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New technique sheds light on longstanding debates about ferroelectric materials

Researchers have developed a novel technique to observe real-time domain wall behavior in ferroelectric materials during 'poling' and 'depoling', providing deeper insights into the mechanisms at play. This breakthrough resolves longstanding debates about AC and DC poling, shedding light on the polarization state of these materials.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2026
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Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Brain-inspired nanotech points to a new era in electronics

Researchers at Flinders University and UNSW Sydney develop a breakthrough approach to create memristor-like devices inspired by the human brain. These devices can store and process information at varying levels, enabling multi-level data storage and eliminating repetitive wall injection or erasure.

SourceFlinders University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateJan 8, 2025

Illuminating quantum magnets: Light unveils magnetic domains

Researchers successfully visualized tiny magnetic regions, known as magnetic domains, in a specialized quantum material using nonreciprocal directional dichroism. They also manipulated these regions by applying an electric field, offering new insights into the complex behavior of magnetic materials at the quantum level.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 11, 2024

Ultrafast laser pulses could lessen data storage energy needs

Researchers at UC Davis have found that ultrafast laser pulses can significantly reduce the energy needs of data storage. The pulses accelerate magnetic domains, allowing for faster and more stable memory storage. This technology has the potential to revolutionize spintronic devices such as hard disk drives.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 16, 2024
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CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Rice engineers tackle hard-to-map class of materials

Researchers have developed a new technique to understand the relationship between atomic structure and electric polarization in 2D van der Waals ferroelectric materials. This discovery is expected to revolutionize domain engineering in these materials, positioning them as fundamental building blocks for advanced devices.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 4, 2023

Spintronics: X-ray microscopy unravels the nature of domain walls

A new study at BESSY II analyzed the formation of skyrmions in ferrimagnetic thin films of dysprosium and cobalt. The researchers directly observed Néel-type skyrmions using scanning transmission X-ray microscopy, revealing their domain wall type for the first time.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalCommunications Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 28, 2023

Listening to nanoscale earthquakes

A recent study presents an exciting new way to measure the crackling noise of atoms in crystals, enabling the investigation of novel materials for future electronics. The method allows researchers to study individual nanoscale features and identify their effects on material properties.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 22, 2023

Spintronics at BESSY II: Domain walls in magnetic nanowires

Researchers from Spain, France, and Germany generate a single domain wall on a half metal nanowire and measure significant resistance changes. The study reveals large magnetoresistance effects in La2/3Sr1/3MnO3 nanowires, holding promise for spintronic applications.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 2, 2023
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SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Atom-thin walls could smash size, memory barriers in next-gen devices

Researchers have discovered a way to construct and control oxygen-deprived walls in nanoscopically thin materials, which can store data in multiple electronic dialects. These walls can retain their data states even when devices turn off, paving the way for next-gen electronics with enhanced memory capabilities.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalNature·DateFeb 13, 2023

Revealing the thermal heat dance of magnetic domains

Researchers use coherent correlation imaging to image the evolution of magnetic domains in time and space without prior knowledge. The study reveals thermal motion and pinning effects on domain boundaries, unlocking new insights into magnetism's microcosm.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 18, 2023

Eccentric fractional skyrmion discovered in numerical simulations of ultra-cold superfluids

Scientists have discovered a new type of skyrmion with half-integer topological numbers in a ferromagnetic superfluid, challenging the current understanding of these phase defects. This discovery could lead to a major breakthrough in skyrmion research and its applications in particle physics and spintronics.

SourceOsaka City University·JournalPhysical Review A·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 15, 2022

Mutating quantum particles set in motion

The study reveals that particles can behave as bosons in one region and fermions in another, leading to striking phenomena like particle trapping or fragmentation. This discovery opens up a window to engineer and control new kinds of collective motion in the quantum world.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalPhysical Review Research·DateFeb 8, 2022
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Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

3D printed nanomagnets unveil a world of patterns in the magnetic field

Researchers created 3D DNA-like structures using advanced 3D printing and microscopy, discovering nanoscale topological textures in the magnetic field. This breakthrough enables control over magnetic forces on the nanoscale, promising new possibilities for particle trapping, imaging techniques, and smart materials.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateDec 20, 2021

Study challenges standard ideas about piezoelectricity in ferroelectric crystals

Researchers at Penn State have found that the conventional wisdom about the relationship between domain size and piezoelectricity in ferroelectric materials is not always correct. In contrast to existing data suggesting smaller domains lead to higher piezoelectricity, this new study shows larger domain sizes can actually result in bett...

SourcePenn State·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateNov 17, 2021

On the road to faster and more efficient data storage

Researchers have discovered a way to induce magnetic waves in antiferromagnets using ultrafast laser pulses, potentially leading to faster and more efficient data storage. This technology could endow materials with new functionalities for energy-efficient and ultrafast data storage applications.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 17, 2021

Magnetism drives metals to insulators in new experiment

Researchers demonstrate Slater mechanism using pyrochlore oxide, a compound with minimal other metal-insulator transition mechanisms. The study provides new insights into fundamental questions about material behavior and has potential applications in spintronics.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 4, 2021
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Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Scientists investigated more thoroughly Walker breakdown in 3D magnetic nanowires

Scientists studied how the cross-sectional geometry of 3D nanowires affects domain wall dynamics and Walker breakdown phenomenon. The research found that oscillatory behavior can be explained by energy changes due to deformation during rotation, promising new possibilities for nano-oscillators and radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation.

