Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Crystal with a twist: Scientists grow spiraling new material

Researchers created helical crystals made of stacked layers of germanium sulfide, which may yield unexpected properties. The twisted structure arises from a competition between stored energy and the energy cost of slipping two material layers relative to one another.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature·DateJun 20, 2019
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.

A new paradigm of material identification based on graph theory

Researchers propose a new graph theory-based paradigm to improve material identification, focusing on topological relationships rather than bond length and angle. This method achieves automatic deduplication for the first time, identifying 626,772 unique structures from 865,458 original structures.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Chemistry·DateJun 13, 2019

UCI scientists create new class of two-dimensional materials

Researchers at UCI unveil a new process for producing oxide perovskite crystals in exquisitely flexible, free-standing layers. The discovery creates a new class of two-dimensional materials with remarkable electronic properties, including high-temperature superconductivity.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalNature·DateJun 6, 2019
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.

Understanding the (ultra-small) structure of silicon nanocrystals

Researchers developed a new technique to study the structure of silicon nanocrystals, revealing disordered layers on the surface and crystalline cores. This discovery can lead to optimized functions and tailored applications for various fields, including battery development and medical imaging.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalSolid State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance·DateJun 6, 2019

Jam-packed: A novel microscopic approach to amorphous solids

A team of researchers at the University of Tokyo developed a new method for understanding amorphous solids using computer simulations. They focused on local mechanical properties and introduced a new order parameter called vibrability, which controls atomic vibrations in soft discs or spheres. This discovery may help design more effici...

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 5, 2019

2D crystals conforming to 3D curves create strain for engineering quantum devices

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory explored how 2D crystals can grow over 3D objects and found that curvature can stretch and strain the crystals. Conformal growth of perfect 2D crystals over curved objects has the promise to localize strain and create high-fidelity arrays of single photon emitters.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 3, 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.

Imperfection is OK for better MOFs

Defects in MOFs have been found to tailor these versatile materials for specific applications, such as catalysis and gas separation. KAUST researchers have developed a method to image defects using transmission electron microscopy, revealing that specific defects can improve MOF performance.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalNature Chemistry·DateMay 27, 2019

How to enlarge 2D materials as single crystals?

Researchers at Institute for Basic Science synthesize hBN single crystals of 10*10 cm2 using a new substrate with lower symmetry. The study reveals that the substrate's symmetry affects crystal alignment and provides a general guideline for synthesizing various 2D materials.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature·DateMay 22, 2019
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.

Manipulating atoms one at a time with an electron beam

Researchers at MIT and the University of Vienna have developed a new method to manipulate atoms using a highly focused electron beam, enabling precise control over atomic positioning and bonding orientation. This breakthrough could lead to new ways of making quantum computing devices and sensors.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 17, 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.

Substrate defects key to growth of 2D materials

Penn State researchers have discovered a way to control substrate defects to improve the quality of 2D materials, enabling wafer-scale growth. The new method uses hexagonal boron nitride as a surface to orient transition metal dichalcogenides in a preferred direction.

SourcePenn State·JournalACS Nano·DateMay 9, 2019

New approach for solving protein structures from tiny crystals

Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory developed a new approach to solve protein structures from tiny crystals, utilizing unique sample-handling and data-assembly techniques. The method enables the study of difficult-to-crystallize cell-surface receptors and other membrane proteins, improving our understanding of health and disease.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalIUCrJ·DateMay 3, 2019

High-efficiency thermoelectric materials: New insights into tin selenide

Researchers have identified a new thermoelectric material in tin selenide, which can convert 20% of heat into electrical energy, exceeding the efficiency of bismuth telluride. The material's crystal structure changes at high temperatures or pressures, producing a semi-metallic state that enhances its thermoelectric properties.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalPhysical Chemistry Chemical Physics·DateApr 24, 2019

Frustrated materials under high pressure

Researchers at HZDR modify magnetic behavior of exotic materials Cs2CuCl4 using high pressures, revealing unusual magnetic properties and potential applications in quantum computing. The study contributes to the understanding of geometrically frustrated crystals.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 24, 2019

Unexpected properties uncovered in recently discovered superconductor

The team found that the crystals of the layered bismuth chalcogenide superconductor exhibit two-fold symmetry in its superconductivity, contradicting the expected four-fold symmetry. This finding suggests a connection to nematicity, an enigmatic class of materials known for breaking rotational symmetry.

