Electronic properties news

Modified surface leads to fewer defects in perovskite solar cells

Treating perovskite solar cells with benzylamine to remove defects actually results in the formation of 2D material on the surface of the 3D crystal.

Seawater on thin rusty films can generate electricity

Scientists have shown that thin films of rust, or iron oxide, can generate electricity when saltwater flows over them.

New OLED shines through thick and thin

By combining thin organic layers with thick layers of hybrid perovskite, researchers have developed micrometer-thick organic light-emitting diodes.

Stripes good for pairing up in cuprate superconductor

Scientists studying a ‘stripe-ordered’ cuprate superconductor discovered an unusual metallic state when trying switch off its superconductivity.

Novel 2D insulator helps produce ultra-thin transistor

With the help of a novel insulator made of calcium fluoride, scientists have created an ultra-thin transistor with excellent electrical properties.

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.

Nanowire advance into two dimensions

Selective-area epitaxy helps nanowires into 2D for more complex devices

Magnetism helps provide ‘pairing glue’ in iron-based superconductor

Researchers have confirmed that magnetic fluctuations can act as an electron ‘pairing glue’ in iron-based superconductors.

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

Exciton research could produce more efficient silicon solar cells

A new method for getting high-energy photons striking silicon to kick out two electrons instead of one could produce more efficient solar cells.

Novel gold heterostructures could play host to exotic quantum particles

Gold heterostructures could potentially be used to demonstrate the existence and nature of quantum particles known as Majorana fermions.

New 2D superconductor proves old theory about magnetic vortices

Scientists have used a novel bismuth-based, 2D superconductor to experimentally confirm a 23-year-old theory of superconductors.

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.

Exotic quantum states found in double-layer graphene

Researchers have demonstrated previously unknown quantum states of matter that arise in double-layer stacks of graphene.

Hematite nanorods put a new spin on water splitting

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