The CSD-Materials suite provides a comprehensive analysis of solid form properties, helping researchers explore intra- and intermolecular interactions. The suite's components, including Hydrogen Bond Propensity, Full Interaction Maps, and Aromatics Analyser, aid in identifying potential co-former or solvent interactions for new APIs.
SourceCCDC - Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre·JournalCrystal Growth & Design·DateMar 15, 2022
A study by researchers at Pusan National University has investigated the relationship between surface structures and nanoscale friction in multi-layered CVD graphene. They found that only the top-most layer of graphene was twisted with respect to the rest, affecting layer-dependent nanoscale friction.
SourcePusan National University·JournalApplied Surface Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 9, 2022
Researchers have identified a novel enzyme that catalyzes the formation of glycosidic bonds in complex sugar moieties. The discovery provides fresh insights into carbohydrate metabolism and offers a breakthrough for the synthesis of sugar chains, which play key roles in various biological processes.
SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 7, 2022
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.
A team of researchers at NGI and NPL demonstrated that slightly twisted 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) display room-temperature ferroelectricity. This characteristic can be used to build multi-functional optoelectronic devices with built-in memory functions on a nanometre length scale.
SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMar 3, 2022
A new method using a thin oxide film has revealed that oxygen impurities in germanium are responsible for a surprising effect, creating holes in the material and eclipsing its semiconducting properties. This discovery has broad implications for understanding the role of thin oxide films in future semiconductor design.
SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 1, 2022
Researchers at Politecnico di Milano have discovered a new type of phase transition in a quasi-crystal made of laser light, allowing for the simultaneous control and modification of its properties. This breakthrough could lead to the development of novel materials with unprecedented flexibility and controllability.
SourcePolitecnico di Milano·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 1, 2022
Researchers have discovered the structure of C.difficile's protective armor, a chain-mail like layer that prevents molecules from entering the cell. This discovery opens the possibility of designing specific drugs to target the armor and kill the cell.
SourceNewcastle University·JournalNature Communications·TypeImaging analysis·DateFeb 25, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
Researchers at NTU Singapore have created a rapid and affordable method to evaluate the microstructure of 3D-printed metal alloys, providing insights into strength and toughness. This technology can benefit industries such as aerospace, where quality assessment is critical for maintenance and repair.
SourceNanyang Technological University·Journalnpj Computational Materials·DateFeb 23, 2022
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science have discovered a method to improve the crystallinity of coordination nanosheets by mixing two metal ion solutions. This approach results in higher crystallinity and improved performance in devices such as electronics and batteries. The findings open a new pathway for tuning the functional pro...
SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 21, 2022
Researchers have found a new method to induce the piezoelectric effect in materials that are otherwise not piezoelectric. This breakthrough could lead to the development of biocompatible materials with properties similar to common lead-containing materials, and has the potential to expand the design of new electromechanical devices.
SourceTechnical University of Denmark·JournalScience·DateFeb 18, 2022
USTC researchers develop a method named SCUBA for de novo protein design, employing a novel statistical learning strategy to generate protein main chain structures with high designability. This approach enables the creation of novel protein structures not observed in nature, expanding the diversity of accessible protein geometries.
SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalNature·DateFeb 14, 2022
Researchers have developed a way to change the atomic structure of tin selenide using intense pulses of near-infrared laser light, creating materials with dramatic new properties. This breakthrough opens up possibilities for improving thermoelectrics and other materials by controlling their structure.
SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review X·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 14, 2022
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.
A new material, sodium carbo-hydridoborate, improves the performance of solid-state sodium batteries, making them more sustainable and durable. The ideal pressure to be applied to the battery for efficient operation has also been defined.
SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalAdvanced Materials Interfaces·TypeNews article·DateFeb 10, 2022
Scientists created new material design principles by studying the complex structure of starfish skeletons. The unique lattice architecture offers mechanical protection, enabling high strength and flexibility while maintaining buoyancy regulation.
