Articles tagged with Thin Films
Scientists at KAUST have observed that water droplets condense onto a cold surface coated with oil exhibit complex dance-like motion. This phenomenon could lead to more efficient water harvesting systems, especially in arid regions. The research aims to optimize collective motion of condensing droplets to increase condensation rates.
Researchers at Linköping University developed improved neutron mirrors coating silicon with iron and silicon mixed with boron carbide to increase efficiency in material analysis. This enables more neutrons to reach instruments, improving experiments.
Researchers have discovered dynamic piezoelectricity in ferroelectric hafnia, which can be changed by electric field cycling. This phenomenon offers new options for microelectronics and information technology. The study also suggests the possibility of an intrinsic non-piezoelectric ferroelectric compound.
A research group at Chuo University developed a novel non-destructive inspection technique combining multi-functional photo monitoring devices with image data-driven three-dimensional restoration methods. The technique precisely evaluates target objects by compositional identifications and structural reconstructions, providing a breakt...
Researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology developed an ultraviolet laser-processing technique for fabricating complex microstructures, enabling the creation of biohybrid actuators capable of complex, flexible movements. The method involves forming curved microgrooves on a substrate and aligning muscle cells in an anisotropic manne...
Researchers create a simple method to instantly bond layers made of the same or different types of hydrogels using a thin film of chitosan. The new approach has potential to broadly advance new biomaterials solutions for multiple unmet clinical needs, including regenerative medicine and surgical care.
Researchers developed a UV-sensitive tape that can transfer 2D materials like graphene with ease, reducing damage and increasing efficiency. The new technology allows for flexible plastics to be used in device substrates, expanding potential applications.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a spray coating for grapes that can prevent off-flavors caused by wildfire smoke. The coatings, made with cellulose nanofibers and chitosan, block or capture wildfire smoke compounds, protecting wine quality.
Scientists have developed a new biocompatible material that can conduct electricity efficiently in wet environments and interact with biological media. The modified PEDOT:PSS enables the creation of organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) with high performance and excellent characteristics.
The study introduced a silver-dispersive chalcogenide thin film for use in memristive devices, addressing data retention and endurance challenges. The device demonstrated reliable state retention and endurance, even at high temperatures, and achieved a recognition rate of ~92% in the MNIST database.
Engineers have discovered a method to increase the stability of perovskite solar cells using bulky additives, which could enable the production of cheaper solar panels. The study suggests that larger molecules with specific configurations are most effective at preventing defects in the cells.
Researchers at KAIST have developed a micro-vacuum assisted selective transfer printing (µVAST) technology to improve the transfer of microLED chips. The technology uses laser-induced etching to create micro-hole arrays on glass substrates, allowing for precise alignment and higher adhesion switchability.
Researchers at Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia developed an ultra-thin electronic tattoo that can generate localized tactile sensations. The device uses electro-thermo-pneumatic actuation to produce a force on the skin, allowing users to perceive touch.
Researchers at CSU and the University of St. Andrews created an effective antimicrobial material that slowly releases nitric oxide, killing bacteria and fungus over time.
Researchers have developed a new self-assembling nanosheet that can create functional and sustainable nanomaterials for various applications. The material is recyclable and can extend the shelf life of consumer products, enabling a sustainable manufacturing approach.
A team of scientists at Aalto University has created a bio-based transparent film from lignin nanoparticles, offering an alternative to toxic synthetic materials. The coating can be used on glasses, windshields, and other surfaces, and also displays coloured films with structural colours.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a record-thin MOF film that performs exceptional hydrogen-nitrogen separation. The breakthrough uses an innovative crystallization method to create uniform two-dimensional films with unprecedented thickness.
A new type of flexible neural electrode has been developed, which can accurately match the mechanical properties of brain tissue. The electrode was tested in epilepsy rat models, demonstrating accurate measurement of neural responses and stimulation of specific brain regions.
GIST researchers found that nano-sized pits on AlN surfaces cause graphene degradation at higher temperatures, leading to GaN film exfoliation failure. The study's results demonstrate the importance of substrate chemical and topographic properties for successful remote epitaxy.
A recent study presents an exciting new way to measure the crackling noise of atoms in crystals, enabling the investigation of novel materials for future electronics. The method allows researchers to study individual nanoscale features and identify their effects on material properties.
