Characterization news, August 2017

Resolving the material confusion in lithium-air batteries

Detailed tests have helped to reveal why one promising material added to the electrolyte of lithium-air batteries doesn't work as well as expected.

Co-special Issue-Open Hardware in Research

Why a joint offering between Microelectronic Engineering and HardwareX?

Hybrid materials light up with new properties

Scientists have developed various hybrid, photoactive materials that respond in different ways when exposed to excitation light.

Researchers unlock the secrets of dragonfly wings

Understanding the design principles of dragonfly wings could help improve the design of artificial wings on micro-air vehicles.

Collective rattling blocks heat transfer in crystalline semiconductor

A newly discovered collective rattling effect in a crystalline semiconductor blocks most heat transfer while preserving high electrical conductivity.

Crystal gels form like ice crystals in clouds

For the first time, scientists have observed the formation of a crystal gel with particle-level resolution.

Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering publishes 1st volume

Scientists watch as nanocrystals quickly assemble into superlattices

Scientists have made the first observation of nanocrystals rapidly forming superlattices while they are themselves still growing.

Catalytic activity bubbles up in 2D materials

Scientists have predicted and created new 2D electrocatalysts able to extract hydrogen from water with high performance and low cost.

Topological insulators prove less insulating than theory suggests

Defects in the structure of topological insulators can cause electron transport to occur in the bulk rather than just at the surface.

Insect wings inspire antibacterial coatings

Naturally occurring fatty acids that cover insect wings can be used to form ‘mechanobactericidal’ coating.

Grain rotations prevent nanoscale metal films from being perfectly flat

The granules in copper can never fit together perfectly and so are forced to rotate, causing an unexpected level of surface roughness.

Electrons break symmetry in cuprate superconductors

The symmetry-breaking flow of electrons through cuprate superconductors may be linked to their ability to work at comparatively high temperatures.

Nerve agents give 2D material a funny turn

Monolayer 2D transition metal dichalcogenides undergo a phase change from semiconductor to metallic when exposed to airborne chemicals.

Sulfur-containing polymers ‘click’ with new reaction

Using 'click chemistry', scientists have developed an efficient way to make sulfur-containing polymers that will lower the cost of large-scale production.

Electric stimulus lights up carbon nanorings and iodine

Using a novel method, scientists have design a material that conducts electricity and emits white light when exposed to electricity.

Novel boron-doped carbon material heats up superconductivity

Researchers have significantly increased the temperature at which carbon-based materials can act as superconductors.

Glass transition starts at higher temperatures than originally supposed

Studies of the connection between viscosity and atomic interactions have revealed that glass transition starts at higher temperatures than thought.

2D materials make the grade for faster electronics

Quality control tool for MoS2 promises improved 2D material for next generation electronics and optoelectronics.

Oxygen robs iron alloys of strength at high temperatures

Reducing oxygen in some nanocrystalline alloys may improve their strength and durability at elevated temperatures.

Quantum phase transition shown experimentally for first time

By taking advantage of strontium copper borate, scientists have shown experimentally a quantum phase transition for the first time.