Articles tagged with Thin Film Deposition
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Scientists at Université de Genève studied over 100,000 combinations to establish a model predicting the amount of copper present in deposits. The researchers found that factors such as magma depth and duration determine the quantity of copper, with optimal conditions ranging from 20 km depth and 2 million years injection time.
Researchers discovered that spotted-wing flies use senses of smell, touch, and taste to choose ideal nursery sites. They prefer firm texture and volatile chemicals emitted by freshly ripened fruits.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin found that high methane levels in well water are likely from shallow natural gas deposits, not hydraulic fracturing. The study used chemical and geographic evidence to tie elevated methane levels to these natural sources.
Researchers at DGIST have developed a technology to coat metals with several nanometers of semiconducting materials, enabling various color changes through thin-film interference. This breakthrough allows for the production of colors such as yellow, orange, blue, and purple on demand.
A new electrochemical technique can remove nickel from contaminated seawater by trapping it in calcareous deposits within a week. This cost-effective method uses galvanized steel electrodes and does not deplete calcium and magnesium levels in the water.
Research from Kyushu University found that even small amounts of impurities in the vacuum chamber can significantly impact OLED lifetime. The study analyzed environmental conditions and detected a correlation between shorter deposition times and increased degradation rates.
Researchers used a combination of measurements to gather detailed information on problematic carbon-based deposits in catalysts, known as coke. They found that uneven distribution of aluminum in zeolite catalysts caused coke buildup, which blocks chemical reactions vital to fuel production and other processes.
Researchers at TU Wien have successfully created nanostructures made of pure gold using an additive direct-write lithography technique. The new method allows for the fabrication of three-dimensional gold structures, which are essential for various applications in electronics and sensor technology.
A new method of micron-scale surface chemical patterning was developed at UCSB, allowing for the creation of engineered surfaces with patterned polymer brushes. This technology reduces processing time and adds versatility to design, making it suitable for industrial applications.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a ultra-thin ferroelectric material called hafnium oxide (HfO2) that exhibits ferroelectricity below 450°C, making it compatible with silicon-based semiconductors and suitable for applications in novel random-access memory and transistors.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory develop direct-write technology to create nanoscale patterns in metallic ink, allowing for tailored material properties and customized architectures. The technique uses a scanning transmission electron microscope to control the deposition of metal onto a silicon microchip.
Researchers at Iowa State University have developed a theoretical framework to understand the relationship between capture zones and the formation of nanoclusters. The study highlights the importance of subtle spatial details in the nucleation process, which is crucial for controlling nanostructure properties.
A recent research report reveals that water and solutes flowing into the Salar de Atacama salt flat originate from an unexpectedly large portion of the Andean Plateau. The deposit, 3,900 feet thick, drains an area four or five times larger than the topographic watershed, posing fundamental questions about hydrologic and solute budgets.
Researchers found that small imprecisions in surface lattice sites can affect the density of deposited particles, leading to less efficient deposition processes and lower ultimate coverage. This study suggests that a certain degree of relaxation may be more effective in improving dense structures.
Geologists at MIT traced Mercury's cooling history, finding the planet cooled dramatically in half a billion years. The team used data from NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft to analyze lava deposits and found that older deposits had distinct chemical compositions.
Researchers at ICFO have developed a solution-processed, semi-transparent solar cell based on AgBiS2 nanocrystals, which are non-toxic and abundant. The cells achieved power conversion efficiencies of 6.3%, competing with current thin film technologies, and offer potential as a low-cost alternative to traditional solar cells.
Researchers observed defects forming during CIGSe solar cell fabrication and found that excess copper helps reduce defects. The study suggests that the copper-rich phase plays a crucial role in eliminating defects, regardless of temperature.
Researchers at MIT have successfully created simple electrical heating devices using coal, showcasing its potential for various high-tech uses. The team characterized the chemical, electrical, and optical properties of four different types of coal, revealing a range of conductivities that can be tailored to specific applications.
Researchers discover a new way to view complex groups of atoms in motion using coherent X-rays, revealing voids and nanocolumns that form during thin film production. This technique improves the quality of commercial applications such as solar panels and drug delivery systems.
Researchers at Aalto University have developed a method for manufacturing batteries with organic electrode materials, enabling the creation of more efficient microbatteries. The new technique uses a combined atomic/molecular layer deposition process, resulting in highly stable structures with improved energy density and rate capability.