SourceTokyo Metropolitan University·JournalJournal of the Physical Society of Japan·DateApr 13, 2019
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Rice, Northwestern find new ways to image, characterize unique material

Scientists at Rice and Northwestern universities have developed a method to image and characterize 2D borophene crystals, which can exhibit unique lattice configurations that determine their characteristics. The research could help manufacturers incorporate borophene into products with desirable electronic, thermal, optical properties.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 11, 2019

Scientists synthesize new nanowires to improve high-speed communication

Researchers synthesized new In0.28Ga0.72Sb nanowires with high carrier mobility and fast IR response, outperforming existing materials in terms of responsivity and decay times. The minimized crystal defects are attributed to a catalyst epitaxy technology that enables precise atom alignment.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 10, 2019

Water that never freezes

Researchers at ETH Zurich have identified a novel way to prevent water from forming ice crystals by creating a new class of lipids that form a 'soft' biological matter. This material confines water in narrow channels, preventing it from freezing even at extreme sub-zero temperatures.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateApr 10, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Amorphous materials will be used in medical and industrial applications

Researchers at Kazan University have discovered that amorphous materials exhibit outstanding physical and mechanical properties, including strength, electric conductivity, and corrosion resistance. The study found that these materials can crystallize into a monocrystal or polycrystalline structure under different temperature conditions.

SourceKazan Federal University·JournalActa Materialia·DateApr 8, 2019

ORNL investigates complex uranium oxides with help from CADES resources

Scientists at ORNL used computational methods to evaluate 4,600 potential crystal structures of uranium oxide compositions, identifying a potentially stable crystalline phase for U2O7. Their findings could lead to a better understanding of how crystalline and amorphous uranium materials form in the nuclear fuel cycle.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalOptical Materials·DateMar 28, 2019

Fluorine: Toxic and aggressive, but widely used

Using neutrons, scientists have determined the crystal structure of solid fluorine, resolving a scientific dispute that lasted for 50 years. The research confirms Nobel laureate Linus Pauling's earlier suspicions about fluorine's structure.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalChemistry - A European Journal·DateMar 27, 2019
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

What causes that peak? Answering a long-standing question for covalent liquids

The study identifies tetrahedral nature as the local ordering of atoms in liquids, explaining the first sharp diffraction peak (FSDP) feature. The findings provide direct evidence of coexisting order and disorder in tetrahedral liquids, leading to improved understanding of their properties.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 1, 2019

Breakthrough shines light on disease-fighting protein

Researchers have obtained the highest-resolution structure of the fungal protein Hsp104, a hexameric AAA+ protein that helps repair misfolded proteins. The study's findings reveal a helical structure for Hsp104 hexamers, contrary to previous beliefs, and provide new insights into its function.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalStructure·DateFeb 25, 2019
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Can a flowing liquid-like material maintain its structural order like crystals?

A new chiral triphenylene derivative forms a higher-order structure that preserves its ordered crystal properties even after being subjected to gravitational flow. This unique property has implications for the development of materials with long-range structural preservation, which could lead to breakthroughs in nanoscale technologies.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature Materials·DateFeb 19, 2019

New computational method reduces risk of drug formulation

A new method developed by researchers at the University of Luxembourg and others can predict how drug molecules arrange themselves in different energetic conditions, reducing the risk of formulation failures. This approach could help pharmaceutical companies avoid costly development errors and ensure their drugs function properly.

SourceUniversity of Luxembourg·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 31, 2019
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.

Laser-fabricated crystals in glass are ferroelectric

A team of researchers has demonstrated that laser-generated crystals in glass can be manipulated to control their ferroelectric domain structure. This allows for the creation of new optical devices with high efficiency and low loss links, crucial for future quantum information transfer systems.

SourceLehigh University·JournalMRS Communications·DateJan 29, 2019

Powerful X-ray beams unlock secrets of nanoscale crystal formation

A new technique allows continuous study of cobalt nanoparticles as they grow, producing 'nanometric phase diagrams' showing the conditions that control their structure. This method has potential applications for other materials, including alloys and oxides.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJan 7, 2019

Green catalysts with Earth-abundant metals accelerate production of bio-based plastic

Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a novel catalyst using manganese dioxide (MnO2) that accelerates the oxidation of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural, generating new raw materials for bio-based plastics. The team found that the crystal structure of MnO2 is crucial for catalytic activity.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJan 7, 2019
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.

Silica paradox

Researchers have synthesized and described metastable phases of high-pressure silica, coesite-IV and coesite-V, with crystal structures drastically different from earlier models. These new materials exist at extreme pressures and challenge Pauling's rules on bonding in inorganic materials.

