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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

Hot electrons, cold lattice: What slows current in twisted graphene?

Researchers from NUS I-FIM separate the effects of phonons and electron collisions on current in twisted graphene by warming electrons while keeping the lattice cold. The results reveal a strong electronic contribution even in regimes often associated with phonons, and a new understanding of how resistance changes with temperature.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 16, 2026

Electrifying discoveries: Researchers film the first moments on the way from light to electricity

Researchers successfully film the generation of electrical energy from light, providing a fundamental understanding of the physical processes involved in organic solar cells. The study, published in Physical Review X, reveals the spatial distribution and temporal evolution of excitons in the first moments of their existence.

SourceUniversity of Graz·JournalPhysical Review X·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2026

Graz University of Technology unravels mystery of the structure of MOF thin films

A team at Graz University of Technology has solved the puzzle of MOF thin film structure using advanced diffraction techniques and computational modeling. They found that prototypical Cu(bdc) thin films are not porous as expected, but instead densely packed with additional hydroxide groups.

SourceGraz University of Technology·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 2, 2026

Quantum metallurgy: Electron crystals deform and melt

Electron crystals, similar to atomic structures of crystals, can accumulate defects as they melt. Controlling the degree of melting may enable devices with neuromorphic computing and superconductors. The researchers found that electron crystals in metals can deform and melt, similar to physical solids, and their structure could be prec...

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalMatter·DateMay 7, 2026

Solid but fluid: New materials reconfigure their entire crystal structure in response to humidity

Researchers at CUNY ASRC have created peptide-based crystalline solids that can switch between soft layered and stiff honeycomb architectures in response to humidity. These dynamic solids exhibit large, controllable changes in mechanical and optical properties, enabling unprecedented adaptability.

SourceAdvanced Science Research Center, GC/CUNY·JournalMatter·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 11, 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

Wood becomes a high-strength conductor through metal-based eutectic gels

Researchers introduce a new strategy using natural wood as a structural scaffold for conductive eutectogels, enabling mechanically robust and environmentally stable materials. The resulting eutectogel achieves high tensile strength, toughness, and ionic conductivity, making it suitable for wearable electronics and smart sensing systems.

SourceJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·JournalJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 4, 2026

New solution to an old magnetism puzzle

Researchers from TU Wien have provided a surprising explanation for the long-standing relation between magnetism and superconductivity in quantum materials. Altermagnetism, an unusual form of magnetism, is found to be experimentally observable in certain materials when superconductivity sets in.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 3, 2026

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.

Phytic acid–driven structural engineering unlocks high-performance lignin-based carbon aerogel supercapacitors

Researchers developed a synergistic structure-doping regulation strategy for lignin-based carbon aerogels using phytic acid, promoting uniform spherical hierarchical structures and dual phosphorus-sulfur doping. This approach achieves high-performance supercapacitors with superior power density and energy storage capabilities.

SourceJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·JournalJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 29, 2026

Wood becomes smart glass: Photo- and electro-chromic membrane switches tint in seconds

A team of researchers has developed a dual-response cellulose–WO3 composite film that can switch tint in seconds and survive 200 cycles. The membrane is made from wood and can be roll-coated on existing paper machines, making it a sustainable alternative to traditional smart glass.

SourceJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·JournalJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·TypeExperimental study·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

New superconducting thin film for quantum computer chips

Researchers at RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science have created a new superconducting thin film from iron telluride, suitable for quantum computing applications. The film's unique crystal structure, resulting from intentional misalignment of atomic layers, reduces lattice distortion and enables low-temperature superconductivity.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 9, 2025

A new way to guide light, undeterred

A new system developed by Penn researchers allows light to be guided through tiny crystals with minimal scattering or reflection. This breakthrough paves the way for more efficient and controllable photonic chips, enabling faster data transmission and reduced errors.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 10, 2025

Graphene reaches ultimate electronic quality — two breakthrough methods push graphene beyond semiconductor limits

Researchers from NUS and The University of Manchester develop two breakthrough methods to overcome electronic disorder in graphene, setting new records for electron mobility. Twist-angle engineering and proximity screening enable the observation of quantum effects in unprecedented conditions.

Yonsei University researchers directly measure quantum metric tensor in real material

Researchers at Yonsei University have successfully measured the full quantum metric tensors of Bloch electrons in solids, a breakthrough that could lead to advanced semiconductor technologies and higher transition-temperature superconductors. The study used black phosphorus as a representative material for photoemission measurements.

SourceYonsei University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 6, 2025

Ten thousand molecules in time – Generation and control of collective vibrations in a liquid

Scientists generate collective molecular vibrations in a liquid by placing an electron ultrafast. These vibrations govern the electric behavior of the liquid and can be tuned to adapt its properties. The study reveals new insights into polar liquids' dynamics.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalPhysical Review Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 30, 2025

Flash-freezing silicon mimics Big Bang

A team of scientists from Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf analyzed the behavior of flash-frozen silicon surfaces, revealing a strong impact of cooling rates on crystal growth. The results show that slow cooling produces large, ordered domains with a uniform honeycomb structure.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 22, 2025

Shedding new light on invisible forces: hidden magnetic clues in everyday metals unlocked

Researchers develop new method to detect subtle magnetic signals in common metals like copper, gold, and aluminum, using a laser and large-amplitude modulation of the external magnetic field. This breakthrough could lead to advances in semiconductor industry, spintronic devices, and quantum systems.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 17, 2025

MXenes: materials on the move

MXene materials have been engineered to respond to light, enabling their use in soft robotics applications. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new types of robots that can change shape and function in response to external stimuli.

SourceDuke University·JournalMatter·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 9, 2025

Stabilizing fleeting quantum states with light

Scientists from Harvard University and PSI have developed a method to stabilize transient quantum states in materials using tailored optical excitation. This breakthrough enables the study of emergent properties of quantum materials, paving the way for transformative technologies such as lossless electronics and high-capacity batteries.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 5, 2025

Forgotten property of the electron

Researchers at Forschungszentrum Jülich have discovered a property of crystal structure called chirality that influences the orbital angular momentum of electrons. This could lead to a new class of electronic components capable of transmitting information with exceptional robustness and energy efficiency.

SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateMay 20, 2025

“Petrificus totalus!” — 3D-printed hydrogel switches from kPa-Soft to GPa-hard on command

Researchers at Zhejiang University developed a novel 3D-printed hydrogel that can easily switch its Young's modulus from kPa to GPa through on-demand crystallization. The hydrogel exhibits a hardness of 86.5 Shore D and a Young's modulus of 1.2 GPa, surpassing current 3D-printed hydrogels.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateApr 15, 2025

Graz University of Technology team decodes heat conduction of complex materials

Researchers at Graz University of Technology developed a new understanding of how complex materials like organic semiconductors and MOFs transport thermal energy. They discovered that phonon tunneling plays a crucial role in heat conduction, enabling targeted design of materials with specific thermal properties.

SourceGraz University of Technology·Journalnpj Computational Materials·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 20, 2025

Unraveling the origin of extremely bright quantum emitters

A multi-institutional research team from Osaka University has discovered the origin of extremely bright color centers at an oxide/semiconductor interface. The study reveals a correlation between the luminescence of color centers and the density of electron traps, suggesting a specific carbon-related defect as the most promising candidate.

SourceOsaka University·JournalAPL Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2025