University of Warwick physicists have discovered a complex electrical 'vortex' pattern in ferroelectric materials that mirrors the spin crystal phase of ferromagnets. This finding suggests that ferroelectricity and magnetism could be two sides of the same coin, with potential implications for new electronic technologies.
SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalNature·DateFeb 9, 2022
Researchers use scanning tunneling microscopes to visualize electrons in graphene, discovering crystal structures that exhibit spatial periodicity corresponding to quantum superposition. These findings shed light on the complex quantum phases electrons can form due to their interactions.
SourcePrinceton University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 8, 2022
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.
A team of researchers predicts a new hydrogen compound crystal structure that could achieve superconductivity at high temperatures. The discovery uses computer simulations to identify promising candidates, with one compound showing a transition temperature of 23.3 K at 200 GPa.
SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry·DateFeb 8, 2022
Researchers used energy dispersive diffraction to create high-resolution 3D maps of bioapatite arrangements within shark centra, revealing key structures and their functions. The study provides insights into the structure-function relationship of the shark skeleton and could be applied to other organisms.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Medical Imaging·DateFeb 2, 2022
Japanese researchers use supercomputer simulations to determine stable ternary hydrides with room-temperature superconductivity. The study identifies potential candidates, including Y-Mg-H systems, and highlights the importance of hydrogen content in superconducting phenomena.
SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·JournalAdvanced Theory and Simulations·DateJan 31, 2022
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.
Researchers develop small-molecule serial femtosecond crystallography, enabling precise analysis of complex materials. The technique reveals accurate atomic structures of previously unsolvable compounds.
SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2022
Scientists have developed a new technique called small-molecule serial femtosecond X-ray crystallography (smSFX) that can reveal the structures of not-so-neat-and-tidy materials. This method uses an exceptional X-ray laser and custom-built image processing algorithms to diffract individual granules of powders, providing a precise sharp...
SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2022
Researchers have developed a new approach to determine the structures of tiny crystals relevant to chemistry and materials science. The new method, called smSFX, uses ultrafast pulses from an X-ray free-electron laser to collect structural information before damage sets in.
SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2022
Researchers from Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology have identified a new crystal structure for hydrogen at low temperatures near 0 K and high pressures. The team used supercomputer simulations and data science to generate several candidate patterns, which were then validated through high-resolution simulations.
SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·JournalPhysical Review B·DateJan 14, 2022
Researchers from Tokyo University of Science developed a high-quality crystalline interface using quasi-homo-epitaxial growth, which eliminated mobility issues and enabled spontaneous electron transfer. This breakthrough could lead to highly efficient flexible solar cells and wearable electronic devices.
SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 13, 2022
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.
Researchers at JAIST have demonstrated a high thermal rectification ratio on suspended asymmetric graphene nanomesh devices at low temperatures. The device shows promise for developing a high-efficiency thermal rectifier based on graphene nanomesh structure.
SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·JournalNano Futures·DateJan 7, 2022
Researchers from Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) have discovered a way to perform 'general inverse design' with high accuracy. This breakthrough enables the creation of materials with specific characteristics and properties, paving the way for revolutionizing materials science and industrial applications.
SourceSingapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)·JournalMatter·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 6, 2022
Researchers have designed and synthesized stable size/morphology-controlled MOF nanocrystals using a synergetic dual-ligand and hard-soft-acid-base strategy. The resulting 3D pillared-layer structure exhibits excellent cycling performance, with the Ni-Tdc network providing good stability during charging and discharging processes.
SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateJan 5, 2022
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.
Researchers have developed a new hexagonal perovskite-related oxide with excellent ionic conduction at intermediate and low temperatures, paving the way for efficient solid oxide fuel cells. The material's stability and ion conduction remain dominant in reducing atmospheres.
SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalSmall·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 21, 2021
A team of researchers at UC Santa Cruz has created an unusual protein structure known as a ‘rippled beta sheet’ by mixing mirror-image peptides. The study used x-ray crystallography to obtain images of the structure, which closely matches predictions made in 1953 by Linus Pauling and Robert Corey.
SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalChemical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 17, 2021
A new device has been developed that converts sunlight into two promising sources of renewable fuels – ethylene and hydrogen. The researchers found that by optimizing the working conditions for cuprous oxide, a promising artificial photosynthesis material, they can create a more stable system.
SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Energy·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 16, 2021
Researchers developed a new process to produce stable formamidinium perovskite (FAPbI3) materials, which can be used to make more efficient and stable solar cells. The novel approach uses lower temperatures and eliminates additives, making it suitable for large-scale production and flexible solar cell applications.
SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateDec 15, 2021
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.
Scientists have made a breakthrough in controlling the formation of vacancies in silicon carbide, a semiconductor material. The team's simulations tracked the pairing of individual vacancies into a divacancy and discovered the optimal temperatures for creating stable divacancies. This discovery could lead to highly sensitive sensors an...
SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 15, 2021
Scientists have successfully created a new state of matter that combines crystalline order with fluidity, similar to traditional materials like copper and aluminum. The discovery uses DNA-based dendritic nanostructures to form cluster crystals with highly mobile particles.
SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 9, 2021
Researchers have designed porous, carbon-based crystals that can stretch to more than twice their length, making them suitable for nanofiltration and pollutant removal. By adding 'soft joints' into the crystal's scaffold, they can be disrupted by specific chemicals, causing the crystal to expand and contract rapidly.
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.
Scientists at Paderborn University have demonstrated the spatial confinement of a light wave to a point smaller than the wavelength in a topological photonic crystal. This finding enables novel unidirectional waveguides that transmit light without back reflection, even with arbitrarily large disorder.
SourceUniversität Paderborn·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 2, 2021
Researchers developed a machine learning method to assign NMR spectra of organic crystals probabilistically from their 2D chemical structures. The approach uses a database of chemical shifts for organic solids, reducing computational cost by up to 10,000 times compared to current methods.
SourceNational Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) MARVEL·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 26, 2021
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science have reported the first-ever observation of long-range ferromagnetic order in icosahedral quasicrystals. The discovery was made using conventional X-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility, and specific heat measurements.
SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2021
Researchers from Peking University developed a new technique using 4D-EELS to measure phonon modes at heterointerfaces, directly observing localized phonon modes for the first time. This breakthrough enables better understanding and control of solid interfaces' properties.
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.
Borophene, a 2D version of boron, can be synthesized on hexagonal boron nitride using weak van der Waals forces. This method allows for easier removal and evaluation of the material for its plasmonic and photonic properties, as well as its electronic properties relevant to superconductivity.
SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 12, 2021
The CryForm project aims to replace synthetic stabilizing agents with crystalline materials, enabling innovative multiphase formulations for safer, more sustainable and affordable products. The project will develop biocompatible crystals for pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food applications, contributing to the European Green Deal.
Stabilized blue phase crystals could lead to new optical technologies with better response times. By using a core and shell structure, researchers were able to trap chiral liquid crystal in a 'blue phase' state, allowing for perfect, uniform crystals that can be controlled and predicted.
SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalACS Nano·TypeImaging analysis·DateNov 2, 2021
SMART researchers have discovered a practical method to overcome current challenges in the manufacture of indium gallium nitride (InGaN) LEDs with considerably higher indium concentration. The new approach uses intrinsic defects in semiconducting materials to form quantum dots that emit long-wavelength light.
SourceSingapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)·JournalACS Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 26, 2021
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have successfully engineered microbes to produce novel chemicals and developed a new technique for studying enzyme reactions in real-time. This breakthrough could lead to the production of sustainable fuels, pharmaceuticals, and renewable plastics.
SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 21, 2021
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.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have discovered a new path forward for processing titanium. Cryo-forging at ultra-low temperatures produces extra-strong nanotwinned titanium with improved strength and ductility. The material maintains its structure and properties at extreme temperatures, demonstrating its versatility.
SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 20, 2021
Researchers from South Ural State University discovered the reasons for the stability of salts, attributing it to the properties of electron density distribution. The study reveals the importance of chemical bonding in multi-centre character, paving the way for predicting material properties.
