An international team has experimentally observed dynamic processes in a spin valve on the femtosecond scale, using the unique capabilities of BESSY II's femtoslicing station. The researchers characterized spin-polarized electron pulses and analyzed demagnetization dynamics in a ferrimagnetic layer.
A team of researchers has successfully observed the distribution of elements in a lithium button cell during 10,000 charge cycles using non-destructive X-ray methods. The study reveals that manganese dissolves from the NMC cathode and migrates to the carbon anode, leading to further reactions and processes.
A new class of materials, clathrates, has been discovered as electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction in green hydrogen production. The Ba₈Ni₆Ge₄₀ material transformed into ultrathin Nickel-sheets under an electric field, increasing catalytic activity and stability.
A team at HZB developed a method using photo-voltage to detect individual and local spin states of defects in diamonds. This could lead to more compact designs of quantum sensors. The research uses nitrogen vacancy centres, which can be manipulated with microwaves.
Experts from 22 research institutes evaluate optical technologies in photovoltaics to increase efficiency and enable new applications. Coloured solar modules for facades are identified as a promising innovation.
Researchers have developed a nickel-iron alloy metamaterial that can concentrate and locally enhance magnetic fields. By controlling the geometry and number of 'petals', the effect can be increased, making it suitable for improving the sensitivity of magnetic sensors.
A new material has been developed for efficient separation of deuterium (D2) from hydrogen (H2) at elevated temperatures. The material's performance exceeds that of traditional methods, which operate at extremely low temperatures.
Researchers at HZB have produced mesoporous silicon layers with tiny pores, revealing the electronic transport mechanism. The material has great potential for applications, including thermally insulating qubits for quantum computers. Disorder plays a key role in understanding charge transport.
Researchers at HZB have developed a highly porous tin foam that can absorb mechanical stress during charging cycles, making it an interesting material for lithium batteries. The study showed that the morphology of the tin electrodes changes significantly due to inhomogeneous absorption of lithium ions.
Thermal stress is the key factor in degrading metal-halide perovskites used in solar cells. Researchers propose increasing crystalline quality and using buffer layers to improve stability.
Researchers at HZB and HU Berlin have discovered a high-spin manganese centre, crucial for molecular oxygen formation in natural photosynthesis. The discovery, made possible by BESSY II's unique experimental capabilities, sheds light on the complex process of photosynthesis.
Dr. Denzil Moodley, a leading expert in Fischer-Tropsch technology, joins HZB to accelerate the development of sustainable aviation fuels. The appointment strengthens the partnership between HZB and Sasol, combining cutting-edge research with practical industrial insights.
Teams from HZB and Humboldt University Berlin have developed a new tandem solar cell combining CIGS with perovskite, achieving a world record efficiency of 24.6%. This breakthrough could lead to higher efficiencies of over 30%, making CIGS-perovskite tandem cells a promising technology for sustainable energy solutions.
Scientists have successfully created nanoislands on silicon that can be controlled by an external electric field. These nanoislands exhibit swirling polar textures with promise for future applications in ultra-high-density data storage and energy-efficient transistors.
Lithium-sulphur batteries have high specific energy densities but are susceptible to degradation due to polysulphide and sulphur phase formation. Researchers investigated lithium-sulphur pouch cells using operando analysis, revealing new insights into cell component design and performance.
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute and Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin successfully measure the largest magnetic anisotropy of a single molecule using THz electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. This breakthrough has significant implications for energy-efficient data storage, with potential applications in various fields.
Researchers at HZB developed a new P2X catalyst requiring less iridium than commercial materials, showing remarkable stability and different mechanisms for oxygen evolution. The study provides valuable information about catalyst performance and stability.
Scientists visualized the ultrafast dynamics of molecule dissociation using a new analytical method at BESSY II. The results show that lighter atom groups are ejected first, followed by heavier fragments. This process unfolds rapidly, similar to a 'molecular catapult' effect.
Scientists have investigated the degradation pathways of layered Li-rich oxide cathodes, revealing changes in morphology and structure with each charging cycle. The study provides valuable insights into the chemical processes involved in battery aging.
Researchers developed a new process to create high-performance polymer blends with improved mechanical properties. The process forms stable nanocrystalline layers at the interfaces between different polymer phases, enhancing the transfer of mechanical stresses and increasing tensile properties.
Researchers have developed a highly efficient alkaline membrane electrolyser that approaches the performance of established PEM electrolysers. The use of inexpensive nickel compounds replaces costly and rare iridium, leading to significant advancements in understanding fundamental catalysis mechanisms.
A Spanish-German team has shown that the ferromagnetic element cobalt significantly enhances spin textures in graphene-iridium hybrids. The samples were grown on insulating substrates, which is a necessary prerequisite for multifunctional spintronic devices exploiting these effects.
Researchers have found that MXene catalysts are more stable and efficient than metal oxide compounds for the oxygen evolution reaction. The discovery holds promise for developing low-cost, high-performance electrolysers for producing green hydrogen.
An international team has discovered 3D quantum spin liquids in Nickel Langbeinites, a new class of materials. The discovery was made using neutron experiments and theoretical modelling, which revealed an island of liquidity at the centre of a strongly frustrated lattice.
Researchers at HZB have increased the efficiency of photoelectrochemical cells by operating them under elevated pressure. This reduces losses due to bubble formation and improves light illumination, resulting in a relative increase of 5-10 percent in overall efficiency. The optimal operating pressure range is between 6-8 bar.
Direct seawater electrolysis is not necessary for green hydrogen production, as a simple desalination process can prepare seawater for conventional electrolysers. The development of new types of electrolysers that can operate steadily in seawater would only save the cheap purification step.
