Chirality

Scientists discover surprising new way to control light

Finding chiral superconductivity’s fingerprint

Scientists have found evidence of chiral superconductivity, a long-sought form of superconductivity where electron pairs twist into a signature left or right 'handedness.' Quasiparticle interference imaging revealed distinctive patterns around point defects in the tin layer.

Scientists discover surprising new way to control light

Researchers at the University of East Anglia have discovered that light can be programmed using its natural geometry, allowing for the creation of structured light with unique properties. This breakthrough has far-reaching implications for fields such as medicine, data transmission, and quantum technologies.

Why does life prefer one “hand” over the other? New study points to electron spin

Researchers found that electron spin interacts differently with mirror-image molecules, causing small but meaningful differences in behavior during dynamic processes. This asymmetry could lead to the dominance of a single 'hand' in biology, offering a possible route toward understanding how one molecular form came to dominate.

Deterministic field-free SOT switching via controlled domain wall chirality in easy-cone anisotropy

A new mechanism enables deterministic magnetization switching without external magnetic fields, using controlled domain wall chirality. The approach demonstrates high-performance magnetic tunnel junctions with near 100% field-free switching probability and robust operation up to 350°C.

Mirror fragments intercept Alzheimer’s-causing protein

Researchers from Kobe University have designed a small mirror protein that disables amyloid-beta, a causal factor of Alzheimer's disease. The approach uses the principle of 'chirality' to bind to the protein, inhibiting its aggregation and potential for brain cell damage.

Protein modification discovery opens cancer therapy possibilities

Researchers discovered a new type of protein modification related to cellular mutation that impairs an enzyme's ability to help drive energy processes. The discovery opens a new route to therapeutic cancer intervention, particularly for IDH mutations common in multiple cancer cells.

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...

Researchers develop a high-efficiency photocatalyst using iron instead of rare metals

Nagoya University researchers have developed an iron-based alternative to expensive chiral ligands in metal-based photocatalysts, achieving a precise radical cation cyclization and the first total asymmetric synthesis of (+)-heitziamide A using blue LED light and abundant iron.

Microelectronics: Researchers identify parent compound for chiral materials

Physicists at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg have discovered a precursor for electronically chiral materials, which could pave the way for uniform chirality in thin layers. These materials could provide a solution to modern microelectronics' size and efficiency limitations.

A new route to synthesize multiple functionalized carbon nanohoops

Researchers develop versatile molecular platform to synthesize multiple functionalized carbon nanohoops, exhibiting high circularly polarized luminescence and other advanced photophysical properties. The breakthrough method enables multi-site functionalization and creation of chiral nanohoops with remarkable optical performance.

Understanding unusual chirality-driven anomalous Hall effect via first-principles calculations

Researchers present novel theoretical framework explaining non-monotonic temperature dependence and sign reversal of chirality-related AHE in highly conductive metals. The study reveals clear picture of unusual transport phenomena, forming foundation for rational design of next-generation spintronic devices and magnetic quantum materials.

Organic solvents enable handedness control in inorganic crystals

Researchers have developed a simple crystallization method that achieves chiral resolution under mild conditions, enabling the production of homochiral inorganic crystals. The study uses organic solvents and an achiral crystalline phase to control the growth environment, resulting in single-handed forms of cesium copper chloride.

Bulk inorganic crystals grown from water emit “handed” light

Researchers at Kumamoto University have successfully grown a bulk inorganic crystal from water that emits circularly polarized light. This breakthrough material has the potential to revolutionize security printing, advanced displays, and photonic technologies with simple inorganic chemistry.

Flipping the switch on material chirality: Modifying chirality with electricity

Researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo have developed a method to manipulate material chirality using electricity, enabling reversible and tunable chiral electronic states. This approach opens new possibilities for advanced spintronic devices and the emerging field of 'chiral iontronics'.

Scientists create stable, switchable vortex knots inside liquid crystals

Researchers created particle-like vortex knots in chiral nematic liquid crystals and discovered they can be reversibly switched between different knotted forms using electric pulses. The study provides a physical testbed for mathematical ideas, opening possible new routes toward knot-based electro-optic and photonic technologies.

