Materials Science news, September 2019

New finding expands material choice for organic solar cells

Only around 1% of the surface area of the electrodes in organic solar cells needs to be electrically conductive for them to be fully effective.

Self-folding materials pop-up at a stretch

mechanically-triggered origami-inspired approach creates complex three-dimensional structures for biomedicine, electronics or robotics

Iron fluoride and polymer electrolyte produce better lithium-ion battery

Researchers have replaced the expensive metals and traditional liquid electrolyte in lithium-ion batteries with iron fluoride and a solid polymer.

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Imperfections lead to programmable metamaterials

Imperfections and electrochemically driven silicon-lithium alloying reactions allow a new silicon-based metamaterial to deform to order.

New carbon materials could be harder than diamond

Researchers have used computational techniques to identify 43 previously unknown forms of carbon that are thought to be stable and superhard.

Composite could help stop spread of infectious diseases

coating based on a metal-organic framework containing silver nanoparticles could reduce spread of bacterial contamination of surgical devices and surfaces

Bacteria produce tellurium nanorods for photonics applications

A novel nanocomposite comprising bacteria-generated tellurium nanorods embedded in a polymer makes an effective nonlinear optical material.

Newly discovered fluctuations could reveal hidden secrets of cuprate superconductors

Researchers have identified a new electron wave in cuprates that could help reveal some of the mysteries of superconducting materials.

Selenium keeps catalytic platinum in its place

Scientists have developed a highly durable fuel cell catalyst by using selenium to anchor platinum particles to their carbon support material.

New study finds material with intrinsic quantum disorder

Scientists have discovered a long-sought ‘quantum spin liquid state’ in sodium ytterbium oxide, which could prove of use for quantum computing.

Localization states observed in LED material for first time

Researchers report the first direct observation of transition carriers between different localization states within indium gallium nitride.

New method raises heat on crystal defects

Researchers have developed a novel method for removing lattice defects from crystals, which they successfully tested on a boron crystal.

Materials Today Rising Star Award 2019 winners announced

Single-atom catalysts show great promise on the surface

Physicists have found that incorporating individual metal atoms into a surface in the right way allows the creation of single-atom catalysts.

Chaotic ferroic materials could lead to brain-like computing

A structural transition in a ferroelastic material caused by heating resembles the periodic doubling seen in non-linear dynamical systems.

Graphene allows creation of smallest ever accelerometer

By taking advantage of the nanomaterial graphene, scientists have developed the smallest ever accelerometer for measuring acceleration.

New algorithm identifies ideal pairs for making composite MOFs

A novel algorithm can identify MOF pairs able to connect to one another via the metal node on one binding with the organic linker on the other.

Black is blacker

Blackest ever carbon nanotube coating

Graphene brings tera from space

Graphene composite for terahertz astronomy

2020 Acta Materialia Gold Medal Recipient - Enrique J. Lavernia

2020 Acta Materialia Silver Medal Recipient - Diana Lados

2020 Acta Biomaterialia Gold Medal Recipient - Cato T. Laurencin

2020 Acta Biomaterialia Silver Medal Recipient - Molly M. Stevens

2020 Hollomon Award for Materials & Society - Lynnette D. Madsen

‘Jenga’ chemistry produces first superconducting nickel oxide material

Scientists have managed to make the first nickel oxide material, or nickelate, that shows clear signs of superconductivity.

Computing superhard materials

Computing superhard materials

Four steps to a stable n-type organic semiconductor

Four steps to a stable n-type organic semiconductor

Electric pulse encourages ice to slide right off

A novel de-icing technique uses an electric pulse to melt the ice where the surface and the ice meet, so the ice can simply slide off.

New study shows graphene can prevent mosquito bites

Graphene can provide a two-fold defense against mosquito bites, by acting as a physical barrier and blocking chemical signals.

New algorithm points way to smarter experiments for faster materials discovery

By focusing on uncertainty, a new algorithm can identify the most effective experiment to conduct for analyzing and developing new materials.

Scientists find practical way to measure conductivity of carbon nanotubes

Scientists have developed a practical method for measuring the conductivity of a single carbon nanotube, by splitting it into two halves.

Electron pairs resist breaking up in copper oxide superconductors

Physicists have discovered that electrons continue to travels in pairs in copper oxide superconductors even above their critical temperature.

Water-in-water printing produces synthetic cellular compartments

Using polymer aqueous solutions with different electrical charges, scientists have developed a novel 3D printing water-in-water technique.

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Acoustically engineered collagen hydrogels

Acoustic modification of collagen hydrogels facilitates cellular remodelling

New algorithm is a cut above for shaping sheets of material

Researchers have developed a mathematical framework that can turn any sheet of material into any prescribed shape, using the paper craft kirigami.

New 2D heat shield sounds like a good way to insulate electronic devices

Researchers have shown that a few layers of 2D materials can provide the same insulation in electronic devices as a sheet of glass 100 times thicker.

Nanotubes, gel and linen produce first thread-based transistor

Engineers have developed a transistor made from linen thread, by coating the thread in carbon nanotubes and immersing it in an electrolyte gel.

Call for nominations: 2019 EnSM Award and EnSM Young Scientist Award

Charles Hatchett Awards 2020 - Seeking Nominations

New singlet fission material generates long-lasting excitons

A newly developed organic material can produce two long-lasting excitons from a single photon of light to increase the efficiency of solar cells.

New technique for analyzing cuprate superconductors earns its stripes

Researchers have shed light on how cuprates can simultaneously exhibit superconductivity and charge order in patterns of alternating stripes.

Easy to wear multifunctional device offers many applications

Electronic robotic skin device sends information back to the user

Super-speedy screening of nanotube devices

RF heating could be ten times faster than two-point-probe measurements

New 2D semiconductor has distinct split personality

Researchers have created 2D flakes made up of domains of molybdenum diselenide and rhenium diselenide with a sharp divide between them.

Graphene oxide gives the right cues to stem cells

graphene oxide offers a new way of delivering growth factors to 3D scaffolds supporting the regeneration of damaged cartilage

Novel carbon nanocomposite boosts TB detection

carbon nanocomposite aptasensor offers an innovative platform for quick and simple TB detection in clinical applications

Non-stick coating offers efficient way to pattern metals

By taking advantage of highly fluorinated organic compounds, chemists have developed a cheap and sustainable method for patterning metals.

Ultra-thin gold only a couple of atoms thick

Gold nano sheets for flexible electronic applications

Nanocomposite material that protects against laser attack

Nanocomposite telecom switches could help expand broadband

Weak graphene oxide flakes help produce stronger graphene oxide paper

Researchers have found that better graphene oxide (GO) ‘paper’ can be made by mixing strong, solid GO flakes with weak, porous GO flakes.

Metal nanoparticles shaped like gems make valuable catalysts

Researchers have developed a new method for making highly desirable catalysts from crystalline metal nanoparticles with 24 different faces.