Articles tagged with Surface Structure
Researchers developed an AI-guided laser technique to carve micro-pyramids for robots to sense soft surfaces gently. The technique enables the creation of flexible conductive skins with high sensitivity and linearity, outperforming conventional designs.
Researchers developed a multilayered insulated superhydrophobic (MISH) coating that maintains repellency up to 90°C, outperforming conventional coatings. The coating's insulating layer reduces heat transfer, preventing condensation and maintaining 'never-wet' properties.
Scientists create natural surfaces with 3D nanowrinkles that control light, liquids, and living cells. The method uses laser polarization to guide the material's organization, enabling precise control over wrinkle formation and applications in bio-inspired surfaces and sensors.
Researchers transformed commercially available pencil lead into a graphene-based electron beam source, achieving stable and high-quality electron emission. The findings confirm that graphene edges can be easily derived from readily accessible materials and effectively function as high-performance field emission sources.
Researchers have found that the unique shape of lymphatic vessel endothelial cells allows for efficient absorption and transport of fluids while withstanding sudden changes in tissue fluid volume. This distinctive cell shape is also seen in plant leaves, where it helps support structural stability.
Researchers at Tohoku University developed a synthesis method to control the surface structure of small metal particles, improving their catalytic activity for hydrogen evolution. The new approach, combining gold and platinum, achieves higher catalytic activity than conventional catalysts.
Researchers at Northwestern University have finally uncovered the mechanics of static electricity generated by rubbing objects together, explaining how forces on different parts of an object create electrical charges and a current. This breakthrough could lead to new solutions for industrial fires, pharmaceutical dosing, and other issu...
The researchers used noncontact atomic force microscopy to analyze the surface structure and found that the surface rearranges to allow aluminum atoms to penetrate into the material. This rearrangement reduces energy and stabilizes the structure without changing its composition.
A new imaging device that combines optical coherence tomography (OCT) with traditional otoscopy improves diagnostic capabilities for hearing clinics. The integrated device provides detailed views of the eardrum and middle ear, enabling more accurate diagnoses and treatment.
Scientists directly observe the precise shape of ice at its interface with liquid for the first time, revealing a flat surface with occasional steps. They also found that the ice is harder than previously estimated, using antifreeze and advanced microscopy.
The team developed a deep learning AI technique to quantitatively analyze cation mixing using atomic structure images. This approach revealed that introducing metal dopants like aluminum, titanium, and zirconium into the transition metal layer fortified bonds between nickel and oxygen atoms, curbing cation mixing.
Femtosecond laser-induced high spatial frequency periodic structures (HSFL) have significant applications in surface structural color, information storage, and enhanced emission. Researchers propose a mechanism for HSFL formation, involving nano voids, amorphous molten silicon, and thermodynamic effects.
Scientists create high-throughput automation to calculate surface properties of crystalline materials using established laws of physics. This accelerates the search for relevant materials for applications in energy conversion, production, and storage.
Researchers from TU Graz developed an innovative ice-repellent coating using initiated chemical vapour deposition (iCVD). The coating's unique mechanism involves random alignment of molecules, creating a surface that prevents ice crystals from sticking.
A new type of antifouling membrane spacer inspired by coral tentacles has been developed, reducing fouling by 61.7% and increasing efficiency. The spacer's low surface energy and temperature responsiveness improve hydration capacity and interfacial roughness control.
A study of 205 adolescent football players and 70 noncontact control athletes reveals discernible structural and physiological differences in brain regions associated with mental health. These findings suggest a potential link between football playing and mental health outcomes.
Researchers from Fudan University and others report a new method to analyze lattice vibrations and excitations in materials using terahertz difference frequency mixing. The technique offers sub-monolayer sensitivity for studying interface properties of complex oxides.
Millimeter structures moderately improve the overall entrainment process, accommodating liquids in larger quantities with less deviation. The capillary effect and viscous force drive entrainment, while gravity acts as resistance.
A new study led by Dr. Xuekun Lu has found a way to prevent lithium plating in electric vehicle batteries, which could lead to faster charging times and improve the battery's energy density. The research also reveals that refining the microstructure of the graphite electrode can minimize the risk of lithium plating.
