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New low-resistance contacts pave way for improved gallium nitride semiconductor devices

Researchers at Nagoya University developed a new way to lower the resistance of p-type GaN contacts by depositing an ultrathin magnesium layer and applying a brief heat treatment. This approach achieves a contact resistivity of (1–3) × 10⁻⁴ Ω cm², a significant improvement over existing methods. The new process has promise for accelera...

SourceNagoya University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 24, 2026

TIFRH researchers uncover a mechanism enabling glasses to self-regulate their brittleness

TIFRH researchers found that imparting additional motility to poorly annealed glass components can induce further annealing, transforming a ductile material into a brittle one. This discovery provides insights into how cells might regulate glassiness and aids in designing new metamaterials.

SourceTata Institute of Fundamental Research·JournalNature Physics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 17, 2025

Researchers unlock hidden pathway to tunable magnetic devices

Scientists at Rice University have discovered how a disappearing electronic pattern in a quantum material can be revived under specific thermal conditions. The finding opens new doors for customizable quantum materials and in-situ engineering, where devices are manufactured or manipulated directly at their point of use.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 9, 2025

New technique could help build quantum computers of the future

Researchers have developed a method to create and control optical qubits in silicon with high precision, enabling the fabrication of reliable quantum computers. This breakthrough could advance quantum computing and networking capabilities, paving the way for breakthroughs in human health, drug discovery, and artificial intelligence.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2024

Novel quantum algorithm for high-quality solutions to combinatorial optimization problems

Researchers have proposed an innovative quantum algorithm that effectively solves combinatorial optimization problems with constraints in a short time. The pVSQA algorithm uses a quantum device to generate a variational quantum state and transform infeasible solutions into feasible ones, achieving near-optimal performance.

SourceWaseda University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Quantum Engineering·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 25, 2024

Aluminum nanoparticles make tunable green catalysts

Rice University researchers have developed a transformative approach to harnessing the catalytic power of aluminum nanoparticles by annealing them in various gas atmospheres at high temperatures. This allows for modifying the structure of the oxide layer, making the nanoparticles versatile tools for different applications.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 5, 2024

Houston, we have a solution

Researchers demonstrate that perovskite solar cells damaged by proton radiation in low-earth orbit can recover up to 100% of their original efficiency via thermal vacuum annealing. The study used ultrathin sapphire substrates and found that fluorine diffusion from the dopant causes defects, which can be reversed by heat treatment.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 17, 2023

Controllable ‘defects’ improve performance of lithium-ion batteries

Researchers at North Carolina State University used a new laser technique to improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries. The technique creates tiny defects in graphite material, which can enhance battery performance, increase current capacity by up to 20%, and reduce the risk of fires. However, excessive defects can lead to probl...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalCarbon·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 8, 2023

Glass as stable as crystal : homogeneity leads to stability

Researchers from The University of Tokyo Institute of Industrial Science used computer simulations to study the aging mechanism that can cause an amorphous glassy material to turn into a crystal. By removing tiny irregularities in local densities, they found that it prevents atomic avalanches that trigger ordered structure formation.

Evidence of power: Phasing quantum annealers into experiments from nonequilibrium physics

Researchers validate the Kibble-Zurek mechanism in quantum magnetic systems and demonstrate its applicability to open quantum systems using commercially available D-Wave annealers. The study provides strong experimental evidence for the generalized theory, showcasing the potential of quantum annealers in exploring nonequilibrium physics.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Research·DateSep 10, 2020

Innovative computer under scrutiny

Researchers confirm D-Wave uses quantum effects but are critical of its classification as a computer. The system solves optimization problems but is slower than traditional computers for most tests.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Physics·DateMar 17, 2014

Particle-free silver ink prints small, high-performance electronics

The University of Illinois has created a reactive silver ink that can print small, high-performance electronics on flexible plastics, papers, or fabrics without the need for metal particles. The ink is faster to make, more stable, and suitable for smaller nozzles, making it ideal for printed microelectronics.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJan 12, 2012