Add BrightSurf on Google Email

You can't play checkers with charge ordering

Researchers at CIFAR discover that charge ordering creates a stripy pattern, not a checkerboard, and competes with superconductivity along one direction. This discovery sheds light on the role of charge ordering in propelling electrons into tight pairs, allowing for free movement.

SourceCIFAR·JournalScience·DateMar 19, 2015

Symmetry matters in graphene growth

The study found that geometric relationships between graphene and the substrate determine island shapes, with triangular surfaces leading to more irregular structures. Understanding this process can help design grain boundaries with specific properties, useful for electronics applications.

SourceRice University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 16, 2015

Understanding the copper heart of volcanoes

A team of scientists from the University of Bristol has discovered a two-step process for porphyry copper formation, which could revolutionize the search for new copper deposits. The study reveals that salt-rich fluids and sulphur-rich gases interact to form copper ore, providing insights into the formation of global copper reserves.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Geoscience·DateFeb 9, 2015

Copper on the brain at rest

Researchers at Berkeley Lab found that proper copper levels modulate spontaneous neural activity in developing circuits, which is critical for brain health and development. The study highlights the importance of managing copper levels to prevent misregulation of signaling in cell-to-cell communications.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 26, 2014

Tailored flexible illusion coatings hide objects from detection

Researchers at Penn State have developed a metamaterial coating that allows coated objects to function normally while appearing as something other than what they really are. The 'illusion coatings' work by using copper patterns designed to create the desired result, enabling practical applications for cloaking metal antennas and sensors.

SourcePenn State·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateOct 13, 2014

Copper shines as flexible conductor

Researchers at Monash University have developed copper nanowire aerogels that combine conductivity with flexibility, enabling the creation of stretchable conductive rubbers. The addition of a small amount of poly(vinyl alcohol) improves mechanical strength without impairing conductivity.

SourceMonash University·JournalACS Nano·DateAug 28, 2014

Using PET scanning to evaluate therapies of Menkes disease

Scientists used PET imaging to visualize copper distribution in the body of mice with Menkes disease, laying groundwork for human studies. The study found that combining copper injections with disulfiram enhances copper accumulation in the brain without kidney damage.

SourceRIKEN·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateMar 26, 2014

Rice's carbon nanotube fibers outperform copper

Carbon nanotube-based fibers have been shown to carry electrical current up to four times that of copper wires of the same mass. The fibers' ability to transmit current makes them ideal for lightweight power transmission in aerospace applications, where weight is a significant factor.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateFeb 14, 2014

How the cells remove copper

A study published in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology reveals that the protein responsible for copper excretion uses a unique transport mechanism to remove toxic copper from cells. This knowledge has important implications for understanding copper-related diseases, as well as developing new antibiotics targeting harmful bacteria.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateDec 20, 2013

Copper promises cheaper, sturdier fuel cells

Researchers at Duke University have developed copper nanowire catalysts that can efficiently harness solar energy to split water into hydrogen, a promising step towards cheaper and sturdier fuel cells. The material is abundant, inexpensive, and flexible, making it ideal for use in various applications beyond solar energy production.

SourceDuke University·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateNov 22, 2013

Graphene with aroma

Researchers have developed a new production method for graphene that uses aromatic molecules, enabling the creation of flexible graphene structures with specific functionality. The method allows for the manufacture of quantum dots, nanoribbons, and other nano-geometries with unique properties.

SourcePhysikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB)·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateOct 2, 2013