Materials news, November 2021

Assessing how biowaste can be used in optical applications

Using waste biomass as an environmentally friendly alternative

Uniform approach to preventing avalanches in glassy materials

Removing tiny irregularities in local densities can help prevent the atomic 'avalanches' that cause glassy materials to transform into crystal.

Coated copper catalyst creates correct environment for carbon conversion

Researchers have improved the selectivity of a copper catalyst for converting carbon dioxide by using ionomers to alter the surrounding environment.

Professor Chad A. Mirkin - 2022 Acta Biomaterialia Gold Medal Recipient

Professor Milica Radisic - 2022 Acta Biomaterialia Silver Medal Recipient

Professor Dr. Alexander Michaelis - 2022 Acta Materialia Hollomon Award Recipient

Professor Amber Genau - 2022 Acta Materialia Mary Fortune Global Diversity Medal Recipient

Professor David Dye - 2022 Acta Materialia Silver Medal Recipient

Professor Dierk Raabe - 2022 Acta Materialia Gold Medal Recipient

Light-triggered nanoparticles hit the target

core-shell polymer nanoparticles triggered by near infrared (NIR) light combine photodynamic and immuno-therapy to treat tumors

3D scaffolds for neurons promise better transplants

3D personalized polymer scaffolds with precise texture, shape, and size encourage aligned growth of neurons for neural tissue engineering and repair

New study enters the atomic-scale domain of magnetic transitions

Researchers have managed to observe temperature-driven spatial changes of magnetic domains in a Mott insulator at atomic scales.

Novel biohybrid photocatalyst separates light harvesting from catalysis

Researchers have developed a novel biohybrid photocatalyst comprising a light-harvesting protein and a metal-containing catalyst.

Wearable sweat sensor for healthcare monitoring

Sweat sensors for non-invasive healthcare monitoring

Nanowires help push to cheaper and more efficient solar cells

Ultra-high material efficient solar cell using semiconductor nanowires

Researchers calculate next steps for borophene

Researchers predict that growing 2D boron, known as borophene, on hexagonal boron nitride should make it easier to remove and study.

Novel electrolyte and coating recycle metals from battery electrodes

Researchers have developed a novel electrochemical method for recovering cobalt and nickel from lithium-ion battery electrodes.

Researchers discover why single molecules fall over

Using a scanning probe microscope, researchers have been able to determine the quantum interactions that give rise to a stable standing molecule.

The NuMat2022: The Nuclear Materials Conference

Electrochemical pulses bring solid-state electrolytes together

Researchers have shown that applying short, high-voltage pulses can improve the joining of materials in solid-state batteries.

New silicon coating uses nanopillars to trap red light

When applied to the surface of a glass lens, a new silicon coating can prevent the red and blue wavelengths in ultrashort laser pulses from separating.

Materials Today - September 2021 Highlighted Papers

New analysis technique shows way to better supercapacitors

A new analysis technique will help scientists create better supercapacitors, especially supercapacitors made from layers of different materials.

Turning deepfakes into proper high-performance alloys

Researchers took advantage of the artificial intelligence technology behind deepfakes to create novel high-performance alloys.

Colliding holes shed light on electron wavefunction

Researchers have developed a method for calculating the wavefunctions of electrons in a material from physical measurements.

Mirrors help 2D material shine like a laser

Researchers have shown that placing the 2D material tungsten diselenide between 'mirrors' can cause it to emit laser-like light at room temperature.

Novel carbon fiber composite can heal when heated

Researchers have developed a new type of carbon-fiber-reinforced composite that is strong and light but can be repeatedly healed with heat.

Simple bilayer graphene can produce exotic magnetic behavior

For the first time, researchers have demonstrated an exotic magnetic phenomenon known as the quantum anomalous Hall effect in bilayer graphene.

Sticky - The Secret Science of Surfaces by Laurie Winkless

An exploration of the amazing world of surface science.

Researchers develop clean doping technique for graphene

Researchers have developed a novel clean technique for doping graphene via a charge-transfer layer made of low-impurity tungsten oxyselenide.

Liquid crystals stay in their blue phase

Researchers have found a way to create and stabilize so-called 'blue phase liquid crystals', which can be switched on and off incredibly quickly.

Researchers strain to make strange metal state even stranger

Researchers have probed the relationship between charge density waves and the strange metal state in a high-temperature superconductor.

New study brings order to ferromagnetic 2D material

For the first time, researchers have demonstrated ferromagnetic behavior in a monolayer of chromium chloride.

Perovskite printing with polymer produces flexible LEDs

Researchers have developed a printable, flexible LED by embedding inorganic perovskite crystals in an organic, polymer matrix.

Black phosphorus could light up future telecommunications

Researchers have shown that the 2D material black phosphorus can control the polarization of light more precisely than ever before.

Solid-state batteries could grow on trees

By combining copper with cellulose nanofibrils from wood, researchers have developed a flexible ion conductor for solid-state batteries.

New study shows how pearls grow into their symmetry

Researchers have discovered that interactions between the layers of nacre in a pearl cause its symmetry to become more and more precise as it grows.

Electrons have time for foursomes in iron-based superconductor

Researchers have uncovered the first evidence that electrons in a superconductor can condense into foursomes that break time-reversal symmetry.

Novel hardened wood proves to be a cut above

Researchers have developed a process for making wood 23 times harder, allowing it to be used to make sustainable knives and nails.

Lithium-metal batteries pressurized into better performance

Researchers have discovered why applying pressure to a lithium-metal battery can boost its performance, and determined the optimum pressure.

New instrument sheds light on perovskite synthesis

Using X-ray light and laser light, a new analytical instrument can probe a perovskite’s crystal structure and optical properties as it is synthesized.

Novel insulator turns its hand to protecting steel

An alloy of selenium and sulfur developed as a flexible insulator also shows great potential as a self-healing anticorrosive coating for steel.

Amorphous materials prefer pyramids to icosahedrons

Using atomic electron tomography, researchers have, for the first time, directly observed how atoms are packed in amorphous materials.

Paper-based thermoelectric promises easy heat recovery

thermoelectric generators based on cellulose paper and thin layers of non-toxic metals promise a cheap and eco-friendly means of heat recovery

New system learns how to optimize 3D printing materials

Researchers have developed a machine-learning system that can optimize new 3D printing materials with multiple mechanical properties.