Graphene

A hidden lubricant in creeping faults? Uncovering the mysteries of aseismic slip

Machine learning proves that graphene is hydrophobic

Researchers used machine-learning-enhanced molecular simulations to show pristine graphene is intrinsically hydrophobic. Water molecules adopt configurations characteristic of hydrophobic surfaces near graphene, and thicker layers are even more strongly hydrophobic.

Hourglass nanographenes unlock strong, robust multi-spin entanglement

The team developed a predictive design strategy for creating nanographenes with multiple strongly coupled spins, offering enhanced resilience to magnetic perturbations. This breakthrough enables new avenues for molecular-scale quantum information technologies and next-generation spintronics.

Robots can’t feel; these sensors could change that

Researchers have developed a highly sensitive electronic 'skin' using tiny devices that can measure force applied over an area. This technology has the potential to improve prosthetic limbs and robotic manipulation, allowing robots to accurately track hand movements and grasp delicate objects.

New biochar design enables stable and long-lasting oxygen release for environmental applications

Researchers developed a new type of engineered biochar that can deliver oxygen in a controlled and stable way, overcoming limitations of current materials. The phosphate-modified biochar demonstrated strong environmental adaptability, making it suitable for complex natural environments.

Graphene receivers bring energy-efficient 6G hardware closer to reality

Researchers have developed a sub-THz graphene receiver that meets the demands of future 6G technologies, offering multi-gigabit-per-second data rates and near-zero energy consumption. The innovation transforms graphene devices from laboratory detectors into practical building blocks for 6G wireless technology.

Large area MoS₂ reduces energy loss in magnetic memory films

Researchers at the University of Manchester found that large-area MoS₂ reduces energy loss in magnetic memory films by altering the film's internal crystal structure. This effect is not confined to laboratory-scale samples and has implications for real, scalable spintronic technologies.

When the softest carbon meets the hardest

Graphene and diamond hybrids show promising performance in electronic devices, sensors, and machining tests. However, major challenges remain, including producing large-area hybrids with consistent quality and understanding fundamental properties.

Scientists develop algae-derived biochar nanoreactor to tackle persistent PFAS pollution

Researchers have developed a new algae-based biochar material that breaks down PFOA with remarkable ability. The new material combines advanced nanotechnology with sustainable biomass resources, providing a promising strategy for removing difficult contaminants from water.

Oxygen-modified graphene filters boost natural gas purification

Researchers at Chiba University developed oxygen-functionalized graphene membranes that selectively separate carbon dioxide from methane while maintaining high permeability. The study demonstrates the potential of graphene-based filtration systems for next-generation gas purification, enabling cheaper and cleaner energy production.

Graphene-based materials show promise for tackling new environmental contaminants

Researchers highlight graphene-based technologies for removing microplastics, pharmaceutical residues, and radioactive contaminants. Graphene-based membranes and catalytic degradation offer powerful tools for pollutant removal, with potential for comprehensive treatment systems.

Superfluids are supposed to flow indefinitely. Physicists just watched one stop moving

Researchers at Columbia University have observed a superfluid transitioning into an insulating phase, exhibiting properties of both liquid-like and solid-like behavior. The finding suggests that the low-temperature phase may be a highly unusual exciton solid, leaving room for further exploration and potential observation of supersolids.

Chungnam National University team pioneers defect-free high-quality graphene electrodes

Researchers introduce a novel fabrication technique to create high-resolution, low-resistance graphene electrodes for transparent and flexible devices. The method achieves exceptionally low electrical resistance and high pattern fidelity without etching-induced defects or chemical contamination.

Observing positronium beam as a quantum matter wave for the first time

Researchers at Tokyo University of Science demonstrate matter-wave diffraction in a short-lived electron-positron atom, marking a major advancement in fundamental physics. The findings pave the way for new research using positronium and could enable sensitive tests of gravity.

The Frontiers of Knowledge Award goes to Allan MacDonald and Pablo Jarillo-Herrero for their discovery of the “magic angle” enabling science to transform and control the behavior of new materials

Researchers MacDonald and Jarillo-Herrero's discovery enables the transformation of graphene material's properties, potentially leading to sustainable electricity transmission and new electronic devices. Their work has opened up new frontiers in physics, defining a vast field for developing materials with highly sought-after properties.

