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With superconducting diodes, scholars advance work toward ultra-efficient quantum electronic devices

Researchers have demonstrated a prominent superconducting diode effect in a single two-dimensional superconductor using graphene. This breakthrough has significant implications for the study of complex physical behavior in twisted tri-layer graphene and could form the basis for ultra-efficient lossless quantum electronic devices.

SourceBrown University·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2022

Rotator cuff regeneration: potential breakthrough treatment

Researchers at the University of Connecticut have developed a potential breakthrough treatment for rotator cuff tears, using an advanced polymer to stimulate regeneration of both the tendon and muscle. This approach addresses the real problem of muscle degeneration and fat accumulation that often leads to re-injury after surgery.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 12, 2022

Water can’t touch this sanded, powdered surface

Rice University researchers create a technique to make surfaces superhydrophobic by combining sanding with powder materials, resulting in water-repelling properties. The treatment also exhibits excellent anti-icing properties, slowing down freezing and reducing ice adhesion strength.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2022

UMass Amherst researcher uses graphene for same-time, same-position biomolecule isolation and sensing

New research by UMass Amherst professor Jinglei Ping demonstrates the use of graphene for electrokinetic biosample processing and analysis, allowing for faster and more efficient detection of biomolecules. This breakthrough enables the creation of smaller lab-on-a-chip devices with improved time and size efficiencies.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2022

A novel graphene based NiSe2 nanocrystalline array for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction

Researchers developed a novel graphene-based NiSe2 nanocrystalline array that significantly enhances the efficiency of hydrogen evolution reactions. The composite material achieves an overpotential of 158 mV and exhibits extremely stable performance, providing a promising approach for the development of high-efficiency electrocatalysts.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers in Energy·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 15, 2022

Flashing creates hard-to-get 2D boron nitride

Rice chemists adapt flashing process to synthesize pure boron nitride and boron carbon nitride flakes with varying degrees of carbon. The flakes show promise as an effective anticorrosive coating, protecting copper surfaces up to 92% better than traditional compounds.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2022

Solving the puzzle of 2D disorder

An interdisciplinary team of Northwestern University researchers has developed a new method to determine the fingerprint of neighboring disorder in 2D materials. This method enables a universal curve that characterizes disorder potentials, leading to improved performance in transistors and gas sensors.

SourceNorthwestern University·Journal2D Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 16, 2022

New, highly tunable composite materials—with a twist

Researchers at the University of Utah designed composite materials using moiré patterns, resulting in abrupt transitions between electrical conductor and insulator properties. The study's findings have broad potential technological applications and demonstrate a new geometry-driven localization transition.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalCommunications Physics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 14, 2022

Bumps could smooth quantum investigations

Rice University engineers have developed a novel approach to manipulating the magnetic and electronic properties of 2D materials by stressing them with contoured substrates. The technique, inspired by recent discoveries in twisted 2D materials, allows for unprecedented control over quantum effects.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 6, 2022

Cars could get a ‘flashy’ upgrade

Researchers turn mixed plastic waste from F-150 trucks into graphene, then reuse it to create enhanced polyurethane foam with increased tensile strength and noise absorption. The circular recycling process has potential to reduce weight and increase fuel economy in the automotive industry.

SourceRice University·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 26, 2022

Graphene-wrapped zeolite membranes for fast hydrogen separation

Researchers have developed a new type of separation membrane that can separate hydrogen from methane at speeds 100 times faster than conventional membranes. The graphene-wrapped zeolite membrane achieves a high separation factor of 245, making it suitable for energy-saving separation technologies in various industries.

SourceShinshu University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 18, 2022

Synthesis of two-dimensional holey graphyne

Researchers have successfully synthesized a new type of carbon allotrope called holey graphyne, which has semiconductor properties and can be used in various applications. The material was created using a bottom-up approach and consists of alternately linked benzene rings and C≡C bonds.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalMatter·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 18, 2022

Glimpse inside a graphene sandwich

Researchers studied twisted trilayer graphene, discovering a phase diagram that decouples into product states of graphene and bilayer graphene. The system exhibits unique insulating and semi-metallic phases in the presence of an electric field.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPhysical Review X·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 27, 2022

Bacterial soundtracks revealed by graphene membrane

A team of researchers from Delft University of Technology has captured the sound of a single bacterium using a graphene membrane. The graphene drum detected tiny oscillations caused by the bacteria's flagella, which can be converted into a 'soundtrack' and listened to. This technology has enormous implications for detecting antibiotic ...

