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Efficient hydrogen production made easy

Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory discover a simple chemical treatment using hydrazine to dope electrons into semiconductors, creating one of the best hydrogen-evolution electrocatalysts. This breakthrough has wide potential applications in energy and electronics.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 13, 2016

Optics breakthrough to revamp night vision

A new type of ultra-thin film can absorb almost 99% of light, revolutionizing night vision and sensing devices. This technology has the potential to save millions of dollars in defence and agriculture applications.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalOptica·DateMay 24, 2016
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.

Researchers develop new semiconducting polymer for forthcoming flexible electronics

Researchers developed a new n-type semiconducting polymer with superior electron mobility and oxidative stability, boosting charge transport in polymer semiconductors. The modified polymer formed a superstructure composed of polymer backbone crystals and side-chain crystals, resulting in high semicrystalline order.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateApr 20, 2016
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.

Semiconductor-inspired superconducting quantum computing devices

Builders of future superconducting quantum computers may learn from semiconductors to simplify operation and improve qubits. Researchers found an efficient implementation using novel control approaches, eliminating costly overheads for control and reducing gate error rates.

SourceJoint Quantum Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 17, 2016

How to train your bacterium

Researchers induce self-photosensitization of M. thermoacetica with cadmium sulfide nanoparticles, enabling photosynthesis and synthesis of semiconductor nanoparticles for efficient solar-to-chemical production.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateJan 4, 2016

Nanoworld 'snow blowers' carve straight channels in semiconductor surfaces

Researchers from NIST and IBM have created a 'self-assembly' method using gold nanoparticles that can carve straight channels into semiconductor surfaces. The process, discovered through trial and error, involves heating water vapor to etch nanoscale pits into the surface.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNano Letters·DateDec 28, 2015

Time-resolved measurement of the anomalous velocity

Scientists at PTB have successfully measured the anomalous velocity in a GaAs semiconductor with sub-picosecond time resolution, providing new insights into its microscopic origins and potential applications. The study enables the distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic contributions to the anomaly.

SourcePhysikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 16, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Nanostructured metal coatings let the light through for electronic devices

Researchers developed a nanostructured metal coating that lets light through without hindering electrical access, outperforming flat surfaces. The coating combines enhanced optical transmission with electrical contact, enabling higher-efficiency optoelectronic devices.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateDec 9, 2015

NREL research advances understanding of photoelectrodes

Scientists at NREL have developed a new probe to monitor the formation and decay of fields within photoelectrodes, enabling better understanding of their photophysics. This breakthrough could lead to improvements in the design of more efficient and stable photoelectrochemical cells for solar energy conversion.

SourceDOE/National Renewable Energy Laboratory·JournalScience·DateDec 8, 2015

New technique could expand number of diseases detected by noninvasive prenatal testing

Researchers developed a method to detect small chromosomal deletions or duplications, such as Cri du Chat Syndrome and DiGeorge Syndrome, with a simple blood test. The new semiconductor sequencing platform can identify these abnormalities at an average gestational age of 24 weeks, reducing the need for invasive procedures.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 9, 2015
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.

Manipulating wrinkles could lead to graphene semiconductors

Researchers at RIKEN have discovered that wrinkles in graphene can form a junction-like structure, changing its electronic properties from zero-gap conductor to semiconductor and back. By manipulating the carbon structure using scanning tunneling microscopy, they have opened up new possibilities for graphene engineering.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 23, 2015

Laser ablation boosts terahertz emission

Researchers at OIST have developed a method to increase efficiency of THz emission in gallium arsenide-based devices using femtosecond-laser-ablation. This technique improves the material's properties, leading to near 100% photon absorption and broader absorption bandwidth.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalOptics Letters·DateSep 17, 2015

New efficiency record for solar hydrogen production is 14 percent

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.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 15, 2015
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Researchers in Basel develop ideal single-photon source

Physicists at the University of Basel have created a new type of light source that emits identical single photons, a crucial step towards quantum information technology. The breakthrough uses a semiconductor quantum dot to control nuclear spin, allowing for indistinguishable photons.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 7, 2015

Surprising discoveries about 2-D molybdenum disulfide

The team used the Campanile probe to spectroscopically map nanoscale excited-state/relaxation processes in monolayer crystals of molybdenum disulfide, revealing significant optoelectronic heterogeneity. The discovery of an unexpected edge region with sulfur deficiency holds implications for future optoelectronic applications.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 14, 2015

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.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 26, 2015
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.

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.

SourceStanford University School of Engineering·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 25, 2015

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.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateMay 5, 2015

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.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMay 4, 2015
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

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.

SourceBrown University·JournalNano Letters·DateMar 26, 2015

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.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateMar 18, 2015
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

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.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·DateMar 4, 2015

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.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·DateMar 2, 2015
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

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.

SourceAalto University·JournalNano Letters·DateFeb 25, 2015

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.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateFeb 19, 2015

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.

SourceGriffith University·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry C·DateFeb 9, 2015

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.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 28, 2015
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

3-D 'pop-up' silicon structures: Transforming planar materials into 3-D microarchitectures

Complex 3D micro/nanostructures are crucial in biology, and researchers have created a simple route to form these structures by exploiting mechanics principles. The process involves using a pre-strained elastomer substrate to induce buckling processes that transform planar materials into well-defined, 3D frameworks.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalScience·DateJan 8, 2015

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.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateDec 22, 2014

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.

SourcePhysikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB)·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateDec 4, 2014

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.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalACS Nano·DateNov 13, 2014
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.

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.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·DateOct 21, 2014

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.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·DateSep 23, 2014

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.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateSep 16, 2014
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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateAug 5, 2014

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...

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 28, 2014

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.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalNano Research·DateJul 23, 2014

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.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 17, 2014
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.

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.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature·DateJul 2, 2014

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.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateMay 29, 2014

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 19, 2014

Nanoengineers develop basis for electronics that stretch at the molecular level

Researchers have made breakthroughs in developing flexible and stretchable electronic materials that can conform to non-planar surfaces without wrinkling. These materials have potential applications in energy harvesting, biomedical devices, wearable electronics, and consumer electronics.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalChemistry of Materials·DateMay 2, 2014
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.

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.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMay 2, 2014

Multilayer, microscale solar cells enable ultrahigh efficiency power generation

Researchers at the University of Illinois developed multilayer, microscale solar cells that can operate across the entire solar spectrum at exceptionally high efficiency. The technology enables quadruple-junction four-terminal solar cells with individually measured efficiencies of 43.9 percent.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalNature Materials·DateApr 28, 2014
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

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.

SourceInternational Union of Crystallography·JournalJournal of Applied Crystallography·DateApr 1, 2014

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.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 20, 2014