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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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateFeb 26, 2014

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.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 29, 2013

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.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalJournal of Crystal Growth·DateMay 5, 2013

Shaking things up: NIST researchers propose new old way to purify carbon nanotubes

A team at NIST has developed a simple and cost-effective way to separate metallic from semiconducting carbon nanotubes, paving the way for high-purity samples in electronics applications. The method uses liquid extraction with subtle differences in polymer hydrophobicity, yielding high-resolution results.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMay 1, 2013

U. of Illinois researchers measure near-field behavior of semiconductor plasmonic microparticles

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new technique to measure nanometer-scale infrared absorption in semiconductor plasmonic microparticles. This allows for direct observation of plasmonic behavior within microparticle infrared antennas, enabling confirmation of theoretical models and design parameters.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateApr 22, 2013

A giant step toward miniaturization

Researchers at Polytechnique Montréal and international partners create a new method for self-doping nanowires, allowing for precise control of electronic properties. This breakthrough enables the development of novel nanoscale devices with tailored shape and composition.

SourcePolytechnique Montréal·JournalNature·DateApr 3, 2013