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Bubbly graphene: how cool or hot are you?

Researchers at the Center for Multidimensional Carbon Materials successfully measured and controlled the temperature of individual graphene bubbles using a single laser beam. The study found that the temperature oscillates with bubble height, allowing for efficient heating of specific regions within the bubble.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 10, 2018

Nanodiamonds are forever

The Argonne team discovered that sulfur diffusion breaks down nanodiamonds into onion-like carbon, creating a superlubricant with friction 10 times lower than some nonstick coatings. The new lubricant can be used in various industries, including wind turbines and magnetic disc drives.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 10, 2018

Turning graphene into light nanosensors

Researchers embedded graphene in a photonic crystal to enhance its light-absorbing capabilities. By varying the external temperature, they can tune the material's optical characteristics, leading to potential applications in light sensors and ultra-fast lasers.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateApr 25, 2018

Graphene sets a new record on squeezing light to one atom

Researchers at ICFO have achieved the ultimate level of light confinement using graphene, creating ultra-small optical switches and sensors. By sending infra-red light through devices, they observed how plasmons propagated in between metal and graphene, demonstrating control of light guided in channels smaller than one nanometer.

SourceGraphene Flagship·JournalScience·DateApr 20, 2018

A graphene roll-out

Researchers at MIT have developed a continuous manufacturing process to produce long strips of high-quality graphene. The team's results are the first demonstration of an industrial, scalable method for manufacturing high-quality graphene suitable for membrane applications.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateApr 17, 2018

Twisting graphene into spirals

Kansai researchers successfully synthesized hexa-peri-hexabenzo[7]helicene, the first helically twisted chiral graphene. The discovery offers promising applications in nanomechanics and has unique electronic structure properties.

SourceKyoto University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMar 29, 2018

For graphite pellets, just add elbow grease

Scientists at Rice University have developed a method to produce strong, lightweight graphite pellets without the need for high-temperature processing. The pellets exhibit good conductivity and stability in various conditions, making them suitable for applications such as conducting cables and electrodes.

SourceRice University·JournalCarbon·DateMar 22, 2018

Rice U. sleuths find metal in 'metal-free' catalysts

Researchers at Rice University have found that graphene catalysts contain trace amounts of manganese, which activates the oxygen reduction reaction and improves fuel-cell efficiency. The study used inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to detect manganese atoms in samples made by the Rice lab.

SourceRice University·JournalCarbon·DateFeb 26, 2018

Reinventing the inductor

The University of California - Santa Barbara team designed a new spiral inductor made of multiple layers of graphene, which offers one-and-a-half times the inductance density of traditional inductors. This innovative design enables a one-third reduction in size while maintaining high efficiency.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Electronics·DateFeb 21, 2018

Tiny membrane key to safe drinking water

CSIRO scientists have developed a new filtering technique using Graphair that can remove almost all contaminants from water in a single step. The breakthrough technology has the potential to provide clean drinking water for millions of people worldwide who currently lack access to safe drinking water.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 14, 2018

Graphene on toast, anyone?

Rice University scientists have developed a technique to write graphene patterns onto various materials, including food, paper, and cloth. The new method uses laser-induced graphene (LIG) to create conductive identification tags and sensors that can be embedded into products.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateFeb 13, 2018

Water-soluble warped nanographene

Researchers have synthesized a water-soluble warped nanographene that exhibits photodynamic properties, killing human cells upon irradiation. The material's biocompatibility and fluorescence make it suitable for bioimaging and potential therapeutic applications.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateFeb 9, 2018

Stacking on the graphene

Researchers at Tohoku University have fabricated two types of trilayer graphene with different electrical properties. The ABA-stacked graphene exhibits excellent electrical conductivity, while the ABC-stacked graphene displays semi-conducting properties. These findings hold implications for the development of novel electronic devices.

SourceTohoku University·JournalNPG Asia Materials·DateFeb 9, 2018

Study resolves controversy about electron structure of defects in graphene

Researchers Ana María Valencia García and Marília Junqueira Caldas resolved a longstanding controversy about the calculation of defect electronic structures in graphene. They used a hybrid functional method, which yielded results compatible with experimental data, resolving divergences between different simulation methods.

Columbia engineers create artificial graphene in a nanofabricated semiconductor structure

Researchers have successfully engineered artificial graphene in a nanofabricated semiconductor structure, offering more versatile properties than natural graphene. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new electronic switches, transistors, and storage methods based on exotic quantum mechanical states.