SourceFar Eastern Federal University·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 25, 2021

Concept for a new storage medium

Researchers developed a concept for a new storage medium based on antiferromagnetic materials, which can store binary values (0 or 1) through controlled manipulation of domain walls. The proposed method could potentially replace conventional ferromagnetic systems with faster and more energy-efficient data processing.

SourceSwiss Nanoscience Institute, University of Basel·JournalNature Physics·DateFeb 22, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Designer-defect clamping of ferroelectric domain walls for more-stable nanoelectronics

Researchers at FLEET have made a significant step in solving the primary challenge of information stability in domain-wall nanoelectronic data storage. By introducing designer defects, they were able to clamp down domain walls, effectively preventing ferroelectric domain relaxation and promoting superior polarisation retention.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 21, 2020

Moving domain walls induce losses in superconductor/ferromagnet hybrid systems

Researchers from the University of Jyväskylæ have discovered that moving domain walls in superconducting devices generate voltage, causing losses. This finding has significant implications for magnetic racetrack memory applications, which require low current resistance.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 6, 2020

Toward more efficient computing, with magnetic waves

MIT researchers have devised a novel circuit design that enables precise control of computing with magnetic waves, without any extra components or electrical current. This approach leverages the spin wave property in magnetic materials to produce measurable output that can be correlated to computation.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateNov 28, 2019
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

At the edge of chaos, powerful new electronics could be created

Scientists at the University of Groningen observed a phenomenon in ferroelastic material barium titanate that resembles spatial chaos in non-linear dynamical systems. This could lead to highly diverse responses in adaptable neuromorphic electronics, enabling complex computing.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 3, 2019

Newly devised static negative capacitor could improve computing

Researchers have developed a permanent static negative capacitor that can redistribute electricity on a small scale, improving computing efficiency. The device works as a steady-state, reversible system, allowing for controlled voltage distribution and increased energy efficiency.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalCommunications Physics·DateApr 8, 2019

BFU scientists learned how to manage the properties of amorphous microwires

Researchers at Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University developed a method to control the static and dynamic properties of amorphous ferromagnetic microwires by adjusting internal mechanical stress. The study improves understanding of these materials and their potential applications in various fields.

SourceImmanuel Kant Baltic Federal University·JournalJournal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials·DateMar 1, 2019
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.

A new spin in nano-electronics

Scientists have successfully generated and controlled extremely short-wavelength spin waves, a promising alternative to traditional electronic data processing. The discovery could enable the development of more compact microchips with reduced energy consumption.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateFeb 25, 2019

Topological defects could be key to future nano-electronics

Emerging research on topological structures and their potential applications in nanotechnology and nanoelectronics is reviewed in Nature Materials. Topological defects, such as domain walls, can exhibit intrinsic properties and significantly affect material properties.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies·JournalNature Materials·DateFeb 22, 2019

Reflecting antiferromagnetic arrangements

A team demonstrated an x-ray imaging technique that can image antiphase magnetic domains in antiferromagnets, a key step towards controlling their magnetic structure. This could lead to the development of smaller, faster, and more robust electronics using spintronics.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 5, 2018

Scientists find ordered magnetic patterns in disordered magnetic material

Researchers at Berkeley Lab discovered chirality in domain walls of amorphous materials, which could enable faster, smaller data storage. The study used high-resolution microscopy techniques to confirm nanoscale magnetic features, opening possibilities for controlling magnetic domains with temperature and light.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJun 8, 2018
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.

Topological domain walls in helimagnets

Three new classes of domain walls have been discovered in helimagnets, characterized by topological defects. These domain walls exhibit exotic magnetic properties that could be used for future data transfer and storage technologies. Researchers are now attempting to direct these walls with an electric current.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Physics·DateMay 3, 2018

Similar charges are attracted to each other

Researchers at NUST MISIS developed a theory explaining how latent state formation occurs in layered tantalum disulfide, leading to ultra-fast memory capabilities. The material's nano-structural mosaics and charged vacancies contribute to its switching and memory effects.

SourceNational University of Science and Technology MISIS·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 13, 2018

Bit data goes anti-skyrmions

Researchers from Max Planck Institute have discovered anti-skyrmions, tiny magnetic objects that can store digital data in a new class of materials. These topologically protected magnetic walls could enable the development of Racetrack Memory with no moving parts.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids·JournalNature·DateSep 1, 2017

Surprise discovery in the search for energy efficient information storage

Researchers at the University of Nottingham have made a groundbreaking discovery in the search for energy-efficient information storage. By controlling the chirality of magnetic domain walls using an electric field, they have opened up new possibilities for non-volatile information processing and storage technology.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 10, 2017

Green IT: New switching process in non-volatile spintronics devices

Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin have developed a new switching process for non-volatile spintronics devices using asymmetric nanorings. The process involves applying a short magnetic field pulse, which leads to an intermediate 'onion state' and subsequently results in a stable opposite magnetization of the ring.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalPhysical Review Applied·DateApr 13, 2017
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.

