Characterization news, July 2021

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New study explores topological nature of antimony

Researchers have confirmed that antimony is a topological material, and explored how its bulk and surface electrons respond to an external stimulus.

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Electrons appear to dance to tune of first topological superconductor

Using various forms of evidence, researchers have shown that uranium ditelluride displays many of the hallmarks of a topological superconductor.

New thermoelectric material is more than the sum of its parts

By combining two different atomic arrangements, researchers have designed an inorganic material with the lowest thermal conductivity ever reported.

New imaging technique gets to the surface of nanoparticles

Researchers used a novel imaging technique to obtain a high-resolution snapshot that reveals how ligands bind to the surface of nanoparticles.

Researchers look over wall to find new topological defects

For the first time, researchers have visualized topological 'defects within defects' in a chiral magnetic thin film using electron microscopy.

New study reveals family resemblance between cuprates and nickelates

Resonant inelastic X-ray scattering has revealed both important similarities and subtle differences between superconducting nickelates and cuprates.

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Semiconducting monolayer and superconductor brought together at last

For the first time, researchers have fitted a monolayer of the semiconductor molybdenum disulfide with superconducting contacts.

Graphene put on the rack to change electronic properties

Using a specially prepared rack, researchers have shown that the electronic properties of graphene can be specifically modified by mechanical stretching.

Researchers spy crystalline transition in soft materials

Using a microscope, researchers have observed a special type of solid-to-solid phase transition in the crystal structure of polymeric microparticles.

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Highlighted papers from Materials Today Physics

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Nanoarchitected carbon material generates quite an impact

Researchers have fabricated an ultralight nanoarchitected carbon material that is more efficient at absorbing impacts than Kevlar of the same weight.

New technique could follow lithium ions to faster charging batteries

Researchers have developed a simple, low-cost technique that allows them to follow lithium ions moving in real time as a battery charges and discharges.

Pinecones present an open and shut case

mechanism of pinecones' ability to open and close their scales to disperse their seeds revealed

Researchers discover calibration error in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Researchers have found that a common material analysis technique can give misleading results due to an erroneous assumption during calibration.

Testing times lead to stronger cement

Using an innovative method called scratch testing, researchers have shown that adding graphene nanoplatelets to cement increases its fracture resistance.