Researchers developed a nanoscale material technique called inverse thermal degradation (ITD) to control high-temperature flames and tune material properties. By regulating oxygen access, ITD allows for smoldering rather than bursting into flames, producing carbon tubes with desired characteristics.
A HKUST research team has developed a novel technique to self-assemble a thin layer of amino acids with ordered orientation, demonstrating high piezoelectric strength. The technique enables the production of biocompatible and biodegradable medical microdevices, such as pacemakers and implantable biosensors.
Researchers create a nanocapsulation strategy to solubilize insoluble aromatic polymers in water, enhancing their processing and development. The approach uses bent aromatic amphiphiles to form micelle-like nanocapsules that encapsulate hydrophobic molecules.
Researchers develop nanofilms that mimic the nanostructures of butterfly wings, creating vibrant colors without absorbing light. These films can be used on buildings, vehicles, and equipment to reduce energy consumption and preserve color properties, with potential applications in energy sustainability and carbon neutrality.
Researchers have successfully grown high-quality single-crystalline T-Nb2O5 thin films with two-dimensional vertical ionic transport channels, enabling fast and dramatic changes in electrical properties. The material undergoes a significant electrical change upon Li insertion, allowing it to switch from an insulator to a metal.
Scientists verify that amorphous materials can host unique topological properties, applicable to sensing technology and IoT development. They successfully demonstrated the anomalous Hall effect and Nernst effect in iron-tin amorphous thin films.
Scientists at the University of Tokyo develop a technique to create nano-sized quantum sensors on measurement targets, enabling high-resolution magnetic field imaging with applications in superconductors and electronic devices. The breakthrough uses boron vacancies or lattice defects in hexagonal boron nitride film, allowing for easy d...
A team at the University of Minnesota discovered a way to control heat flow in materials 'on the fly' using a simple process. This record-setting discovery could lead to developing more energy-efficient and durable electronic devices.
Researchers at The University of Tokyo have developed a new atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique for depositing thin layers of oxide semiconductor materials, resulting in high carrier mobility and reliability. This breakthrough enables the production of devices with normally-off operation, high mobility and reliability.
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.
A University of Minnesota team creates high-quality metal oxide thin films from historically difficult-to-synthesize metals using a breakthrough method that stretches the metals at the atomic level. This innovation paves the way for scientists to develop better materials for various next-generation applications.
Researchers developed a 'dip-and-peel' strategy to create flexible gel films with high conductivity, inspired by the milk-skin effect. These gels have potential applications in wearable electronics and solid-state batteries.
Researchers from TIFR Hyderabad create molecular strainers that can filter particles as small as hydrogen molecules, offering a new basis for designing more efficient filtration processes. The study's findings provide insights into the movement of molecules through sieves and open up avenues for further exploration in industries.
Researchers developed 'smart' coatings that monitor strain on implants to prevent infection and provide early failure warning. The coatings, inspired by dragonfly and cicada wings, integrate flexible sensors with antibacterial surfaces.
Researchers at Colorado State University propose using ultrathin films of molybdenum disulfide to improve solar cell efficiency. The material displays unprecedented charge carrier properties that could lead to drastic improvements in solar technologies.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology developed a new recycling method for solar cells that uses acidic solutions to separate precious metals. The process recovers up to 100% of the silver and 85% of the indium, making it more environmentally friendly and cost-effective than traditional methods.
Imperial College London physicists have recreated the famous double-slit experiment, showing light behaves as both particles and waves in time. This experiment could lead to ultrafast optical switches and control over light in space and time.
Researchers at Drexel University discovered that a thin MXene coating can enhance a material's ability to trap or shed heat. The coating, which is 200-300 times thinner than a human hair, can be used for both localized thermal management and large-scale radiative heating and cooling systems.
A team of researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin has developed a new method for producing perovskite solar cells using a slot die coater, resulting in high-power conversion efficiencies. The best cells were scaled up to mini-module size and tested for outdoor stability, showing promising results.
Researchers developed an in situ technique to observe material behavior under various stresses, including shear stress. This allows for precise understanding of how materials respond and identify preferred slip planes.
