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Building a better semiconductor

Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a new method to change the electronic properties of materials, enabling more efficient solid-state electronics. By using ultrafast laser pulses, they can create new electronic phases with desired properties.

Stanford researchers stretch a thin crystal to get better solar cells

Researchers at Stanford University have created an artificial crystal with a variable band gap using molybdenum disulfide, a material that can be stretched without breaking. This could lead to the development of more efficient solar cells that absorb energy from a broader spectrum of light.

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.

Bringing high-energy particle detection in from the cold

Researchers discovered a promising material called thallium sulfide iodide that can be used to create high-performance, low-cost, and room-temperature semiconductor radiation detectors. The material has higher density, heavier chemical elements, and lower growth temperature compared to existing candidates.

Defects in atomically thin semiconductor emit single photons

Researchers at the University of Rochester have created optically active quantum dots in a 2D semiconductor, which could enable nanophotonics applications and integrated photonics. The defects on the atomically thin semiconductor emit single photons with correlated color and spin.

Chemists make new silicon-based nanomaterials

Researchers at Brown University have developed a method to create pure, p-type semiconductors from silicon telluride, which could be used in various electronic and optical devices. The materials can take up lithium and magnesium, making them suitable for battery electrodes.

30 years after C60: Fullerene chemistry with silicon

Researchers at Goethe University have successfully synthesised a silicon dodecahedron, a structurally similar compound to C60. The molecule features an Si20 Platonic solid and opens up new possibilities for the semiconductor industry.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

UT Dallas technology could make night vision, thermal imaging affordable

Engineers at UT Dallas have created a semiconductor technology that can detect electromagnetic waves to create images at nearly 10 terahertz, making night vision and heat-based imaging more accessible. This breakthrough could enable various applications such as animal tracking, intruder detection, and building inspection.

International research partnership tricks the light fantastic

A team of researchers from the University of Cincinnati has made a breakthrough in developing a new type of plasmonic device that can process data using light waves. The device has the potential to make electronics faster, cheaper and more sustainable by reducing heat and power consumption.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

New nanowire structure absorbs light efficiently

Researchers at Aalto University have developed a new method to combine different types of nanowires into a single array, improving absorption efficiency. The dual-type nanowire arrays show better light coupling and reduced reflection, making them suitable for applications such as solar cells and LEDs.

Beyond silicon: New semiconductor moves spintronics toward reality

A new semiconductor compound is bringing fresh momentum to the field of spintronics, an emerging breed of computing device that may lead to smaller, faster, less power-hungry electronics. The compound's unique low-symmetry crystal structure offers much greater flexibility, enabling precise control over conductivity and magnetism.

Research shows benefits of silicon carbide for sensors in harsh environments

Research from Griffith University demonstrates silicon carbide's superiority as a semiconductor for high-performance sensors in various industries, including mining and aerospace. The compound's unique electronic structure provides mechanical strength, chemical inertness, thermal durability, and electrical stability.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Demystifying nanocrystal solar cells

Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a physical model explaining electron transport in nanocrystal solar cells, which could lead to improved efficiency. The model reveals that nanocrystal size can be controlled to optimize absorption of sunlight, enabling the creation of flexible and thin solar cells with higher performance.

Piezoelectricity in a 2-D semiconductor

Researchers at Berkeley Lab have observed piezoelectricity in a free-standing single layer of molybdenum disulfide, a potential successor to silicon. The discovery has the potential to lead to tunable piezo-materials and devices for extremely small force generation and sensing.

Electron pairs on demand

Researchers from Leibniz University Hannover and PTB have successfully demonstrated the on-demand emission of electron pairs from a semiconductor quantum dot. The resulting electron pairs were found to be spatially separated with over 90% efficiency, a crucial step towards future applications such as quantum computing and cryptography.

New way to move atomically thin semiconductors for use in flexible devices

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new transfer technique for atomic-layer semiconducting thin films, allowing for faster and damage-free transfer onto flexible substrates. The technique uses room-temperature water, a tissue, and tweezers to transfer MoS2 films up to 5 centimeters in diameter.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

World record in data transmission with smart circuits

Researchers designed microwave circuits that can transmit high-frequency signals with sufficient power, paving the way for faster wireless data transmission. They aim to demonstrate 100 Gigabit per second wireless data transfer within a few years.

Protecting our processors

The NSF/SRC STARSS program aims to reduce the likelihood of unintended behavior in semiconductors. Researchers will focus on strategies and tools for authentication throughout the supply chain and in the field.

Making quantum dots glow brighter

Researchers have discovered a way to control the properties of quantum dots by using ultrathin layers of metal oxides. This new approach makes quantum dots glow brighter and enhances their emission efficiency, which is crucial for applications such as sensors, light-emitting diodes, and solar cells.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

LEDs made from 'wonder material' perovskite

A hybrid form of perovskite has been used to make high-brightness LEDs with a simple and scalable process, potentially replacing conventional methods. The results could provide a lot of value to the flat-panel display industry.

Superconductivity could form at high temperatures in layered 2-D crystals

Scientists have designed a new material that could enable superconductivity at temperatures rivaling those seen in cuprates, potentially paving the way for more practical applications. The proposed design features layers of semiconductor compounds separated by insulator spacers, which would create indirect excitons that become superflu...

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

A crystal wedding in the nanocosmos

Scientists successfully integrated compound semiconductor crystals made of indium arsenide into silicon nanowires, overcoming a major obstacle in chip technology. The production method, which involves ion implantation and heat treatment, enables the creation of 'hetero-nanowires' with improved performance.

First ab initio method for characterizing hot carriers

Researchers developed an ab initio method to study hot carriers in semiconductors, providing data for hot carrier dynamics in silicon and other materials. The method found that thermalization under solar illumination is completed within 350 femtoseconds, dominated by phonon emission from hot carriers.

