Articles tagged with Thin Films
A team of researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has discovered that hafnium oxide is inherently antiferroelectric, a rare quality found in few materials. This breakthrough could lead to the development of high-performance capacitors, solid-state cooling systems, and more efficient computer memory.
A research team tracked the crystallization process of HZO thin films in real-time, revealing that oxygen vacancies affect the material's performance. Films with fewer oxygen vacancies crystallized at lower temperatures and formed the ferroelectric phase required for information storage more favorably.
Researchers at CUNY ASRC and Honeywell Aerospace developed pairs of ultrathin, nonmetallic coatings that work together to reduce heat transfer. The novel metasurface reduced thermal radiation emission by over 80% compared to nonstructured surfaces, maintaining performance across a wide range of operating temperatures.
Researchers developed a technique to control internal structure of semiconductor materials using ultra-fast flashes of light, producing materials with up to 50 times more electrical current from light. The method works on transparent conducting glass, preserving useful properties that conventional heating methods cannot easily achieve.
Researchers developed a new method to improve the fabrication of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) through blade coating, enabling large-scale manufacturing of high-efficiency perovskite solar cells. The approach enhances device reproducibility and stability by suppressing SAM aggregation.
Physicists at the University of California San Diego discovered that substrates are not inert when subjected to electrical stimulus, instead coupling with thin film. This finding has implications for building brain-inspired computer chips needed for energy-efficient computing.
Researchers from the University of Toyama developed an OLED that incorporates a crystalline rubrene thin film, achieving higher current density and reduced luminance turn-on voltage. The study suggests that organic crystals with high charge-transport properties can be integrated into practical thin-film OLEDs.
Researchers designed an end-to-end workflow to identify new blue OLED materials using AI and quantum chemistry. They developed a virtual library of over 19,000 molecules and used machine learning to select promising candidates, which were then experimentally evaluated and found to have high color purity and efficiency.
Kyushu University researchers have developed prototype thin-film electronic modules that can automatically connect and disconnect with each other. The modules use a kinetic electronics approach, integrating actuators and circuits on the same thin-film to create an electromechanical docking mechanism.
Researchers develop a new strategy to control electronic and magnetic properties of oxide thin films through nanoparticle exsolution, resulting in giant insulator-to-metal transition and room-temperature superparamagnetism
A novel supramolecular film with switchable structural and adhesive functions has been developed, exceeding industry standards for wood adhesion. The film's unique structure retains strength in wet conditions and demonstrates high-performance bonding to wood substrates.
A research team led by Prof. Yongtaek Hong developed a high-performance transparent organic light-emitting diode (OLED) incorporating highly conductive transparent metal mesh top electrodes fabricated using a selective metal deposition technique. The electrodes achieved high optical transparency of 93-99% and low sheet resistance, maki...
Ferroelectric thin films' thickness, strain state and domain architecture are influenced by van der Waals forces, which can be controlled through epitaxial growth on MoS2 substrates. This discovery enables the creation of higher-quality, larger thin films with improved performance.
A new study presents a greener way to make slow-release fertilizers that reduce nutrient loss and improve crop growth. The tea-based fertilizer, made with iron nanoparticles, biochar, and biodegradable materials, slows down nutrient release, retains soil moisture, and improves fertilizer efficiency.
Researchers developed an interferometric second-harmonic generation imaging approach to identify antiparallel domains and detect hidden structural defects in hBN thin films. The study finds that SHG intensity is closely associated with differences in crystal orientation and destructive interference between domains.
Researchers at POSTECH develop technology that lowers contact resistance by 50-fold and boosts on-state current by 17 times in ultra-thin tellurium transistors. This breakthrough enables stable operation of devices even at extreme temperatures, paving the way for next-generation 3D integrated circuits.
Researchers explore sustainable carbon-based additives for corrosion protection of mild steel, reducing maintenance costs and reliance on toxic coating materials. Carbon-based coatings can extend the life of infrastructure while minimizing environmental damage.
Researchers demonstrated how imaging ellipsometry can monitor MXene thin film properties throughout processing without damaging the device. The method provides direct access to material characteristics such as thickness, composition, and charge-transport properties.
Hanyang University researchers found that a coating thickness of 2.5 nanometers is necessary to prevent harmful side reactions in sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries. The study showed improved electrochemical performance and cycle life with this minimum effective coating thickness.
Researchers are exploring the use of sustainable carbon-based additives to replace toxic coatings and prevent corrosion on modern steel infrastructure. The proposed solutions aim to reduce environmental damage while protecting infrastructure worth over $2.5 trillion annually.
