Physical Properties

"Reading the invisible": POSTECH-led team develops AI framework accounting for hidden defects in metal 3D printing

Scientists discover surprising new way to control light

Researchers at the University of East Anglia have discovered that light can be programmed using its natural geometry, allowing for the creation of structured light with unique properties. This breakthrough has far-reaching implications for fields such as medicine, data transmission, and quantum technologies.

Coffee waste transformed into high-performance, biodegradable insulation material

Researchers developed a biodegradable composite made from spent coffee grounds and natural polymer, offering strong thermal insulation while being environmentally sustainable. The new material has a thermal conductivity comparable to commercial expanded polystyrene and is fully derived from renewable resources.

Crushing soda cans and the mathematics of corrugation formation

Scientists at the University of Manchester discovered a rare mathematical process underlying the formation of corrugations in soda cans. The sequence of buckles follows homoclinic snaking, a phenomenon where bumps or ripples appear one by one in a precise order.

Laser-etched ‘synthetic skin’ defies -50°c and weak sunlight to eliminate extreme ice

Researchers have created a dark, rubbery film that combines physical textures with light-absorbing nanotubes to keep surfaces ice-free at -50 °C. The film operates using a two-tier defense mechanism, providing both passive and active anti-de-icing capabilities.

Reshaping gold leads to new electronic and optical properties

By changing the physical structure of gold, researchers can drastically change its interaction with light, leading to enhanced electronic behavior and improved absorption of light energy. This study demonstrates the potential of nanoporous gold as a new design parameter for engineering materials in advanced technologies.

Scientists engineer unsinkable metal tubes

Researchers at the University of Rochester create a new process to turn ordinary metal tubes unsinkable by etching micro- and nano-pits on their surface, making them superhydrophobic. The tubes stay afloat in water, even when damaged or submerged for extended periods.

Understanding unusual chirality-driven anomalous Hall effect via first-principles calculations

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.

Flipping the switch on material chirality: Modifying chirality with electricity

Researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo have developed a method to manipulate material chirality using electricity, enabling reversible and tunable chiral electronic states. This approach opens new possibilities for advanced spintronic devices and the emerging field of 'chiral iontronics'.

The twisted nanotubes that tell a story

Researchers have created a method to encode binary information and transmit signals on a chip using quasiparticles called magnons. The spiral geometry of tiny, twisted magnetic tubes enables data transmission at room temperature, with no electron flow required.

Can smoother surfaces prevent hydrogen embrittlement?

Research finds that surface roughness influences the formation and size of hydrogen-related defects in iron, leading to a new approach to material design. The study provides fundamental understanding of hydrogen embrittlement mechanisms and could reduce life-cycle costs of hydrogen technologies.

New Barkhausen noise measurement system unlocks key to efficient power electronics

Researchers developed a wide-band and high-sensitivity magnetic Barkhausen noise measurement system to understand energy loss mechanisms in soft magnetic materials. The study revealed that damping caused by eddy currents generated during DW motion is the main cause of excess eddy current losses.

Liverpool's materials scientist Professor Matt Rosseinsky awarded Royal Medal for pioneering research

Professor Matt Rosseinsky, a leading researcher at the University of Liverpool, has been awarded the Royal Medal for his groundbreaking work in materials chemistry. His innovative approach uses artificial intelligence to design and discover new materials with unique properties.

Breakthrough in 2.5D MOF materials based on triptycene derivatives

Researchers developed a new class of 2.5D MOFs using triptycene-based molecules, enabling high-quality single crystals for detailed structural and functional studies. The materials exhibit strong electronic and magnetic correlations in the interlayer direction, paving the way for next-generation MOF-based technologies.

Light reveals secrets encoded in chiral metasurfaces

Researchers engineer optical metasurface to yield simple technique for secure data encryption, biosensing, and quantum technologies. The team encodes images on a metasurface optimized for mid-infrared range of electromagnetic spectrum.

Thick electrodes’ chemistry matters more than structure for battery performance

Researchers at Rice University found that electrode materials' thermodynamic properties impact energy flow and performance differently. They showed that even with similar structures, some materials degrade faster under identical cycling conditions due to uneven lithium flow.