Researchers develop empirical model to estimate risks of volcanic ash on jet engines, finding that sand-based tests are unsuitable due to underestimated damage. The new model takes into account the chemical composition of ash, providing a more realistic assessment of aviation hazards.
EPFL researchers have developed conductive tracks that can be stretched up to four times their original length and still maintain conductivity. The new metallic and partially liquid film has a wide range of possible applications, including artificial skin, connected clothing, and on-body sensors.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have developed a new technique to identify copper deposits in magmatic rocks by analyzing their chemical composition. The method, which was tested on a major porphyry discovery in Chile, has shown promising results and could lead to the discovery of new valuable metal deposits.
Researchers create glass nanoengraving mechanism using femtosecond laser and glass microspheres, achieving resolution below 100 nanometers. The method enables quick and cheap creation of sensors and microchips with complex patterns.
Scientists have long struggled to explain the rapid deglaciation of the 'Snowball Earth' period, but new research now offers an explanation for the global formation of hundreds of metres thick deposits known as cap carbonates
A team of scientists has discovered that strong medieval earthquakes in Nepal triggered massive debris flows that reshaped the landscape over a distance of more than 60 kilometers. The study used 14C radiocarbon dating to determine the timing of sediment deposits and found that they coincide with documented large earthquakes in the reg...
Researchers at KU Leuven have developed an alternative production method to create nanoporous thin films, expanding their industrial possibilities. These materials can be used as catalysts, absorb large amounts of material, and store gases, opening up new applications in fields like nanoelectronics.
Researchers at Oxford University have developed a scalable technique to produce millimetre-sized graphene crystals in minutes, compared to hours using current methods. The new approach creates a liquid layer that smooths out nanoscale valleys, allowing for larger flakes of high-quality graphene.
Researchers at Aalto University predicted the existence of topological superconductors on metallic surfaces and thin films using mathematical models. The discovery could lead to new quantum states and potential applications in quantum computing.
A new imaging tool found a strikingly similar pattern of abnormal protein deposits in the brains of retired NFL players with concussions, which may help identify brain disorders like CTE. The study also shows differences in brain imaging patterns between concussed athletes and healthy individuals.
Asphaltene analysis takes a giant step with the development of an indirect method that detects and measures particles as small as 100 nanometers. This technique can accurately quantify asphaltene precipitation and account for water presence, offering valuable insights into preventing clogs in oil production lines.
Millions of antibodies used in research often have unclear specificity due to lack of quality control and standardization. Experts advocate for recombinant antibodies with defined sequences, enabling worldwide reproducibility of experiments.
Researchers from MIPT and Weizmann Institute of Science discover possibility of negative turbophoresis, where impurity particles move against turbulence direction. The study presents new type of phase transition, depending on particle inertia, which can either localize or delocalize in turbulent flows.
Researchers found that microbial activity increases with mineral deposits on sand particles in rapid sand filters, removing impurities like iron and ammonia. The study refutes the conventional assumption that minerals interfere with microbial colonization, suggesting potential improvements in drinking water production.
Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) show promise as a successor to silicon for smaller, faster and cheaper electronic devices. A new method improves their reliability and performance by coating them with PVDF-TrFE, a fluoropolymer that mitigates impurities and defects.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new method to build MoS2 light emitters that can be tuned to different frequencies, essential for optoelectronic chips. This breakthrough could lead to more energy-efficient and flexible displays.
Researchers identify picene as a potential candidate for small-scale electronics due to its high carrier mobility and chemical stability. A thin layer of picene molecules attached to a silver surface maintains its structure and function.
Researchers link massive flooding in China to human-caused environmental degradation and flood-mitigation efforts dating back 3,000 years. The Yellow River's levee system was built over 2,900-700 years ago to control erosion, but it ultimately made periodic floods worse.
Researchers from ETH Zurich have identified a new class of zeolite catalysts that can withstand the formation of hydrocarbon deposits, which clog pores and block active sites. The key to their improved performance lies in the internal structure of the catalysts, with well-connected nano-sized channels and numerous openings.
Researchers developed a new concept to control wrinkling patterns on hard nano-film/soft-matter substrate by patterning the surface with curves. The study found that concave-side curves suppress wrinkling, while convex-side curves induce it, making disordered wrinkling controllable.
Researchers at NC State University developed a 'superabsorbing' design that improves light absorption efficiency of thin film solar cells by decreasing semiconductor material thickness. The design, which looks like an onion, can absorb up to 90% of available solar energy using just a 10nm thick layer of amorphous silicon.
