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Skoltech scientists developed a novel method to fine-tune the properties of carbon nanotubes

Scientists from Skoltech developed a novel method to fine-tune the optoelectrical properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes by applying an aerosolized dopant solution. The new approach enables uniform, controllable and easily reproducible aerosol doping, breaking new ground for flexible and transparent electronics.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateJul 24, 2019

Living components

Scientists at the University of Freiburg have developed a system to control the dynamics of energy-consuming DNA structures using an artificial chemical approach. The researchers successfully programmed these dynamic systems, enabling them to adapt to different situations and respond to stimuli faster.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 22, 2019

Skoltech scientists found a way to control the electrical characteristics of optical memory devices

Researchers from Skoltech have identified relationships between photochromic material structure and device electrical performance. The study found that certain molecular structures improve switching speed and reliability, paving the way for the development of new organic memory elements.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry C·DateJun 28, 2019

Discovery of field-induced pair density wave state in high temperature superconductors

The discovery of a field-induced pair density wave state in high temperature superconductors provides new insights into the mechanism behind enigmatic high temperature superconductivity. The study reveals modulations in electronic states with multiple signatures of a pair density wave state, which competes with superconductivity.

Ultrafast metal-ion batteries based on new organic cathode material have been developed

Researchers have designed a new polymer cathode material for ultrafast metal-ion batteries with superior characteristics, offering high energy density and impressive charge/discharge rate capability. The material successfully demonstrated excellent performance while charged and discharged at high current rates.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·DateJun 3, 2019

Skoltech researchers developed new perovskite-inspired semiconductors for electronic devices

Researchers at Skoltech have developed new perovskite-inspired semiconductors with enhanced light-conversion efficiency of over 24% for solar cells. The materials overcome toxicity and stability issues by introducing bismuth and antimony halides, exhibiting record-high performance in solar cells.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·DateMay 13, 2019

Partitioning of porous materials

Scientists have developed a fast and versatile two-in-one synthetic strategy to partition pores in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), resulting in highly efficient adsorbents. The new pore-space-partitioned MOF shows better gas uptakes than unpartitioned materials, particularly for ammonia uptake with high packing density.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateApr 29, 2019

Boosting solid state chemical reactions

Hokkaido University researchers developed a new strategy for solid-state palladium-catalysed cross-coupling reactions using mechanochemistry, enabling efficient solvent-free synthesis of organic materials. Adding olefin facilitates a more efficient reaction, increasing conversion rates from less than 30% to 99%.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 10, 2019

Maximizing the potential of MXenes

MXenes' conductivity increases as intercalants and termination species are eliminated, making them suitable for applications like energy storage and wearable tech. Researchers developed a new electron microscopy technique to measure surface chemistry in real-time, paving the way for termination engineering.

SourceDrexel University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 31, 2019

The chemistry year in review

The American Chemical Society (ACS) reviewed 2018's top research stories, including machine learning and new solutions for plastic waste. Experts predict key advances in 2019, such as automated chemical synthesis and analysis, and solid-state battery technologies.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateDec 19, 2018

Physicists found a correlation between the structure and magnetic properties of ceramics

Researchers found a correlation between bismuth ferrite's structure and its magnetic properties, which can help create new materials with specific properties. The study revealed that structural distortions caused by substitutions, lattice defects, and exchange interactions affect the material's magnetic behavior.

SourceImmanuel Kant Baltic Federal University·JournalJournal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids·DateDec 18, 2018

High-temperature electronics? That's hot

Researchers at Purdue University have created a new organic plastic material that can reliably conduct electricity in up to 220 degrees Celsius, stable across a wide temperature range. This breakthrough technology has the potential to improve applications such as sensors and solar cells in extreme temperatures.

SourcePurdue University·JournalScience·DateDec 6, 2018

Building better batteries by borrowing from biology

A new advance in battery design has been made by Osaka University researchers who developed a material with highly mobile potassium ions that can easily migrate in response to electric fields. This work may lead to cheaper and safer replacements for lithium-ion batteries, benefiting electric cars and consumer electronics.

SourceOsaka University·JournalChemical Science·DateNov 21, 2018

A top-notch chemist

Kazunori Sugiyasu, a renowned Japanese chemist, has been awarded the Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award for his groundbreaking work on supramolecular polymers. He will collaborate with Professor Frank Würthner at the University of Würzburg to develop artificial chloroplasts that harness light energy to produce fuels.

Breakthrough in blending metals

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a method to synthesize multimetallic clusters with precise control of size and composition, opening up new possibilities for advanced functional materials. The team successfully formed clusters composed of up to six metal elements, including platinum.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 24, 2018

Commercially relevant bismuth-based thin film processing

Researchers at Osaka University developed a two-step process to produce materials with good morphological properties and excellent photoresistor performance. The technique improves photo response performance by up to 100 times compared to other methods, making bismuth sulfide a promising material for optoelectronic devices.

SourceOsaka University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateSep 19, 2018

A material without limits

Researchers at Lehigh University have developed a new, more efficient way to produce cubic boron nitride, a material with exceptional durability and potential for improved power conversion efficiency in electronic devices. The approach enables larger crystals of the material to be produced at lower costs and reduced energy consumption.

New method for hydroboration of alkynes: Radicals induce unusual selectivity

Researchers at Kanazawa University developed a novel method for hydroboration of alkynes utilizing radical chemistry, resulting in the creation of previously inaccessible trans-hydroboration products. This breakthrough enables the synthesis of various bench-stable alkenyl borane compounds that can be converted into drug candidates.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateAug 30, 2018

In borophene, boundaries are no barrier

Researchers at Rice and Northwestern universities discovered how different lattice arrangements of borophene can combine into new crystal-like forms, exhibiting metallic properties and unique electronic structure. The findings suggest potential applications in flexible and transparent electronic interconnects, electrodes, and displays.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Materials·DateJul 16, 2018

Discovery for grouping atoms invokes Pasteur

Scientists have discovered a new method for combining atoms into shape-shifting molecules, enabling the creation of novel materials and drugs with unique properties. This breakthrough builds upon past discoveries of isomerism, paving the way for the development of countless new compounds.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNature Chemistry·DateMay 21, 2018