Researchers developed a method to separate and quantify proton transport at individual interfaces in ultrathin ionomer films, enabling the evaluation of interfacial transport properties. The study revealed that proton transport at different interfaces is of a similar order of magnitude.
A research team has successfully removed the primary obstacle to post-silicon computing by creating a record-breaking electronic connection for atomic-thin materials. The new GaOx layer enables 'hybrid tunnelling' mechanism, reducing contact resistance and allowing transistors to operate at much lower voltages without sacrificing speed.
New study finds anaerobic digestion of hemp hurd-based bioplastic systems delivers the best environmental outcome, generating up to 6.1 kg less CO2 emissions per 1 kg mulch film treated. The production process significantly affects the final carbon footprint of biocomposites.
Researchers at Saarland University have developed a new class of miniature actuators using ultrathin silicone film-based pumps. The pumps can operate without motors, compressed air, or lubricants and can be switched on and off as needed.
Researchers developed a powerful model to understand charge separation at the interface, influencing catalytic activity. The model provides insights into the formation of electric double layers and local electric potential variations.
Researchers have developed a water-soluble cellulose ethyl phosphite (CEP) adhesive that integrates high bonding strength, environmental tolerance, and recyclability. The CEP adhesive demonstrates remarkable thermal stability and resistance to moisture-related degradation, making it suitable for various applications.
A new study reveals a innovative fertilizer technology that combines biochar, natural polymers, and green-synthesized iron nanoparticles to release nutrients only when plants need them. The results show significant improvements in soil health and reduced environmental impacts.
Researchers from University of Jyväskylä and Aalto University develop area-selective atomic/molecular layer deposition of europium-organic thin films on graphene and other 2D materials. The method enables precise construction of films with different shapes, one molecule-thick layer at a time.
Researchers developed a solvent-free method to transform biochar into a hydrophobic material that repels water and absorbs oil. The material, created through mechanochemical functionalization, was applied to hemp fibers, providing strong water repellent properties while allowing oil absorption.
The Harvard researchers' new device is elegantly designed to be tunable, with a bilayer design that becomes geometrically chiral and able to 'read' chiral light. By using the MEMS device to continuously vary the twist angle and interlayer spacing, the team showed they could tune the device's intrinsic ability to read different chiral l...
Researchers compared mineralization of calcium phosphate on titanium dioxide nanoparticles coated with zein and polydopamine, finding PDA-coated particles accumulated more mineral mass. The study's findings could guide the design of better implants, water purification materials, and sensing technologies.
Researchers developed a low-cost method to transform agricultural waste into high-quality biochar, increasing its ability to store carbon and combat climate change. The new method uses limewater treatment to improve biochar production, resulting in a 34% increase in carbon retention and improved soil structure and chemistry.
Researchers from Brown University study thin film fluid flows in the kitchen, finding that waiting a few minutes to dump water out of a wok can minimize rusting. The team also develops an equation for determining how long to wait to collect 99% of remaining liquid in jars.
Researchers observed a sequence of exotic magnetic phases in an ultrathin material, realizing a theoretical model of two-dimensional magnetism. The discovery may lead to new technologies by stabilizing magnetic vortices at nanoscale.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method to grow patterned diamond surfaces that can decrease operating temperatures in electronics. This approach uses microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition to create ordered layers of diamond crystals on substrates, allowing for controlled seed placement and scalable growth.
Researchers at Harbin Institute of Technology in China report a method to fabricate transparent conductive films on curved surfaces. The technique, using multi-angle co-velocity fitting deposition model, produces smooth and continuous films with high transparency and low electrical resistance.
Researchers at Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA) propose a novel strategy for controlling tiny droplets on surfaces, reducing friction and enabling precise control. The study demonstrates that particle-coated droplets can move with reduced force, opening new avenues in micro-scale systems and applications.
The B-STING silica nanocomposite acts as a nanofactory of reactive oxygen species, activating itself in response to changes in the chemical environment. This material can be used to create biocidal coatings that are safe, durable, and resistant to dirt, with potential applications in medicine and other industries.
Researchers developed a flexible OLED display that can be stretched to 1.6 times its original size while maintaining most of its luminescence. The technology uses MXene nanomaterial and an exciplex-assisted phosphorescent layer, improving the OLEDs' ability to efficiently produce light under strain.
A new study introduces a semi-transparent, color-tunable solar cell designed for flexible surfaces and windows. The 3D-printed pillar structure allows for precise control over light transmission and appearance, enabling better integration of solar technology into building façades and curved surfaces.