Creating carbon-capturing cement

A team of Penn engineers and materials scientists have developed a biomineral-infused concrete that captures up to 142% more CO2 than conventional mixes while using less cement. The new material is stronger, lighter, and uses fewer materials like cement.

Shape memory polymer dry adhesive technology paves the way for micro-LED innovation

Researchers at Pohang University of Science and Technology developed a novel dry adhesive technology using shape memory polymers, allowing for precise micro-LED chip transfer with minimal residue. The technology offers significant advantages over conventional methods, including high adhesion strength and easy release.

AI shortens the development time of new materials

An AI model developed by Ehsan Ghane at the University of Gothenburg can predict the durability and strength of woven composite materials, reducing development time. The model integrates material laws to make extrapolations outside training data, enabling better understanding of material behavior.

Evidence of long-sought “quantum spin liquid” discovered

Researchers have identified a three-dimensional quantum spin liquid in cerium zirconate, exhibiting emergent photons and fractionalization. This discovery could lead to breakthroughs in superconductors and quantum computing.

New microscope reveals heat flow in materials for green energy

Scientists have developed a new microscope that accurately measures directional heat flow in materials. This advancement can lead to better designs for electronic devices and energy systems, with potential applications in faster computers, more efficient solar panels, and batteries.

Physics: Eggs less likely to crack when dropped side-on

Research published in Communications Physics found that eggs are more likely to survive drops when oriented horizontally, contradicting a common classroom science experiment assumption. The study's findings suggest that the shell of an egg can better withstand impact when dropped side-on due to its flexibility around the equator.

Scientists create a ‘brilliantly luminous’ nanoscale chemical tool

Researchers developed fluorescent polyionic nanoclays that can be customized for medical imaging, sensor technology, and environmental protection. These tiny clay-based materials exhibit high brightness and versatility, enabling precise tuning of optical properties.

New research challenges understanding of cell membranes in mammals

Researchers discovered that mammalian membranes have drastically different phospholipid abundances between their two leaflets, contradicting a major assumption of cell biology. The asymmetry is enabled by cholesterol's unique properties, which act as a buffer to redistribute between the leaflets and maintain robust barriers.

Toward high electro-optic performance in III-V semiconductors

New research at UC Santa Barbara illuminates a path to superior electro-optic performance in AlScN alloys by adjusting atomic structure and composition. The study found that precisely oriented layer structures and strain tuning can yield significant enhancements in electro-optic properties, potentially surpassing those of lithium niobate.

Materials can remember a sequence of events in an unexpected way

Researchers found that some materials can store and recall sequences under specific conditions, defying mathematical predictions. This phenomenon relies on 'frustrated' hysterons, which are key to forming and recovering a sequence with asymmetric driving.

Spirals and waves

Researchers Navdeep Rana and Ramin Golestanian investigated non-reciprocal interaction and defect formation in active systems, finding well-ordered wave patterns emerge when non-reciprocity exceeds a certain level. This property opens avenues for applications of non-reciprocal active matter systems.

Novel quantum materials in the spotlight

German physicist Christian Schneider has been awarded a European Research Council Consolidator Grant to study the optical properties of two-dimensional materials. His team plans to develop experimental set-ups to investigate the unique properties of these materials, which could lead to new applications in quantum technologies.

Constriction junction, do you function?

Scientists from Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed a new type of qubit that can be easily manufactured without sacrificing performance. The constriction junction architecture offers a simpler alternative to traditional SIS junctions, using a thin superconducting wire instead of an insulating layer.

Newly discovered sheets of nanoscale “cubes” make excellent catalysts

Scientists create sheets of transition metal chalcogenide 'cubes' connected by chlorine atoms, exhibiting high catalytic efficiency for hydrogen generation. The discovery opens up a new route to assembling nanosheets with unique electronic and physical properties.

Breakthrough research uncovers hidden phenomena in ultra-clean quantum materials

Researchers have discovered unusual transport phenomena in ultra-clean SrVO3 samples, contradicting long-standing scientific consensus. The study's findings challenge theoretical models of electron correlation effects and offer insights into the behavior of transparent metals.