A million times better

Researchers at TUM and UT Austin developed nonlinear mirrors that reflect frequency-doubled output using input light intensity as small as a laser pointer. The new materials produce approximately one million times higher intensity of frequency-doubled output compared to traditional materials.

JCAP stabilizes common semiconductors for solar fuels generation

Researchers at JCAP devise a method to protect common semiconductors like silicon and gallium arsenide from corrosion in solar-fuel generators. They use a process called atomic layer deposition to form a protective layer of titanium dioxide, allowing the materials to absorb light efficiently while preventing corrosion.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Chemists challenge conventional understanding of how photocatalysis works

A team of chemists at UC Riverside proposes a new model explaining the promoting effect in photocatalysis, suggesting that excited electrons promote hydrogen reduction on the semiconductor surface rather than transferring to metals. This radical approach could lead to the development of more economical and efficient photocatalysts.

Probing dopant distribution

Researchers have demonstrated that the distribution of dopants in semiconductor nanocrystals is crucial for controlling optical properties. By probing electron distribution using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, they found that surface-doped samples exhibit reduced activation of dopants and symmetric plasmon resonances.

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.

Nanosheets and nanowires

Researchers in China have developed a convenient way to selectively prepare germanium sulfide nanostructures, including nanosheets and nanowires. These nanostructures show outstanding photoresponsive behavior, indicating their potential use in solar energy conversion systems and optoelectronics.

New semiconductor holds promise for 2-D physics and electronics

Researchers discovered a unique new two-dimensional semiconductor, rhenium disulfide, with direct-bandgap properties. The material's weak interlayer coupling makes it ideal for studying 2D physics and applications in tribology, solar cells, and valleytronics.

Surface characteristics influence cellular growth on semiconductor material

Researchers at North Carolina State University discovered that altering the surface characteristics of a semiconductor material can significantly impact how neural cells grow. The study used gallium nitride and PC12 cells to mimic neural behavior, finding varying degrees of cell adhesion and growth on different textured surfaces.

Scientists build thinnest-possible LEDs to be stronger, more energy efficient

University of Washington researchers develop two-dimensional, flexible semiconductors to build the thinnest-known LED, only three atoms thick yet mechanically strong. The LED can be used in a wide range of applications, including lighting and optical communication, offering high energy efficiency and miniaturization possibilities.

How 19th century physics could change the future of nanotechnology

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have developed a new method of light-matter interaction analysis, which appears to be a good way of helping make better semiconductor nanowires. The technique uses Rayleigh scattering to probe band structures and electron-hole dynamics in single indium phosphide nanowires.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Superabsorbing design may lower manufacturing cost of thin film solar cells

Researchers at NC State University developed a 'superabsorbing' design that improves light absorption efficiency of thin film solar cells by decreasing semiconductor material thickness. The design, which looks like an onion, can absorb up to 90% of available solar energy using just a 10nm thick layer of amorphous silicon.

JILA physicists discover 'quantum droplet' in semiconductor

Researchers at JILA discovered a new quasiparticle, called a 'quantum droplet', which has both quantum and liquid-like characteristics. The droplets are stable enough for future studies on interactions between light and highly correlated states of matter.

A cavity that you want

A team of researchers from the University at Buffalo and two Chinese universities has developed an optical nanocavity that boosts the amount of light ultrathin semiconductors absorb. The advancement could lead to more powerful photovoltaic cells, faster video cameras, and potentially aid in developing hydrogen fuel.

New, inexpensive production materials boost promise of hydrogen fuel

Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison developed new, oxide-based materials to split water into hydrogen and oxygen gases using solar energy. The dual-layer catalyst design enabled a record high efficiency of 1.7%, making it possible to produce fuel at a price competitive with gasoline.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Oregon researchers shed new light on solar water-splitting process

Researchers used a dual-electrode photoelectrochemistry method to study the flow of electrons at semiconductor-electrocatalyst junctions. They found that thin layers of ion-porous electrocatalyst material work best, reducing energy loss associated with the catalyst-semiconductor interface.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Tiny antennas let long light waves see in infrared

Researchers at the University of Illinois developed nano-antennas that can detect molecules resonating in the infrared spectrum. The antennas concentrate long-wavelength light into ultra-subwavelength volumes, enhancing detection of small materials with standard IR spectrometers.

Shining a little light changes metal into semiconductor

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have created a new class of materials that change their electronic properties when exposed to light. The composite material combines gold nanorods and zinc oxide, leading to improved performance in solar cells and potential applications for sensitive sensors.

Hydrogen fuel from sunlight

Researchers at the Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis have developed a method to interface molecular hydrogen-producing catalysts with a semiconductor that absorbs visible light. This breakthrough enables the production of hydrogen fuel from sunlight without external electrical potential.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Putting more science into the art of making nanocrystals

Researchers have created a more systematic approach to synthesizing quantum dots, enabling the purification of semiconductor nanocrystals with uniform surface properties. The new method uses gel-permeation chromatography and has been shown to produce quantum dots with improved stability and reactivity.

Laser guided codes advance single pixel terahertz imaging

Researchers developed a single-pixel imaging technique using coded apertures to quickly manipulate THz waves, producing high-fidelity images in seconds. The technique has the potential to revolutionize areas like chemical fingerprinting, security imaging, and real-time skin cancer detection.

Microwave oven cooks up solar cell material

Researchers used a microwave oven to produce a nanocrystal semiconductor for more efficient photovoltaic solar cells and LED lights, biological sensors, and systems to convert waste heat to electricity. The method produces the material quickly and uses less toxic metals than other semiconductors.

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.