Mxene-based e-tattoos harvest energy and monitor health in real time

Researchers at Boise State University developed a breakthrough e-tattoo that integrates energy harvesting, energy storage, and biometric sensing into a single platform. The e-tattoo uses MXene-coated fibers to harness energy from human motion and store it for low-power applications.

Water molecules in motion: Surprising dynamics on 2D materials

Researchers discovered that water molecules move in a smooth, rolling motion on hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), whereas on graphene, they experience increased friction. This finding offers insights into designing surfaces that control friction, wetting, and ice formation.

Swansea University professor wins SEMI Academia Impact Award for European semiconductor leadership

Professor Owen Guy has received the SEMI Academia Impact Award for his outstanding contributions to semiconductor research, innovation, and industry-academia collaboration in Europe. He is Director of Swansea University's Centre for Nanohealth and a member of its Centre for Integrative Semiconductor Materials.

Researchers achieve electrical control of spin currents in graphene via ferroelectric switching

A European research team has achieved electrical control of spin currents in graphene through ferroelectric switching, offering a novel pathway toward energy-efficient spintronic devices. This discovery enables the fabrication of next-generation spin-based logic and memory systems without relying on external magnetic fields.

How a glassy metal-organic frameworks enable fast-charging in lithium-ion battery

A glassy metal-organic framework coating accelerates ion desolvation, stripping solvent molecules from lithium ions, while a second layer enables rapid transport into the graphite bulk. This synergistic design results in unprecedented fast-charging performance, with batteries maintaining high capacity and stability.

MIT physicists observe key evidence of unconventional superconductivity in magic-angle graphene

Researchers have discovered new evidence of unconventional superconductivity in magic-angle twisted tri-layer graphene, a material that exhibits exotic electronic behavior. The team found that the material's superconducting gap looks very different from typical superconductors, suggesting a unique mechanism for its emergence.

Laser-drawn graphene metasurface turns electromagnetic waves on and off

A novel laser-induced graphene-based strategy has been demonstrated for direct 'drawing' of highly precise, patterned electromagnetic metasurfaces. The metasurface exhibits excellent switching behavior across various frequency bands, enabling rapid switching between wave transmission and shielding.

2D devices have hidden cavities that can modify electronic behavior

Using a new terahertz spectroscopic technique, researchers have revealed that tiny stacks of 2D materials can naturally form cavities, confining light and electrons in even tinier spaces. This discovery could help control quantum phases and ultimately harness them for future quantum technologies.

Unmasking the culprits of battery failure with a graphene mesosponge

A Tohoku University research team synthesized a high-purity graphene mesosponge that serves as a stable scaffold for loading polymorphic ruthenium catalysts. The study clearly distinguished between carbon cathode degradation and electrolyte decomposition, revealing the 'weakest link' in Li-O2 batteries.

Twisted graphene reveals exotic superconductivity

Researchers have discovered a way to control double-dome superconductivity in twisted trilayer graphene by tuning the material's band structure. The study sheds light on how unconventional superconductivity emerges and can be tuned, opening up possibilities for designing quantum devices.

New method for making Graphene turns defects into improvements

Researchers have discovered a new way to create graphene with intentional defects, which can improve its performance and functionality. The defects enhance the material's ability to interact with other materials and detect gases, making it suitable for applications in sensors, batteries, and electronics.

A graphene sandwich — deposited or transferred?

Researchers at Kobe University investigated how different manufacturing techniques affect the electronic structure of magnetic tunnel junctions. They found that the surface of ferromagnets is different when insulators are transferred to them compared to growing crystals on insulator flakes. This difference influences device behavior, p...

Discovery unlocks potential of “miracle material” for future electronics

Researchers directly observe 'Floquet effects' in graphene, paving the way for innovative technology. The study reveals that Floquet engineering works in many materials, enabling targeted control over electronic states.

Order to disorder at the atomic scale opens possibilities for next-generation electronic devices

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have discovered a way to synthesize new multi-metal 2D materials by adding up to nine metals into the mix. This finding opens up possibilities for designing materials with precisely controlled properties for diverse applications.

Cracking graphene's quantum code

In graphene, electrons behave like a perfect fluid with electrical properties described by a universal quantum number. Researchers discovered this property in exceptionally clean samples of graphene, observing an inverse relationship between electrical and thermal conductivity.

Wired by nature: Precision molecules for tomorrow's electronics

Researchers at Empa successfully attached porphyrins to a graphene nanoribbon, combining magnetism and conductivity in a single system. This coupling opens doors for quantum technology applications, where spin acts as an information carrier.

