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Graphene: Everything under control

A team of scientists from Bielefeld and Berlin successfully controlled graphene's nonlinearity by applying modest electrical voltages, enabling efficient processing of high-frequency signals. This breakthrough paves the way for using graphene in THz frequency converters, mixers, and modulators.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 8, 2021

A new dye shakes up solar cells

Researchers have developed a new dye called MS5 that significantly enhances the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), which are already being manufactured on a large scale. The new dye produces an open-circuit voltage of 1.24 Volts and achieves a power conversion efficiency of 13.5%, surpassing previous records in the field.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 19, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Advancement creates nanosized, foldable robots

Cornell University researchers developed micron-sized shape memory actuators that enable atomically thin materials to fold themselves into 3D configurations. These tiny machines can hold their shape even after voltage is removed, enabling potential applications in nano-robots and smart materials.

SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·JournalScience Robotics·DateMar 19, 2021

New material: Rapid color change

Scientists have developed a new material with faster and more efficient electrochromic properties than existing materials. The material, called Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs), can be triggered by an applied electrical voltage, allowing for rapid color change and high sensitivity to electrochemical oxidation.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMar 18, 2021

Nanotech scientists create world's smallest origami bird

Researchers at Cornell University have created a micron-sized self-folding origami bird using shape memory actuators. The device can fold itself into 3D configurations within 100 milliseconds and holds its shape even after the voltage is removed.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience Robotics·DateMar 17, 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.

Voltage from the parquet

Scientists at Empa and ETH Zurich create piezoelectric wood by dissolving lignin using a biological process, resulting in an elastic material that generates a voltage when deformed. The technology has potential applications as a sensor or electricity-generating floor, and researchers are exploring its industrial feasibility.

SourceSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA)·JournalACS Nano·DateMar 15, 2021

How do good metals go bad?

Researchers found that exotic metallic materials exhibit poor electrical conductivity due to tiny amounts of impurities or defects. These defects cause electrons to remain localized, hindering current flow at low frequencies, but allowing it at high frequencies.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 15, 2021

Low-voltage, low-power pressure sensors for monitoring health

A team from Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation developed soft pressure sensors using OECTs and ionic hydrogels, enabling high sensitivity and low power consumption. This advancement facilitates long-term monitoring of patients with real-time data collection.

SourceTerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation·JournalIEEE Electron Device Letters·DateMar 9, 2021
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.

University launches isolated power supply chip with new design

Researchers at University of Science and Technology of China launched an isolated power supply chip with a new design, achieving 46.5% peak transformation efficiency. The chip's power density is also improved to 50mW/mm2, making it more efficient than traditional designs.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·DateMar 2, 2021

Discovery of potential cosmic-ray accelerator in the galaxy opens window for PeV cosmic rays origin

The Tibet ASgamma experiment has discovered gamma rays beyond 100 TeV from a supernova remnant, suggesting that cosmic-ray nuclei are accelerated up to PeV energy and collide with a nearby molecular cloud. This discovery identifies the first candidate object in the Milky Way that can accelerate cosmic rays up to 1 PeV.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Astronomy·DateMar 2, 2021
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.

Magnetic effect without a magnet

Researchers find giant Hall effect in material Ce3Bi4Pd3, exceeding theoretical predictions by a thousand times. The effect is caused by complex electron interactions and the Kondo effect, leading to unexpected potential for next-generation quantum technologies.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 22, 2021

A new quantum switch for electronics

Researchers have discovered a promising mechanism to create nanoelectronics components by reducing current to zero in quantum point contacts. The discovery uses external oscillating fields and provides evidence of non-equilibrium phase transitions, enabling precise control of charge transport.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalPhysical Review B·DateFeb 11, 2021

Neurons: 'String of lights' indicates excitation propagation

A novel molecular voltage sensor allows researchers to observe the propagation of electrical signals in living nerve cells with high precision. This enables investigations into completely new questions about brain function and could lead to a better understanding of neurological diseases.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 2, 2021
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Double delight: New synthetic transmembrane ion channel can be activated in two ways

Scientists have synthesized a biomolecule that resembles a natural anisotropic dual-stimuli-responsive channel, allowing for the creation of advanced biosensors and drug alternatives. The channel, called VF, can be activated by two specific stimuli dependent on its biased orientation within the membrane.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateFeb 1, 2021

Diamonds need voltage

Researchers have found that tiny diamonds can form in the presence of small electric fields, which play a central role in their creation. The experiments conducted by the Russian research team showed that applying less than one volt triggers a chemical transformation process, resulting in pure carbon in the form of diamond.

SourceGFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 21, 2021

New sodium oxide paves the way for advanced sodium-ion batteries

Researchers at Skoltech have discovered a mixed oxide Na(Li1/3Mn2/3)O2 that shows promise as a cathode material for sodium-ion batteries. The compound exhibits high energy density, no voltage fade over multiple charge cycles, and moisture stability.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalNature Materials·DateJan 20, 2021
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Potential extreme condition history detector - recoverable PL achieved in pyrochlore

A team of scientists has achieved strong tricolor photoluminescence (PL) in non-photoluminescent pyrochlore Ho2Sn2O7 under high-pressure treatment. The PL is retained and largely enhanced after pressure release, with the potential applications for pressure threshold sensors on extreme conditions.

SourceCenter for High Pressure Science & Technology Advanced Research·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 11, 2020
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Killer electrons in strumming sky lights

A team of researchers led by Nagoya University has discovered that killer electrons, resulting from the pulsating aurora, could be involved in ozone destruction. The high-energy electrons are believed to cause damage when they penetrate satellites, and their presence in the middle atmosphere is associated with the pulsating aurora.

SourceNagoya University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateNov 30, 2020

Tarantula toxin attacks with molecular stinger

Researchers have identified the molecular mechanism by which tarantula venom traps voltage sensors on sodium channels, effectively immobilizing nerve signals. This finding may lead to the development of new pain therapeutics that target the Nav1.7 channel, a key player in pain transmission.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalMolecular Cell·DateNov 23, 2020

Scientists develop a magnetic switch with lower energy consumption

Researchers have created a magnetic switch that requires less energy to alter its orientation, a potential breakthrough in storing data in personal electronics. The new technology uses voltage instead of current to reorient magnetic materials, resulting in significant energy savings.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 18, 2020

Charges cascading along a molecular chain

Scientists create one-dimensional array of individual molecules and precisely control its electronic structure. By manipulating individual molecules, they can create alternating charge patterns, allowing for information transfer in tiny circuits.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Electronics·DateNov 12, 2020
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.

Connecting two classes of unconventional superconductors

Researcher from Max Planck Institute applied large hydrostatic pressures to CeFeAsO, a non-superconducting compound. The study reveals a narrow superconducting phase emerging in the boundary region between spin-density-wave magnetism and Kondo-effect.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 11, 2020

An electrical trigger fires single, identical photons

Researchers at Berkeley Lab have developed a precision photon source made from an atomically thin semiconducting material, enabling the generation of single, identical photons. This breakthrough could aid in developing secure and fast quantum communication networks.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 8, 2020

New detector breakthrough pushes boundaries of quantum computing

Physicists at Aalto University have developed a new detector that can measure energy quanta with unprecedented resolution, overcoming limitations in current state-of-the-art detectors used in quantum computers. The graphene bolometer achieves speeds of well below a microsecond and higher theoretical accuracy than voltage measurements.

SourceAalto University·JournalNature·DateSep 30, 2020
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Bioelectronic device achieves unprecedented control of cell membrane voltage

A bioelectronic device driven by a machine learning algorithm successfully controlled the membrane voltage of human stem cells for 10 hours. The closed-loop system countered the natural self-regulating feedback process known as homeostasis, which is essential for cell physiology and functions.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalAdvanced Intelligent Systems·DateSep 24, 2020

Aberrant electronic and structural alterations in pressure tuned perovskite NaOsO3

The study reveals that the insulating ground state in NaOsO3 can be preserved up to 35 GPa, with a sluggish metal-insulator transition reduction from 410 K to near room temperature. The team also finds hidden hysteretic resistance properties and electronic character anomalies under pressure.

SourceCenter for High Pressure Science & Technology Advanced Research·Journalnpj Quantum Materials·DateSep 18, 2020

New anode material could lead to safer fast-charging batteries

Scientists at UC San Diego have developed a new anode material that enables safer, faster lithium-ion battery charging. The Li3V2O5 disordered rocksalt offers improved safety and energy density, with the potential to replace graphite and lithium titanate anodes.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature·DateSep 2, 2020

Research brief: 'Fool's gold' may be valuable after all

Scientists at the University of Minnesota have successfully electrically transformed iron sulfide, or 'fool's gold', into a magnetic material. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of valuable new magnetic materials for more efficient computer memory devices.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 29, 2020
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Controlling streams of liquid metal at room temperature

Researchers from NC State University demonstrate a technique to produce streams of liquid metal at room temperature by applying a low voltage, lowering its surface tension across three orders of magnitude. The study reveals the potential applications for this technique in creating stretchable wires and studying fluid behavior.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 27, 2020

KIST identified cause of external pressure-induced performance deterioration in solar cells

Researchers have identified the structural changes and metallization caused by external pressure in hybrid Perovskite solar cells. The study provides a theoretical explanation for phase transition and metallization, paving the way for high-performance solar cell materials that can withstand extreme environments.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalACS Energy Letters·DateJul 13, 2020

Regulating the properties of MAPbBr3 single crystal via voltage and application

Researchers developed a technique to modify defect populations in perovskite crystals without chemical additives, enabling the material to act as a memristor device with multiple resistance states. The voltage regulation engineering helps improve optical and electrical properties by passivating deep-level donor-like defects.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateJul 8, 2020
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.