Researchers at HZB have developed a method to precisely monitor electrochemical reactions in solid-state batteries using photoelectron spectroscopy at BESSY II. The results show that decomposition products form at interfaces, hindering lithium ion transport and reducing battery capacity with each charge cycle.
Researchers have found that choosing the right electrolyte significantly increases the efficiency of the glycerol oxidation reaction in PEC reactors. The study used a PEC cell with photoanodes made of nanoporous bismuth vanadate and tested acidic electrolytes, finding that certain cations and anions improve photocurrent, stability, and...
Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin have successfully generated coherent, high-power light using ultrafast electrons in storage rings. By reducing the electron bunch length below the wavelength, they created a source with outputs of several kilowatts.
Researchers have developed a new method in spectromicroscopy to investigate chemical species adsorbed on MXene surfaces and intercalated within the material. This technique, Scanning X-ray microscopy (SXM), enables high chemical sensitivity and has provided detailed insights into the chemical composition and structure of MXenes.
The IRIS beamline at BESSY II has been extended with a nanoscope, enabling the imaging and spectroscopy of structures smaller than a thousandth of a human hair. This upgrade allows researchers to study biological systems, catalysts, polymers, and quantum materials with unprecedented resolution.
Researchers at HZB have developed a new approach to create and stabilize complex spin textures like radial vortices in various compounds. By using superconducting structures to imprint domains and surface defects to stabilize them, they achieve stable magnetic microstructures that can be used for spintronic applications.
A recent study found that pulsed charging improves lithium-ion battery stability and lifespan. The study, led by Philipp Adelhelm, demonstrated that high-frequency pulsed current reduces ageing effects and structural changes in the electrode materials, leading to a doubled cycle life with 80% capacity retention.
Researchers have decoded the multiple oxidation processes at the platinum-electrolyte interface in high-temperature PEM fuel cells using tender X-ray studies. The results show that variations in humidity can influence some of these processes to increase the lifetime and efficiency of fuel cells.
An international team has gained insights into special states of matter through experiments at BER II, finding a spin-nematic phase formed under extreme magnetic fields. The results suggest a condensate of bosonic Cooper pairs, analogous to superconductivity.
A team of researchers has shown that quantum computers can solve a specific class of combinatorial optimisation problems much faster than classical computers. This is due to the ability of qubits to take on any value in between zero and one, allowing for exponential polynomial time complexities.
Researchers have discovered dynamic piezoelectricity in ferroelectric hafnia, which can be changed by electric field cycling. This phenomenon offers new options for microelectronics and information technology. The study also suggests the possibility of an intrinsic non-piezoelectric ferroelectric compound.
Scientists found that doping with Scandium reduces structural changes but doesn't improve stability. Magnesium doping suppresses oxygen redox reaction, which is unexpected as magnesium triggers it in other layered manganese oxides.
A new instrument called CLIMAT was developed by HZB physicist Dr Artem Musiienko to characterise semiconductors. It measures 14 parameters of transport properties in a single measurement, including mobility, diffusion lengths and lifetime, for positive and negative charge carriers.
Researchers at BESSY II used RIXS and DFT simulations to analyze the electronic structures of fumarate, maleate, and succinate dianions. The study found that maleate is potentially less stable than fumarate and succinate due to its delocalized HOMO orbital, which can lead to weaker binding with molecules or ions.
A new study at BESSY II has provided deeper insights into the ordering processes and diffusion phenomena in High-Entropy Alloys. The team analysed samples of a Cantor alloy, revealing local atomic structures using element-specific EXAFS and Reverse Monte Carlo analysis.
A team at HZB has developed a new measurement method that accurately detects tiny temperature differences in the range of 100 microkelvin in the thermal Hall effect. This allows for the study of quantum materials and their exotic properties.
Researchers establish new standards for laboratory experiments to improve PET recycling efficiency. Four engineered enzymes were tested, with LCC-ICCG outperforming the others in terms of depolymerisation rate and enzyme requirement. The study aims to accelerate the development of industrial-scale solutions for PET waste management.
Scientists have developed a new method to investigate the deposition and impact of microplastics in soil, using neutron and X-ray tomography. The technique allows for the precise location of microplastic particles and analysis of changes to soil structure, shedding light on the environmental implications of microplastic pollution.
The study reveals sizeable variations and instabilities in electron energies for freshly cleaved MoS2 surfaces, but also shows that atomic hydrogen treatment can effectively neutralize these effects. The findings have potential applications in electronics, photonics, sensors, and catalysis.
Researchers have discovered a way to make solar hydrogen production economically viable by co-producing high-value chemicals like methylsuccinic acid. By coupling the photoelectrochemical (PEC) process with hydrogenation, the cost of hydrogen drops significantly, making it competitive with fossil gas.
Researchers have found that diamond materials can release electrons in water and trigger chemical reactions when excited by light. The team used X-ray spectroscopy to precisely track the processes taking place on the surface of diamond materials, revealing that they are well-suited for use in aqueous solutions.
Researchers used X-ray tomoscopy to study freeze casting processes, observing the formation of complex, hierarchically structured materials with large surface areas. The technique provided high spatial and temporal resolution, revealing the dynamics of directional ice crystal growth and the formation of organic-looking structures.
A team of experts has developed a tool to characterise quantum operations and compare the capabilities of quantum computers with classical computing power using random test sequences. This allows for statistical analysis and benchmarking of quantum computer performance.
A new study at BESSY II analyzed the formation of skyrmions in ferrimagnetic thin films of dysprosium and cobalt. The researchers directly observed Néel-type skyrmions using scanning transmission X-ray microscopy, revealing their domain wall type for the first time.