Add BrightSurf on Google Email

New research gives insight into graphene grain boundaries

Researchers have made significant progress in understanding the behavior of graphene grain boundaries, which scatter electrons and hinder electronic performance. The study suggests that controlling grain boundary orientation could be key to improving graphene's electronic properties.

SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·JournalACS Nano·DateJan 15, 2013
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Dreidel-like dislocations lead to remarkable properties

Theoretical physicists at Rice University have predicted the formation of conductive sub-nanometer 'wires' in two-dimensional materials, which could lead to advanced electronics. The discovery was made by investigating atomic-scale properties and topological defects in semiconductors.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateDec 14, 2012

Engineers achieve longstanding goal of stable nanocrystalline metals

Researchers at MIT have developed a method to create alloys with extremely tiny grains that remain stable even under high heat. The new material, made of tungsten and titanium, has exceptional strength and impact resistance, making it suitable for various applications.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateAug 23, 2012

Lehigh University ceramics researchers shed light on metal embrittlement

Ceramics researchers at Lehigh University have obtained unprecedented atomic-scale images of grain boundaries in metals, revealing a bilayer phase transition that weakens the material. This discovery paves the way for scientists to prevent liquid metal embrittlement by strengthening chemical bonds.

SourceLehigh University·JournalScience·DateSep 22, 2011

Defect in graphene may present bouquet of possibilities

Researchers at NIST have identified a class of decorative defects in graphene that could alter its unique properties, including strength and conductivity. The discovery may lead to the development of more resilient materials.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPhysical Review B·DateMay 25, 2011
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Graphene grains make atom-thick patchwork 'quilts'

Researchers imaged graphene grain boundaries using diffraction imaging electron microscopy, revealing that impurities are responsible for fluctuating electrical conductivity. Larger grains do not improve conductivity as previously thought, highlighting the importance of controlling impurities in graphene growth.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature·DateJan 5, 2011

Graphene's strength lies in its defects

Researchers at Brown University discovered that grain boundaries in graphene do not compromise the material's strength. The critical bonds along these boundaries can be as strong as those found in pure graphene when tilted at specific angles, enabling the creation of larger sheets with improved properties.

SourceBrown University·JournalScience·DateNov 11, 2010

Safer nuclear reactors could result from Los Alamos research

Los Alamos researchers report a mechanism allowing nanocrystalline materials to heal radiation-induced damage through 'loading-unloading' effect at grain boundaries. This discovery provides new avenues for designing highly radiation-tolerant materials for next-generation nuclear energy applications.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateMar 25, 2010

Stressed nanomaterials display unexpected movement

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University discovered that certain nanomaterials can move in regions called grain boundaries, leading to changes in their strength and plasticity. This finding has implications for the fabrication of microdevices and integrated circuits, as it may alter the materials' lifespan and performance.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalScience·DateFeb 23, 2010
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

NIST discovers how strain at grain boundaries suppresses high-temperature superconductivity

Researchers at NIST have discovered that reducing mechanical strain at grain boundaries significantly improves high-temperature superconductor performance. By mitigating the effect of granularity, they could enable more efficient electrical transmission lines, increased power grid reliability, and advanced cancer treatment facilities.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 17, 2009

NIST finds 'a touch of glass' in metal, settles century-old question

Researchers at NIST have discovered a striking similarity between the behavior of polycrystalline materials like metals and glasses. The findings could lead to better predictions of material failure and improve understanding of crystal formation.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 17, 2009

Electron microscopy enters the picometer scale

Jülich scientists successfully measured atomic spacings down to a few picometres using new methods in ultrahigh-resolution electron microscopy. This allows for the determination of decisive parameters determining physical properties of materials directly on an atomic level in a microscope.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalScience·DateJul 24, 2008

First full 3-D view of cracks growing in steel

Scientists used a new technique to create a 3D map of stainless steel's grain structure, revealing how cracks grow between grains. The study provides insights into crack growth mechanisms and could lead to more efficient and safer materials.

SourceEuropean Synchrotron Radiation Facility·JournalScience·DateJul 17, 2008
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

When is a supersolid not quite so super?

Researchers at Brown University use a kitchen table physics experiment to study supersolid helium, finding evidence of its behavior in 3 out of 13 trials. The team suggests that a layer of superfluid helium only a single molecule thick forms at grain boundaries, creating a path for movement through the solid.

SourceBrown University·JournalScience·DateOct 24, 2006

Study may expand applied benefits of super-hard ceramics

Researchers have provided unprecedented insight into the properties of super-hard ceramic materials, which exhibit unusual pliability and potential applications in fields like aerospace and medical implants. The study's findings could lead to the development of stronger materials with improved ductility and control over their properties.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalScience·DateAug 4, 2005
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Why calcium improves a high-temperature superconductor

Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory found that adding calcium to a high-temperature superconductor increases its ability to carry electric current. The study used a YBCO bicrystal and transmission electron microscope to visualize the effects of calcium doping on grain boundaries, revealing a 35% increase in current flow.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 7, 2004

New explanation of metal behavior may lead to stronger alloys

Researchers identified imperfections' preferred location on twin grain boundaries, leading to new strategies to control material properties. Grain size plays a role only when plastic deformation begins, with little effect afterwards.

SourceDOE/Idaho National Laboratory·JournalActa Materialia·DateJul 18, 2001