Transforming the tip of a mechanical pencil lead into a high-quality electron beam source

Researchers transformed commercially available pencil lead into a graphene-based electron beam source, achieving stable and high-quality electron emission. The findings confirm that graphene edges can be easily derived from readily accessible materials and effectively function as high-performance field emission sources.

New graphene technology matures brain organoids faster, may unlock neurodegenerative insights

Researchers have developed a novel method to stimulate and mature human brain organoids using graphene, accelerating disease research and enabling brain-machine interfaces. The approach allows for safe, non-genetic, biocompatible stimulation of neural activity over days to weeks.

Mirror-like graphite films break records in strength and conductivity

Researchers have developed a method to produce mirror-like graphite films with millimeter-sized grains, exceeding previous synthetic graphite's performance. The films demonstrate exceptional mechanical properties, thermal conductivity, and electrical conductivity, opening up new possibilities for high-tech applications.

New quality control for ‘wonder material’ graphene oxide is cheapest and fastest yet

Scientists at King's College London have developed an 'interactional fingerprinting' method to characterise graphene oxide (GO) cheaper and quicker than ever before. This new approach allows for a qualitative snapshot of individual samples by mimicking humans' sense of taste and smell, enabling researchers to quickly quality control th...

Ripples of the future: Rice researchers unlock powerful form of quantum interference

Researchers at Rice University have demonstrated a strong form of quantum interference between phonons, revealing record levels of interference. The breakthrough could lead to new technologies in sensing, computing, and molecular detection.

ICFO researchers overcome long-standing bottleneck in single photon detection with twisted 2D materials

Researchers at ICFO have created a single photon detection system that can operate in the mid-infrared range at relatively high temperatures. The system uses twisted 2D materials to detect long-wavelength single photons and exhibits bistability, allowing for extreme sensitivity to illumination.

Smaller, tougher, smarter: graphene accelerometers break new ground

Researchers developed a high-performance graphene accelerometer with ultra-narrow trenches, achieving improved mechanical robustness, electrical performance, and device yield. The design offers a scalable solution for miniaturized acceleration sensing in wearable electronics, medical robotics, and precision instrumentation.

A hybrid approach for analyzing and designing graphene nanosheet-based materials

Researchers developed a hybrid approach combining molecular dynamics simulations and Helfrich theory to evaluate bending rigidities of graphene nanosheets with lattice defects. The study reveals insights for designing novel materials with tailored mechanical properties.

Metal-free supercapacitor stack delivers 200 volts from just 3.8 cm³

Researchers developed a new method for building powerful, compact energy storage devices using thin-film supercapacitors without metal parts. The device can output 200 volts, equivalent to powering 100 LEDs for 30 seconds or a 3-watt bulb for 7 seconds.

New possibilities for scanning tunnelling microscopy

Scientists have developed a new method for scanning tunnelling microscopy that enables the investigation of buried interfaces and atomic-scale structures. The technique allows for high-spatial resolution analysis of both surface and subsurface layers, revealing local magnetic properties and stacking sequences.

Electrochemical route allows for the synthesis of giant fullerenes at a lower cost and with less environmental impact

A study by USP and Sapienza Università di Roma researchers has synthesized fullerenes with up to 190 carbon atoms using an electrochemical route. The process involves natural graphite, ethanol, water, and sodium hydroxide under ambient conditions, paving the way for new organic synthesis and technological applications.

On-chip synthesis driven by electric field

Researchers unveiled a graphene-based chip that films reactions with nanosecond resolution, capturing elusive intermediates in the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction. The electric field applied accelerated the reaction, achieving a turnover frequency of 5,000 reactions per second.

Coherence enhancement via diamond-graphene hybrid for nanoscale quantum sensing

Researchers achieved a 2-fold enhancement in NV center coherence time by graphene-diamond hybridization, clarifying the physical mechanism and providing a novel approach to improve nanoscale quantum sensors. This technique leverages mature graphene transfer processes to reduce noise from diamond surfaces.

Breakthrough in spintronic devices for ultra-thin quantum circuits

Scientists from TU Delft have demonstrated quantum spin currents in graphene without external magnetic fields, a crucial step towards spintronics and next-generation technologies. These robust spintronic devices promise advancements in quantum computing and memory devices.