A new study establishes a link between Arctic sea ice dynamics and the region's changing atmospheric chemistry, potentially leading to increased amounts of mercury deposited in sensitive ecosystems. The pumping effect created by opening and closing sea ice leads forces down additional mercury to restart chemical reactions.
The discovery of supervolcanoes in southern Utah reveals massive eruptions that buried a vast region, affecting areas from central Utah to Nebraska. This research has significant implications for understanding geological history and the impact of volcanic activity on ecosystems.
Researchers have discovered a novel liquid that can dissolve nine types of key semiconductors at room temperature and normal air pressure. The finding holds promise for improving electronic applications such as solar cells by creating low-cost, semiconducting thin films.
Scientists at Empa have developed a new manufacturing technique for high-efficiency CIGS solar cells, achieving a record-breaking energy conversion rate of 20.4%. This improvement enables CIGS cells to compete with polycrystalline silicon cells, marking a significant advancement in the field.
Researchers at Scripps Florida Institute have developed a highly programmable platform for creating synthetic cellular structures with complex membrane compositions. The approach enables the assembly of multi-layered membranes resembling the cell nucleus envelope, offering new insights into biological function and evolution.
Researchers at TUM have developed a new family of electronic devices using carbon nanotubes, enabling rapid gas detection and low power consumption. These sensors can be integrated into food packaging to gauge freshness or built into electronic skin for robotic applications.
Raimon Tolosana-Delgado's mathematical models help understand rock formation and sediment development, crucial for predicting raw material locations. The prize recognizes his work on developing general models applicable to various raw materials, which could improve exploration and extraction efficiency.
Researchers at Advanced Diamond Technologies successfully created thin films of boron-doped diamond at low temperatures, potentially enabling a wider range of applications for electronic devices. The new method expands the possibilities for depositing high-quality diamond coatings without damaging sensitive electronics.
A team of scientists at Harvard University and the University of Illinois successfully printed tiny lithium-ion microbatteries using 3D printing technology. The batteries have comparable electrochemical performance to commercial batteries but are much smaller in scale.
Researchers at Michigan Technological University have developed a method to create manganese dioxide nanorods with the optimal crystal structure, enabling high-power and long-lasting capacitors. The nanorods can be used in various applications, including energy storage and solar cells.
Researchers have successfully developed the world's first peel-and-stick thin-film solar cells, vastly expanding the potential applications of solar technology. The breakthrough allows for flexible and decal-like solar panels that can be attached to various surfaces without losing efficiency.
University of Pennsylvania researchers have found a new way to prevent cracks in nanoparticle films by using a technique called spin-coating to create uniform coatings. This method could be a game-changer for industries that rely on these films, such as electronics and solar cells.
Researchers have demonstrated a less-expensive way to create textured nickel ferrite (NFO) ceramic thin films, which can easily be scaled up for manufacturing needs. The new technique allows for the creation of NFO thin films with an aligned crystalline structure, maximizing their magnetic properties.
The LRO radar has detected small patches of ice in the walls of Shackleton crater, with estimates suggesting they could make up at most 5-10% of the material by weight. This finding supports the possibility that permanently shadowed lunar craters are sites for water accumulation.
Geologists and researchers use LiDAR, geochronology, and stratigraphy to uncover the history of earthquakes, volcanism, and tectonic processes in regions like Alaska and Nevada. These findings shed light on Earth's surface evolution and help understand plate tectonics.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have discovered a new pathway for creating nanocrystalline-diamond thin films that can significantly improve the performance of certain types of integrated circuits. By reducing thermal budget, these materials can sustain higher current densities, leading to more efficient electronic devices.
Researchers at Stanford University have created tiny hollow spheres of photovoltaic nanocrystalline-silicon that harness physics to trap light, improving the performance of thin solar films. The nanoshells significantly increase light absorption over a broader spectrum of light.
Researchers in France have developed a way to deposit thin aluminum RFID tags on paper using thermal evaporation, reducing the cost of RFID tagging. This approach could enable single printed sheets or flyers to be tagged and open up RFID tagging to more systems.
A recent study published in the Geological Society of America Bulletin suggests that Earth's largest mass extinction, known as 'The Great Dying,' occurred over hundreds of thousands of years, not suddenly. The research, led by Thomas Algeo from the University of Cincinnati, found evidence of a prolonged die-off of marine life due to ma...