New sensor sniffs out look-alike molecules in the air

Researchers developed a new type of gas sensor that can identify different types of air components by recognizing tiny structural differences in common volatile compounds. The sensor, which uses custom-built sugar-based receptors, shows promise for future non-invasive medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and quality control.

Chemists design OLEDs that electrically flip the handedness of light

Researchers at the University of Oxford have discovered an approach to electrically switch organic LEDs to emit either left- or right-handed circularly polarized light. This could lead to new applications in displays, secure communication systems, and quantum technologies.

Study finds that tweaked synthetic polymers boost conductivity

Researchers at University of Illinois have developed polymers that exhibit enhanced conductivity due to controlled chirality and chemical doping. The study found that structural chirality boosts the chemical reaction controlling doping in polymers, leading to higher conductivity.

Malaria parasites move on right-handed helices

Researchers from Heidelberg University discovered that malaria parasites use right-handed helices to navigate through tissues, a key finding with implications for improving drug and vaccine testing. The parasite's asymmetrical body plan enables it to control its motion and transition between compartments more efficiently.

The UJI contributes to increasing the performance of a new generation of LEDs

Researchers at Universitat Jaume I develop cost-effective, high-performance chiral LEDs with enhanced optical properties. The RADIANT project aims to simplify display architectures and save energy consumption by leveraging scalable chiral metasurfaces.

Researchers integrate waveguide physics into metasurfaces for advanced light control

Scientists have developed a new type of metasurface that combines waveguide physics with planar design to achieve precise control over light at the nanoscale. The metasurfaces produce photonic flatbands across wide angles while preserving ultrahigh quality factors, enabling efficient trapping of light and strong interactions with matter.

Researchers demonstrate a chiral state-switching in a many-body system

A research team has observed chiral switching between collective steady states in a dissipative Rydberg gas, controlled by the direction of parameter change. The phenomenon is underpinned by a unique Liouvillian exceptional structure inherent to non-Hermitian physics, allowing for efficient control over the system's dynamics.

Scientists capture nanoscale “spin maps” in chiral perovskites

Scientists developed a custom Kelvin probe force microscopy system to study the chiral-induced spin selectivity effect in chiral halide perovskites. The study reveals nanoscale 'spin maps' that show the strength and spatial uniformity of the CISS effect.

What is the significance of the evolution from chiral molecular macrocycles to chiral topological macrocycles?

Researchers designed chiral amphiphilic pillar[5]arene derivatives to form stable chiral toroidal nanostructures and Möbius strip-like nanorings through non-covalent interactions. The assembly process exhibits solvent-dependent evolution, controlling luminescent properties and enabling the creation of functional chiral nanomaterials.

What is the significance of the evolution from chiral molecular macrocycles to chiral topological macrocycles?

Researchers designed chiral amphiphilic pillar[5]arene derivatives that spontaneously formed chiral toroidal nanostructures and Möbius strip-like nanorings through non-covalent interactions. The assembly process exhibited solvent-dependent evolution, resulting in structure-dependent luminescent properties.

Electrons reveal their handedness in attosecond flashes

Researchers have visualized and manipulated electron emission from chiral molecules in real-time using attosecond pulses. This discovery opens a new avenue for studying chirality and its role in biology, chemistry, and the pharmaceutical industry.

Scientists discover new phenomenon in chiral symmetry breaking

Researchers at The University of Osaka have discovered a new type of chiral symmetry breaking involving a solid-state structural transition from achiral to chiral crystal. This phenomenon activates circularly polarized luminescence, enabling the development of novel optical materials with tunable light properties.

Chiralization of metal-containing dyes upon mere encapsulation

Researchers developed molecular capsules that can impart strong chiral properties to inherently non-chiral metal-containing dyes. The capsules create flexible, adaptable chiral cavities that induce chirality without requiring chemical modifications.

Magnetic surfaces found to steer Alzheimer’s-linked protein growth

Researchers discovered that magnetized surfaces significantly influence amyloid protein assembly, forming more fibrils and longer structures when aligned in one direction. The study suggests a new physical factor, Chiral-Induced Spin Selectivity (CISS), plays a direct role in protein self-assembly.

Add a twist to π-molecules! A new design strategy for organic semiconductor materials

Researchers developed three-dimensionally shaped molecules containing an internal twist, exhibiting properties of organic semiconductors. The molecule was verified to act as an organic semiconductor in an organic field-effect transistor.

