Crystalline materials news

Novel method makes liquid crystals go against orders

For the first time, researchers have managed to create an anti-ordered state with liquid crystals, where they avoid aligning along a certain direction.

Researchers find way to explore different crystal structures of borophene

Scientists have not only visualized the nanoscale structures of borophene lattices, but also built theoretical models of their crystalline forms.

Acta Journals Editors Transitioning to Joint Appointments

Exotic phosphorene nanoribbons could find wide range of applications

Researchers have synthesized tiny, individual, flexible phosphorene nanoribbons from crystals of black phosphorous and lithium ions.

Novel dual-personality material can hold both electrons and holes

Researchers have found a layered material made from sodium, tin and arsenic that can act as both an electron-holder and a hole-holder.

Laser light and frustration create stable supercrystal

By exciting ‘frustrated’ crystalline materials with laser light, a team of researchers has managed to transform them into a stable ‘supercrystal’.

Novel microfluidic system can produce quantum dots of many colors

A new microfluidic system for synthesizing perovskite quantum dots reduces manufacturing costs and can be tuned on demand to any color.

Spiral staircase leads to best topological conductor ever

Researchers have discovered the strongest topological conductor yet, in the form of thin crystal samples with a spiral-staircase structure.

New test pinpoints catalysts’ activity

fast-screening of potential non-noble metal two-dimensional catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction

Growing crystal islands communicate with previous layers

Scientists have discovered the islands that form a new layer in a crystalline material tend to form in a pattern similar to the preceding layer.

Defective MOF filters prove better at soaking up pollutants

A metal-organic framework proved better at soaking up the pollutant PFOS from contaminated water when it contained additional nanometer-sized holes.

Novel polymer runs hot and cold over light-induced phase change

A novel type of polymer can alter its thermal conductivity by switching between a crystalline state and a liquid state in response to light.

New X-ray technique reveals motion of atoms in 2D material

Scientists have used a new technique called ultrafast surface X-ray scattering to visualize the motion of atoms in a 2D material.

Additive manufacturing caught on camera

ultrafast X-ray imaging gives an insight into exactly what is happening during additive manufacturing of metal structures

Hybridization offers novel twist for 2D semiconductors

Physicists have discovered that placing 2D semiconductors on top of each other and twisting them causes the emergence of novel hybrid properties.

Magnetic nanostructures modify bone regenerating scaffolds

Small steps to synthesizing seamless 2D crystals

Novel simulations show that atom-sized steps on a substrate have the remarkable ability to keep monolayer crystal islands in alignment as they grow.

Perspectives on the materials research landscape

Two new reports, now available for download.