Researchers developed a new metamaterial that can detect the order of external operations

A novel mechanical metamaterial, 'Chaco,' exhibits history-dependent behavior, allowing it to remember the sequence of actions performed on it. This property enables potential applications in memory storage and robotics.

‘Fossilizing’ cracks in infrastructure creates sealing that can even survive earthquakes

A team of researchers at Nagoya University has developed a novel method to seal cracks and fractures in rocks using a concretion-forming resin. The resin holds its shape and seals flow-paths rapidly, withstanding six earthquakes in a test period, making it more durable than conventional cement-based materials.

Automated calculation of surface properties in crystals

Scientists create high-throughput automation to calculate surface properties of crystalline materials using established laws of physics. This accelerates the search for relevant materials for applications in energy conversion, production, and storage.

Dortmund physicists develop highly robust time crystal

Researchers at TU Dortmund University have developed a highly durable time crystal that outlasts previous experiments by tens of thousands of times. The team discovered a way to stabilize the crystal using nuclear spins, enabling it to maintain its periodic behavior for up to 40 minutes.

Researchers from Pusan National University employ artificial intelligence to unlock the secrets of magnesium alloy anisotropy

The team proposed a novel machine learning model with data augmentation, which accurately predicts the plastic anisotropic properties of wrought Mg alloys. The model showed significantly better robustness and generalizability than other models, paving the way for improved design and manufacturing of metal products.

Generative model unveils secrets of material disorder

Scientists at National University of Singapore developed a hybrid generative machine learning model to explore structural disorders in complex materials. The model unveiled pathways to material disorder, shedding light on factors affecting piezoelectric response. It also found evidence that domain boundaries maximize entropy.

The secret life of an electromagnon

Scientists have discovered how atoms and spins move together in electromagnons, a hybrid excitation that can be controlled with light. The study used time-resolved X-ray diffraction to reveal the atomic motions and spin movements, showing that atoms move first and then the spins fractionally later.

The little things matter: Chemists develop new sensor for microvolume pH detection

Researchers at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University have developed a sensitive and robust pH sensor that can detect pH variation in just a few microliters of samples. The new sensor uses novel materials and methods to overcome the current method's limitations, which are not sensitive enough or fragile for commercial-scale use.

Rice lab’s boron nitride composite could be useful for advanced technology applications

Researchers created a nanocomposite of hexagonal and cubic boron nitride, which exhibits unexpected thermal and optical properties. The composite's low thermal conductivity makes it suitable for heat-insulating electronic devices, while its second-harmonic generation property is larger than expected after heating.

Rice engineers’ storage technology keeps nanosurfaces clean

Researchers at Rice University have created a new type of storage container that effectively prevents surface contamination for at least six weeks. The technology relies on an ultraclean wall with tiny bumps and divots, which attracts VOCs in air inside the containers.

New biodegradable plastics are compostable in your backyard

Researchers at the University of Washington have developed bioplastics that degrade on the same timescale as banana peels and can be processed at home. These spirulina-based bioplastics are stronger, stiffer, and more fire-resistant than previous attempts, making them suitable for various industries.

Producing large, clean 2D materials made easy: just KISS

Researchers have developed a simple method to produce large and very clean 2D samples from a range of materials using three different substrates. The kinetic in situ single-layer synthesis (KISS) technique allows for the production of air-sensitive 2D materials, overcoming the drawbacks of previous methods.

Biological specimens imaged with X-rays without damage

A team of scientists at DESY has developed a new technique using X-rays to image biological specimens without damaging them. The method, which generates high-resolution images at nanometre resolution, could be used for applications such as imaging whole unsectioned cells or tracking nanoparticles within a cell.

Termite mounds reveal secret to creating ‘living and breathing’ buildings that use less energy

Researchers studied termite mounds to develop efficient ventilation systems for buildings. The 'egress complex' network enhances air flow, heat, and moisture exchange, maintaining a balanced temperature and humidity inside. This design enables wind-powered ventilation with minimal energy consumption.

