Scientists have discovered a simple method to harness the thermoelectric effect by combining a graphite pencil with a conductive coating on paper. The resulting voltage is comparable to expensive nanocomposites, offering potential applications in flexible electronics and wearable devices.
The study reveals that the remarkable surface conductivity of SmB6 is not related to its topological nature but rather due to a shifting of band gaps. This finding opens up new possibilities for energy-efficient information technology and spintronics.
An international team has developed a new approach to produce complex materials from simple organic building blocks through self-organization. The researchers successfully created a semiregular 3.4.6.4 tessellation with large hexagonal meshes, exhibiting unusual properties and potential applications.
Researchers have discovered that mesoporous perovskite solar cells exhibit better output stability than their planar counterparts due to the large surface area of the interface. The mesoporous structure dilutes defects, leading to a more stable power output and increased resilience to defect accumulation.
Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin discover why perovskite solar cells function despite numerous holes. The thin layer built up in the film prevents short circuits by recombination barrier and electron transport layer separation.
The new detector module MultiFLEXX enables faster data collection by measuring multiple angles and energies simultaneously, reducing measurement times by a factor of 10. This results in significant gains in acquisition efficiency, particularly useful for applications involving temperature or magnetic field mapping.
Researchers develop new method to dope organic semiconductors with n-type donor molecules using a two-step process involving the use of light. This approach enables significant increases in conductivity, making it suitable for applications such as light-emitting diodes and solar cells.
Researchers have discovered a mechanism to develop magnetic storage media with lower energy expenditure by combining ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic spins. Antiferromagnetic dysprosium can be toggled using short laser pulses, requiring less energy than conventional magnets.
Researchers have discovered a new magnetic phase transition in a uranium-ruthenium crystal at extremely high magnetic fields. At around 21.6 Tesla, the magnetic moments of uranium atoms point alternatingly up-up-down in opposite directions, forming an uncompensated antiferromagnetic order.
The study reveals that bismuth doping in PbSnSe films causes a ferroelectric phase transition, changing the allowable energy levels of electrons. This effect enables the development of new functionality, including lossless conduction of electricity.
Researchers have made an important step toward understanding optically controlled magnetic storage devices, finding that laser light plays a key role in toggling magnetisation alignments. The study reveals the formation of a ring-shaped region around the tiny laser spot and its impact on the material's temperature distribution.
Researchers found that a heat treatment under hydrogen doubles the life span of charge carriers in metal oxide photoelectrodes, leading to improved photocurrent under sunlight. This breakthrough could potentially reduce costs and increase stability for commercialization.
Researchers have developed a new mathematical model that describes how molecules are transported to react within nanoreactors. The model reveals that the reaction rate is not limited by molecule concentration, but rather by the shell's permeability, opening up possibilities for controlling chemical reactions.
Soil scientists have developed a new method to observe water transport in soil and plant roots, enabling the first-ever 3D mapping of this process in just 10 seconds. This breakthrough technology could also be applied to study fuel cells, batteries, and construction materials.
A team from HZB and EMPA successfully realized direct electron beam writing of silver nanocrystals using Electron-Beam-Induced Deposition. This breakthrough enables the creation of complex features onto a substrate in a single step, promising applications in nano-optics and information technology.
Scientists have discovered that three-dimensional graphene can be tuned to exhibit precise control over its plasmon frequencies through doping, pore size, or molecule attachment. This property may enable the creation of specific chemical sensors and solar cells.
Researchers have developed a new cathode material that uses porous Ti4O7 nanoparticles to confine polysulfides, resulting in high specific capacity and stable performance. This material has the potential to replace expensive and toxic heavy-metal compounds used in traditional lithium-sulphur batteries.
Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin have developed a new switching process for non-volatile spintronics devices using asymmetric nanorings. The process involves applying a short magnetic field pulse, which leads to an intermediate 'onion state' and subsequently results in a stable opposite magnetization of the ring.
Scientists used X-ray laser pulses to investigate how energy from light transforms a molecule, revealing a mechanism for protecting biomolecules against light-induced damage. The research provides insight into excited state proton transfers in DNA and other molecules.
A research team analyzed PFIA membrane samples using infrared spectroscopy to understand water retention. They found that PFIA is better at managing water in low humidity conditions, retaining it through a hydrogen-bonded network. This improvement is crucial for further optimizing membranes and extending their operational area.
A team at HZB and Univ. of Freiburg has cooled 10 million ions to 7.4 K using a novel method, allowing for cryogenic X-ray spectroscopy and studying magnetism and ground states of molecular ions. This achievement paves the way for developing new materials for energy-efficient information technologies.
A new method allows for the analysis of dissolved molecules using time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy, simplifying laser experiments with ionic liquids. This enables insights into physical and chemical processes of novel liquid energy materials.
Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin have discovered a new materials system that can create complex magnetic patterns, including monopoles and skyrmions, which could lead to faster and more efficient data storage. The system uses superconducting YBaCuO-dots covered with an extremely thin permalloy film.
Researchers at HZB and Marburg developed an expert system that identifies small molecule fragments bound to proteins in raw X-ray diffraction data. The system has been successfully tested on 364 samples, revealing additional candidates for drug development.
Researchers developed a transparent metal electrode with improved efficiency, using fractal-like nano-features inspired by leaf veins. The new design combines low surface coverage and ultra-low resistance, surpassing conventional indium tin oxide layers.
