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Lattice parameter as a unified parameter governing magnetic ground states in Tsai-type compounds

Researchers discovered a unified structural descriptor for magnetic ground state selection in Tsai-type compounds using the lattice parameter, revealing a nearly monotonic inverse correlation between electron concentration and lattice parameter. This study provides a practical framework for exploring and designing materials with novel ...

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 30, 2026

University of Toronto physicists identify ‘octupolar’ magnetism, with implications for quantum technologies

Physicists at University of Toronto have identified 'octupolar' magnetism, a complex form of magnetism with eight poles, using light to probe atomic vibrations. This discovery opens up new avenues for quantum technology development, including controllable memory elements and computing devices.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 29, 2026

Mechanical energy could help turn biomass into fuels and valuable chemicals

Piezocatalysis, a process that converts mechanical energy into chemical driving forces, can break down biomass's complex lignocellulosic structure under mild conditions. The review highlights the potential of piezocatalysis to drive cleaner biomass conversion, with promising applications in fuels, resins, and biodegradable polymers.

SourceShenyang Agricultural University Collaborative Journals·JournalSustainable Carbon Materials·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 23, 2026

AI for materials needs to be more physics-aware

Researchers introduce a benchmark to assess the physics-awareness of machine learning models for atomic interactions, which translate quantum characteristics into macroscopic physical properties. The benchmark evaluates models' ability to predict thermal and mechanical properties of materials, addressing potential errors in forces that...

A unified scaling framework disentangles quantum geometry from disorder in nonlinear transport

Researchers developed a unified scaling framework to separate quantum geometry contributions from disorder in nonlinear Hall data. The framework identified quantum-metric and Berry-curvature signals in existing second-order Hall data, allowing for clearer understanding of quantum-metric and Berry-curvature signals.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 25, 2026

Distant time crystals oscillate in unison

Physicists at TU Dortmund University demonstrate non-local synchronization of electron-nuclear spin oscillations, opening routes to controllable spin networks. Many time crystals can form in the same material and synchronize their oscillations, even at distances exceeding one thousand times the size of an individual oscillator.

SourceTU Dortmund University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 10, 2026

World’s first semiconductor maser

A research team has created a silicon-carbide-based maser that operates continuously above room temperature, enabling new applications in communication and sensing. The maser amplifies microwave radiation and has high frequency stability, making it suitable for precise magnetic field measurements.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 5, 2026

A superconductor's hidden identity revealed

Researchers discovered that niobium diselenide and TaS₂ exhibit two strongly interacting superconducting states, resolving a long-standing mystery about their behavior. This finding provides new insight into superconductivity and could aid in designing better superconducting materials for future technologies.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 15, 2026

Scientists discover novel domino-like phase transformation mechanism with implications for functional devices

Researchers uncover a previously unknown phase transformation mechanism in monolayer molybdenum telluride (MoTe2) that is fundamentally distinct from the conventional martensitic model. The study reveals a one-dimensional 'domino-like' chain reaction that triggers structural rearrangement and enables programmable electronic devices.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 6, 2026

What really controls dynamics in glasses

The study reveals that bonding heterogeneity, rather than geometric similarity, governs relaxation dynamics in glasses. By incorporating electronic structure and chemical interactions, researchers establish a new physical framework for understanding structure-relaxation coupling in glasses.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 15, 2026

Towards tailor-made heat expansion-free materials for precision technology

Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have discovered a hydrogen-absorbing material with negative thermal expansion properties, which can be tuned by adjusting the amount of hydrogen. This finding promises custom high-precision ingredients for precision nanotechnology, addressing volume changes in materials under heating.

SourceTokyo Metropolitan University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMar 7, 2026

Theoretical principles of band structure manipulation in strongly correlated insulators with spin and charge perturbations

A new study by MANA demonstrates that strongly correlated insulators can behave differently, allowing spin and charge excitations to exist independently. This enables the creation of new electronic modes that actively modify band structures under external stimuli.

A “smart fluid” you can reconfigure with temperature

Scientists create a porous silica microrod material that can form dense dispersions in nematic liquid crystals, overcoming the challenge of strong surface anchoring. This enables the reconfigurable self-assembly of micrometer-sized particles, opening up new possibilities for optical and biomedical applications.

From biocidal coatings to medicines: A nanocomposite sting for microorganisms

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.

Light changes a magnet’s polarity

Scientists at University of Basel and ETH in Zurich successfully changed the polarity of a ferromagnet using a laser beam. The breakthrough method could be used to create adaptive electronic circuits that can be controlled by light.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 28, 2026

Quantum physics: new state of matter discovered

Scientists have found a way to describe topological states in materials where the particle picture breaks down. The discovery sheds light on a new type of behavior, exhibiting spontaneous Hall effect and quantum-critical fluctuations. This finding opens up possibilities for storing quantum information and developing novel sensors.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 14, 2026

Discovery of a new superfluid phase in non-Hermitian quantum systems

Researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo have discovered a stable superfluid that inherently hosts singularities known as exceptional points. The study reveals how dissipation can stabilize this unique superfluid phase, which features a finite order parameter and emerges deep inside a strongly interacting phase.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 12, 2026

Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University researchers capture real-time molecular movies of enzyme catalysis

Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University researchers have captured time-resolved structures of an enzyme during its catalytic cycle, revealing dynamics that are nearly impossible to observe by other methods. This breakthrough offers valuable insights into enzyme function and potential applications in molecular design of novel enzymes.

SourceOsaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 18, 2025