A new approach boosts light absorption in thin silicon photodetectors with photon-trapping structures, increasing the absorption efficiency over a wide band in the NIR spectrum. The findings demonstrate a promising strategy to enhance the performance of Si-based photodetectors for emerging photonics applications.
Metalenses have been developed with differentiated design principles to eliminate chromatic aberration. By merging bright spots into a single focusing spot, researchers achieved an efficiency of up to 43% and demonstrated the versatility of their approach for various optical applications.
Researchers at Rice University have created a new type of storage container that effectively prevents surface contamination for at least six weeks. The technology relies on an ultraclean wall with tiny bumps and divots, which attracts VOCs in air inside the containers.
The study found that antibiotics slow down biofilm growth and QS molecule production across both strains, with surface type having a significant effect on the non-mucoid strain. The patterned structure was associated with longer latencies before expression of QS molecules were at their peak.
Researchers developed a new particle resuspension prediction model based on quasi-static moment equilibrium, which considers flow characteristics, particle morphology, and rough wall surface. The model is more accurate than classical models and can be applied to traceability analysis of pollutants.
Researchers pioneered a technique to observe the 3D internal structure of rechargeable batteries, enabling direct observation of the solid electric interface (SEI) and its progression. The study reveals key predictors of SEI layer formation in a complex interplay of molecular dimensions, surface properties, and solvent interactions.
The new technique allows for the production of a dozen different soft polymer material morphologies, including ribbons, nanoscale sheets, rods, and branched particles. By precisely controlling three sets of parameters during manufacturing, researchers can fine-tune the morphology of polymeric materials at the micro- and nano-scale.
Researchers propose a novel approach to analyzing microplastic particles, highlighting the importance of particle size and shape in determining environmental impact. Studies show that even samples with similar numbers of particles can have varying levels of plastic pollution based on mass, volume, and specific surface area.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have designed a soft and breathable material that can be worn on the skin without causing discomfort. The material, made from liquid-metal elastomer composite, has integrated antibacterial and antiviral properties to prevent the formation of harmful pathogens.
Researchers used computational simulations to model Charon's internal ocean freeze and its effects on the moon's surface. The study found that the freezing of an internal ocean may have formed deep depressions along Charon's girth but was unlikely to lead to cryovolcanoes erupting with ice and water in its northern hemisphere.
A UMass Amherst microbiologist is working to develop new treatments for tuberculosis by targeting the bacteria's surface structure. The goal is to create a drug that can disrupt the cell envelope, making the bacteria vulnerable to attack.
Researchers at University of Göttingen develop a new method to convert CO2 into chemical substances by confining molecules in nano-sized environments. The team demonstrates the ability to break individual chemical bonds and restore them in single molecules under controlled conditions.
Researchers evaluated 35 commercial breast biopsy markers for ultrasound color Doppler twinkling, finding that three markers exhibited actionable twinkling for ≥2 transducers. Higher surface roughness was associated with actionable twinkling in C1-6 and 9L transducers.
Researchers at Rice University have created 2D chiral superstructures using three-sided pyramids, which could lead to breakthroughs in metamaterials. The structures, composed of ultrathin assemblies of particles, incorporate left-handed and right-handed domains and exhibit unique optical properties.
A study by Goethe University Frankfurt found that antibodies against Omicron variants BA.1 and BA.2 decline rapidly, even after a second vaccination or booster shot, offering limited protection against infection.
Researchers have made significant advancements in understanding the electronic structure of graphite, a crucial component in battery production. The study's findings highlight the importance of surface effects in bulk intrinsic electronic state measurements, revealing new insights into the material's electrical properties.
Scientists from Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg discovered that precisely applied mechanical pressure can improve the electronic properties of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) films. The team used atomic force microscopy to control and reorient electrical charges in the material, enabling stable nano-scale structures with high ...
The new system, S4, offers a high-resolution view of stressed specimens comparable to or better than established technologies like DIC. It also overcomes optical challenges posed by cement in concrete, providing a reliable strain measurement technology.
The Replica Exchange Grand Canonical (REGC) method describes how surfaces change in contact with reactive gas phases under different temperature and pressure conditions. The approach identifies 25 thermodynamically stable surface phases and predicts stability phase diagrams for real systems.
Asteroid Bennu's surface is characterized as loosely bound, with a near-subsurface layer composed of weakly bound rock fragments containing twice the void space as the overall asteroid. The study provides new insights into the physical properties of rubble-pile asteroids, with implications for their long-term evolution.
