Add BrightSurf on Google Email
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

A simple way to get complex semiconductors to assemble themselves

Researchers developed a simple and fast way to create complex semiconductors by growing 2D perovskites precisely layered with other materials, resulting in crystals with wide electronic properties. The assembly takes place in vials where chemical ingredients tumble around in water, with barbell-shaped molecules directing the action.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 16, 2021

Star attraction: Magnetism generated by star-like arrangement of molecules

A new study reveals the emergence of magnetism in a 2D organic material due to strong electron-electron interactions in its unique star-like atomic-scale structure. The findings have potential applications in next-generation electronics based on organic nanomaterials.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 12, 2021

Tea time gets flavor boost from thin film, impure water

Researchers found that thin films in black tea are strengthened by chemically hardened water, making it suitable for packaged tea beverages. Conversely, acidic components like citrus reduce film visibility and add flavor to dried tea mixes.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateSep 7, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

21.4% record efficiency for flexible CIGS solar cells

Scientists at Empa have pushed flexible solar cell efficiency to a new limit, achieving 21.4% conversion rate. The study's findings also show that the technology remains stable after exposure to combined heat and illumination.

SourceSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA)·DateSep 7, 2021

Generating entangled photons with nonlinear metasurfaces

A new approach to generating quantum-entangled photon pairs uses nonlinear metasurfaces to enhance and tailor photon emissions. The researchers achieved a five-order-of-magnitude increase in the brightness of entangled photons, with a highly configurable platform that can control entanglement and direction.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2021

Copper and PTFE stick together to support better 5G

Osaka University researchers have created an adhesive-free method to strongly combine copper foil with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), reducing transmission losses in electronic circuits. The heat-assisted plasma treatment technique improves adhesion strength without adding intermediate layers.

SourceOsaka University·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2021

Toward scaling up nanocages to trap noble gases

Researchers developed a method to scale up nanocages to trap noble gases like krypton and xenon. The team used commercial materials and found the optimal temperature range for trapping gas atoms inside the cages.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalSmall·DateSep 1, 2021
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Keeping it random

Scientists created a reliable true random number generator using atomically thin two-dimensional films, overcoming long-term stability issues and power consumption concerns. The innovation uses memristors to produce fluctuating electronic signals with an exceptionally high degree of randomness.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 26, 2021

LED material shines under strain

Berkeley Lab researchers developed a method to increase the efficiency of LED devices by applying mechanical strain to thin semiconductor films. This approach reduces exciton annihilation, allowing for high-performance LEDs even at high brightness levels.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 26, 2021

In situ extraction and detection of DNA is an im-pore-tant development

Researchers at Osaka University have developed a new method for detecting single DNA molecules directly from individual cells, eliminating the need for subsequent steps. The 3D-integrated nanopore allows for efficient delivery of released DNA molecules to the sensing zone, enabling robust detection and analysis.

SourceOsaka University·JournalSmall Methods·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 24, 2021

The Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology study examines thin film surface symmetries

Researchers at GIST develop a non-contact, nondestructive approach to characterize crystal structures in thin films, shedding light on surface symmetries in SrRuO3. The technique offers a platform for structural characterization of surfaces and interfaces using optical techniques.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalApplied Surface Science·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 11, 2021
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Mixing a cocktail of topology and magnetism for future electronics

Researchers explore joining topological insulators with magnetic materials to achieve quantum anomalous Hall effect, promising building blocks for low-power electronics. The 'cocktail' approach allows tuning of both magnetism and topology in individual materials, enabling operation closer to room temperature.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeLiterature review·DateAug 5, 2021

Siddha Pimputkar recognized for early-career success in crystal growth

Siddha Pimputkar, an assistant professor at Lehigh University, has received the American Association for Crystal Growth (AACG) Young Scientist Award for his outstanding contributions to crystal growth. His research focuses on synthesizing bulk and thin-film single-crystal nitrogen-containing materials.

SourceLehigh University·DateAug 2, 2021

Ion-selective smart porous membranes

Researchers created a responsive porous SiO2 thin film with an extremely thin thickness of 8nm, controlling surface charge and selective ion permeation in response to pH changes.

SourceTohoku University·JournalLangmuir·DateMay 13, 2021
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

The first hydroxide conductivity in anion conducting polymer thin films

Scientists from Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology have successfully developed a new humidity measurement technique for anion conducting polymer thin films. The study revealed high hydroxide ion conductivity of 0.05 S cm^-1, comparable to thick membrane forms.

SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·JournalChemSusChem·DateMay 7, 2021

Scientists develop elements for the future electronics

Researchers at Peter the Great Saint-Petersburg Polytechnic University are developing thin films made from biological macromolecules such as proteins and amino acids. These unique materials exhibit self-organization ability and can be assembled into certain structures, potentially solving energy efficiency limitations in modern electro...

SourcePeter the Great Saint-Petersburg Polytechnic University·JournalSymmetry·DateMar 2, 2021

On-chip erbium-doped lithium niobate microcavity laser

Researchers from Shanghai Jiao Tong University have successfully designed and fabricated a microcavity on a lithium niobate chip, achieving integrated light source in the communication band. The innovative technology realizes the potential of lithium niobate thin films for efficient optoelectronic integration.

SourceScience China Press·DateNov 30, 2020
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Printed solid-state batteries

Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed a new method for creating high-quality, high-performance solid-state electrolyte thin films. This 'printing and radiative heating' approach enables rapid production of dense and uniform films with superior ionic conductivity.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 18, 2020

Solar cells: Mapping the landscape of Caesium based inorganic halide perovskites

A team at HZB explores compositions of CsPb(BrxI1?x)3 for their potential to improve the stability and efficiency of solar cells. The study reveals tunable optical band gaps between 1.73 and 2.37 eV, making these mixtures suitable for multi-junction solar cell applications.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·DateNov 16, 2020

Coating plastics by porous nanofilm

Researchers from Tohoku University developed a new method for creating MOF thin films with designable pores, opening up its use for humidity sensing, gas sensing and resistive switching devices. The 'layer-by-layer' method involves sequential immersing of substrates into ingredient solutions.

SourceTohoku University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateNov 9, 2020

Printing organic transistors

Scientists at the University of Tokyo have created a new method for printing organic transistors, which could lead to the development of new display technologies and wearable electronic products. The breakthrough uses a lyophobic surface and a special U-shaped metal-film pattern to create uniformly grown semiconductor films.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 7, 2020
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Energy-harvesting plastics pass the acid test

A KAUST team engineered self-powered devices using a conducting polymer containing PEDOT:PSS chains, which exhibited improved thermoelectric behavior. The researchers discovered that polyethylenimine coating enhanced the device's lifetime and energy harvesting capabilities.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalACS Applied Energy Materials·DateOct 6, 2020

Customising an electronic material

PSI scientists investigate strontium-iridium oxide, an antiferromagnetic material, to systematically control its magnetic and electronic properties. By manipulating thin films, they can fine-tune the material's properties, leading to potential applications in data storage.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 21, 2020
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Photonics researchers report breakthrough in miniaturizing light-based chips

Researchers at the University of Rochester have created the smallest electro-optical modulator yet, a key component of photonics-based chips. The breakthrough uses lithium niobate to control how light moves through its circuits, paving the way for larger-scale photonic integrated circuits with improved performance.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 27, 2020

Robust high-performance data storage through magnetic anisotropy

A team of scientists has found that iron-platinum thin films exhibit minimal expansion when heated, making them suitable for HAMR memories. The discovery was made using ultrashort X-ray pulses to measure the crystal lattice's response to laser excitation.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 10, 2020
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Turning up the heat to create new nanostructured metals

Scientists developed a new approach to create metal-metal composites with a 3-D interconnected structure in thin films. The heat-driven process, called thin-film solid-state interfacial dealloying (SSID), has potential applications in catalysis, energy generation and storage, and biomedical sensing.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalMaterials Horizons·DateNov 20, 2019
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

A technology to transform 2D planes into 3D soft and flexible structures

Researchers developed a new technology to produce flexible 3D medical devices by selectively bonding polymeric thin films using plasma. This method overcomes limitations of existing flexible 3D structures, enabling mass production with customized shapes and wire patterns.

SourceDGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateOct 21, 2019

Solar cells with new interfaces

Scientists from NUST MISIS and University of Rome Tor Vergata developed a new approach to design perovskite solar cells using MXene, increasing efficiency by more than 25% compared to original prototypes. The innovative material enhances charge extraction through interfaces.