TUS researchers develop novel method to create multi-walled CNT wiring on plastic films under ambient conditions, enabling flexible devices and energy conversion devices. The proposed method produces high-quality wires with varying resistance values.
A new crosslinking strategy for organic-inorganic hybrid dielectric layers improves TFT performance by reducing leakage current and increasing stability. This approach enables low-power driving and easy manufacturing through solution processing, contributing to next-generation flexible electronic devices.
Researchers discovered a size threshold beyond which antiferroelectric materials become ferroelectric, losing energy storage advantages. At thicknesses below 40 nm, the material becomes completely ferroelectric, while above 270 nm, ferroelectric regions appear.
Researchers at MLU and partners developed a new process coating implant materials with a gene-activated biomaterial that induces stem cells to produce bone tissue. This method, published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, stimulates bone healing in a targeted manner with fewer side effects than existing methods.
Researchers at KAUST have developed a rapid and sensitive soil moisture sensor using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to optimize water usage in agriculture. The MOF-based sensor shows high sensitivity and selectivity for water even in the presence of metal ions, enabling precise irrigation management.
Researchers have developed a shellac-based coating to improve the gas barrier properties of moulded pulp materials, making them suitable for food packaging. The coating, combined with nanofibrillated cellulose, provides superior water resistance and thermal stability, while preserving environmental sustainability.
Researchers developed an elastic material using liquid metal that resists both gases and liquids, offering a trade-off between elasticity and gas resistance. The material, created with gallium-indium alloy, has been tested to prevent the escape of oxygen and liquids, showing promising potential for use in high-value tech packaging
Researchers have developed a chemical variation that significantly improves the stability of perovskite thin films in solar cells, achieving efficiencies of up to 24.6%. The new coating, b-pV2F, wraps around individual microcrystals like a soft shell, reducing thermal stress and increasing efficiency.
Researchers have developed flexible polysulfate compounds that can form thin films, enabling the creation of energy-storing capacitors that withstand extreme temperatures and electric fields. These new materials could lead to cheaper, simpler, and more durable power systems in electric cars and other applications.
Researchers at Drexel University have developed a thin film device that can dynamically control electromagnetic wave shielding using MXene materials. The device can convert from shielding to quasi-electromagnetic wave transmission by electrochemical oxidation, making it suitable for various security applications.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a new thin-film circuit that produces finely tailorable terahertz-frequency waves, enabling precise control over frequency, wavelength, amplitude, and phase. This breakthrough has significant implications for future electronics, telecommunications, spectroscopy, and quantum applications.
Researchers identify the (100) facet as prone to degradation, while the (111) facet is more stable and resistant to moisture and heat. By using facet engineering, they develop strategies to grow the stable (111) facet, leading to exceptionally stable perovskite films.
Researchers from Nara Institute of Science and Technology have developed a straightforward means of fabricating high-quality soft semiconductors for advanced electrical circuits. The new method offers superior control over the resulting semiconductor film morphology, critical to its electrical properties.
A University of Minnesota-led team has discovered a new method for making thin films of perovskite oxide semiconductors, enabling the creation of freestanding membranes with unique properties. The breakthrough technology could lead to the development of faster, more efficient electronic devices and components.
A new form of thin-film device technology using alternative semiconductor materials could contribute to a more sustainable IoT. Wireless power harvesting from the environment using photovoltaic cells and RF energy harvesters is being explored.
Researchers at Exciton Science have created perovskite solar cells with 21% efficiency, the best results ever recorded for a non-halide lead source. The novel use of lead acetate enables scalable and industrial-scale manufacturing.
Researchers created a protective coating of glass, gallium-oxide to reduce vibrations in graphene devices. The oxide improves device performance and provides a new method of protection.
Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a gold-based transparent coating that absorbs infrared radiation selectively, heating up to 8 degrees Celsius. The coating is thinner, pliable, and more efficient than traditional antifogging methods, requiring minimal gold material costs.
Researchers at Oxford University and Exciton Science created stable perovskite solar cells with comparable stability to commercial silicon photovoltaics. The new synthesis process led to thin films of greater quality, reduced defects, and enhanced stability.
Experimental physicists discovered that water impurities become entrapped within icicles, creating chevron patterns and ripple effects. The study reveals that internal patterns are connected to external shapes, leading to a deeper understanding of natural ice formations.