Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Real-time view inside microreactor reveals 2D semiconductor growth secrets

A team of researchers from Okayama University directly observes the atomic-scale growth of ultra-thin semiconductor crystals using a microreactor. They identify multiple growth regimes and dynamics, shedding light on how crystal shape and quality depend on conditions.

SourceOkayama University·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 2, 2026

Cool satellites and flexible electronics

Researchers at Empa's Mechanics of Materials and Nanostructures laboratory are working to improve the insulation material used in satellites and space probes. They have developed a new intermediate layer that makes the material more elastic and resistant to cracks and flaking, enabling better superinsulation for future satellites.

SourceSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa)·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 16, 2025
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Engineers developing new protective coating for spacecraft

UT Dallas researchers are developing a material to protect spacecraft from atmospheric drag and erosion, which can damage vehicles in space. The new coating has shown promising results, withstanding atomic oxygen conditions better than those in space.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·DateOct 20, 2025

Mizzou researchers shine UV light on the future of computer chips

Researchers at the University of Missouri have created a more efficient method for manufacturing computer chips using ultraviolet-enabled atomic layer deposition (UV-ALD). This approach reduces the number of manufacturing steps, saving time and materials, while also minimizing the use of harmful chemicals.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalChemistry of Materials·DateJul 29, 2025

Tiny but mighty: sophisticated next-gen transistors hold great promise

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a new transistor design using gallium-doped indium oxide, achieving high mobility and reliable performance. The gate-all-around structure enhances efficiency and scalability, making it suitable for big data and AI applications.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·DateJun 6, 2025

Wayne State University professor awarded NSF grant to research the growth of metal and metal-silicon thin films for advanced transistors

A Wayne State University professor has been awarded a three-year $554,853 NSF grant to investigate new molecules and chemical reactions for growing metal and metal-silicon thin films. The research aims to develop advanced transistors with lower power consumption and higher performance.

SourceWayne State University - Office of the Vice President for Research·DateJul 30, 2024
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Outstanding performance of organic solar cell using tin oxide

Organic solar cells fabricated with tin oxide exhibit high performance, surpassing current records. The design involves a conductive layer of tin oxide grown via atomic layer deposition, improving device stability and efficiency.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 24, 2023

Review and outlook of atomic layer deposition for nanoscale oxide semiconductor thin film transistor

The article reviews the outlook of atomic layer deposition (ALD) based oxide semiconductor thin film transistors (TFTs), highlighting four benefits: in-situ composition control, vertical structure engineering, chemical reaction and film properties, and insulator and interface engineering. Despite these advantages, challenging issues re...

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateFeb 20, 2023

New ultrathin capacitor could enable energy-efficient microchips

Researchers developed a thin-layer version of barium titanate, enabling faster switching and lower voltages for next-gen memory and logic devices. The findings could pave the way for more sustainable computing power with reduced energy consumption.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 22, 2022
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Let machines do the work: Automating semiconductor research with machine learning

Researchers use machine learning to automatically analyze Reflection High-Energy Electron Diffraction (RHEED) data, enabling faster and more efficient discovery of new materials. The study focused on surface superstructures in thin-film silicon surfaces and identified optimal synthesis conditions using non-negative matrix factorization.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalScience and Technology of Advanced Materials Methods·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 16, 2022

Electronic skin: Physicist at TU Graz develops multisensory hybrid material

A physicist at TU Graz has developed a three-in-one hybrid material that reacts to force, moisture and temperature with high spatial resolution. The smart skin has potential applications in robotics, smart prosthetics and healthcare, and its production can be easily scaled and implemented.

SourceGraz University of Technology·JournalAdvanced Materials Technologies·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2022
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Material research: New chemistry for ultra-thin gas sensors

Researchers have created a new process for depositing ultra-thin layers of zinc oxide, which can be used to produce high-quality gas sensors and barrier layers. The non-pyrophoric precursor allows for safe handling and low-temperature processing, enabling the coating of plastics.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalSmall·DateJul 1, 2020

Russian scientists to improve the battery for sensors

Researchers at Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University created a solid-state thin-film battery with high specific energy density, suitable for miniature devices like biosensors and smartwatches. The new technology uses Atomic Layer Deposition to produce lithium nickelate cathodes, improving performance and efficiency.

SourcePeter the Great Saint-Petersburg Polytechnic University·JournalEnergies·DateJun 1, 2020

Polymer membranes could benefit from taking a dip

A team of researchers from Argonne National Laboratory has developed a simple pretreatment step that enables membranes to be enhanced using atomic layer deposition (ALD). The method involves dipping membranes in tannic acid, which provides nucleation sites for ALD coatings. This technique now opens up new possibilities for improving me...

