Articles tagged with Surface Science
Researchers have revealed the mechanism behind the ferromagnetic properties of Cr-doped (Sb, Bi)2Te3 thin films, enabling electric current generation at room temperature without energy consumption. This breakthrough could lead to novel materials that operate efficiently in future devices.
Researchers at the University of Washington have made the most precise measurements yet of atom-surface interactions crucial for improving lithium batteries and air filters. By studying gas atoms' behavior on a carbon nanotube surface, they found a measurable change in electrical resistance occurs when an atom sticks to the surface.
High-performance solar cells with a combination of materials like perovskite and spiro-MeOTAD are plagued by tiny pinholes, allowing water and gases to degrade the material. Researchers at OIST Graduate University believe these minuscule openings could be key to understanding the degradation of perovskite, leading to potential solutions.
A recent slowdown in global warming is attributed to a natural cooling phase known as multidecadal variability (MDV) and a downturn of the secular warming trend. Scientists analyzed surface temperature data records to identify this hiatus period, which coincides with natural cooling phases.
Researchers at Technical University of Munich successfully assembled chains of up to 90 porphine units using a silver surface, opening doors for the development of ordered long molecular structures. These 'tapes' have potential applications in electronic devices and data storage.
Researchers successfully manipulate 20 single bromine atoms on a sodium chloride surface to form the smallest 'Swiss cross' at room temperature. The achievement marks an important step towards next-generation atomic-scale storage devices and logic circuits.
The Radiation Assessment Detector measured radiation on Mars' surface, revealing an average GCR dose equivalent rate of 0.67 millisieverts per day. The findings also show that most mission radiation exposure will occur during outbound and return travel, posing a challenge for future human exploration.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have found that Vega, a star used as a reference point for measuring other stars' brightness, is approximately 200 million years older than previously estimated. The star's rotation rate and mass were also precisely measured using the Michigan Infrared Combiner tool.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have created a sophisticated experimental setup to measure the interactions between single atoms and surfaces. The technique refines our understanding of the van-der-Waals force, which is crucial for chemistry, biology, and physics.
Researchers at Penn State University have successfully determined the geometry of C60 molecules on a silver surface using low-energy electron diffraction. The findings reveal a 'hole' beneath each molecule that reinforces bonding between carbon and silver, opening doors to studying technologically important molecules.
Scientists from Jülich and Göttingen have successfully visualized bulk Fermi surfaces using scanning tunnelling microscopes. This breakthrough enables direct insight into the properties of metals.
The University of Colorado at Boulder received two $11 million grants to study the lunar surface, atmosphere, and cosmos. The LUNAR team will conduct astronomical observations and investigate the early universe, while the CCLDAS project focuses on lunar dust and astronaut safety.
A new technique allows lab technicians to manipulate tiny quantities of liquid without contaminating them. Droplets can be made to bounce, float and move into the air using a bath of oil and vibrations.
Researchers at NIST discovered gold nanostars exhibit superior optical qualities for SERS, outperforming nanorods and nanospheres for enhanced signal detection. The team created gold nanostars using surface alterations and demonstrated their ability to amplify molecular signatures.
A new study shows that a sensitive laser instrument developed at the Idaho National Laboratory can detect minuscule traces of cells in Martian minerals. The technique uses a 'point-and-shoot' laser method to preserve more of the rock and reduce contamination risk, with high sensitivity crucial for NASA's search for life on Mars.
Social spiders have developed a unique foraging strategy that enables them to capture larger prey despite declining individual catch rates with colony size. This efficiency allows colonies to thrive in tropical areas but dwindle in higher elevations and latitudes.
The 2008 IOP Awards have recognized significant contributions to physics across various fields. Notably, Professor Rowan-Robinson's research on galactic dust has shed light on the main populations of galaxies in our universe.
The study provides key insights into the composition of comets, with three pockets of thin ice detected on Tempel 1. The surface ice appears to have been exposed over time through geologically active jets, revealing an abundance of organic matter and water.
Majkrzak's work on neutron reflectometry has significantly improved the field's ability to analyze atomic and magnetic structures. His research findings have numerous applications in biology, particularly in the study of materials at the molecular level.
Scientists have detected a 'whiff' of methane evaporating off the surface of Saturn's moon Titan, revealing insights into its geology and weather systems. The data from the Huygens probe also suggests that beneath the thin crust lies a material made of water ice grains.
The discovery of salty, acidic water on Mars' surface suggests the planet was once capable of cradling life. Robotic explorers like Opportunity and Spirit found evidence of shallow groundwater and wet-and-dry cycles.
A novel laser technique has been developed to identify and quantify toxic molecules, such as trichloroethylene, in the environment. The method enables quantitative studies of real-world surface processes without requiring ultrahigh vacuum conditions.
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered a series of phase transitions that cause silicon crystals to round their edges as they reach thermal equilibrium. This finding has implications for the manufacturing of tiny electronic components, such as wires and semiconductors, which could be designed with specific patterns.
Researchers grew a molecular film on liquid mercury, discovering four distinct patterns as molecules assemble. The study paves the way for controlling film growth and tailoring materials for nanoelectronics and nanosensor technology.
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have found several new pieces to the puzzle of high-temperature superconductors by imaging the copper-oxide plane. They discovered that the surface behavior is different from when buried inside the crystal, offering additional insight into high-temperature superconductors.
Researchers at Ohio State University developed a technique to create ultra-smooth gold surfaces, more than 10 times smoother than existing ones. This breakthrough can be used for scanning tunneling microscopy of biological molecules and making reflective coatings for large X-ray mirrors.