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Hematite 're-growth' smoothes rough edges for clean energy harvest

A team of researchers from Boston College and China's University of Science and Technology has developed a new method to harness the power of solar water splitting using hematite and silicon as absorbers. The 're-growth' technique improved the material's surface, doubling electrical yield and achieving a record low turn-on voltage.

SourceBoston College·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 16, 2015

Unlocking nanofibers' potential

Researchers at MIT have developed a new technique for producing nanofibers that increases the rate of production fourfold while reducing energy consumption by over 90%. The technique uses tiny emitters to regulate fluid flow, resulting in uniform fibers even at high manufacturing rates.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNanotechnology·DateJun 4, 2015

Tunable liquid metal antennas

North Carolina State University researchers develop tunable liquid metal antenna controlled by voltage, allowing for dynamic changes in operating frequency and radiation pattern. This innovation enables miniaturization and adaptation to correct near-field loading problems, making it highly desirable for mobile devices.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateMay 19, 2015

Soft, energy-efficient robotic wings

Dielectric elastomers have made significant breakthroughs in soft robotics applications, enabling the creation of flapping robotic wings with high-energy conversion efficiencies. The new resonance phenomenon discovered by researchers can make the artificial joint bend up and down, mimicking the motion of a bird's wing.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMar 31, 2015

Extreme-temperature electronics

Researchers discover molybdenum disulfide thin-film transistors functional at high temperatures, demonstrating potential for extreme-temperature electronics. The material's stable operation after two months suggests new applications in harsh environments.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateFeb 10, 2015

'Mind the gap' between atomically thin materials

Scientists at Penn State have discovered a miniscule vacuum gap that creates an energy barrier for electrons moving between layers of material. This gap is crucial for designing next-generation electronic devices, such as vertical tunneling field effect transistors.

SourcePenn State·JournalNano Letters·DateDec 23, 2014

Researchers control surface tension to manipulate liquid metals

Scientists from North Carolina State University have developed a method for controlling the surface tension of liquid metals by applying very low voltages. This allows researchers to manipulate the shape of antennas, complete or break circuits, and explore various applications in microfluidic channels, MEMS, photonic and optical devices.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 15, 2014

Two-dimensional electron liquids

Researchers have discovered a novel form of superconductivity in two-dimensional electron liquids, characterized by the presence of quantum point contacts. These tiny channels enable the flow of superconducting currents, but with a twist: the spin degree of freedom is broken, allowing for new types of electron transport.

SourceJoint Quantum Institute·JournalNature Physics·DateSep 9, 2014

Cool calculations for cold atoms

Researchers at Joint Quantum Institute develop universal theory for Efimov states, enabling prediction of chemical processes involving three or more atoms. The new theory successfully incorporates short-distance regime and van der Waals force, predicting a series of Efimov states with varying binding energies.

SourceJoint Quantum Institute·JournalNature Physics·DateSep 2, 2014

Bending the rules

Yu Chen and colleagues find that superconductivity and dissipation can coexist under generic conditions in a universal manner, thanks to a peculiar nonequilibrium state of quasiparticles. The researchers also discover an unexpected property: when a magnetic field is applied, the superconducting area expands and is enhanced.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Physics·DateJun 29, 2014

Nanotube coating helps shrink mass spectrometers

Researchers at Purdue University developed a nanotube coating that significantly reduces the voltage required for mass spectrometers, allowing for miniaturization and increased portability. The technique simplifies analysis by nearly eliminating background noise, making it gentler on fragile molecules.

SourcePurdue University·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateMar 25, 2014

Tiny transistors for extreme environs

Researchers at the University of Utah created the smallest plasma transistors that can operate in extreme environments, including nuclear reactors. These devices have the potential to enable innovative applications such as medical X-ray imaging and real-time air quality monitoring, and could be used to control robots in nuclear reactors.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalIEEE Electron Device Letters·DateMar 19, 2014

Kinetic battery chargers get a boost

Researchers have developed a kinetic energy harvester that captures the energy generated by human movements and converts it into electrical energy. The system uses a flexible cantilever to bend with body movements, producing a small but significant voltage that can be stored in a capacitor.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Biomechatronics and Biomedical Robotics·DateFeb 19, 2014

Brain process takes paper shape

A paper-based device replicating human brain's electrochemical signalling has been created by Chinese researchers. The thin-film transistor (TFT) can mimic the biological synapse and could be used to build lightweight and biologically friendly artificial neural networks.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNanotechnology·DateFeb 12, 2014

Super-thin membranes clear the way for chip-sized pumps

A new super-thin silicon membrane developed at the University of Rochester enables the creation of miniaturized pumps that can be powered by small batteries, paving the way for portable diagnostic devices. This breakthrough could lead to applications in medical and electronic device cooling, as well as cost-effective fabrication methods.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 28, 2013

Market bubbles may be predictable, controllable

A new study suggests that market bubbles can be predicted and controlled using chaos theory. Researchers found that extreme events, such as market crashes, follow power law distributions, allowing for early intervention to prevent them. Tiny nudges may make a big difference in controlling these events.

SourceDuke University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 17, 2013

Researchers a step closer to finding cosmic ray origins

Researchers have used data from the IceCube Neutrino Observatory to identify new information about the origin of cosmic rays. The study provides new constraints for models explaining the acceleration and propagation of cosmic rays, with potential implications for understanding their impact on human DNA and electronics in space.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalPhysical Review D·DateAug 30, 2013

Peering into the protein pathways of a cell

Researchers from UConn have captured the structural dynamics of a protein channel in the mitochondrion using fluorescent probes. The study reveals that the channel complex changes its structure in response to changes in the inner membrane's electrical field, providing new insights into how cellular transport systems harness energy.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateJul 7, 2013

Galactic knee and extragalactic ankle

The KASCADE-Grande experiment detected a bend in the energy spectrum of high-energy cosmic rays at different energies for light and heavy particles. The study reveals a flattening of the spectrum beyond the knee, indicating extragalactic acceleration, with the ankle structure appearing first in light primary particles.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalPhysical Review D·DateJun 3, 2013

Solid-state controllable light filter may protect preterm infants from disturbing light

A new solid-state controllable light filter has been developed to shield preterm infants from most wavelengths of visible light, promoting better maturation. The device switches between blocking out all light and allowing red light through, enabling medical staff and parents to monitor the infants without disrupting their sleep.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMay 6, 2013

Graphene's high-speed seesaw

Researchers at the University of Manchester have developed a graphene-based transistor with bistable characteristics, which can rapidly switch between two electronic states. This technology has potential applications in medical imaging and security screening, as well as enabling the creation of new architectures for electronic components.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 30, 2013

MIT researchers develop solar-to-fuel roadmap for crystalline silicon

A team of MIT researchers has published a detailed analysis of the factors that limit the efficiency of artificial leaf systems, which could lead to the production of a commercial viable prototype. The study suggests that combining the right solar cells and catalysts can improve efficiencies of 16 percent or more.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 4, 2013

Bioelectric signals can be used to detect early cancer

Biologists at Tufts University have identified a unique bioelectric signal in cells that are likely to develop into tumors, which they can use to detect early cancer. By manipulating the electrical charge across cells' membranes, they can lower the incidence of cancerous cells and suppress abnormal cell growth.

SourceTufts University·JournalDisease Models & Mechanisms·DateFeb 1, 2013