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Streamlining the measurement of phonon dispersion

Researchers adapted an instrument for high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy to reduce the time required to measure phonon dispersion. The device uses a hemispherical electron analyzer and high energy-resolution electron source, allowing surface scientists to measure samples that were previously too cumbersome.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateMar 14, 2017

Breakthrough with a chain of gold atoms

An international team of physicists has made a breakthrough in understanding heat transport at the nanoscale by studying a chain of gold atoms. The study confirms the validity of the Wiedemann-Franz law, which describes the relationship between electric and thermal conductance.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalScience·DateFeb 17, 2017

Nano-chimneys can cool circuits

Researchers found that adding cone-like structures between graphene and nanotubes enhances heat dissipation by reducing the number of heptagons. This could lead to improved performance in next-generation nano-electronics.

SourceRice University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry C·DateJan 4, 2017

Spiders spin unique phononic material

Scientists at Rice University found a phonon band gap in spider silk, enabling the material to block certain frequencies of sound waves. This discovery has implications for creating tunable, dynamic metamaterials with novel sound or thermal insulation properties.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Materials·DateJul 25, 2016

Phonons, arise!

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have found a way to alter the thermal conductivity of widely used material PZT using a small electric voltage. This breakthrough could lead to new technologies where controlling phonons is necessary, and has potential applications in computing, global communications, and other fields.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalNano Letters·DateApr 22, 2015

Crossover sound

Scientists at Berkeley Lab have provided the first 'unambiguous demonstration' of phonon-based lasers by observing coherent phonon transport in superlattices. This breakthrough could lead to new advances in heat transfer applications and the development of phonon lasers.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·DateFeb 5, 2014

How to treat heat like light

Researchers at MIT have developed a novel method to manipulate heat by employing engineered materials with nanostructured semiconductor alloy crystals. This approach enables the concentration of heat phonons within a specific frequency range, allowing for control over heat flow similar to light waves.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 11, 2013

Columbia engineering team discovers graphene's weakness

A Columbia University engineering team has discovered how pure graphene breaks under tensile stress, revealing a novel soft-mode phonon instability that leads to mechanical failure. This finding is significant for understanding the behavior of low-dimensional systems like graphene and could lead to new ways to engineer its properties.

SourceColumbia University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 30, 2010

Quantum leap for phonon lasers

Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in developing practical phonon lasers, which could enable new medical imaging devices and precision measurement tools. Two separate teams, one in the US and the UK, have reported advancements in phonon laser development, using different approaches to overcome technical challenges.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 21, 2010

Size-specific cracking shakes

Scientists have found that certain nanostructures are more susceptible to failure by fracture at specific sizes. This is due to phonon confinement, which affects thermal transport and electronic processes. The study provides valuable information for designing stable nanostructures with reduced fracture energy.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review B·DateAug 1, 2008

Reversible data transfers from light to sound

A team of researchers at Duke University has successfully transferred encoded information from a laser beam to sound waves and back again, opening the door for ultra-fast optical communications networks. The new method uses stimulated Brillouin scattering to create acoustic vibrations that can retain data for brief intervals.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience·DateDec 13, 2007