Anisotropy

Thermal ‘tug-of-war’ enables memory with 66× lower energy consumption

Bio-inspired structural design improves impact resistance and energy absorption

Researchers developed a lightweight lattice structure inspired by butterfly wings, exhibiting enhanced mechanical strength, impact resistance, and energy absorption capabilities. The new design outperforms conventional lattice designs under compression and dynamic impact loading.

A dynamic twist of light’s ‘handedness’

The Harvard researchers' new device is elegantly designed to be tunable, with a bilayer design that becomes geometrically chiral and able to 'read' chiral light. By using the MEMS device to continuously vary the twist angle and interlayer spacing, the team showed they could tune the device's intrinsic ability to read different chiral l...

An onion core: Researchers find hints of a multilayered centre of the Earth

A team of scientists simulated high-pressure conditions and found that onion-like layering in iron alloys can explain seismic anomalies in the Earth's inner core. This discovery suggests a compositional gradient with increasing core depth, linking anisotropy to chemical stratification.

DGIST develops new alloy catalyst to enhance next-generation hydrogen fuel cell performance

A research team at DGIST developed a new alloy structure that enhances oxygen reduction reaction efficiency in hydrogen fuel cells. The catalyst, which combines platinum and transition metals with magnetic properties, exceeded durability targets set by the US Department of Energy.

Breakthrough in 2.5D MOF materials based on triptycene derivatives

Researchers developed a new class of 2.5D MOFs using triptycene-based molecules, enabling high-quality single crystals for detailed structural and functional studies. The materials exhibit strong electronic and magnetic correlations in the interlayer direction, paving the way for next-generation MOF-based technologies.

New microscope reveals heat flow in materials for green energy

Scientists have developed a new microscope that accurately measures directional heat flow in materials. This advancement can lead to better designs for electronic devices and energy systems, with potential applications in faster computers, more efficient solar panels, and batteries.

Physics meets art: a new twist on interference patterns

Researchers at The University of Tokyo have discovered a previously unseen moiré pattern in tungsten ditelluride bilayers, featuring one-dimensional bands. The pattern occurs at specific twist angles and has important implications for the optoelectronic properties of materials.

Low-threshold anisotropic polychromatic emission from monodisperse quantum-dots

Researchers have successfully achieved low-threshold anisotropic polychromatic emission from monodisperse quantum dots by coupling them with microcavities, overcame technical bottlenecks for practical applications. This enables broadband gain, amplification, and even lasing, as well as full-color display and patterning.

3D-printed knee implants improves quality and reliability

Researchers at Naton Biotechnology have developed the world's first laser 3D-printed total knee implant, receiving official approval from China's National Medical Products Administration. A two-step heat treatment process significantly improved the metal's structure and strength, making it stronger and more reliable for medical use.

Does the universe behave the same way everywhere? Gravitational lenses could help us find out

Researchers propose a new methodology to test the Universe's isotropy using Euclid space telescope data, aiming to detect potential anisotropies that challenge the Standard Model of Cosmology. If confirmed, these findings would open a new chapter in cosmology, potentially revising our understanding of the Universe's behavior.

The right kind of fusion neutrons

A new Zap research paper validates the company's sheared-flow-stabilized Z-pinch fusion approach by measuring nearly isotropic neutron energies, indicating stable thermal plasma. This achievement provides a benchmark milestone for scaling fusion to higher energy yields and confidence in reaching higher performance on the FuZE-Q device.

Researchers reveal toughening mechanism of crack front in bioinspired materials

A research team has uncovered the propagation and toughening mechanism of tortuous crack front in bioinspired anisotropic heterogeneities. They developed an optimization design for toughness amplification by manipulating microstructural orientation, leading to a 3D helical crack-tip configuration.

Shining light on titanium’s unique properties

A research team at Yokohama National University developed a method to study titanium's electronic structure using high harmonic generation. They found that the orientation of electrons affects the material's strength, flexibility, and bonding behavior.

How do directional connections shape complex dynamics in neuronal networks?

The study reveals that directional connections propagate signals in a downstream flow, leading to more complex activity patterns. Mathematical models also suggest that modularity and connectivity interact to foster dynamical complexity.

