Articles tagged with Thin Film Deposition
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A new chemical technique has been developed to deposit a non-crystalline form of silicon into ultra-thin pores of optical fibers. This allows for the creation of more-efficient and flexible optical fibers with hydrogenated amorphous silicon, ideal for applications such as solar cells and telecommunications.
Researchers create square arrays of highly reproductive three-dimensional silicon oxide nanodots in seconds, opening the door for biosensors and genomics applications. They used atmospheric pressure plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition to achieve precise ordering of nanodots on an array.
Researchers at Empa have developed record-breaking flexible CIGS solar cells with an 18.7% efficiency, overcoming performance limitations on polymer films by reducing deposition temperatures. The innovation enables cost-effective roll-to-roll processing and lower manufacturing costs.
The development of new proppant materials enables the production of oil and gas from previously inaccessible deposits. New high-tech ceramics and coated sands are being used to fracture open rock formations at depths of over a mile, increasing access to more difficult-to-recover reserves.
Researchers explore potential causes of widespread gullying on the southeastern Tibetan Plateau, find evidence of late Quaternary development in river valleys of the Karakoram Himalaya range. Paleovalley morphology studies reveal insights into climate and tectonic controls on sedimentation.
Amar leverages OSC supercomputers to test a new mathematical approach that accelerates complex computer calculations for simulating micro-thin material formation. The first-passage time approach speeds up KMC simulations by a factor of 36 to 100 times, improving efficiency in modeling and growth of materials.
Fat, oil, and grease (FOG) harden into calcium-based fatty acid salts, creating deposits that reduce wastewater flow and cause environmental problems. Researchers have discovered the molecular mechanism behind FOG deposit formation using FTIR spectroscopy.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have successfully created ordered layers of nanoparticles using spincasting, a technique that utilizes centrifugal force to distribute liquids onto solid substrates. This approach has promising results for the creation of materials with various uses, from optics to electronics.
Researchers found extremely high levels of oxidized mercury above the Dead Sea, a phenomenon previously only observed in polar regions. The findings suggest that bromine in the atmosphere plays a key role in initiating mercury oxidation.
Researchers developed self-dusting solar panels using technology from Mars space missions, reducing dust impact on solar energy output. The new coating can remove up to 90% of deposited dust within two minutes, minimizing maintenance costs and increasing efficiency.
A team of geologists led by David Fike has revisited the Great Oxygenation Event, finding that it was likely a two-step process involving sulfur compounds rather than just oxygen. This challenges the traditional narrative of the event and highlights the difficulties in interpreting redox proxies.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new method to manufacture thin films of gallium arsenide, a highly efficient semiconductor material, that could expand its applications in solar devices. The technique allows for the production of bulk quantities of material more rapidly and cost effectively.
Researchers from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and UC Santa Barbara found massive asphalt domes 10 miles offshore, 35,000 years old, containing over 100,000 tons of residual asphalt. The structures are home to a thriving ecosystem, with scientists studying their chemical composition, age, and purpose.
A 95-million-year-old Cretaceous African amber deposit reveals new fossils of insects, spiders, and bacteria, providing insights into an ancient tropical forest and the diversification of flowering plants during this time. The discovery is significant, as it is the first major find from the African continent.
Recent research suggests that dust storms in the Arctic, possibly caused by receding glaciers, may be depositing soil in northern Europe and North America. This phenomenon could impact local climates and potentially affect human health due to the presence of small particles in the air.
New evidence suggests that post-depositional 'burn-down' events in the Kimmeridge Clay Formation caused loss of organic matter, resulting in alternating patterns between organic-rich and -poor sediments. This supports the 'burn-down' theory over the long-held hypothesis of elevated planktonic productivity.
The Chang'E-1 orbiter has provided significant insights into the moon's surface topography, gravity fields, and interior structures. Researchers have discovered impact basins, volcanic deposit highlands, and a massive mascon in the South Pole-Aitken basin.
Millions of sanitary sewer overflows are caused by hard deposits made up of fat, oil, and grease (FOG) that clog sewage pipes, posing dangers to human health and the environment. A new project aims to discover fundamental chemical reactions leading to FOG buildup and develop models to identify potential hot spots where deposits may form.
Geochemists discovered that ancient nickel ore deposits were formed by sulfur in the anoxic oxygen-poor atmosphere billions of years ago. Sulfur atoms traveled from volcanic eruptions, atmosphere, seawater, and hot springs to form the ores.
Researchers at Purdue University are developing laser-based technologies to create longer-lasting medical implants and arterial stents. The new techniques use layer-by-layer deposition of metal and ceramic materials, enabling strong bonds and complex shapes.
Scientists at Ben-Gurion University have developed thin films that demonstrate carrier multiplication, a process that can enhance solar cell efficiency. The breakthrough, published in Nature Physics, shows that bulk PbS and PbSe films exhibit more efficient carrier multiplication than nanocrystalline films of the same materials.
Researchers at NIST have created a flexible memristor that operates on less than 10 volts, maintains its memory when power is lost, and functions after being flexed over 4,000 times. The device bears similarities to a memristor, a component theorized in 1971 as a fourth fundamental circuit element.
Researchers have discovered a novel method to create ferroelectric crystals on silicon, enabling the creation of non-volatile memory and temperature sensors. This breakthrough could lead to faster and more efficient electronics with instant-on capabilities.
Research shows that organic soils continue to acidify, posing a threat to forest health in the northeastern US. Despite declines in acidic deposition, soil base cation pools are insufficient to neutralize acidic inputs, leading to continued chemical recovery delays and increased vulnerability to winter injury.
Researchers propose an experimental electrical heating process to extract oil from smaller deposits, reducing the need for costly steam-assisted drainage methods. This new approach could lead to lower fuels prices and increased oil production.