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateApr 18, 2022

Guiding a superconducting future with graphene quantum magic

Scientists have identified magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene as a promising material for high-temperature superconductivity. Researchers found that nematic order in MATBG originates from the interference between fluctuations of a novel degree-of-freedom combining valley and spin degrees.

SourceNagoya University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 18, 2022

National Cheng Kung University researchers present new solution for wastewater remediation

Researchers have developed an eco-friendly and reusable solution for removing toxic synthetic dyes from wastewater using nanocomposite-based hydrogels. The new material, made from carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and graphene oxide, demonstrates high adsorption capacities and retains its effectiveness even after multiple cycles of use.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalJournal of Hazardous Materials·DateApr 14, 2022

Graphene gets enhanced by flashing

Rice University researchers have developed a customizing method for producing doped graphene with tailored structures and electronic states. The doping process adds elements to the 2D carbon matrix, making it suitable for use in nanodevices such as fuel cells and batteries.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 31, 2022

Don’t underestimate undulating graphene

Researchers at Rice University have developed a new type of electronics using undulating graphene, which creates mini channels that produce detectable magnetic fields. This technology has the potential to facilitate nanoscale optical devices and valleytronics applications, such as converging lenses and collimators.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateMar 23, 2022

Carbon molecular sieve integrated graphene sensor: New paradigm in atmospheric gas sensing and molecular identification

A new paradigm in atmospheric gas sensing has been achieved using a graphene sensor integrated with carbon molecular sieve functionality. The sensor demonstrates selective gas detection, including ammonia, at room temperature with a fast response time of seconds.

SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateMar 17, 2022

Sustainably sourcing coal waste

The project aims to find efficient ways to use graphene particles from domestic coal wastes in Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing, increasing the carbon content of filaments and developing new materials. This technology could lead to a more sustainable future by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

New research from Pusan National University sheds light on nature of friction in multi-layered graphene

A study by researchers at Pusan National University has investigated the relationship between surface structures and nanoscale friction in multi-layered CVD graphene. They found that only the top-most layer of graphene was twisted with respect to the rest, affecting layer-dependent nanoscale friction.

SourcePusan National University·JournalApplied Surface Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 9, 2022

Controlling how fast graphene cools down

Researchers have demonstrated control of graphene's relaxation time, allowing for novel functionalities in devices such as light detectors and modulators. This work paves the way for the development of ultrafast optical devices with potential applications in photonics and telecommunications.

SourcePolitecnico di Milano·JournalACS Nano·TypeObservational study·DateMar 4, 2022

New research advances wearable medical sensors

Researchers have developed wearable sensors that collect data for clinicians while limiting patient discomfort. The sensors use flexible electronics to monitor patients' physical motions and chemical signals in their sweat, skin, and more to help diagnose or inform treatment plans.

SourcePenn State·JournalApplied Physics Reviews·DateMar 1, 2022

Graphene and an intense laser open the door to the extreme

Researchers at Osaka University have successfully accelerated energetic ions using graphene targets irradiated with ultra-intense lasers, overcoming previous limitations. The findings demonstrate the robustness of graphene in this application and pave the way for compact and efficient plasma-based accelerators.

SourceOsaka University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 16, 2022

Anisotropic supercurrent through twisted Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+x van der Waals stacks: a step towards explaining high-temperature superconductivity

A Korean research team has demonstrated the anisotropic superconductivity of a high-temperature superconductor by stacking twisted pieces of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+x using the microcleave-and-stack technique. This study confirms material properties and develops a new fabrication method for nanomaterials.

Rare earth elements await in waste

Rice University scientists have developed a method to extract rare earth elements from fly ash, bauxite residue, and electronic waste using flash Joule heating. This process improves yields and reduces the use of strong acids, making it a more sustainable solution for recycling these materials.

SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 9, 2022

Columns designed from nanographenes

Scientists from University of Würzburg create custom-made nanographene with cavities to hold smaller PAHs, forming two- and three-layer complexes in solution. They also isolate pairs as solids, leading to promising results for solar cells

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 7, 2022

2D material in three dimensions

Scientists at Vienna University of Technology have successfully integrated large surface areas of graphene into limited volumes by producing it on complex branched nanostructures. This breakthrough enables increased storage capacity for hydrogen and higher sensitivity in chemical sensors.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalCarbon·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 31, 2022

Machine learning fine-tunes flash graphene

Rice University scientists employ machine-learning techniques to streamline the process of synthesizing graphene from waste through flash Joule heating. The lab used its custom optimization model to improve graphene crystallization from four starting materials over 173 trials.

SourceRice University·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 31, 2022