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateApr 28, 2020
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

New catalyst provides boost to next-generation EV batteries

A new composite catalyst has been developed to enhance the performance of metal-air batteries (MABs), which are considered a strong candidate for next-generation electric vehicles. The catalyst, combining two types of materials, improves charge and discharge efficiency by synergistically enhancing the reaction rates.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalNano Energy·DateMar 13, 2020

Physicist obtain atomically thin molybdenum disulfide films on large-area substrates

Researchers have developed a method to synthesize large-area, atomically thin molybdenum disulfide films with modified structures depending on the synthesis temperature. The resulting films show promise for use in electronic devices and optical communication, with potential breakthroughs in transparent and flexible electronics.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalACS Applied Nano Materials·DateJan 22, 2020

A cheaper way to scale up atomic layer deposition

Scientists at EPFL have developed a cheaper way to scale up atomic layer deposition, reducing costs and increasing precision. The new liquid-phase method uses standard lab equipment and achieves coatings that are not possible with gas-phase ALD.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateNov 11, 2019

NASA's coating technology could help resolve lunar dust challenge

A new coating technology being tested on the International Space Station has shown promise in reducing electrical charges that can damage spacecraft electronics. The coating, developed using atomic layer deposition, could also help make spacesuits more conductive and reduce lunar dust's electrostatic charge.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateNov 5, 2019
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Data-transmitting light signal gets power boost from nanosized amplifier

A team of international researchers has developed a nanosized amplifier to boost light signals in microchips, significantly reducing signal attenuation. The breakthrough utilizes atomic layer deposition method and could lead to increased performance and energy efficiency in microcircuit systems.

SourceAalto University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 5, 2019

New mirror-coating technology promises dramatic improvements in telescopes

Researchers at UC Santa Cruz have developed a new coating technology using thin-film materials from the electronics industry to improve telescope mirrors. The technology uses atomic layer deposition to create a protective silver coating on large silver-based mirror surfaces, potentially increasing their efficiency and extending their l...

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·DateSep 18, 2017
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

NRL reveals novel uniform coating process of p-ALD

Scientists at NRL devised a novel combination to achieve uniform nanometer-thick shell on core particles, regardless of core size. This breakthrough technology creates new designer core/shell particles for multifunctional nanocomposites.

SourceNaval Research Laboratory·JournalJournal of Vacuum Science & Technology A Vacuum Surfaces and Films·DateApr 20, 2016
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Molecular-scale ALD discovery could have industrial-sized impact

Researchers at the University of Alberta have developed a new method for making thin films using atomic layer deposition (ALD), reducing waste and potentially cutting precursor costs. The technique involves pulsing gas into the chamber to free up blocked receptors, increasing efficiency in manufacturing processes.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateMar 30, 2016

Go ahead, dunk your cell phone in salt water

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a new way to produce better barrier films using atomic layer deposition, which can protect electronics in harsh environments such as salt water for months. The new coatings can extend the lifetime and reliability of electronic devices.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·DateOct 30, 2013

NASA engineer achieves another milestone in emerging nanotechnology

A NASA team has successfully grown uniform layers of carbon nanotubes using atomic layer deposition, enabling the growth of these forests on three-dimensional components like baffles and tubes. This innovation promises to make spacecraft instruments more sensitive without enlarging their size.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 17, 2013
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Boiling breakthrough: Nano-coating doubles rate of heat transfer

A new nano-coating developed by Georgia Tech researchers doubles the rate of heat transfer in pool boiling, increasing efficiency and potential applications for electronics and energy systems. The coating enhances rewetting of the solid surface, allowing bubbles to carry away more heat.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateFeb 15, 2012

Incorporating biofunctionality into nanomaterials for medical, health devices

Researchers at North Carolina State University developed a new technique to incorporate biological functionality into nanomaterials, enabling the creation of effective and affordable water purification devices. The technology has been shown to neutralize two common pathogens, E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus, in membrane filters.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·DateMar 22, 2010

Butterfly wing scales provide template for complex photonic structures

Scientists at Georgia Tech have demonstrated a new technique for fabricating nanoscale optical waveguides and splitters using artificial butterfly wing scales. The replicas accurately replicated the physical features and optical properties of the natural wing scales, exhibiting similar shape, orientation, and distribution.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNano Letters·DateDec 11, 2006

New facility puts Ames lab on thin-film fast track

Researchers David Jiles and John Snyder will focus on mechanisms of clean, multi-element film growth and structuring of films at the atomistic to nano-length scale. Thin-films could replace semiconductor technology for nonvolatile computer RAM, boosting data storage capacity by 10-50 times.

SourceDOE/Ames National Laboratory·DateMar 1, 2002
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.