Researchers create thin films of helical peptides with high purity and stability using the soft-landing method. The technique allowed them to control the structure of the molecules, which is essential for developing new materials and understanding protein biology.
Two studies in the FASEB Journal describe key findings on atherosclerosis, including the role of ROCK1 protein in reducing inflammation. Targeting lipid mediators and mechanisms used to make them could lead to new anti-atherosclerosis therapies.
Researchers developed an improved OLED sealing process to reduce moisture intrusion, improving device lifetime. The new method uses a thin-film barrier made from a high-density SiON film, resulting in no degradation after seven months in an open-air environment.
Researchers from IRD, CNRS, and Universities worldwide studied oxygen isotope compositions to identify rubies' sources. They found 62% came from mantle origin and 20% from deep continental crust, improving prospecting strategies for these precious stones.
Researchers demonstrated a direct link between mercury concentrations in fish and changes in atmospheric deposition, revealing rapid responses over the first three years of study. The study's results show the benefits of regulating mercury emissions and near-term effectiveness of emission reductions.
Researchers at Georgia Tech developed a miniature sensor to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in aqueous and gaseous environments. The sensor uses polymer membranes deposited on a tiny silicon disk to measure pollutant molecules, offering an improvement over classical techniques that require lab analysis.
Researchers Adam Woolley and Héctor Becerril develop 'DNA shadow nanolithography' using DNA molecules as nanostencils. The technique enables the creation of high-aspect-ratio trenches and nanowires with precise control over dimensions.
New images from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter show linear fractures and 'halos' of light-toned bedrock, suggesting past fluid flow through underlying bedrock. The findings provide a promising site to search for evidence of habitable niches in the Martian past.
Researchers at NIST have measured the Einstein-de Haas effect in a ferromagnetic thin film, shedding light on magnetization dynamics and g-factor calculations. The study provides a proof-of-concept for using this effect to determine critical material properties for data storage and spintronics applications.
Chemistry Central Journal, a pioneering international open access journal, was unveiled at the American Chemical Society meeting in San Francisco. The journal aims to publish research in all areas of chemistry, with a focus on discipline-specific sections.
Scientists at UTMB and Rice University successfully transmit electrical pulses through carbon nanotubes to stimulate cell growth and communication. The breakthrough could lead to the development of prosthetic devices that can interact with living tissue.
Data from Mars Express confirms the presence of hydrated minerals, implying long-term liquid water on Mars during the Noachian era. Phyllosilicates and sulphates were detected in various regions, suggesting two distinct climatic episodes: a moist environment for phyllosilicates and an acid environment for sulphates.
Researchers have developed a novel method for growing barium titanate films at atmospheric pressure using the localized hydrothermal technique. The method uses an aqueous alkali-earth hydroxide solution and Joule heating, resulting in low-energy consumption and simple experimental setup.
Researchers at PNNL have developed a new technique to control the deposition of anchor molecules on carbon nanotubes using supercritical fluids, enabling precise control over the level of coating and thickness. This innovation improves the material's utility without compromising its physical properties.
Researchers at U-M and Amherst College used chemical signatures of water to identify areas with microbial gas deposits, a relatively inexpensive analytical tool compared to other methods. This method has potential not just in Michigan but also globally for finding natural gas resources.
Researchers developed a method to create well-defined carbon nanoparticles using polyacrylonitrile copolymers. The approach enables the production of discrete carbon nanostructures with applications in energy storage/conversion devices and display technologies.
Jennifer Lewis and her team developed novel inks that can create three-dimensional periodic structures with feature sizes 100 times smaller than before. The ink is based on polyelectrolyte mixtures and can be tailored to control its flow through fine deposition nozzles.
Researchers discovered a unique amphibian species, developed new methods for dating hillside erosion, and analyzed trace elements to recreate ancient environments. The team also created a new tool for analyzing basalts and found evidence of ancient volcanoes in Austria's Alps.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new method to separate proteins in the gas phase, allowing for faster analysis and enabling the study of hundreds of proteins simultaneously. The technique uses a mass spectrometer to collect ions onto different locations on a chip's surface, producing highly pure protein samples.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have developed a new method for growing conducting polymers, called Surface Polymerization by Ion-Assisted Deposition. This method allows for the creation of large areas of films with controlled chemistry and shape on a nanometer scale.
The Cornell team will study the chemistry of inorganic-organic interfaces and develop fabrication methods to overcome difficulties in connecting wires to organic transistors. Their goal is to produce testable devices with useful properties, tackling challenging problems in molecular-based electronics.
Researchers develop concentrated colloidal inks that form self-supporting features through a robotic deposition process, allowing for complex shapes and chemical composition variations. The technique enables the creation of fine-scale structures with features as small as 100 microns.
Scientists at the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research created a more stable silicon layer than traditional amorphous silicon, allowing for faster production. This breakthrough reduces production costs of flat-panel displays and solar cells, potentially benefiting manufacturers and the semiconductor industry.
Keblinski's research on polycrystalline diamonds reveals surprising strength and potential for designing stronger, less brittle materials. His work has implications for ceramics in turbines and other applications.
A UMass research team has developed a new technique for depositing copper films within tiny channels in silicon wafers, promising efficient fabrication of future generations of integrated circuits. The process uses carbon dioxide as a supercritical fluid, offering environmental benefits and the ability to create complex features.
Yucca Mountain's long-term hydrologic stability makes it a potential site for storing nuclear waste. Calcite and opal deposits indicate minimal water flow into the mountain's cavities.
Researchers have developed a new method to inlay copper wires in semiconductor wafers, promising faster integrated circuits. The 'ion-assisted trench filling' technique can produce thinner, more uniform layers of metals and fill narrower trenches with higher depth-to-width aspect ratios.