SourceNational University of Science and Technology MISIS·JournalNature Materials·DateSep 30, 2019

Creating 'movies' of thin film growth at NSLS-II

Scientists use Coherent Hard X-ray Scattering to study thin film growth, producing a 'movie' that depicts the process more accurately than traditional techniques. The research could improve the performance of organic solar cells and provide insights into the quality of films.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 2, 2019
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Story tips from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, June 17, 2019

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed an online tool to evaluate the moisture durability of a building's envelope, enabling better-informed decisions for energy efficiency. Additionally, the lab has pioneered a new technique using pressure to manipulate magnetism in thin film materials used in electronic devices.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 17, 2019

Single nanoparticle dynamics and smart window tinting

Researchers demonstrate a way to boost smart glass window tinting rates by analyzing single-particle resolution optical imaging. The study finds that optimizing thin film architectures can increase tinting speeds and reduce inefficiencies.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 3, 2019

Excitonic radiative decay faster than thermal dephasing in ZnO thin films

Researchers at Osaka University have discovered that zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films exhibit the fastest excitonic radiative decay rate ever recorded, surpassing thermal dephasing rates. This breakthrough could lead to the development of ultra-fast and energy-efficient photonic devices with non-thermogenic properties.

SourceOsaka University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 15, 2019

New method opens the way for cutting tools with longer lifetime

Researchers at Linköping University have developed a theoretical model that simulates the degradation of hard cutting materials. The model, published in Materials journal, enables the manufacturing industry to save time and money by developing tools with greater hardness and resistance.

SourceLinköping University·JournalMaterials·DateMar 8, 2019

Transforming magnetic storage might stem from the vision of quantum

Researchers have developed a new tabletop method to characterize ultrafast magnetic storage devices, which could lead to faster information processing technologies. The method uses high-harmonic generation of laser light in iron thin films to measure electron spin on a quadrillionth-of-a-second time scale.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·DateMar 4, 2019
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Chemists 'print' sensors for nano-objects

Researchers from ITMO University create sensors that can detect and analyze nano-objects using inkjet printing technology. The sensors work by measuring changes in color caused by the attachment of nanoscale objects to a transparent film.

SourceITMO University·JournalNanoscale·DateMar 4, 2019

Detecting light in a different dimension

Scientists improved graphene's response to light by 600% using self-assembling wire-like nanostructures. The new design enhances light absorption and charge transfer, enabling faster detection of low-level light in various applications.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalACS Photonics·DateNov 13, 2018

Nanosized ferroelectrics become a reality

Researchers at the University of Groningen have successfully created nanosized ferroelectric materials using hafnium oxide, which can store information like magnetic bits. The discovery could lead to more efficient and compact computer memory by leveraging the unique properties of these materials.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Materials·DateOct 22, 2018

Controlling organic semiconductor band gaps by electron-acceptor fluorination

The study introduces a fluorinated electron-acceptor unit that precisely controls the energy levels within an organic semiconductor, leading to improved hole and electron injection and transport. The resulting thin film solar cell exhibits high photovoltaic performance with a power conversion efficiency of up to 3.12%.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNPG Asia Materials·DateOct 16, 2018
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Carbon in color: First-ever colored thin films of nanotubes created

Researchers at Aalto University developed a method to control the fabrication of carbon nanotube thin films, producing colored thin films for various applications. The breakthrough uses aerosols of metal and carbon, with small doses of carbon dioxide tuning the growth of nanotubes.

SourceAalto University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 28, 2018

A colossal breakthrough for topological spintronics

Scientists have developed BiSb alloys with a colossal spin Hall effect and high electrical conductivity, making them suitable for ultra-low-power SOT-MRAM devices. The breakthrough could accelerate the development of non-volatile memories for IoT applications.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature Materials·DateJul 31, 2018
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Electronic stickers to streamline large-scale 'internet of things'

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new fabrication method for tiny electronic circuits that can peel off from a surface, enabling objects to sense their environment or be controlled through stickers. The technology has potential applications in various fields, including the Internet of Things (IoT) and medical devices.

SourcePurdue University·DateJul 16, 2018

High performance nitride semiconductor for environmentally friendly photovoltaics

Researchers have developed copper nitride semiconductors that can replace toxic materials in photovoltaic cells, offering a brighter future for solar energy. The unique nitriding technique and fluorine doping enable efficient p-type and n-type conduction, promising scalable and low-cost manufacturing routes.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJul 3, 2018