Using light-powered enzymes to build clean, high-value chemicals

Scientists developed a precise, cost-effective way to make chiral ketones for medicines, agrochemicals, and more using photocatalysis. This approach solves the challenge of reaching remote stereocenters in molecules, allowing for eco-friendly production of valuable chemicals.

HKUST chemists innovate in the synthesis of chiral bridged polycyclic compounds

A research team from HKUST has developed a catalytic enantioselective type II [5 + 2] cycloaddition method to synthesize complex chiral bridged polycyclic structures, which is a challenging task in organic chemistry. The novel approach utilizes 3-oxidopyrylium ylides and chiral phosphoric acids to create the desired complex shapes.

New glow-in-the-dark molecule for imaging and security applications

Researchers designed a new chiral aminoborane molecule with persistent room-temperature phosphorescence and circularly polarised luminescence, ideal for anti-counterfeiting inks, bioimaging agents, and security tags. The molecule's rigid structure suppresses non-radiative decay, enabling long-lived emission.

Scientists discover an unusual chiral quantum state in a topological material

Researchers at Princeton University uncover a hidden chiral quantum state in KV₃Sb₅, a Kagome lattice topological material. The discovery sheds light on an intense debate within the physics community and expands our understanding of quantum phenomena.

How tiny particles coordinate energy transfer inside cells uncovered

A team of scientists discovered that electrons and protons are closely linked in certain biological crystals, influencing proton transfer. This connection has implications for understanding energy and information transfer in life.

Smart engineered oxide material allows autonomous spin orientation control

Researchers have developed a novel oxide material that exhibits autonomous spin orientation control in response to magnetic fields, allowing for the detection of both field direction and strength. The 'semi-self-controlled' spinning enables advanced angle-resolved spintronic devices with strong potential for next-generation technologies.

Detecting glucose through painless photoacoustics

Researchers at Indian Institute of Science use polarized light to measure glucose concentration with near clinical accuracy in water, serum solutions and tissue samples. The technique exploits the interaction between glucose molecules and polarized light to create unique sound wave patterns.

Researchers invent new method for developing accurate sensors for continuous health monitoring

The University of Turku researchers have developed a new method to create more accurate sensors for detecting subtle changes in the body, such as hormone fluctuations. By purifying and separating single-wall carbon nanotubes, they achieved precise control over their properties and identified their electrochemical characteristics.

Polarization-controlled chiral transport

A team of scientists proposed using incident polarization diversity to control Hamiltonian evolution paths, achieving polarization-dependent chiral transport. They implemented anti-directional evolution paths for TE and TM polarizations in double-coupled waveguides with L-shaped waveguide cross-sections.

Scientists unravel the spiraling secrets of magnetic materials for next-generation electronics

Researchers at UC San Diego create computational approach to model chiral helimagnets using quantum mechanics calculations. They successfully predicted key parameters, including helix wavevector, period, and critical magnetic field, opening opportunities for designing better materials.

Unraveling how a 'magnetic twist' induces one-way electric flow

Scientists at Tohoku University and collaborators have made a significant discovery about how magnetic twist induces one-way electric flow in a unique quantum material. By studying the material's electronic behavior, they found that the 'magnetic twist' directly triggers electronic band asymmetry, leading to nonreciprocal transport.

Chinese researchers make breakthrough in artificial chiral structural-color microdomes

Researchers have made a breakthrough in creating artificial chiral-structural-color materials, exhibiting iridescent colors through microscopic structures that interact with light. The new discovery enables the creation of microdomes composed of widely available polymers that produce exceptional dissymmetry and polarization selectivity.

Designing homochiral metal–organic frameworks with ultrahigh surface areas and stability for practical applications

A novel mixed-ligand strategy creates ultrahigh surface area, chemically stable chiral MOFs ideal for practical applications in asymmetric catalysis. The frameworks demonstrate record-breaking surface areas and exceptional structural features, making them suitable as heterogeneous catalysts.

The molecular einstein

Researchers at Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) solve the molecular einstein problem, revealing a unique arrangement of chiral molecules on silver surfaces. The discovery sheds light on the properties of these molecules and their potential applications in physics.