The University of Houston research team has successfully developed a method for 3D printing organic semiconductor devices using multiphoton lithography, enabling the creation of highly conductive microstructures. The technology has potential applications in emerging fields such as nanoelectronics and bioelectronics.
A research team investigated the microscopic scale of furniture movement, finding moiré patterns reduce static friction when objects rotate simultaneously. This discovery could lead to ultra-low friction micro-machines.
Rice University engineers have developed a novel approach to manipulating the magnetic and electronic properties of 2D materials by stressing them with contoured substrates. The technique, inspired by recent discoveries in twisted 2D materials, allows for unprecedented control over quantum effects.
A small study suggests that maternal psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic may be associated with changes in the brain of developing fetuses. The study found decreased brain structure and volumetric measures in fetuses from the pandemic cohort compared to the pre-pandemic cohort.
New research develops a low-index BaF2 thin film-based microspectrometer technology for LWIR spectral sensing. The study demonstrates the use of flat and stress-free free-standing distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs) for high-performance wavelength discrimination in the long-wave infrared region.
Scientists have created cilia-free human pluripotent stem cells that exhibit symptoms of ciliopathy, such as polycystic kidney disease. These cells can be used to study the cause of these diseases and guide therapy development.
Researchers developed a new way to apply antireflective coatings to 3D printed micro-optical systems, reducing light losses and improving imaging quality. The low-temperature coating technique can be used for applications such as miniature fiber endoscopes and virtual reality devices.
Researchers developed a light-controllable time-domain digital coding metasurface that can manipulate microwave reflection spectra by time-varying light signals. The metasurface platform produces harmonics based on phase modulation, generating symmetrical harmonics and white-noiselike spectra.
Researchers at Samsung have developed a novel approach to inspect critical dimensions of semiconductor devices, improving speed and resolution. The new 'line-scan hyperspectral imaging' (LHSI) technique offers faster measurements with high spatial resolution, outperforming existing methods.
Researchers precisely measure gold nanocontact's Young's modulus by combining TEM and LER techniques. The study reveals that the outer surface layer governs the overall strength of gold nanocontacts, with implications for NEMS and potential applications in pressure sensors.
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.
The Antarctic scallop's microscopic ridges create a regular structure that prevents water from freezing on its surface, allowing it to resist icing. This unique feature provides an advantage for the species, with researchers suggesting potential technological applications for non-icing surfaces in polar shipping.
Researchers at Shibaura Institute of Technology develop a fast and reliable method to detect defects in concrete structures using laser-induced plasma shock waves. The technique analyzes vibration patterns to identify Rayleigh waves, which can reveal the presence of cracks.
Scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, have developed a durable coating that prevents fogging and 'self-cleans' under sunlight exposure. The coating shows excellent adherence to the plastic surface and maintains durability in tests, offering an attractive long-term solution for various applications.
The study found that the distinctive pattern on the underside of the leaves is crucial for their size and strength. The unique vascular structure allows the plants to occupy a large surface area while maintaining low biomass.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have successfully replicated the surface structures of the Cynandra opis butterfly using nano-3D printing, enabling the production of structures that generate all visible spectrum colours. This breakthrough could lead to applications in security features, optical technologies, and high-resolution colour displays.
A mechanical RIS has been developed with high reconfiguration degree of freedom, low power consumption, and real-time dynamic control capabilities. It uses a robust control method to determine the rotation angle of each meta-atom and offers a new energy-saving and environmentally friendly alternative for wireless communications systems.
A new method of molecular-level control, called induced activation, doubles the efficiency of widely used industrial catalysts. This approach manipulates the catalyst surface by controlling reducing agents at the catalyst activation stage.
Researchers have created a new, simpler way to fabricate SERS nanostructures with superior stability and performance at low cost. By using a heat-resistant polymer called polyimide (PI), they can produce nanosurfaces with nanopillars that enhance signal intensity for efficient chemical detection. The new fabrication method has the pote...
Scientists visualized the distribution of atoms in cobalt iron oxide nanoparticles and studied structural changes on the surface during oxygen evolution reaction. The findings provide atomic insights into compositional changes affecting catalytic performance.
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.