Scientists learn how to make nanotubes that point in one direction

Researchers at Tokyo Metropolitan University have developed a new technique to grow arrayed tungsten disulfide nanotubes with aligned orientations. This breakthrough resolves the issue of jumbled orientations in collected amounts of nanotubes, enabling the exploration of exotic electric and optoelectronic properties.

Towards room-temperature superconductivity: Insights into optical properties of bi-based copper-oxide superconductors

A Japanese research team investigates the origin of Bi2212's strong optical anisotropy, finding that increasing lead content reduces incommensurate modulation, enabling accurate measurement of optical activity and circular dichroism. This study contributes to understanding high-temperature superconductivity mechanisms.

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.

‘Pac-Man effect’ offers precise control for advanced materials design

Rice researchers use a rapidly alternating magnetic field to create direction-dependent structures from superparamagnetic beads, offering precise control over material properties. The study reveals the importance of magnetic relaxation time in controlling particle interactions.

New method improves understanding of light-wave propagation in anisotropic materials

Researchers have developed a new technique to study anisotropic materials, capturing full complexity of light behavior in these materials. The method revealed detailed insights into how light scatters differently along various directions within materials, allowing retrieval of scattering tensor coefficients.

Bioinspired directional structures for inhibiting wetting on super-melt-philic surfaces above 1200 °C

Researchers create bioinspired directional structures to inhibit the wetting of molten droplets on super-melt-philic surfaces at high temperatures. The structures provide anisotropic energy barriers, hindering the movement of water and preventing wetting.

Tiny displacements, giant changes in optical properties

Researchers found that tiny displacements of picoscale atoms can significantly impact optical properties, leading to potential applications in imaging and remote sensing. By controlling the degree of atomic disorder, they aim to develop crystals with advanced infrared imaging capabilities.

Study uses thermodynamics to describe expansion of the Universe

Researchers used thermodynamics to describe the expansion of the Universe, finding that adiabatic and anisotropic effects are accompanied by cooling due to the barocaloric effect. The study proposes a novel way to investigate anisotropic effects associated with the expansion of the Universe.

Polarization-sensitive tomography made easy with T2oFu

The T2oFu method offers a new approach to quantitative phase and polarization-sensitive tomography, enabling high-contrast images of muscle fibers with implications for diagnosing skeletal myopathies. The technique has been successfully tested on heart tissue samples with cardiac amyloidosis, providing promising results.

UNIST researchers uncover revolutionary phenomenon in liquid crystals

Researchers at UNIST have unveiled a new principle of motion in liquid crystals, where objects can move in a directed manner by changing their sizes periodically. The discovery has far-reaching implications for the development of miniature robots and advances research in complex fluids.

Encoding computers of the future

Researchers have created a computer using an array of VCSELs that leverages optical feedback to efficiently solve complex optimization problems. The system encodes information in linear polarization states, minimizing interactions between variables and overcoming the von Neumann bottleneck.

Researchers from Pusan National University employ artificial intelligence to unlock the secrets of magnesium alloy anisotropy

The team proposed a novel machine learning model with data augmentation, which accurately predicts the plastic anisotropic properties of wrought Mg alloys. The model showed significantly better robustness and generalizability than other models, paving the way for improved design and manufacturing of metal products.

A nonrelativistic and nonmagnetic mechanism for generating terahertz waves

Scientists have developed a nonrelativistic and nonmagnetic mechanism for generating terahertz waves, harnessing the electrical anisotropy of two conductive oxides. This approach produces signals comparable to commercial terahertz sources and offers a high terahertz conversion efficiency.

Unexpected coupling with leaky mode unveils new path for dense photonic integration

A novel coupling mechanism involving leaky mode has been uncovered, enabling zero crosstalk between closely spaced waveguides. This discovery drastically increases the coupling length of transverse-magnetic (TM) mode, expanding the potential for dense photonic integration.

Study explains unusual deformation in Earth’s largest continental rift

African Superplume is responsible for rift-parallel deformation and seismic anisotropy in the East African Rift System, contradicting previous theories on plate-driving forces. The study uses 3D thermomechanical modeling to explain this phenomenon.

Physicists discover ‘stacked pancakes of liquid magnetism’

Researchers have discovered a new phase of liquid magnetism in layered helical magnets, where magnetic dipoles behave like 'flattened puddles' with varying alignment between layers. This phenomenon, predicted by a computational model, may explain the unusual electronic behavior observed in these materials.

