Crystalline materials news, July 2019

New etching process adds fins to novel semiconductor

Using a novel etching process, researchers have been able to fabricate fins on a novel semiconducting material, thereby enhancing its surface area.

Block copolymers form complex patterns when frustrated

Researchers have discovered a phenomenon that allows block copolymers to self-assemble in patterns that deviate from regular symmetrical arrays.

Researchers find first native ferroelectric metal

Researchers have uncovered the first example of a native metal with bistable and electrically switchable spontaneous polarization states.

Novel thermoelectric materials uncovered by text-mining algorithm

Researchers have shown that a text-mining algorithm with no training in materials science can accurately predict novel thermoelectric materials.

Minimizing the gap between nano-innovation and risk

new proactive risk governance system can keep pace with development and should lead to safer nanomaterials, products, and processes

Recipients of the 2018 Acta Student Awards

‘Speckle pattern’ movies reveal secrets of thin film growth

Using x-ray spectroscopy, researchers have produced a ‘movie’ of thin film growth that depicts the process more accurately than ever before.

Artificial leaf provides ideal support for adsorbing MOFs

Leaves provided the template for hierarchical porous structures of mixed-metal oxides that act as supports for metal-organic framework crystals.

New study gives green light to 2D perovskite

Researchers have determined the mechanism that allows a 2D perovskite crystal to emit green light, and also how to replicate it.

Hematite nanorods put a new spin on water splitting

new insight into hematite nanorods could help future development of photoelectrochemical cells for water splitting

Layered 2D crystals show twisted behavior

By taking advantage of defects, scientists have created new inorganic crystals made of stacks of atomically thin sheets that unexpectedly spiral.

Making eco-friendly perovskite solar cells in a flash

flash infrared annealing (FIRA) could hold the key to low-cost environmentally friendly perovskite solar cells

Recipe for nanoparticle interfaces revealed

set of basic design rules maps out the synthesis of interfaces in nanoparticles made from multiple elemental components

Nanoscale carving tunes graphene’s bandgap

lithographic patterning of graphene down to 10 nm engineers the band gap

New class of 2D material could improve quantum computing

New process for fabricating oxide perovskite crystals