Designing molecules that produce color-changing circular light for 3D displays and security printing

Scientists develop mechanochromic luminescence using chiral pyrenylprolinamides, a significant step towards widespread implementation of materials with switchable solid-state CPL. The findings provide new design guidelines for creating molecules that enable solid-state CPL switching through mechanical stimuli.

By studying neutron ‘starquakes’, scientists hope to transform their understanding of nuclear matter

Scientists studying neutron 'starquakes' hope to gain new insights into the properties of neutron stars, improving our understanding of the universe. This research has potential implications for fields like health, security, and energy.

Pioneering asymmetric living polymerization in liquid crystal reaction fields

Researchers synthesized optically active conducting polymers through physical methods using liquid crystals as solvents, achieving asymmetric (chiral) living polymerization. The resulting polyisocyanides exhibited optical activity and properties of twisted-bend nematic liquid crystal.

A spintronic view of the effect of chiral molecules

Researchers at Mainz University confirmed the chiral-induced spin selectivity (CISS) effect using spintronic methods. The study shows that chiral molecules can convert spin currents to charge with varying efficiency, depending on their chirality and orientation.

Nanoislands on silicon with switchable topological textures

Scientists have successfully created nanoislands on silicon that can be controlled by an external electric field. These nanoislands exhibit swirling polar textures with promise for future applications in ultra-high-density data storage and energy-efficient transistors.

The art and science of twisting light

A team of researchers from Singapore University of Technology and Design has developed a new type of metasurface that can generate circularly polarized light without complex optical setups. The metasurface exhibits chirality, enabling it to convert arbitrary optical excitation into circularly polarized light at specific frequency ranges.

Chiral Exceptional point enhanced tuning and non-reciprocity in silicon microring

Researchers develop a nano-heater aligned to one arm of the micro-resonator for deterministic, dynamic tuning of chirality and precise phase-only control. This leads to enhanced electro-optic amplitude modulation in photonic integrated circuits, reducing energy consumption and simplifying circuit design.

Twisted Edison: Bright, elliptically polarized incandescent light

The study reveals that twisting the filament at micro and nanoscale produces light waves with elliptical polarization, offering a new avenue for robotic vision systems. Brightness is up to 100 times brighter than other approaches, but includes a broad spectrum of wavelengths and twists.

Researchers call for global discussion about possible risks from “mirror bacteria”

Mirror bacteria, synthetic organisms with reversed molecular shapes, may impair immune defenses in humans, animals, and plants. The researchers call for a global discussion to chart a path towards better understanding and mitigation of potential risks from these organisms.

Designing a spiral ladder-inspired tool that allows precision control of light direction and polarization

Researchers at Singapore University of Technology and Design have designed a novel tool inspired by a spiral ladder to control circular polarised light. The bilayer metasurface structure can be tailored to emit waves with specific angles, wavelengths, and polarisation properties.

Going chiral: Breakthrough in synthesizing carbon nanotubes with precise chirality

Researchers at Tohoku University have developed a novel catalyst to control the atomic arrangement of carbon nanotubes, achieving ultra-high purity and precise chirality. The breakthrough could lead to significant advancements in semiconductor device manufacturing.

Through the looking glass: A cross-chiral reaction challenges our definition of life

Researchers demonstrate the first cross-chiral exponential amplification of an RNA enzyme, potentially leading to the development of cross-chiral therapeutics and biotechnologies. The discovery suggests that a bioengineer can create a new form of biochemical evolution by using both left- and right-handed molecules.

New strategy unlocks magnetic switching with hydrogen bonding at molecular level

Researchers create magnetically switchable materials by introducing chiral hydrogen bonds, allowing precise control over electron transfer. The study highlights the importance of molecular chirality in material performance.

High performance circularly polarized photodetectors based on achiral structures

Researchers developed a broadband CPL photodetector using an achiral structure to detect left- and right-hand circularly polarized light with an ultrahigh discrimination ratio. The device operates across the entire visible spectrum and can accurately detect small changes in light ellipticity.

UCF researchers develop unique ‘barcodes’ for molecules to help expedite medical advancements

UCF researchers have developed a unique 'barcode' technique to quickly identify chiral molecules based on their infrared fingerprints. This technology has the potential to speed up pharmaceutical and medical advancements by identifying enantiomers, which can have different effects in the body or chemical reactions.