Researchers observe extremely squeezed directional THz waves in thin semiconductor crystals

An international team of scientists has imaged and analyzed THz waves propagating in form of plasmon polaritons along thin anisotropic semiconductor platelets. The wavelengths vary with direction, allowing for manipulation of light at the nanoscale.

New type of friction discovered in ligand-protein systems

Researchers at the University of Freiburg have discovered a new type of friction in proteins called anisotropic friction, which depends on direction. The discovery was made using single molecule experiments and simulations, revealing that friction increases with the pulling angle applied to a ligand from a protein.

Earth’s anisotropic inner core structure driven by dipole geomagnetic field: Study

A recent study published in Nature Communications reveals that Earth's anisotropic inner core structure is driven by the dipole geomagnetic field. The researchers found that hexagonal-close-packed (hcp) Fe-H alloy exhibited both seismic anisotropy and H-ion diffusion anisotropy under high pressure-temperature conditions.

The search for the missing gravitational signal

Researchers propose using a constellation of space interferometers to map the flat and almost perfectly homogeneous background signal, detecting subtle fluctuations known as anisotropies. These fluctuations hold information on the distribution of gravitational wave sources on the largest cosmological scale.

Quantum sensors see Weyl photocurrents flow

A team of researchers led by Boston College Assistant Professor Brian Zhou developed a new quantum sensor technique to image and understand the origin of photocurrent flow in Weyl semimetals. They found that the electrical current flows in a four-fold vortex pattern around where light is shined on the material.

Squid tissues and chemistry combine for versatile hydrogels

Researchers at Hokkaido University developed a hybrid hydrogel combining natural squid tissues with synthetic polymers, exhibiting hierarchical anisotropy and toughness.

The mechanism of cosmic magnetic fields explored in the laboratory

Researchers create a hydrogen plasma with known temperature anisotropy, demonstrating the Weibel instability and its potential to seed galactic dynamo magnetic fields. The study uses a novel experimental platform to measure the complex topology of generated magnetic fields.

Understand anisotropy dependence of damage evolution and material removal during nanoscratch of MgF2 single crystals

The study investigates the anisotropy dependence of damage evolution and material removal behaviors in ultra-precision machining of MgF2 single crystals. The research team developed a stress field model, revealing that plastic deformation and cleavage fracture mechanisms were activated depending on the crystal orientation.

These cellulose nanofibers might be an alternative to petroleum-based plastics

Scientists at Osaka University have created a new material that could replace traditional plastics with a sustainable, biodegradable alternative. The cellulose nanofibers were engineered to exhibit direction-dependent properties, allowing for facile molding into complex structures such as microneedles and bio/nanotechnology architectures.

New nanocomposite films boost heat dissipation in thin electronics

Scientists developed a cellulose nanofiber-carbon fiber composite film with excellent in-plane anisotropic thermal conductivity, improving heat dissipation in thin-film devices. The material also exhibits recyclability and can be reused after burning the cellulose matrix.

Some don't like it hot: Thermal conductivity-switching bottleneck resolved

Researchers from Osaka University successfully modulated the thermal switching temperature of block copolymers to create a tunable thermal switch. This innovation enables practical functionality for flexible organic electronics at low cost.

Unravel the mystery of the quasar’s "anisotropic" effects on surrounding gas

A team of researchers found that the internal donut-shaped structure of quasars can affect the ionization level of intergalactic gas in different directions. The study suggests that a dust torus is likely to be responsible for this anisotropic effect.

Towards autonomous prediction and synthesis of novel magnetic materials

A team of researchers from Tokyo University of Science has developed an efficient integrated materials synthesis system for automatic discovery of new functional magnetic materials. Using artificial intelligence and computational science, they identified promising materials five times more efficiently than traditional trial-and-error a...

Spinning is key for line-dancing electrons in iron selenide

A team of researchers used resonant inelastic X-ray scattering to study the behavior of electron spins in iron selenide, a material that exhibits directionally-dependent electronic behavior. They found that high-energy spin excitations are dispersive and undamped, indicating a well-defined energy-versus-momentum relationship.