SourceSouth Ural State University·JournalActa Crystallographica Section B·DateOct 20, 2021
A new instrument at the Advanced Light Source enables simultaneous measurement of crystal structure and optical properties during perovskite synthesis. This allows for real-time monitoring of material quality and performance, leading to potentially more efficient solar cells.
SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 19, 2021
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.
Rice materials scientists develop a method to print arbitrary 3D shapes, creating micro-scale electronic, mechanical and photonic devices. The process involves two-photon polymerization and doping with rare earth salts for photoluminescent properties.
SourceRice University·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 14, 2021
A team of scientists has created a novel material composed of catenane molecules, which can adsorb and desorb gas molecules like carbon dioxide. The soft crystal exhibits unique properties, including porosity and deformability, making it suitable for applications such as capturing CO2 molecules.
SourceRIKEN·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 13, 2021
Researchers at GlaxoSmithKline and CCDC combined proprietary and published datasets to train machine learning models for predicting stable polymorphs in new drug candidates. The approach leverages the large volume and variety of data in the Cambridge Structural Database, resulting in more confident predictions and improved model accuracy.
SourceCCDC - Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre·JournalCrystEngComm·DateOct 1, 2021
Boston College physicists uncover novel charge density waves and symmetry-broken phases in the topological kagome metal CsV3Sb5, leading to superconductivity at low temperatures. The study reveals a 'cascade' of correlated electron states driving electrical conduction and potential implications for unconventional electron pairing.
SourceBoston College·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 30, 2021
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.
A recent study reveals the physical properties responsible for Ca2RuO4's negative thermal expansion (NTE), a phenomenon where materials shrink when heated. The research proposes a new route to designing unconventional NTE materials, which could lead to the creation of composites showing no overall thermal expansion.
SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalChemistry of Materials·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 28, 2021
Researchers used computer modeling to study prethermal discrete time crystals (DTCs) using classical physics, not quantum physics. They found that a simpler approach can be used to understand the properties of DTCs, which are highly complex physical systems.
SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 27, 2021
Researchers developed a theoretical model to predict the strength of millions of alloys at high temperatures. Experiments confirmed the predictions, highlighting the importance of edge dislocations in determining yield strength in complex high-entropy alloys.
SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 16, 2021
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.
Researchers investigated methylammonium lead iodide's ferroelectric nature and photovoltaic properties, finding a freezing temperature of 270 K and a novel phase diagram. The study advances perovskite's potential for energy conversion and storage applications.
SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalActa Materialia·DateSep 14, 2021
Researchers found that the stability of an amorphous metal alloy's structure is disrupted by mechanical influences, leading to crystalline inclusions. The alloy retains useful properties at pressures below 400 gigapascals before experiencing rapid crystallization and loss of structural integrity.
SourceKazan Federal University·JournalJournal of Non-Crystalline Solids·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 9, 2021
NIST scientists use a novel technique to measure the properties of silicon crystals, revealing new insights into subatomic particles and the strength of a possible fifth force. The results provide improved precision and complementary information for both X-ray and neutron scattering.
SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2021
Scientists at CIBFar have discovered the molecular mechanism of SARS-CoV-2's main protease, which enables the virus to replicate in host cells. The study provides valuable insights into the process and has immediate applications for developing antiviral drugs.
SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalJournal of Molecular Biology·DateSep 8, 2021
Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt and Bonn have synthesized molecular nano spheres made of silicon atoms, known as silafulleranes, which can encapsulate chloride ions. The discovery of these new compounds may lead to improved applications in electronics, solar cells, and batteries.
SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 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.
Researchers at UCF's NanoScience Technology Center created a new nanomaterial that repels water and stays dry even when submerged underwater. The discovery has the potential to develop more efficient water-repellent surfaces, fuel cells, and electronic sensors.
SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 7, 2021
A team of researchers from Boston College has created a new metallic specimen where electron motion flows in a fluid-like manner, fundamentally changing particle-like to hydrodynamic dynamics. The discovery confirms theoretical predictions and opens up new possibilities for material exploration and potential applications.
SourceBoston College·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 6, 2021