Characterization news, September 2021

NSF funds take 2D materials research center to next phase

Center for Atomically Thin Multifunctional Coatings, operated by Penn State and Rice Universities, secures $1.5 million in Phase II funding from NSF

Researchers unexpectedly discover 2D superionic conductor

While searching for novel superconductors, researchers unexpectedly discovered a 2D material with an unusually high ionic conductivity.

Researchers go back to the future with chromium oxides

Using ultrafast laser pulses, researchers were able to observe subtle transitions between the insulating and conducting properties of chromium oxides.

Strain puts twist on emission of light by 2D semiconductor

By applying strain to a monolayer semiconductor, researchers managed to produce chiral valley-polarized light at room temperature.

Metals come together to convert carbon dioxide to ethanol

When cesium, copper and zinc oxide are brought together in a certain configuration they can catalyze the conversion of carbon dioxide to ethanol.

Silicon crystals reveal secrets of the universe

A study that revealed previously unrecognized properties of silicon crystals also uncovered new information about neutrons and a fifth force of nature.

Doping reveals neighborly attraction in cuprate superconductors

By synthesizing the first 1D cuprate that can be doped, scientists have uncovered an unexpectedly strong nearest-neighbor attraction between electrons.

Applied Materials Today Welcomes New Editor

Applied Materials Today Welcomes New Editor

Electrons flow like water in novel superconductor

A strong interaction between electrons and phonons in a novel superconductor causes the electrons to flow like water in a pipe.

Improved carbon membranes offer cheaper petrochemical production

Researchers have improved their carbon membranes for isolating para-xylene and shown how changes to its structure can greatly increase productivity.

MOFs help to protect perovskite LEDs

Researchers have enhanced the brightness and stability of light-emitting perovskite nanocrystals by encapsulating them in metal-organic frameworks.

Nanomaterials self-assemble to monitor chemical reactions

By combining quantum dots and gold nanoparticles with molecular glue, researchers have created a tiny camera for observing chemical reactions.

Electrons caught behaving unexpectedly in iron-based superconductor

Using a novel microscopy technique, researchers have discovered an unexpected arrangement of electrons in an iron-based superconductor.

Commercial silica nanocages make noble effort to trap gases

Researchers have discovered how to get cheap commercial silica nanocages to trap noble gases like argon, krypton and xenon.

Researchers make exciting spin discovery in 2D magnet

Researchers used neutron time-of-flight spectrometry to probe the magnetic properties of a stack of two sheets of 2D chromium triiodide.

New catalyst employs single atoms for splitting water

By anchoring individual iridium atoms to a surface, scientists have produced a highly effective catalyst for splitting water to generate oxygen.

Transistors probe electric double layer effect in solid electrolytes

Researchers have used field-effect transistors with diamond channels to investigate the electric double layer effect in solid electrolytes.

Silver terraces play host to 'impossible' double-layer borophene

By utilizing silver terraces as a substrate, engineers have, for the first time, managed to create a double layer of atomically flat borophene.

Webinar Alert: Going Beyond the Fundamentals of Journal Publishing – Advanced Scientific Writing: How to Construct and Write a Research Paper

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Researchers strain to produce light from 2D semiconductor

By applying mechanical strain to a 2D semiconductor, researchers were able to get it to emit light, rather than heat, with near 100% efficiency.

New topological finding hinges on high-quality crystals

By producing large, high-quality bismuth iodide crystals, researchers have shown these crystals can act as two different types of topological insulator.

Materials Today ‘Materials in Society’ Lecture 2021 - Paula E. Colavita

"Carbon-based materials for electrocatalysis: tailored functionalities towards activity and selectivity"

Bio-based nanofibers promise versatile aerogels

Lightweight multifunctional alternatives made from natural resources could mitigate waste problems associated with non-biodegradable materials

Twisting graphene creates space for electron movement

Researchers have found that twisting the layers of bilayer graphene influences the movement of electrons by altering the spacing between the layers.