Electronic skin anticipates and perceives touch from different directions for the first time

Researchers from Chemnitz University of Technology and Leibniz IFW Dresden create a new approach for miniaturizing soft sensor units with integrated artificial hairs. They successfully integrate the 3D magnetic field sensors with magnetically rooted fine hairs into an artificial e-skin, enabling precise spatial arrangement and mass pro...

Elastic fields stretch the understanding of chiral molecular crystals

A team of researchers at The University of Tokyo has created a model that reveals the role of emergent elastic fields in chiral molecular and colloidal crystals. The findings provide a potential switch for developing new electro- and magneto-mechanical devices.

Study maps stress changes around fault activated by hydraulic fracturing

Researchers mapped stress changes before and during an earthquake induced by hydraulic fracturing in Alberta, Canada. The study used seismic anisotropy to monitor the processes that occur when hydraulic fracturing causes induced earthquakes, revealing a network of tensile fractures created during fluid injection.

Algorithm could shorten quality testing, research in many industries by months

A machine-learning algorithm named MAD3 can predict mechanical properties of metals without performing physical tests, cutting testing time by 1,000 times. The algorithm replaces traditional simulation software, enabling faster research and development with minimal resources.

Listening to the leaves: Adding bioinspired veins to foamed polymers

A research team at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology developed a chemical process to mimic trees' vascular systems in foamed polymers, adding structure and enabling directional fluid transport. The team discovered that increasing or decreasing gelation time enables direct control over the foam's cellular structure.

Mobile molecular robots swim in water

Researchers have created a microcrystal that utilizes self-continuous reciprocating motion for propulsion, enabling the microrobot to move itself sustainably in water. The microrobots exhibited different styles of propulsion and were affected by fin length, ratio, and elevation angle.

Tokyo researchers take a look beneath the skin of surfactant onions

Researchers from The University of Tokyo Institute of Industrial Science used microscopy to examine surfactant onion layers, discovering they contain defects. Their findings are crucial for designing effective therapeutic carrier systems.

Spintronics: Exotic ferromagnetic order in two-dimensions

Researchers from Germany and Spain successfully create a uniform two-dimensional material with exotic ferromagnetic behavior known as easy-plane magnetism. This discovery opens up new possibilities for spintronics, a technology that uses magnetic moments instead of electrical charges.

Broadband spintronic-metasurface terahertz emitters with tunable chirality

Researchers developed a novel spintronic-metasurface terahertz emitter that generates broadband, circularly polarized, and coherent terahertz waves. The design offers flexible manipulation of the polarization state and helicity with magnetic fields, enabling efficient generation and control of chiral terahertz waves.

One-dimensional red phosphorous glows in unexpected ways

Researchers at Aalto University have discovered that fibrous red phosphorous, when electrons are confined in its one-dimensional sub-units, shows large optical responses. The material demonstrates giant anisotropic linear and non-linear optical responses, as well as emission intensity.

Limiting incident NA for efficient wavefront shaping through thin anisotropic scattering media

Researchers at UNIST developed a new optical microscope technology that can image deeper into biological tissues. By limiting the numerical aperture of incident wavefronts, they improved focus peak to background ratio and energy delivery throughput.

High performance polarization sensitive photodetectors on 2D β-InSe

Researchers have developed high-performance polarization-sensitive photodetectors on 2D β-InSe, exhibiting excellent stability and strong anisotropic optical and electronic properties. The material's unique crystal structure enables direct detection of polarized light without optical filters or polarizers.

Anisotropic zoning in the upper crust of the Tianshan Tectonic Belt

Researchers investigated seismic anisotropy in the Tianshan Tectonic Belt's upper crust, finding zoning patterns that correlate with tectonic stress fields. Time delays of slow waves also exhibit spatial differences, indicating stronger anisotropy in certain zones.

2D materials offer unique stretching properties

Three carbon-based materials have been predicted to exhibit omnidirectional auxetic behavior due to their negative Poisson's ratio. The findings suggest that these materials could be useful in photovoltaic devices or as light-powered catalysts.

Molybdenum disulfide ushers in era of post-silicon photonics

Researchers discovered giant optical anisotropy in molybdenum disulfide crystals, enabling compact photonic devices and waveguides. The material's birefringence value is several times greater than previous record-breakers.