Articles tagged with Solids
Researchers from North Carolina State University have discovered a new phase of solid carbon, called Q-carbon, which has unusual characteristics such as ferromagnetism. They have developed a technique for creating diamond-related structures at room temperature and ambient atmospheric pressure using Q-carbon.
Researchers used computer simulations and information theory to study glass's behavior. They discovered that atoms in the glass organize into icosahedral configurations, which increase in size over time, suggesting that glass can become a true solid.
Researchers propose a new theoretical framework to explain the transition of colloidal glasses from liquids to solids, highlighting the role of crowding effects and weak spots in the material. This work has significant implications for our understanding of glass behavior and its applications in consumer products and medical research.
Researchers measure how glassy surfaces flow and solidify over time, shedding light on nanotechnology applications. The study's findings have implications for the design of thin-film coatings and nanoscale devices.
Researchers at the University of Washington have accurately determined a solid-state triple point in vanadium dioxide, a material that rapidly switches between conducting and insulating states. This discovery could lead to breakthroughs in electrical and optical switch development.
New work from Carnegie scientists reveals the details of a surprising new form of solid hydrogen under high pressure and temperature conditions. The research found that hydrogen takes a form with two different types of molecules, one interacting weakly with neighbors and the other forming planar sheets.
Computer simulations reveal that water stabilizes specific charge states on the catalyst surface, increasing efficiency and outperforming a gas phase. Researchers also found that thermodynamic conditions can control catalytic efficiency by varying pressure and temperature.
Researchers at Princeton University suggest that life on Earth could have come from space via lithopanspermia, a process where microorganisms are transferred through meteorite-like planetary fragments. The study found that low-velocity processes can increase the chances of solid material being captured by other planets.
Scientists have developed a new flexible aerogel material that is up to 500 times stronger than traditional silica aerogels, with improved thermal conductivity and potential applications in super-insulating clothing, refrigerators, and buildings. The material could also be used for heat shields on spacecraft and insulation for spacesuits.
Researchers at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland have challenged the long-held concept of surface tension on solid materials. They found that excess surface tension on a solid material does not exist and is incompatible with thermodynamic theory.
Researchers discover several new phases of atomtronic matter, including a 'bond-order solid' with strong long-range dipole interactions. These phases are associated with the controlled movement of ultracold atoms in an optical lattice and have potential applications for data encoding and quantum computing.
Researchers have identified a novel method for detecting weak points in disordered materials like glass, which may lead to better understanding of material failure and potential applications. The study combines theoretical modeling with experimental results, shedding light on the principles governing material responses.
A novel way to immobilise radioactive forms of iodine using a microwave has been discovered by Professor Neil Hyatt at the University of Sheffield. The method uses Pb5(VO4)3I, a solid material that can safely contain radionuclides like iodine-129, reducing long-term health risks from environmental release.
Researchers have challenged the existence of a supersolid in helium-4, proposing an alternative explanation for its behavior. The alternative theory suggests that the observed effects can be attributed to the 'freezing out' of imperfections within the lattice, rather than a phase change to a supersolid.
The new technique enables 3D mapping of crystal structures inside nanomaterials with nanometer resolution, allowing for the study of their special properties and behavior under different conditions. This has significant implications for understanding and optimizing material properties in various applications.
Researchers at New York University developed a method to shape solid materials, such as glass, metal, or stone, using a corn starch solution. By applying pressure from a motor-powered sphere through the solution, they can create precise indentations and depressions in the material.
Researchers at MIT create a material that exhibits 'retrograde melting' at lower temperatures than normal, allowing for potentially cheaper production of solar cells and other devices. The discovery enables the creation of liquid droplets to purify silicon and could lead to new methods for making arrays of silicon nanowires.
A new synthetic method creates longer polymer chains, increasing current density in plastic solar cells. The reduced reaction time cuts production time by nearly 50%, making it easier to optimize chemical structure and reduce manufacturing costs.
The new BZCYYb material tolerates high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide, resists carbon build-up, and can operate efficiently at low temperatures. Its development could lead to more compact and cost-effective solid oxide fuel cells with increased range of applications.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute discovered that heat transfer between materials is directly proportional to their bonding strength. By simulating various surface chemistries, they created a new thermometer to measure interfacial bonding properties.
Researchers have found that the special atomic structures formed in glass when it cools are responsible for its non-crystalline state. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new materials like metallic glasses, which could be used in flexible products such as aircraft wings and engine parts.
A team of researchers from Penn State created a viscoelastic mixture that exhibits fluid-like behavior at slow speeds, solid-like behavior at intermediate speeds, and heals itself after tearing. The study provides new insights into how materials switch between these states.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a new understanding of particle mixtures, shedding light on the behavior of colloids in various states. The study has potential practical applications in medicine, including the design and production of pharmaceutical formulations.
Researchers at Brown University use a kitchen table physics experiment to study supersolid helium, finding evidence of its behavior in 3 out of 13 trials. The team suggests that a layer of superfluid helium only a single molecule thick forms at grain boundaries, creating a path for movement through the solid.
Researchers created translucent three-dimensional crystals to study melting, finding evidence for premelting at imperfections in solid crystal structures. This discovery could lead to a better understanding of the melting process and design of strong materials resistant to temperature changes.
Duke University researchers have created a method to make granular materials change phases through vibration and stirring, contradicting conventional expectations. This technique could be used to predict stability in dirt embankments or 'unjam' coal or gravel hoppers.
The study reveals that granular materials exhibit complex rheology, making it challenging for continuum theory to predict their behavior. The enriched continuum model offers a new level of predictive capability, capturing the key transition mechanism and shear bands.
Researchers at Penn State have created a new form of supersolid matter by freezing helium-4, exhibiting properties of both solids and fluids. The discovery, funded by the National Science Foundation, suggests that under certain conditions, some fraction of the helium atoms can move through the lattice like a superfluid.
Scientists have successfully visualized the transition of magnetic whirlpools in superconductors from solid to liquid states and back again under temperature variations. This study reveals complex solid-liquid patterns and provides insights into how temperature changes affect superconductor performance.
Researchers discovered that flexible polymers behave differently on surfaces compared to in bulk, with a stronger dependence on chain length. The study used two-photon fluorescence correlation spectroscopy to monitor individual molecule motions and found that chains 'entangle' with the surface, causing them to flatten.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered that fluorine can significantly enhance boron combustion in energetic propellants. The addition of fluorine reduces ignition delay time and total combustion time, leading to improved rocket performance and increased payload capacity.
Scientists have provided direct evidence that the Earth's innermost core is solid, contradicting a long-held assumption of a liquid core. This finding was made possible by advances in instrumentation and computer capabilities, allowing researchers to detect the characteristic vibrations of a solid core.
Researchers found that liquids behave like soft solids when squeezed into thin films, with implications for fields like tribology, geology, and biology. This understanding could lead to the development of more effective lubricants and insights into natural phenomena like earthquakes.