Magnetic fields at the crossroads

Scientists investigate the motion of vortex domain walls in ferromagnetic nanowires driven by magnetic fields. The research aims to improve control and reliability for spintronic devices, enabling logic gates and data storage.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateMar 7, 2017

Penn chemists establish fundamentals of ferroelectric materials

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania demonstrate a multiscale simulation of lead titanate oxide, providing new understanding of polarizations within these materials. The study shows that domain walls move across ferroelectric materials like wildfire, but can be easily stopped once the electric field is removed.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalNature·DateJul 5, 2016

A highway for spin waves

Researchers at HZDR have developed a method for controlling the propagation of spin waves in a targeted and simple way, creating a basis for nanocircuits that use spin waves. This approach uses magnetic domain walls and small external magnetic fields to manipulate the course of spin waves, enabling efficient information processing.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateFeb 1, 2016
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.

Hot stuff: Magnetic domain walls

Researchers at PTB have successfully measured the thermoelectric properties of a single magnetic domain wall, a breakthrough that opens up new possibilities in spin caloritronics. The study reveals that the presence or absence of the domain wall leads to a measurable change in the thermoelectric voltage generated by the wire.

SourcePhysikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB)·JournalPhysical Review B·DateOct 15, 2015

Moving sector walls on the nano scale

Scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a technique to manipulate domain walls in multiferroic materials, which could lead to new technologies in data storage and electronics. The discovery shows that domain walls can be selectively shifted or altered using electrical fields, paving the way for new applications.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJun 5, 2015

Channeling valleytronics in graphene

Berkeley Lab researchers have discovered topologically protected one-dimensional electron conducting channels at the domain walls of bilayer graphene. These conducting channels feature a ballistic length of about 400 nanometers at 4 kelvin, making them suitable for applications such as quantum computing.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateMay 6, 2015
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.

On the road to spin-orbitronics

Researchers at Berkeley Lab found a technique to switch magnetic domain wall chirality, paving the way for desired electronic memory and logic functions. This breakthrough could lead to smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient devices through solid-state magnetic memory.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 13, 2015

Thin film produces new chemistry in 'nanoreactor'

Physicists at the University of Groningen have discovered a new manganese compound produced by tension in the crystal structure of terbium manganese oxide. The discovery could lead to the creation of new nanoscale circuits.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature·DateNov 19, 2014

Funky ferroelectric properties probed with X-rays

Researchers have developed a powerful imaging tool to study electrically anomalous regions called domain walls in ferroelectric materials. The technique, X-PEEM, reveals enhanced electronic conduction properties in tail-to-tail domain walls, which are crucial for improving solar panels and other applications.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJun 10, 2014

Domain walls in nanowires cleverly set in motion

Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have achieved a breakthrough in inducing synchronous motion of domain walls in ferromagnetic nanowires using pulsed magnetic fields. This allows for controlled displacement of domain walls, essential for permanent data storage.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 8, 2014

Domain walls as new information storage medium

Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz directly observe magnetization dynamics in magnetic nanowires, discovering oscillating domain wall velocities. The study's findings have important implications for the development of ultra-fast rotating sensors and new information storage mediums.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 23, 2013
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Origin of ultra-fast manipulation of domain walls discovered

An international team has found a surprising effect that leads to spatially varying magnetization manipulation on an ultrafast timescale in ferromagnetic materials. This discovery could be key to further miniaturization and performance increase of magnetic data storage devices.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 5, 2012

An electronic bucket brigade could boost solar cell voltages

Researchers at Berkeley Lab create high-voltage photovoltaic effects in ferroelectric materials using an electronic bucket brigade. The study reveals a simple, periodic domain structure that enables efficient charge transport and increased voltage output.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 15, 2011

World's tiniest mirror

Researchers design and characterize a field-switchable nanomagnetic atom mirror, which can manipulate atoms by applying magnetic fields. The technology could be applied to devices that trap and confine atoms, potentially leading to breakthroughs in quantum computing.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateAug 10, 2010
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.

Walls falling faster for solid-state memory

Researchers found that flaws in magnetic nanowire structure impact device operating speed. Disorder in the wire enables domain walls to move faster, affecting future experiment interpretation.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 9, 2010

New path to solar energy via solid-state photovoltaics

Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found a new path for sunlight to electricity conversion in semiconductor thin-films, overcoming the bandgap voltage limitation. By applying an electric field, they can manipulate the crystal structure and control photovoltaic properties.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMar 30, 2010

Domain walls that conduct electricity

Scientists have discovered a unique property of domain walls in bismuth ferrite, allowing them to conduct electricity at room temperature. This discovery could lead to the development of future electronic devices with shrunk logic and memory functions.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·DateJan 28, 2009
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.