Materials news, May 2018

Doping leads to good vibrations

Doping a crystal with a small amount of a different element offers a way to alter the speed and frequencies of natural vibrations known as phonons.

Enhanced reaction helps produce enhanced nanotubes

Chemists have found a way to functionalize boron nitride nanotubes using a chemical process known as the Billups-Birch reaction.

Moth inspires nanonstructured fibers for ‘air conditioning’ textiles

Scientists have produced nanostructured artificial fibers that mimic the impressive optical properties of fibers produced by the Madagascar comet moth.

New imaging technique spots defects in quantum dots

Using a novel X-ray scattering technique, researchers have uncovered previously unknown defects in tiny electronic devices called quantum dots.

Novel glass material can be processed just like a polymer

A glass-polymer composite known as glassomer can be milled, laser-machined or processed in CNC machines just like a conventional polymer.

Experiment and computation combine for 2D protein crystal

A combination of experiment and computation helped to create a 2D protein crystal that toggles between states of varying porosity and density.

Inorganic semiconductors more flexible in the dark

Scientists have discovered that crystals of the semiconductor zinc sulfide are brittle when exposed to light but flexible when kept in the dark.

Squeezing a band gap out of graphene

Compressing layers of boron nitride and graphene can enhance graphene's band gap, bringing it one step closer to becoming a viable semiconductor.

Novel honeycomb material could form basis for magnetic diode

A novel magnetic material with a unique honeycomb structure could help produce electronic components that utilize less energy and produce less heat.

Support can protect palladium catalysts from poisoning

Scientists have discovered that certain oxide support materials can help prevent the carbon monoxide poisoning that can deactivate exhaust gas catalysts.

Salty MOF baked into intricate carbon structure

Adding salt to a metal-organic framework and then baking it at a high temperature can produce an intricate carbon-based structure.

Common solvent produces carbon nanotube dough

A novel method for producing disperse carbon nanotubes at high concentrations can create a gel, paste and kneadable dough.

Biochemical signals prompt self-configuring nanomaterials

Nanomaterials with electrical connections triggered by biochemical signals.

Cardamom pods may deliver drugs via the convenient and effective oral route

Thinning down for enhanced magnetic properties

A novel iron-based alloy has promising magnetic properties for spintronics applications, provided it’s created in layers less than 200nm thick.

Ultrathin material lights up at a stretch

A six-atom thick bilayer of tungsten diselenide exhibited a 100-fold increase in photoluminescence when subjected to strain.

Better than warm leatherette

Better than warm leatherette.

A cure for energy-demanding polymer components

A cure for energy-demanding polymer components.

Outstripping spider silk with cellulose

Outstripping spider silk with cellulose.

Holey graphene

Holey graphene for more efficient hydrogen production with cheaper metals.

Nanodiamonds and 2D materials create onion-like dry lubricant

Combining nanodiamonds with 2D molybdenum disulfide layers creates onion-like carbon that can act as a dry lubricant.

Diamond sensor probes secrets of superconductivity

A new type of optical magnetometer, the NV magnetoscope, can map a unique feature of superconductive materials known as the Meissner effect.

Carbonate-free electrolyte gives Li-ion batteries a boost

Combination of sulfolane and a metal salt makes a stable electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries that overcomes shortcomings of conventional electrolytes.

Helping polymers to help themselves

A new curing process takes advantage of the chemical bonds in a polymer resin to send a cascading hardening wave through the polymer.

Iron ore yields novel 2D material

Scientists have extracted a novel 2D material, termed hematene, from a common iron ore, which could prove of use in solar cells and spintronic devices.

Ceramic nanoparticles turn light around

Ceramic transition metal nanoparticle complexes coated with amino acids combine optical properties and chiral asymmetry.

Light boosts hydrogen generation on graphene

Giant photo-effect in graphene decorated with Pt nanoparticles boosts proton transport and hydrogen generation.

Acta Journals’ Outstanding Reviewers in 2017

The Acta Journals are delighted to announce the recipients of the 2018 Outstanding Reviewer awards for excellence in reviewing in 2017.

Remote-controlled DNA nanodevice on when needed

New sensing strategy enables biological targets to be tracked and imaged in vitro and in vivo with high spatial and temporal accuracy.

Glucose monitoring no sweat for new biosensors

New soft, smart glucose detectors can by monitor glucose levels directly and in real-time in tears and sweat.

New designer's toolkit can produce sophisticated nanoparticles

A new designer's toolkit can build various levels of complexity into nanoparticles using a simple, mix-and-match process.

Floating silicon particles self-assemble on demand

Researchers have fabricated silicon microparticles of various shapes and sizes that can reversibly assemble and disassemble in water.

New computational analysis shows where to look for high-entropy alloys

A novel method of computational analysis can help predict the composition and properties of as-yet-unmade high-entropy alloys.

Zirconium nanoribbons wrap up high current densities

Engineers have discovered that zirconium tritelluride nanoribbons can carry a current density 50 times greater than conventional copper interconnects.

Photodoped silicon cylinders produce highly versatile metamaterial

By photodoping silicon cylinders, researchers have built the first metal-free, dynamically tunable metamaterial for controlling electromagnetic waves.

Cell-like nanomaterials can respond to biochemical signals

Scientists have developed nanomaterials that can self-assemble, reconfigure and disassemble in response to biochemical signals.

Novel method can scrape atomic-scale patterns into silicon surfaces

A novel method uses the tip of a scanning probe microscope to etch nanoscale features on silicon wafers with the need for chemicals or masks.

Mathematics points the way to new, advanced materials

A new process uses mathematical algorithms to design advanced materials by reducing complexity and taking advantage of machine learning.

New algorithm speeds up search for novel exotic materials

A new algorithm for predicting exotic materials helped to reduce the time needed to develop a thermoelectric material from 15 years to 15 months.

Frustrating material may lead to quantum spin liquid

By enforcing a phenomenon called ‘magnetic frustration’, a new osmium-based material could house a quantum spin liquid for use in quantum computing.

Pomegranate-like catalyst promises hydrogen evolution

New microscopy technique can watch nanomaterials as they form

A new transmission electron microscope system is able to take dynamic, multi-frame videos of nanomaterials as they form.

New study reveals key role of hydrogen bonding in perovskite solar cells

Using various analytical techniques, researchers have established how hydrogen bonding plays a key role in the performance of perovskite solar cells.

Why a dash of salt can spice up 2D materials

Salt aids the creation of 2D materials by lowering the energetic barrier that otherwise prevents the component molecules from reacting with each other.