SourceNational University of Science and Technology MISIS·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 11, 2018

Iron-rich lamellae in the semiconductor

Scientists at HZDR created an iron-rich compound in a semiconductor that became magnetic due to the formation of two-dimensional lamellae. This unusual structure could help understand superconductors and optimize their properties.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalPhysical Review Materials·DateDec 7, 2018

A 3D imaging technique unlocks properties of perovskite crystals

Researchers have developed a novel 3D imaging technique called COBRA that visualizes the atomic and electron density structure of complex perovskite crystal structures. This breakthrough enables the study of materials with unique properties, such as ferroelectricity and superconductivity.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 6, 2018
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.

Physicists shed X-ray light on melting polymers

Researchers from MIPT and Lomonosov Moscow State University developed an experimental setup combining thermal and X-ray analysis to study semicrystalline polymers. They found that a critical heating rate can prevent structural changes, revealing complex thermodynamic behavior behind the material's melting points.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalACS Macro Letters·DateDec 3, 2018

Borophene advances as 2D materials platform

Physicists from Brookhaven National Laboratory and Yale University have synthesized large-area single-crystal domains of borophene on copper substrates, expanding its potential for fabricating high-performance devices. The discovery represents a significant step towards practical borophene-based electronics.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateDec 3, 2018

Disordered materials could be hardest, most heat-tolerant carbides

Researchers at Duke University and UC San Diego have discovered a new class of carbides that are harder and lighter than current materials, with high melting points. The five-metal carbides, which rely on disorder for stability, may find use in industries such as machinery, hardware, and aerospace.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 26, 2018

Chinese scientists unlock structural secrets of whale baleen

Researchers discovered the hierarchical structure of whale baleen contributes to its unique fracture behavior. The nanoscale structure increases stiffness and strength, while microscale tubular lamellae control crack propagation, making it an ideal material for marine applications.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateNov 21, 2018

How a crystal is solvated in water

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum used microscopic methods to observe the solvation process of a crystal in water. The team imaged individual molecules at extremely low temperatures, revealing the attachment of solvent molecules and the loss of molecular order.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateNov 20, 2018
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.

Increasing CD and microchip capacity 100-fold

The new material allows for more data to be stored on CDs and microchips, with potential applications in high-density memories and devices that mimic human brains. It also addresses a problem called drift, which affects current materials' stability.

SourceUniversity of Arizona College of Engineering·DateNov 13, 2018

From beaker to solved 3D structure in minutes

A joint UCLA/Caltech team has developed a new technique to determine the 3D structures of small molecules, such as hormones and medications, in under 30 minutes. The method uses micro-electron diffraction and relies on the presence of tiny crystals within the samples.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalACS Central Science·DateNov 12, 2018

Scientists bring polymers into atomic-scale focus

Researchers at Berkeley Lab and UC Berkeley create high-resolution images of individual atoms in synthetic polymers, revealing 35 arrangements of crystal structures. The discovery could inform polymer fabrication methods and lead to new designs for materials and devices.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalMacromolecules·DateNov 12, 2018
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Nature-inspired crystal structure predictor

Researchers from Skoltech, MIPT and Samara State Technical University improved the evolutionary crystal structure prediction algorithm USPEX, generating initial structures 3 times faster, thanks to a novel random structure generator based on topological types of crystal structures.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalComputer Physics Communications·DateNov 9, 2018

Intense tests reveal elusive, complex form of common element

Researchers create crystallized version of nitrogen by subjecting it to extreme pressures and temperatures, revealing a complex structure made up of dozens of molecules. The study resolves speculation on the structure of ι-N2, known as nitrogen's elusive form discovered 15 years ago.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 9, 2018

Powerful method probes small-molecule structures

Researchers have developed a faster and simpler technique to analyze the structures of small molecules, reducing the time needed for X-ray crystallography. This new method, microcrystal-electron diffraction (MicroED), allows scientists to study small-molecule structures at high resolution in under 30 minutes.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Central Science·DateNov 8, 2018

Scientists to track the reaction of crystals to the electric field

A new method for measuring crystal response to electric fields was developed by an international scientific team from Peter the Great Saint-Petersburg Polytechnic University. The technique helps improve existing and create new functional materials.

SourcePeter the Great Saint-Petersburg Polytechnic University·JournalJournal of Applied Crystallography·DateNov 6, 2018
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.

Flow units: Dynamic defects in metallic glasses

Researchers found that flow units, similar to structural defects like dislocations, play a crucial role in metallic glass's mechanical and thermal properties. This discovery paves the way for designing optimized materials through tailoring of these units.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateNov 6, 2018

Ring-shaped protein complex wrangles DNA

Researchers at Rice University have discovered the structure of the condensin protein complex, a ring-shaped protein that helps condense chromosomes. The finding settles a long-standing controversy over the mechanism by which the complex wrangles DNA, and provides insight into its activity during mitosis and cell life cycles.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 2, 2018