Researchers have discovered a way to increase lithium-ion battery capacity by up to 2300 mAh/g, more than six times the current maximum for graphite-based batteries. Extremely thin layers of silicon can be sufficient to absorb high amounts of lithium, reducing material and energy consumption.
Researchers have observed a novel state of matter with quantum spin liquid properties in calcium-chromium oxide monocrystals. Despite conventional expectations, the spins remain collective and dynamic even at extremely low temperatures, exhibiting unique behavior.
An international team has discovered an elegant way to decouple organic nanosheets grown on metal surfaces. By exposing the networks to iodine vapour, they reduced the adhesion between the network and the metal, allowing the molecules to behave almost as if they were free-standing.
Researchers found charge density waves extending deeply into superconducting regions, allowing for new ways to manipulate superconductivity. The discovery paves the way to controlling the superconducting state itself.
A new spintronics-based system has been developed, offering improved performance over conventional heat-assisted magnetic recording materials. The DyCo5 nanostructures demonstrate a lower writing temperature and higher stability of magnetic bits, enabling faster and more energy-efficient data storage.
Researchers have developed a method to analyze the electronic states of iron(II) in aqueous solution, revealing new insights into its interactions with surrounding solvent. This breakthrough could improve our understanding of electron interactions in catalytic and functional materials.
Researchers have successfully controlled spin currents in topological insulators using circularly polarised laser light, opening the door for ultra-energy efficient data processing. The findings, published in Physical Review B, demonstrate the potential of these materials for spintronic applications.
Researchers observed defects forming during CIGSe solar cell fabrication and found that excess copper helps reduce defects. The study suggests that the copper-rich phase plays a crucial role in eliminating defects, regardless of temperature.
A team has directly observed the cause for the missing efficiency in zinc oxide-based dye-sensitised solar cells. Interface states trap charge carriers, reducing efficiency levels.
Researchers have developed a stable and conductive protective layer for the 'artificial leaf' that enhances water oxidation efficiency. The innovative layer, made from ruthenium dioxide nanoparticles and an organic polymer, improves current densities and stability.
Scientists at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin developed a protective layer for the 'artificial leaf' that converts 12% of incident solar energy into hydrogen. The new layer, made from graphene, enables stable and efficient water splitting.
Scientists have successfully mapped the potential surface of a small molecule, acetone, using resonant inelastic X-ray scattering. This technique provides direct access to the ground state potential energy surface around selected atomic sites, enabling researchers to study hydrogen bonding and its effects on molecular behavior.
Researchers have shown that magnetism does not cause topological insulators to lose their conductivity. Instead, they found a band gap that is significantly larger than predicted by theory and involves a different causal mechanism. The study suggests that scattering processes may be responsible for opening the band gap.
Scientists have discovered a new approach to tailor interface properties of metal oxide sandwiches, allowing for the control of ferromagnetism and superconductivity. The team found that the charge transfer between materials strongly depends on the rare earth element used, enabling the manipulation of interfacial phases.
Researchers have discovered a new class of catalysts that use iron-nitrogen compounds in graphene, achieving levels of activity comparable to platinum-based catalysts. The purification process allows for the creation of exclusively FeN4 centres, which provide high catalytic efficiency even without promoters.
Researchers develop a new algorithm to simulate electron trajectories in complex magnetic fields, significantly reducing simulation time. The method is applied to multipoles such as quadrupoles or sextupoles, yielding precise results and improving the stability of electron orbits.
Researchers have developed a hybrid silicon/perovskite tandem solar cell with an optimum band gap of 1.75eV, achieving a significant increase in efficiency due to improved light absorption and stability. This breakthrough could lead to the development of high-efficiency solar modules with increased theoretical maximum efficiency.
A team at HZB has developed an alternative method for representing microstructures in polycrystalline materials, utilizing Raman microspectroscopy. This non-invasive technique allows for orientation distribution mapping without specimen preparation, enabling analysis under ambient conditions.
Researchers discovered that guest molecules in host structures of oligothiophene and polythiophene form crystalline phases, controlling electrical conductivity. Precise control over these materials' properties is crucial for successful organic electronics applications.
Researchers have discovered that silicon nanocones can intensify luminescence by up to 200 times compared to nanocolumns. This is due to the amplification of electromagnetic waves through whisper gallery modes, which facilitate increased electron excitation and release of light.
Researchers have developed a new class of materials for organic electronics, featuring polymeric carbon nitrides with high charge mobility and long lifetimes. These materials show promise for building durable and efficient components for organic electronics applications.
A new monolithic tandem solar cell has been developed, combining perovskite and silicon materials to achieve an efficiency of 18%, nearly 20% higher than individual cells. The device's design includes a protective layer and a textured wafer, which could further increase efficiency up to 30%.
Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin improved ultrathin CIGSe solar cells by integrating nanoparticles into the back contact, resulting in increased efficiency and reduced charge carrier loss. This innovative approach enables more efficient light trapping and absorption, paving the way for further design enhancements.
Researchers have developed a process to cover fragile perovskite layers with graphene, resulting in an ideal front contact. The graphene layer enhances transparency and reduces open-circuit voltage losses, increasing overall conversion efficiency.
A team of researchers has achieved an unprecedented 14% efficiency in solar hydrogen production, breaking a 17-year-old record. The breakthrough involves a patented photo-electrochemical process that enhances long-term stability and boosts energy output.