ten-fold enhancement, and new paths to high-performance optoelectronic materials.

Potential extreme condition history detector - recoverable PL achieved in pyrochlore

A team of scientists has achieved strong tricolor photoluminescence (PL) in non-photoluminescent pyrochlore Ho2Sn2O7 under high-pressure treatment. The PL is retained and largely enhanced after pressure release, with the potential applications for pressure threshold sensors on extreme conditions.

The heavier, the better -- superior stability in isotope functionalized perovskites

Research team led by HPSTAR discovered that isotope effect can significantly suppress lattice distortion in hybrid perovskites, leading to enhanced photoluminescence and structural robustness. This breakthrough suggests a new path for designing more stable photovoltaic materials with superior performance.

SourceCenter for High Pressure Science & Technology Advanced Research·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateDec 4, 2020

Reaching 90% PL quantum yield in 1D metal halide by pressure-suppressed nonradiative loss

Researchers discovered a method to enhance the photoluminescent quantum yield (PLQY) of 1D metal halide C4N2H14PbB4 by suppressing non-radiative loss under high pressure. The findings reveal that pressure-tuned STE binding energy and confined motion of organic cations contribute to the PL enhancement.

SourceCenter for High Pressure Science & Technology Advanced Research·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateSep 16, 2020

Pressure-induced 2D-3D conversion in hybrid lead iodide layered perovskite

Researchers successfully converted a 2D hybrid Dion-Jacobson lead iodide perovskite to a 3D perovskite phase at ambient conditions after pressure treatment. This process enables the use of high-pressure techniques for preparing materials with improved properties, suitable for real-world applications in optoelectronics and luminescence.

SourceCenter for High Pressure Science & Technology Advanced Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 12, 2020

Order out of disorder in ice

An international research team identified a temperature/time-dependent kinetic pathway with three distinctive transitions in the structural evolution from metastable crystalline ice (ice VII or ice VIII) to the thermodynamically stable ice I. The end result is a juxtaposition of these processes, where intermediate amorphous-ices compet...

SourceCenter for High Pressure Science & Technology Advanced Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 24, 2020