Earthquake scientists have a new tool in the race to find the next big one

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have discovered a frictional phenomenon that governs how quickly faults heal after an earthquake. This discovery could help scientists understand when and how violently faults move, providing valuable new insights into the causes and potential for large earthquakes.

Making sense of coercivity in magnetic materials with machine learning

Researchers developed a new approach to analyze coercivity in soft magnetic materials using machine learning and data science. The method condenses relevant information from microscopic images into a two-dimensional feature space, visualizing the energy landscape of magnetization reversal. This study showcases how materials informatics...

Matter at extreme conditions of very high temperature and pressure turns out to be remarkably simple and universal

Scientists discovered a fixed inversion point between liquid-like and gas-like states of supercritical matter, with the same location across all systems studied. This finding reveals that supercritical matter is surprisingly simple and amenable to new understanding.

Dynamic ring resonator offers new opportunity in synthetic frequency dimension

Researchers constructed a synthetic stub lattice in two coupled rings of different lengths, observing flat bands, band transitions and mode localization. This experimental demonstration enables dynamic control of light and may pave the way for future applications in optical communications.

Ultrafast 'camera' captures hidden behavior of potential 'neuromorphic' material

Researchers used a mega-electron-volt ultrafast electron diffraction instrument to study vanadium dioxide's insulator-metal transition. The 'stroboscopic camera' captured the hidden trajectory of atomic motion, showing two stages with non-linear atomic motions in the second stage, influenced by electron orbital forces.

What do jelly and sand have in common?

Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University found that falling beds of sand and melting gelatin exhibit similar destabilization behavior, characterized by fingering instabilities and fluidized interface regions. This study provides insights into the macroscopic physical behavior of granular materials and gels under gravity.

Elastic fields stretch the understanding of chiral molecular crystals

A team of researchers at The University of Tokyo has created a model that reveals the role of emergent elastic fields in chiral molecular and colloidal crystals. The findings provide a potential switch for developing new electro- and magneto-mechanical devices.

Vectorial metrics reveal complex optical information

Researchers developed a new framework to extract meaningful vectorial metrics from Mueller matrix elements, providing insights into exotic material characterization and precise cancer boundary detection. The framework establishes a universal metric for calculating different physical properties of target objects.

Enhancing the electromechanical behavior of a flexible polymer

A Penn State-led team of researchers developed a flexible polymer with enhanced electromechanical behavior, resulting in a 60% increase in electricity generation efficiency. The material's properties were improved by deliberately introducing chemical impurities through doping and stretching the polymer to align molecular chains.

New evidence proves acceleration of quasar outflows at scale of tens of parsecs

Researchers from USTC discovered the acceleration of quasar outflows at tens of parsecs, exceeding traditional accretion disk wind model predictions. The findings suggest a key role for interstellar dust in facilitating this acceleration.

Mobile excitons as neutral information carriers

Researchers have created and detected dispersing excitons in a metal using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, a breakthrough that could enable efficient data transmission. The discovery of mobile excitons in TaSe3 reveals their mobility and potential to revolutionize electronics.

Surprising complexity in simple particle model of composite materials

Computer simulations reveal subtle changes in density near a stiff pillar cause a broader concentration of force than expected. The study's findings suggest that even small variations can significantly impact the properties of composite materials.

Engineers develop new software tool to aid material modeling research

Researchers developed propSym to calculate fundamental constants of solids, reducing redundant components and improving material modeling. The open-source software is adaptable to various physical properties, aiming to lower the entry barrier for analytical modeling.

River animals just go with the flow

Researchers observed diverse aquatic biota in post-flood communities, with changes in flow dynamics and water chemistry supporting biological adaptation. The study highlights the role of floods in shaping floodplain ecosystems.

Clear as (quasi) crystal: Scientists discover the first ferromagnetic quasicrystals

Researchers at Tokyo University of Science have reported the first-ever observation of long-range ferromagnetic order in icosahedral quasicrystals. The discovery was made using conventional X-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility, and specific heat measurements.