Nanomaterials news, April 2019

Researchers create more conducting ink from 2D material

Researchers have created ink for an inkjet printer from a highly conductive type of two-dimensional material called MXene.

Electric material produces chiral skyrmions when stressed

Researchers have not only unexpectedly detected polar skyrmions in a material with reversible electrical properties, but also found that they're chiral.

Collaboration produces first-ever 2D phosphorene nanoribbons

High-quality phosphorene nanoribbons for high-speed electronics

Taking inspiration from how fruitflies smell

Nanostructured fruitfly olfactory sensors

Laser light and water combine to improve optical properties of 2D material

Researchers have improved the optical properties of the 2D material molybdenum disulphide by removing defects with laser light and water.

Different paths take 2D material to different places

Physicists have designed an evolutionary process that allows a wide range of nanomaterial morphologies to be synthesized from tungsten disulphide.

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.

Drilling down to make artificial atoms

Artificial atoms in hexagonal boron nitride

Acta Journals Editors Transitioning to Joint Appointments

‘Deep learning’ agents quickly discover characteristics of 2D materials

‘Deep learning’ agents can accurately determine a 2D material's physical characteristics, such as strength, from minimal data on its structure.

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.

Nested nanotechnology spins into view

Nanotechnology is becoming more versatile, thanks to methods that build nanostructures within other nanostructures

Graphene takes oxygen out of lithium battery fires

A coating of graphene can stop oxygen escaping from the cathode of a lithium battery, helping to prevent the battery from catching fire.

Model shows how copper ‘islands’ become squashed under graphene ‘blanket’

Scientists have developed a model for predicting the shape of metal ‘islands’ sandwiched between or below 2D materials such as graphene.

Black polymer films can be made cooler at a stretch

By carefully stretching polymers like polyethylene, researchers have been able to produce colorful films with a range of heat-radiating capabilities.

Rearranging atoms point the way to novel nanomaterials

Scientists used advanced microscopy to monitor atoms as they rearrange in real-time during the synthesis of intermetallic nanoparticles.

Scientists find way to create ‘ship-in-a-bottle’ catalysts

Scientists have found a way to place catalysts inside the tiniest pores of different host materials, a bit like fitting a model ship inside a bottle.

‘Oil and vinegar’ could guide assembly of nanoparticles into complex shapes

Scientists have theorized a new ‘oil-and-vinegar’ approach for inducing spherical nanoparticles to self-assemble into unusual architectures.

Wood membrane can convert heat to electricity

Researchers have developed a wood membrane than can generate an ionic voltage from a small temperature differential.