Articles tagged with Materials
Scientists at Linköping University have made a breakthrough in developing stable high-efficiency perovskite solar cells. They created an ion-modulated radical doping method for Spiro-OMeTAD, which eliminates the trade-off between efficiency and stability.
Researchers discovered that irregularities between grains in the battery's electrolyte can accelerate failure by moving ions at varying speeds. Adjusting material processing techniques may help solve reliability problems with solid-state batteries.
Scientists at the University of Tsukuba developed a method to produce uniform, hollow vessel-shaped crystals through spontaneous crystal growth. The crystals have hexagonal symmetry and can be used as tiny containers for nanotechnology experiments.
Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University have successfully created fumarate using artificial photosynthesis, a process that mimics natural photosynthesis. This fumarate can be used to produce biodegradable plastic, storing carbon in a compact and durable form.
The study discovered that exposure to dinitrogen pentoxide gas can activate plant immunity and control plant diseases, depending on the type of pathogen. This novel approach utilizes reactive nitrogen species generated from plasma technology, which may contribute to the development of a sustainable agricultural system.
A research team from Xi'an Jiaotong University developed BiVO4 as an efficient and stable photocatalyst for water splitting applications. The team achieved excellent results using BiVO4 crystals as a photocatalyst, showing the close relationship between surface properties and photocatalytic activity.
A Soochow University team has developed cobalt copper alloy catalysts that deliver outstanding methane activity and selectivity in electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction. By modulating the cobalt doping concentration, they achieved a remarkable Faradaic efficiency of 60% to methane at high operating current densities.
A research group from Tokyo University of Science has discovered molecular features that govern the filling process at nanoscales, enabling finer resolutions in ultraviolet nanoimprint lithography. The findings provide valuable insights for guiding the selection and design of optimized resists for sub-10 nm resolution.
Researchers have developed a novel dual-atom catalyst design that can reduce the environmental impact of ammonia production. The new design uses a hybrid of iron and molybdenum to activate dinitrogen, resulting in a more efficient and eco-friendly method for ammonia synthesis.
A research group from Osaka Metropolitan University investigates Adiabatic State Preparation (ASP) for efficient electron correlation effects in molecules. They find four key points relevant to ASP's computational conditions, making the method more practical.
The US Department of Energy has selected six new science and technology innovators to advance game-changing clean energy technologies through the Innovation Crossroads program. The startups will receive support from world-class experts and unique capabilities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Researchers from Sichuan University developed a new polymer aerogel with superelasticity that functions in a temperature range of -196-500°C, maintaining multifunctional protective performance. The scalable method uses bidirectionally oriented carbon/carbon aerogel composite multi-walled carbon nanotubes.
Researchers at Tohoku University have successfully fabricated highly transparent solar cells using a 2D atomic sheet. The solar cells achieved an average transparency of 79%, making them suitable for placement in various locations, including windows and human skin.
Researchers observe a significant increase in electrical conductivity when mica is thinned down to few molecular layers, exhibiting semiconductor-like behavior. The findings suggest that thin mica flakes have the potential to be used in two-dimensional electronic devices with exceptional stability and durability.
Researchers investigated quantum fluid dynamics at extremely low temperatures, revealing vortices undergo 'superdiffusion' before transitioning to normal diffusion. The study's findings provide a new way to understand complex quantum turbulence and its underlying laws.
Metal-organic framework (MOF) nanosheet research has made significant advances in gas recovery and sensing materials. Professor Makiura's review article summarizes the development of MOF nanosheets on water surfaces, showcasing their potential for separation membranes and sensor miniaturization.
Researchers at Osaka University have created a microfluidic system that can detect minute changes in the concentration of trace amounts of ethanol, glucose, or minerals in water using terahertz radiation. The device achieved sensitivity levels an order of magnitude better than existing microfluidic chips.
Researchers at UCSB develop soft, semiconducting carbon-based polymer for reconfigurable logic circuits. The conjugated polyelectrolyte enables flexible and power-efficient electronics, promising a new era in computing systems.
Researchers at Rice University have successfully created the first heat-tolerant, stable fibers from boron nitride nanotubes using a wet-spinning process. The fibers assemble themselves into liquid crystals, making them easier to process and suitable for large-scale applications in aerospace, electronics, and energy-efficient materials.
