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Nano-mechanical study offers new assessment of silicon for next-gen batteries

Researchers have reported surprisingly high damage tolerance in electrochemically-lithiated silicon materials, suggesting all-silicon anodes may be commercially viable. The study found that above a certain concentration of lithium, the material becomes more tolerant to damage, making it possible to design durable silicon-based batteries.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 24, 2015

Japanese paper art inspires new 3-D fabrication method

Researchers at Northwestern University and the University of Illinois have developed a new assembly method that uses strategic 'Kirigami cuts' to create complex 3D structures out of silicon and other materials. The technique enables the production of mostly closed 3D shapes with limited ability to achieve spatially extended devices.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 8, 2015

An easy, scalable and direct method for synthesizing graphene in silicon microelectronics

Researchers from Korea University have developed an easy and microelectronics-compatible method to grow graphene, allowing for the synthesis of high-quality, multi-layer graphene on silicon substrates. The technique involves ion implantation and activation annealing, enabling controllable and scalable production of large-area graphene.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJul 21, 2015

The peaks and valleys of silicon

USC Viterbi researchers have developed new layered semiconducting materials that can be adjusted to achieve unique electronic and optical properties. These materials have potential applications in LIDAR systems, infrared thermal imaging technology, and flexible night vision glasses.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJun 26, 2015

Stanford breakthrough heralds super-efficient light-based computers

Researchers at Stanford University have developed a breakthrough technology that enables the efficient transmission of data using light, potentially replacing wires in computing systems. The innovation uses inverse design algorithm to fabricate silicon structures that can carry infrared light, paving the way for faster and more energy-...

SourceStanford University School of Engineering·JournalNature Photonics·DateMay 28, 2015

Computing at the speed of light

Engineers created an ultracompact beamsplitter to divide light waves into two channels, bringing researchers closer to silicon photonic chips that compute with light instead of electrons. This technology could significantly increase the power and speed of machines such as supercomputers, data center servers, and mobile devices.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalNature Photonics·DateMay 18, 2015

New shortcut to solar cells

Researchers at Rice University have discovered a way to simplify the manufacture of solar cells by employing electrodes as catalysts to create black silicon. The new process enables the production of black silicon with high efficiency and reflects little light, allowing more sunlight to reach the active elements of solar cells.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateMay 13, 2015

Printing silicon on paper, with lasers

A new fabrication technique allows for direct production of polycrystalline silicon on flexible surfaces, enabling the creation of wearable electronics and other applications. The method bypasses a traditional thermal annealing step, making it more suitable for use with flexible substrates.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateApr 21, 2015

New ways to see light and store information

Researchers have designed an organic electronic device with record-breaking ultra-long charge carrier lifetimes, opening up possibilities for new classes of devices such as sensitive photo detectors and flexible memory elements. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient solar cells, low-carbon electricity generation, and reduced e...

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalAdvanced Materials Interfaces·DateApr 13, 2015

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

Self-assembled nanotextures create antireflective surface on silicon solar cells

Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory developed a method to create an antireflective surface on silicon solar cells using self-assembled nanotextures inspired by the structure of moths' eyes. The resulting surface reduces reflections and improves sunlight conversion, outperforming state-of-the-art coatings by up to 20%.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 21, 2015

New laser for computer chips

Scientists have created the first germanium-tin semiconductor laser for silicon chips, enabling faster data transfer and reducing energy consumption. The new material can be applied directly onto a silicon chip, paving the way for high-speed data transmission.

SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·JournalNature Photonics·DateJan 19, 2015

Toward quantum chips

Researchers have built an array of light detectors sensitive enough to register individual photons and mounted them on a silicon optical chip. The approach increases detector density and sensitivity, yielding results up to 20 percent, which is a significant step toward practical quantum computing.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 9, 2015

Space: The final frontier in silicon chemistry

Scientists from the University of Tokyo have detected silicon and nitrogen-terminated carbon chain molecules in interstellar space using laboratory experiments. The discovery provides valuable information on the formation mechanisms of these molecules and their potential impact on understanding the chemical composition of the universe.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateNov 11, 2014