Rice lab's bright idea is pure gold

Researchers created a nanoscale gap between gold electrodes and found that excited electrons leaping the gap emitted bright light. The effect depends on metal's plasmons, ripples of energy flowing across its surface.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateJun 29, 2020

Engineers develop new fuel cells with twice the operating voltage as hydrogen

Engineers have developed high-power direct borohydride fuel cells that can power unmanned underwater vehicles and drones with significantly lower cost. The new fuel cells operate at double the voltage of conventional hydrogen fuel cells, allowing for a smaller and more efficient design.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·DateJun 17, 2020

Water vapor in the atmosphere may be prime renewable energy source

Scientists find electricity generated by interactions between water molecules and metals can be harnessed to create a new source of energy. The study reveals that high humidity levels above 60% can produce voltages up to one volt, offering potential for developing batteries charged from water vapor in the air.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 9, 2020

Rice team makes tiny, magnetically powered neural stimulator

Researchers develop implant that uses magnetic energy to produce high-frequency signals for treating epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, chronic pain and other conditions. The miniaturization enables wireless power delivery and minimally invasive procedure.

SourceRice University·JournalNeuron·DateJun 8, 2020
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.

Molecular circuitry: International team breaks one-diode-one resistor electronics

An international team of researchers has developed a new type of molecular circuit switch that can operate as both a diode and a memory element. The breakthrough device is just 2 nanometers thick and requires low drive voltage, opening up the possibility for ultra-high-density computing within our lifetime.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalNature Materials·DateJun 2, 2020

2D molecular crystals modulating electronic properties of organic semiconductors

Surface doping of organic semiconductors using two-dimensional molecular crystals has been shown to improve their electronic properties. The use of 1D/2D composite single crystals enables highly controllable doping at the monolayer precision, resulting in increased mobility and reduced threshold voltage. This approach holds great promi...

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Chemistry·DateMay 19, 2020

A theoretical boost to nano-scale devices

A new computational approach calculates the quasi-Fermi levels in molecular junctions, offering a better understanding of semiconductor devices at the nano-scale. This breakthrough could enable more accurate descriptions of underlying physics and improve the efficiency of nano-scale transistors.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 17, 2020

Pure red LEDs fulfill a primary goal

A team of electrical engineers at KAUST has successfully made pure red LEDs from nitride crystals, paving the way for improved display technologies and efficient lighting. The breakthrough utilizes metalorganic vapor-phase deposition to add indium and aluminum to the crystal, reducing defects and increasing voltage efficiency.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalApplied Physics Express·DateMay 6, 2020
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Surfing the waves: Electrons break law to go with the flow

Researchers at OIST Graduate University discovered that electrons can break Ohm's law when moving through a liquid medium, creating capillary waves and ripplopolarons. This behavior is crucial for understanding electron flow in fluids and has potential applications in quantum computing.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 30, 2020
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.

Double-walled nanotubes have electro-optical advantages

Researchers at Rice University have discovered that double-walled carbon nanotubes can create a staggered band alignment, allowing for more efficient separation of positive and negative charges in photovoltaic applications. This effect is caused by the interplay of different curvatures between the inner and outer walls of the nanotube.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateMar 27, 2020

A nanoscale device to generate high-power Terahertz waves

Researchers at EPFL have created a nanoscale device that generates extremely high-power signals in just a few picoseconds, producing high-power THz waves. This technology has the potential to revolutionize security and medical imaging systems, as well as faster wireless communications.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature·DateMar 25, 2020

On the trail of organic solar cells' efficiency

The study reveals that zero-point vibrations can significantly reduce open-circuit voltage and efficiency in organic solar cells. By understanding the relationship between molecular properties and macroscopic device properties, researchers can develop novel materials to overcome these limitations.

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 20, 2020
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

High-speed microscope captures fleeting brain signals

Researchers have developed a high-speed microscope that can image the brain of an alert mouse 1,000 times a second, capturing millisecond electrical pulses through neurons. This technique allows neuroscientists to track sub-threshold inputs and identify transmission problems associated with disease.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature Methods·DateMar 19, 2020

Movement of a liquid droplet generates over 5 volts of electricity

A device that generates over 5 volts of electricity directly from the movement of a liquid droplet has been developed by researchers at Nagoya University. The device, made of flexible thin films, uses molybdenum disulfide as an active material to harness energy from liquid motion.

SourceNagoya University·JournalNano Energy·DateFeb 13, 2020

Something from nothing: Using waste heat to power electronics

A University of Tsukuba-led research team created a thermocell with a material exhibiting temperature-induced phase transition, boosting output voltage from tens of millivolts to around 120 mV. This design enables efficient energy harvesting from waste heat to power small electronics sustainably.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 12, 2020
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.