Researchers developed a way to manufacture idealized two-dimensional semiconductor materials, overcoming the challenge of InAs's 3D lattice structure. The breakthrough enables the creation of ultrathin, flexible, and transparent materials suitable for next-generation electronics and optoelectronics.
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.
Researchers at Hiroshima University have discovered a new non-radioactive compound that can be used to stain and image viruses in clear detail using TEM. The Preyssler-type phosphotungstate molecule is a good alternative to radioactive uranyl acetate, providing easy-to-use and stable results.
Scientists from Harvard and Pittsburgh develop liquid crystal elastomer material that can perform complex dance-like motions in response to UV light. The material's behavior is inspired by the interconnected structures of the human body, allowing it to seamlessly integrate dynamic processes.
Researchers developed soft robots that can navigate complex environments like mazes and climb slopes of loose sand. The twist in the robot's design allows it to rotate around obstacles and 'snap' into place, enabling autonomous navigation without human or computer input.
Scientists have found a novel pathway for forming smaller crystals in metals, leading to improved strength and toughness. By bombarding metal surfaces with tiny particles at high speeds, researchers increased copper's strength about tenfold.
Researchers from Korea Maritime and Ocean University have developed a way to synthesize high-performance functionally graded materials with minimized defects. By controlling the mixing gradient of component materials, they improved mechanical properties and eliminated interfacial cracks.
Researchers at University of Limerick developed a new sponge-like porous material capable of capturing trace amounts of benzene, a toxic pollutant, from the air with low energy consumption. The material has strong affinity for benzene and can capture it even when present at very low concentrations.
Researchers are exploring bio-inspired smart insulation materials that can adapt, heal, and report their own failure to inspectors, enabling more efficient and reliable power grids. These materials have the potential to extend service life and prevent costly interruptions.
A research team from the University of Bayreuth has successfully generated and analyzed materials under compression pressures of over 1 terapascal, a breakthrough that could deepen our understanding of matter. The study reveals the synthesis and structural analysis of novel rhenium compounds in the terapascal range.
Researchers at Princeton University developed a new material that combines natural inspirations with engineering innovations. The porous objects feature spinodal microstructures, allowing for customizable performance based on material and geometry.
Bloodworms use copper harvested from sediments to form their jaws, which are strong enough to last five years. The worm synthesizes a material with mechanical properties similar to manufactured metals through a complex process involving protein and melanin.
Researchers discovered that light can trigger magnetism in normally nonmagnetic materials by aligning electron spins. This breakthrough could enable the development of quantum bits for quantum computing and other applications.
Researchers have developed a novel method called 'dative epitaxy' for growing thin layers of crystals made from different materials on top of each other. This technique allows for the formation of special chemical bonds to fix crystal orientation, overcoming limitations of conventional and van der Waals epitaxial techniques.
A team of researchers has developed a tunable graphene-based platform to study exceptional points, which exhibit unique properties when light and matter interact. The breakthrough could lead to advancements in optoelectronic technologies and potentially contribute to the development of 'beyond-5G' wireless technology.
Engineers at University of California - Santa Barbara found that suspensions exhibit distinct behaviors when measured at varying scales. The study highlights the limitations of approximations and has industrial applications in manufacturing.
Researchers used machine learning to predict the most important factors underlying heavy metal pollution remediation in biochar-treated soils. Biochar nitrogen content and application rate were found to be the most crucial features in determining HM immobilization, with soil properties also playing a significant role.
Researchers at IOPCAS have synthesized a new compound Ba6Cr2S10, exhibiting ferroelectricity due to broken space-reversal symmetry. The discovery demonstrates the realization of a 1D ferrotoroidic model in a real material, opening doors for future quantum information technology.
Researchers have developed a 3D, interconnected boron nitride network to improve thermal conductivity in lithium-ion batteries. The network increases the lifespan of batteries by reducing surface temperatures during charging and discharging.
Researchers at Pusan National University have developed oxidation-resistant copper thin films, which could potentially replace gold in semiconductor devices. The films' flat surface reduces the growth of copper oxides on its surface, making them resistant to corrosion.
By slicing a block of elastomer with a periodic array of holes at a 45-degree angle, researchers discovered new properties and opened up new applications for this long-studied group of materials. This change in surface morphology can alter friction between the material and an underlying surface.
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.
Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum, Yale, and Bielefeld have successfully produced a layer of two-dimensional silicon dioxide with natural pores. This material can be used as a fine-mesh sieve for molecules and ions, offering potential applications in desalination, fuel cells, and sustainable energy solutions.
A team of scientists led by Samuel Dunning has developed an original technique to predict and guide the ordered creation of strong, yet flexible, diamond nanothreads. The innovation allows for easier synthesis of the material, which has potential applications in space elevators, ultra-strong fabrics, and other fields.
A zirconium oxide-supported platinum-molybdenum catalyst enables the selective conversion of esters into valuable unsymmetrical ethers under mild conditions. This process offers a sustainable solution for producing these compounds from renewable biomass-derived materials, reducing waste and energy consumption.
Scientists captured high-resolution images of an aluminum single-crystal sample transitioning from elastic to plastic state, allowing them to predict material behavior within 5 trillionths of a second. The study could lead to the design of stronger materials for high-temperature nuclear fusion experiments and spacecraft shields.
Scientists have gained a new understanding of the atomic level interactions in complex catalysis, enabling more efficient and sustainable chemical production. Researchers used x-ray spectroscopy, machine learning analysis, and first principles calculations to model reactions and identify active site structures.
Researchers have developed a novel approach to detect non-uniformities in 2D materials, enabling the creation of new medical sensors that can detect cancer treatment drugs like doxorubicin. The sensor material combines multiple signals from graphene and molybdenum disulfide to accurately measure analyte concentration.
Researchers at GIST have developed a new approach for designing fiber reinforced composites, which can simultaneously optimize the macrostructure and microscale fiber densities. This method, based on multiscale topology optimization, enables the creation of functionally graded composites with improved strength-to-weight ratios, benefit...
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University provide valuable insights on managing C&D waste and reducing carbon emissions in building refurbishment projects. By upcycling generated waste, carbon emissions can be significantly reduced, with a potential reduction of around 40% compared to traditional practices.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science have discovered a method to improve the crystallinity of coordination nanosheets by mixing two metal ion solutions. This approach results in higher crystallinity and improved performance in devices such as electronics and batteries. The findings open a new pathway for tuning the functional pro...
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new material with remarkable toughness and stretchiness, comparable to cartilage. The ionogels created by the team exhibit self-healing and shape memory properties, making them suitable for various applications.
Researchers investigated formaldehyde levels in Ghanaian market fabrics, finding some exceeded standard limits before and after washing. Washing significantly reduced formaldehyde levels, emphasizing the importance of pre-use washing to minimize health risks.
Researchers at Hiroshima University have developed a process to synthesize ammonia from its constituent molecules of nitrogen and hydrogen at ambient pressure, paving the way for efficient use in renewable energy applications. The new method utilizes lithium hydride as a molecular scaffold to prevent clumping and increase reaction speed.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen found hundreds of chemical substances in tap water stored in reusable plastic bottles, including some potentially harmful to human health. The study revealed that machine washing and dishwasher use can increase the leaching of toxic substances from the plastic.
Cerium oxide mesocrystals can be fabricated in a controlled way using radiation chemistry, enabling tuning for applications such as solar cells and fuel catalysts. The unique structure of these nanomaterials allows for customization of optical, magnetic, or electronic properties.
Researchers developed a self-cleaning bioplastic that repels liquids and dirt like a lotus leaf, breaking down rapidly in soil. The bioplastic is made from cheap raw materials, compostable, and suitable for fresh food and takeaway packaging.
A Korean research team created a DUV LED using hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), emitting strong UV light with low skin penetrability. The new material has higher luminescence efficiency and enables miniaturization, making it suitable for various applications.
Researchers at Pusan National University discovered that tempered glass is more resistant to water-promoted fracture growth than annealed glass. The study found that water droplets penetrate microcracks in glass surfaces, dissolving silicon-oxygen bonds and degrading mechanical strength.
A new platform uses machine learning to design and build transformable, inflatable systems with potential applications in medicine, architecture, robotics, space travel, and more. The researchers used finite element simulations and neural networks to learn how to control the deformation of membranes when pressurized.
Osaka University researchers have developed a highly active and durable metal-phosphide catalyst for the deoxygenation of sulfoxides. The catalyst shows wide substrate applicability and can deoxygenate structurally complex drug intermediates in high yields.