Materials Science news, May 2022

Quantum materials tie themselves up in knots

Researchers have shown that knot theory can be used to understand the behavior of electrons in quantum materials such as topological magnets.

Wave hello to new high-temperature superconductors

Researchers have discovered that superconductivity can be intertwined in unexpected ways with ripples of electrons known as charge density waves.

Graphyne goes from theory to practice

For the first time, researchers have managed to reliably synthesize a new allotrope of carbon called graphyne.

Novel database reveals topology is everywhere

Using multiple supercomputers, researchers have discovered that 90% of all known crystalline structures contain at least one topological property.

New design makes light work of topological insulator

Researchers have developed a new approach to creating topological insulators by etching a novel chained, honeycomb-lattice design into silica.

New study reveals why tungsten oxide is a model catalyst

Researchers used computational models to understand how tungsten oxide catalysts interact with hydrogen at the molecular level.

New finding turns down the heat on silicon nanowires

Researchers have shown that nanowires made from a specific isotope of silicon can conduct heat 150% more efficiently than normal silicon nanowires.

Organic solar cells go with the flow

Using nanometer-thick organic semiconducting films, researchers have, for the first time, mapped how energy flows in organic solar cells.

Polymer model gets to grips with double-gyroids

Researchers have developed a theoretical model to explain how block copolymers can form complex structures known as double-gyroids.

Machine learning focuses on metalens design

Researchers have used artificial intelligence to automatically design large-scale metasurfaces for focusing, shaping and controlling light.

Novel coating can turn paper into plastic

Researchers have developed a novel coating that can give paper some of the properties of plastic, including enhanced strength and water-resistance.

Controlling the domain structure of antiferromagnets

Splitting electron spins in magnetic material

Introducing Materials Today Electronics

Technology for renewable hydrogen production

Renewable hydrogen production using perovskites

Catalytic condenser offers hope for storing renewable energy

Invention could lead to renewable energy being stored and moved around

Ceramic electrolyte boosts tiny glucose fuel cell

Using a ceramic electrolyte, researchers have developed a tiny glucose fuel cell that produces the highest power density under ambient conditions.

Topological insulator nanowires are a one-way street for quantum computing

Researchers have shown that electric currents can flow along a topological insulator nanowire more easily in one direction than the other.

Researchers apply the pressure to novel materials

Researchers have developed a method for simultaneously synthesizing and analyzing novel materials under very high compression pressures.

Computational sleuths prove case against quantum spin liquid

Computational detective work by a team of researchers has confirmed that cerium zirconium pyrochlore is a 3D quantum spin liquid.

Unique camera takes snapshots of the insulator-metal transition

A unique ‘stroboscopic camera' has captured the trajectory of atomic motion as vanadium dioxide transitions from an insulator to a metal.

Novel device catalyzes transformation of base metals

Researchers have invented a novel device known as a ‘catalytic condenser’ that can electronically modify one metal to behave like another.

Hidden distortions give rise to thermoelectric properties

Researchers have uncovered the previously hidden sub-nanoscale origins of the exceptional thermoelectric properties of silver gallium telluride.

Microscopes and machine learning come together to probe functional materials

Researchers have combined scanning probe microscopy with machine learning to study the functional properties of materials at the nanoscale.

New discovery puts novel spin on magnetic memory

Researchers have discovered a novel strategy for using an antiferromagnet to switch the magnetization in thin layers of a ferromagnet.

Novel metalens shows up in UV light

Researchers have created a zinc oxide ‘metalens’ that can transform incoming long-wave UV light into a focused output of vacuum UV radiation.

Neon ice could help produce ideal qubit

Researchers have created a new qubit platform for quantum computing by trapping a single electron in a frozen neon gas.

Two membranes better than one for redox flow battery

A polysulfide-air redox flow battery with not one but two membranes overcomes the main problem with this type of large-scale battery.

Novel metal catalyst can extract fertilizer from wastewater

Researchers have designed a catalyst of ruthenium atoms in a mesh of copper nanowires to extract ammonia and fertilizer from wastewater.

Polariton throttle could speed up development of cool electronics

Researchers have developed a 'throttle' for accelerating light-based hybrid particles known as polaritons to nearly the speed of light.

Broken symmetry produces stable skyrmions in 2D material

Researchers have discovered layered 2D materials able to host magnetic features called skyrmions that remain stable at room temperature.

Particles in battery electrodes don’t just go their own way

A new study has revealed that battery decay is caused by both the individual behavior of electrode particles and how those particles behave in groups.

3D printed electrodes and separators make flexible battery

3D-printed, deformable electrodes and separators based on nanocellulose are promising for stretchable Li-ion batteries

Face masks can also protect concrete

Researchers have developed a process for fabricating tiny fibers from face masks, which can help strengthen and protect cement concrete.

Carbon nanotubes benefit from a gentle separation

Researchers have discovered a combination of acids that can gently separate carbon nanotubes in solution and turn them into films and fibers.

Nanopaper semiconductor can take the heat

Researchers have devised a treatment process that allows them to heat nanocellulose paper to make it superconducting without damaging its structure.

Paper-thin loudspeaker makes a big noise

Using a thin film of piezoelectric material, researchers have created a paper-thin loudspeaker that can turn any surface into an active audio source.

New glass-in-glass fabrication process improves infrared sensing and spectroscopy

New glass-in-glass fabrication process

Holes shape up to produce novel structural materials

By utilizing holes of different sizes, shapes and orientations, researchers can now produce porous materials with customizable properties.

Rainbow results for organized nanoparticles

Researchers have created synthetic nanoclusters that can organize themselves all the way from the nanometer to the centimeter scale.