Articles tagged with Materials
Scientists at Osaka Metropolitan University developed high-performance lead-free piezoelectric thin films directly on standard silicon wafers. The films achieved the highest piezoelectric response ever reported for bismuth ferrite, enabling a fivefold improvement in energy conversion efficiency.
A new biochar-enhanced photocatalyst has been developed to efficiently degrade antibiotic contaminants in water, with the material demonstrating remarkable ability to break down sulfadiazine. The photocatalyst harnesses sunlight to drive chemical reactions capable of degrading antibiotic molecules, and its performance is substantially ...
Scientists in China have designed MOFs with 3D pyr-topology frameworks and polyhedral cages to efficiently purify methane from natural gas. The materials exhibit high adsorption capacities for C3H8 and C2H6 but extremely low CH4 uptake.
Researchers develop oxychar, a highly efficient, budget-friendly alternative to traditional charred organic materials for toxic cadmium removal. The new material soaks up both agricultural ammonia and cadmium, promising a practical win for sustainable farming.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University discovered how shifting electric fields control light-emitting efficiency in devices like LEDs. By probing electron spin resonance, they found optimal electric field conditions for efficient recombination, leading to higher electroluminescence efficiency.
A new Y-doped catalyst has been developed to efficiently transform ammonia into sustainable hydrogen energy, enabling a cleaner energy future. The catalyst, composed of nickel and yttrium, improves the performance of the ammonia decomposition reaction, overcoming issues of intrinsic activity and energy barriers.
Recent advances in photonic nanomaterials and healthcare devices have led to the development of wearable and implantable medical devices. These devices utilize light for precise manipulation of cells and tissues, offering new possibilities for early disease detection, light-based therapies, and personalized precision medicine.
Researchers directly measured lithium dendrites' mechanical strength, finding they exhibit unexpectedly high strength and brittle behavior under stress. The study provides insights into how dendrites respond to physical stresses within a battery cell, shedding light on the challenge of scale and access that hindered previous research.
A conductive bioglue was developed to ensure firm adhesion and stable electrical signaling within the human body. It overcomes challenges in connecting damaged tissues or attaching bioelectronic devices, promoting muscle and nerve regeneration and stable implant stability.
Kyushu University researchers observed individual polymer chains' behavior on solid surfaces, revealing non-equilibrium dynamics and thermal fluctuations. The study contributes to enhancing adhesive performance and lightweighting of materials.
The Harvard researchers' new device is elegantly designed to be tunable, with a bilayer design that becomes geometrically chiral and able to 'read' chiral light. By using the MEMS device to continuously vary the twist angle and interlayer spacing, the team showed they could tune the device's intrinsic ability to read different chiral l...
Engineers at the University of Illinois have developed a way to engineer magnets to behave like graphene, a two-dimensional material with strong potential for tech applications. This new method has implications for radiofrequency technology and opens up new avenues for studying and engineering two-dimensional magnetic systems.
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.
Researchers at Texas A&M University and DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory developed a hybrid foam with a 3D-printed plastic skeleton, offering tunable, lightweight and ultra-durable properties. The composite combines ordinary foam with plastic struts, allowing it to absorb more energy and withstand greater forces.
Researchers from CASUS at HZDR developed a reliable computational framework to study polyheptazine imides' electronic and optical properties. This work confirms the potential of these materials for photocatalytic reactions, including water splitting and carbon dioxide reduction.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new technique to spot hidden defects in ultrathin electronics, which can trap electrical charges and weaken the material. This method uses electron microscopy, cathodoluminescence mapping, and force-based measurements to detect defects before they undermine device performance.
A team of researchers used high-speed imaging to investigate soft solids sliding on rigid substrates, discovering that squeaking emerges from supersonic detachment pulses. The study found a relationship between surface geometry and the repetition rate of these pulses, impacting frictional resistance.
A team of scientists and industry experts investigated the challenges of developing new solar cells, including copper indium gallium diselenide and perovskite. They recommend focusing on material resilience, stability, and sustainability to ensure long-term success.
Researchers from Duke University found that uniform materials without complexity are the culprit behind deadly infections after heart surgery. Bioengineered grafts with decellularized tissue can greatly reduce complications. The study suggests designing new solutions similar to vascular tissue in interior complexity.
The US Department of Energy has launched a national research program on liquid metals for fusion, with Princeton University at the forefront. The program aims to develop liquid metal technology that can protect components from intense heat and improve fusion system performance.