Rice researchers lay groundwork for designer hybrid 2D materials

Researchers at Rice University have successfully created a genuine 2D hybrid material called glaphene by chemically integrating graphene and silica. The new material exhibits unique properties, including new electronic and structural behavior, due to the interaction between its layers.

Scientists create ‘virtual sorting nanomachines’ using electron beams to manipulate graphene oxide

Researchers at Nagoya University developed an interface that creates programmable electric fields to sort graphene oxide without fixed microfluidic devices. The findings allow precise sorting of GO sheets, which can capture pollutants, solvents, and biomolecules based on their size-dependent properties.

Turning non-magnetic materials magnetic with atomically thin films

Scientists at Tohoku University discovered that chromium selenide transforms into a magnetic material when reduced to atomically thin layers, challenging previous theoretical predictions. The research opens new possibilities for spintronics applications and could lead to faster, smaller, and more efficient electronic components.

How to transform the ink of a marker into a graphene-based electric circuit. The latest frontier of innovation has been published in Advanced Science

A research group led by Francesco Greco transformed marker ink into a graphene-based electrical circuit using a laser beam, creating a new frontier in electronics. The innovation uses simple and low-cost materials to generate innovative applications on any surface.

Revolutionary microscope reveals quantum dance of atoms in twisted graphene

Researchers have observed the interactions between electrons and a unique atomic vibration in twisted graphene, called a 'phason', for the first time. The Quantum Twisting Microscope has provided unprecedented insight into electron-phonon dynamics, shedding new light on superconductivity and 'strange metallicity'.

Scalable graphene membranes: a leap for carbon capture

Researchers at EPFL developed a scalable technique to create porous graphene membranes selectively filtering CO₂ from gas mixtures. The new approach slashes production costs while improving membrane quality and performance, paving the way for real-world applications.

Bacteria-enhanced graphene oxide nanoparticles for triple-action tumor eradication

Researchers developed bacteria-enhanced graphene oxide nanoparticles that effectively destroy tumors through a three-pronged mechanism. The nanocomposites combine chemotherapy, immune activation, and photothermal heating to suppress tumor growth and activate strong immune responses in mice.

Scientists tune in to rhombohedral graphene’s potential

Researchers have discovered that rhombohedral graphene can exhibit novel magnetism and superconductivity, as well as the quantum anomalous Hall effect, depending on applied gate electric fields. This unique property allows for continuous tuning of band gaps and electron densities without altering the material composition.

Quantum spin model made from nanographene molecules

Empa researchers successfully realized a one-dimensional alternating Heisenberg model with a synthetic material, demonstrating strongly entangled spins and long-range correlations. In contrast, an evenly connected homogeneous chain develops an energy gap, exhibiting strong pairwise bonds and rapidly decreasing correlations.

Graphene production method offers green alternative to mining

The new method produces high-yields of graphene oxide nanosheets with uniform thickness and characteristics comparable to mined graphite, making it viable for large-scale production and potential applications in electric vehicle batteries. Researchers are now exploring biobased sources for carbon fibers and delving deeper into the proc...

Breaking the surface: how damage reshapes ripples in graphene

Defects in two-dimensional materials can dramatically alter rippling effects, even stopping the sheet in place. Researchers used machine learning-based computer models to observe the rippling behavior of different materials with and without defects.

Modifying graphene with plasma to produce better gas sensors

Researchers found that functionalizing graphene sheets via plasma treatment can lead to enhanced sensitivity for specific gases, such as ammonia. The study discovered different types of defects created on the graphene sheets depending on the gas used during plasma treatment.

Superlubricity applied in electronic devices only two atoms thick

Research team develops novel method to exploit frictionless sliding for improved memory performance and energy efficiency. The new technology enables unprecedentedly efficient data read/write operations while consuming significantly less energy.

Rice-led study finds 2D carbon material is 8 times tougher than graphene, resists cracking

Researchers at Rice University have created a new 2D carbon material that is eight times tougher than graphene, according to a recent study. The material, known as monolayer amorphous carbon (MAC), incorporates both crystalline and amorphous regions, giving it unique toughness.

Physicists measure a key aspect of superconductivity in “magic-angle” graphene

Researchers at MIT and Harvard University have directly measured superfluid stiffness in magic-angle graphene for the first time, shedding light on its remarkable properties. The study suggests that quantum geometry governs the material's superconductivity, a key step toward understanding its exceptional properties.