Researchers developed a bio-inspired neuron platform that processes and learns information using light and electronics integrated on a single platform. The chip achieves 92% image recognition accuracy and demonstrates key synaptic behaviors found in biological learning.
Scientists at ETH Zurich have discovered that electrons in flat layered materials like MXenes respond with a delay to the motion of atomic nuclei. This challenge to the standard Born-Oppenheimer approximation could lead to more precise mathematical models and novel opto-electronic devices.
Researchers at Nagoya University and Tokyo Electron Miyagi Ltd. have developed a new semiconductor etching method that significantly reduces processing time and enhances energy efficiency. The process employs plasma etching with hydrogen fluoride at very low temperatures, eliminating the need for fluorocarbon gases.
Altermagnets exhibit unique magnetic structure due to unconventional symmetries, enabling spin-polarized electron currents. A new method reveals this hidden structure using circularly polarized light and resonant photoelectron diffraction.
Researchers at Chonnam National University have developed a new approach to thin-film solar cells using a nanometric germanium oxide layer, resulting in improved performance and device stability. The innovative design boosts power conversion efficiency by up to 4.81%.
Researchers at Empa's Mechanics of Materials and Nanostructures laboratory are working to improve the insulation material used in satellites and space probes. They have developed a new intermediate layer that makes the material more elastic and resistant to cracks and flaking, enabling better superinsulation for future satellites.
Researchers at RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science have created a new superconducting thin film from iron telluride, suitable for quantum computing applications. The film's unique crystal structure, resulting from intentional misalignment of atomic layers, reduces lattice distortion and enables low-temperature superconductivity.
Kono recognized for his contributions to optical physics, light-condensed matter interactions and photonic applications of nanosystems. His research explores how light interacts with materials at the nanoscale, potentially leading to new technologies in electronics and quantum communication.
Materials scientists at the University of Minnesota have discovered a way to control tiny 'flaws' inside ultra-thin materials, giving them new properties. The study found that patterned regions can achieve up to 1,000 times higher density of extended defects than unpatterned areas.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered that light can trigger a physical shift in atomic lattice, creating tunable behavior and properties in transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) materials. This effect could advance technologies using light instead of electricity, such as faster computer chips and ultrasensitive sensors.
Researchers developed a new atomically layered material that reduces resistivity by five orders of magnitude when oxidized, exceeding similar non-layered materials. The team discovered a synergy between oxidation and structural modification driving dramatic changes in physical properties.
Researchers at Hanbat National University have developed a game-changing heat shield technology that provides dual-layer protection for high-temperature alloys. The sequential B-Si coating technology allows these alloys to withstand extremely high temperatures, potentially transforming the aviation industry.
A team of Japanese researchers has uncovered the deformation processes that give Kanazawa gold leaf its remarkable thinness and brilliance. The study used electron microscopy to reveal the activation of a rare crystal slip system, providing insights into the traditional crafting technique.
A novel molecular coating enhances the consistency and precision of quantum light sources, increasing their spectral purity and controlling photon energy. The coating protects single-photon emitters from atmospheric contaminants, enabling reliable quantum devices for secure communications and ultra-precise sensors.
Rice scientists developed a method to pattern device functions with submicron precision directly into an ultrathin crystal using focused electron beams. The approach created bright blue-light emitting traces that also conduct electricity, potentially enabling compact on-chip wiring and built-in light sources.
Researchers successfully etched hafnium oxide films at atomic-level precision and smoothness without halogen gases. The new method uses nitrogen and oxygen plasmas to form volatile byproducts, resulting in reduced surface roughness and improved device performance.
A newly developed mesoporous WO₃ film exhibits exceptional efficiency and stability for photoelectrochemical water splitting, enabling advanced tandem devices for renewable hydrogen production. The film achieved unprecedented efficiency and long-term stability, particularly in neutral pH conditions.
A new technique for controlling phase boundaries in thin films allows researchers to engineer lead-free energy storage materials with promising dielectric properties. By manipulating the film thickness, they can control the distribution of crystalline structures and enhance specific characteristics of the material.
Researchers have developed a novel way to reach the unexplored mesosphere using lightweight flying structures that can float using sunlight. The devices, which were built at Harvard and other institutions, levitated in low-pressure conditions and demonstrated potential for climate sensing and exploration.
Researchers at Rice University have demonstrated a strong form of quantum interference between phonons, revealing record levels of interference. The breakthrough could lead to new technologies in sensing, computing, and molecular detection.