Researchers at Jeonbuk National University have developed a new Prussian-blue based electrode that can effectively remove cesium from water. The electrode, made by combining Prussian blue with chemically treated carbon cloth, demonstrates high capacity for cesium adsorption and excellent reusability.
Researchers at Northwestern University found that heat strengthens pure metals under extreme conditions, challenging long-held assumptions. The study revealed a stark divide between pure and alloyed metals, with pure metals becoming stronger and harder as temperatures increased.
A new ceramic material overcomes long-standing limits in proton conductivity, achieving record-high performance at intermediate temperatures. The innovative donor co-doping strategy combines increased proton concentration and mobility with chemical stability under various environments.
Researchers at Stanford University developed a new method to quantify energy costs in non-equilibrium processes using machine learning and extremely small nanocrystals called quantum dots. This technique can determine the ultimate speed limits for devices or how efficient they can be.
Researchers have created a process to produce clean hydrogen from freshwater and seawater using liquid metals powered by sunlight. The method avoids many obstacles in current hydrogen production methods, including the need for purified water and high costs. The team is working to improve efficiency for commercialization.
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.
New formulations of nanopesticides with natural ingredients have appeared in specialized literature, but there is no consensus on what constitutes a green pesticide. Researchers warn that terms such as 'sustainable' must be used correctly and that the natural components of these products do not eliminate environmental concerns.
Researchers at Duke University have created a programmable Lego-like material that can change its stiffness and damping in response to temperature changes. The material, made from gallium and iron, can be programmed to mimic various commercially available soft materials.
Researchers at MIT developed a generative AI model called DiffSyn that suggests promising synthesis routes for complex materials like zeolites. By using this model, scientists can test millions of theoretical materials in under a minute, accelerating the materials discovery process.
The B-STING silica nanocomposite acts as a nanofactory of reactive oxygen species, activating itself in response to changes in the chemical environment. This material can be used to create biocidal coatings that are safe, durable, and resistant to dirt, with potential applications in medicine and other industries.
Physicists at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg have discovered a precursor for electronically chiral materials, which could pave the way for uniform chirality in thin layers. These materials could provide a solution to modern microelectronics' size and efficiency limitations.
LIST's patented infrared welding process enables rapid assembly of thick carbon-fibre-reinforced thermoplastic components, reducing weight, costs and environmental impact. The innovation is estimated to reduce CO2 emissions by 12.5 tonnes per wing rib.
A team of researchers from Chiba University discovered the structural evolution of poloxamer mixtures at different temperatures, enabling customized gelation behavior. Their findings support precise design of sustained-release formulations for localized therapies, enhancing drug retention and minimizing side effects.
Researchers found that Ralstonia's unique exo polysaccharide 1 (EPS-1) film allows the bacteria to spread rapidly through plant xylem vessels, causing rapid wilting. The team used precise measurements of the viscoelastic properties of EPS-1 to understand its role in making Ralstonia a devastating plant killer.
The Oak Ridge National Laboratory is partnering with Type One Energy and the University of Tennessee to establish a world-class high-heat flux facility in East Tennessee. The facility will evaluate how materials react under extreme conditions in a fusion device, accelerating the development of plasma-facing components and enabling the ...
A nanostructure composed of silver and an atomically thin semiconductor layer can be turned into an ultrafast switching mirror device, displaying properties of both light and matter. This discovery could lead to dramatically increased information transmission rates in optical data processing.
A UC Santa Barbara professor's lab group has developed a way to use magnetic frustration to engineer unconventional magnetic states. These states have potential relevance for quantum technologies, including long-range entanglement of spins and ferroic responses.
A research team at Osaka Metropolitan University successfully realized a new type of Kondo necklace with increased localized spin size, demonstrating a clear phase transition to magnetic order. The study shows that the Kondo interaction promotes magnetism when the localized spin is larger than 1/2.
Osaka Metropolitan University scientists have created a molecule that naturally forms p/n junctions, structures vital for converting sunlight into electricity. The new design offers a promising shortcut to producing more efficient organic thin-film solar cells.
Researchers present novel theoretical framework explaining non-monotonic temperature dependence and sign reversal of chirality-related AHE in highly conductive metals. The study reveals clear picture of unusual transport phenomena, forming foundation for rational design of next-generation spintronic devices and magnetic quantum materials.
Physicists from the University of Illinois discovered a unique phenomenon where chiral materials respond to light by amplifying certain frequencies. The study sheds light on how interplay between symmetry and magnetism can lead to extraordinary effects in everyday systems.
Scientists have provided a groundbreaking, physical explanation for how a magnetic field slows the movement of carbon atoms through iron in steel alloys. This discovery has the potential to improve material processing and reduce energy costs by allowing engineers to better control heat treatment, while also lowering CO2 emissions.
A new metamaterial design enables real-time stiffness visualization and self-sensing capabilities, paving the way for intelligent systems. The research team created a linear relationship between stiffness and active hinges, allowing for precise tuning and adaptation in mechanical systems.
Researchers found that Cornell prime dots can reprogram the tumor microenvironment, transforming melanoma and other aggressive solid tumors into responsive ones. The particles stimulate innate immune responses, halt cancer cell proliferation, reduce immune suppression, and repurpose key immune cells to attack cancer more effectively.
Researchers have discovered a unique cobalt-based molecule that can function as a spin quantum bit, providing a new design strategy for molecular materials used in quantum information technologies. The molecule exhibits slow magnetic relaxation and delocalized electron spins, allowing it to stabilize the quantum state.
A large-area uniform three-dimensional covalent organic framework membrane is fabricated to stabilize Li-metal electrodes via solvation cages. The membrane features non-interpenetrating topology, promoting rapid ion transport and stabilizing the lithium metal anode.
LionGlass promises to cut glass manufacturing carbon footprint in half by lowering melting temperature and eliminating carbonate materials. The technology also offers improved damage resistance, up to ten times that of conventional glass.
Scientists established a definitive charge-driven mechanism underlying the non-thermal catalytic enhancement observed in DC-applied DRM, focusing on Pd/CeO2 as a model catalyst. The study reveals a cooperative mechanism between trapped electrons and strain-induced holes as the microscopic origin of non-thermal catalysis under DC applic...
Scientists at the University of Michigan have developed a theoretical framework that shows how to create soft, elastic, and lightweight materials with active features. The model proposes coupling material mechanics and chemistry to overcome natural damping behavior and achieve chaotic motion.
Researchers at Empa's Mechanics of Materials and Nanostructures laboratory are working to improve the insulation material used in satellites and space probes. They have developed a new intermediate layer that makes the material more elastic and resistant to cracks and flaking, enabling better superinsulation for future satellites.
Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a machine learning approach to analyze diffraction patterns and capture an alloy's microstructure in unprecedented detail. This method accelerates alloy property prediction by orders of magnitude, enabling rapid fundamental understanding of structure properties in metals.
Researchers at Rice University developed a material that uses light to break down PFAS and other contaminants. The covalent organic framework (COF) material, grown directly onto a hexagonal boron nitride film, requires only light to activate its photocatalytic reactions.
Single-crystal HfB2 nanorods exhibit enhanced mechanical properties, with a 4.1% increase in hardness and 37.6% improvement in fracture toughness. The nanorods also demonstrate excellent ablation resistance, impeding oxygen atom penetration and reducing mass ablation rates.
Researchers at Tohoku University and Indian Institute of Technology Indore developed a Cu14 nanocluster with a single exposed Cu site, exhibiting high ammonia selectivity and production rate. The findings support the creation of efficient metal nanocluster catalysts for green energy production.
Researchers developed a novel bioelectronic material that transforms from a rigid film to a soft, tissue-like interface upon hydration, enabling seamless integration with living tissues. The device, called THIN, has been shown to record biological signals with high fidelity and stability in animal experiments.
The MUTE-Seq method detects rare cancer mutations at exceptionally low frequencies, enriching circulating tumor DNA and improving detection accuracy. It increases variant allele frequencies by tens of times, enabling detection of mutations present at 0.005% or lower.
Extracellular vesicles can mediate communication between cells and tissues, influencing processes like immune signaling and cancer progression. Researchers have developed a practical, scalable EV-isolation platform that operates without preprocessing steps or specialized equipment.
Researchers investigate poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) gel structure and function under mechanical forces and heat, revealing changes in electrical conductivity and internal structure. The study provides valuable insights for developing smart polymers and understanding their functional mechanisms.
A team of researchers created a metamaterial that can transfer sound waves between air and water. The device, made from aluminum and steel plates, works by passing vibrations through its structure to facilitate communication between underwater and airborne vehicles.
Researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology have developed a new catalyst that enables faster and more sustainable production of hydrogen gas. The breakthrough, reported in Nature Chemistry, uses a unique molecular scaffold to position iron and nickel atoms for optimal performance.