Materials news, April 2023

MXenes promise versatile thermal management

transition metal carbide and carbonitride MXenes possess optical properties in the visible and IR range ideal for thermal management applications

Additive boosts performance of all-solid-state batteries

conductive additive to high-Ni cathode boosts performance and cyclability of all-solid-state batteries

Mussels help produce synthetic spider silk

Using engineered mussel foot proteins, researchers have been able to produce synthetic spider silk that is stronger and tougher.

Microscopy in blue

Researchers have developed a new microscopy technique that is able to use blue light to analyze semiconductors and other nanoscale materials.

Dynamic glass windows get a visible upgrade

Organic solar cells subjected to twisted degradation

Researchers have identified a novel degradation mechanism, involving twisted polymers, in the electron-donor material of an organic solar cell.

Common polymer has uncommon water-absorbing abilities

Researchers have found that the hydrogel polyethylene glycol can absorb moisture from the atmosphere even as temperatures climb.

Using woodlice to find gold nanoparticles

New imaging technique reveals toxicity and the potential harm of gold nanoparticles

Molybdenum disulfide takes charge of hot carriers

Researchers have shown that extremely thin films of molybdenum disulfide display unprecedented charge carrier properties.

Unusual waves create a ripple in nickel-based magnet

Researchers have unexpectedly discovered that excitations called ‘spin excitons’ can ‘ripple’ through a nickel-based magnet as a coherent wave.

Recyclable printed electronics without using hazardous chemicals

Environmentally friendly printed electronics

Perovskite solar cells need to learn resilience

Researchers have shown that machine learnng can identify hybrid pervoskites that are both high-performing and resiliant to environmental conditions.

New phosphorus material created by lightning strike

Lightning invokes chemical reaction in a fulgurite

New reconfigurable device can transform gold

Researchers have come up with nano-scale devices that can transform into many different shapes and sizes even though they exist in solid states.

Novel photovoltaic cell looks good in ambient light

Researchers have created an environmentally friendly, high-efficiency photovoltaic cell that can harness ambient light to power internet of Things devices.

New 2D magnet raises the temperature on spintronics

A novel 2D magnetic material made from an iron-based alloy and graphene is, for the first time, able to work at room temperature.

Dielectric coating offers repulsive solution to fouling

Researchers have shown that applying a thin coating of a dielectric material to the walls of a photobioreactor can prevent algae from sticking to them.

Graphene still revealing its mysteries

Researchers have discovered that graphene exhibits record-high magnetoresistance and behaves like a 'strange metal' under ambient conditions.

Membranes all at sea for hydrogen production

Researchers have found an efficient way to generate hydrogen from seawater using a double-membrane system and electricity.

Spectroscopy techniques look beneath the surface of redox reactions

Researchers have combined two spectroscopy technques to investigate how peroxides on the surface of copper oxide can affect redox reactions.

Ferroelectric material takes change of bacteria on implants

A novel ferroelectric composite material can be used to produce medical implants with antimicrobial properties via 3D printing.

Model reveals catalyst bonds can be shaken and stirred

A novel computer model has revealed that the heating required for many catalytic processes is sufficient to break the chemical bonds in catalysts.

Novel layer stops dendrite growth in batteries

Researchers have made solid-state batteries safer and more efficient by adding a special layer between the solid-state electrolyte and the anode.

New dual technique sheds light on energy storage

Researchers have developed a new technique that can quickly identify the exact electrochemical mechanisms taking place in batteries and supercapacitors.

Magnons put hybrid perovskite in a state

Researchers have produced a mixed magnon state in an organic hybrid perovskite, which could prove useful for storing quantum information.

Stable findings from new MOF model

Researchers have developed a computational model that can predict which metal-organic frameworks will be most stable.

Conductive materials make the cut for origami robots

By embedding flexible, conductive materials into a polyester sheet, researchers have created origami robots that don't need computer chips.

Strong interactions stack up for 2D polymers

Strong interactions between the layers of a stack of 2D polymers can helped that stack retain the high stiffness and strength of a single 2D polymer.

MXenes can blow hot or cold

Researchers have shown that a thin coating of the 2D material known as MXene can enhance a material’s ability to trap or shed heat.

Stormy finding in 2D ferromagnet

Researchers have discovered that two kinds of magnetic fields, called merons and skyrmions, can coexist in a 2D ferromagnet.

Nanoparticles assemble in new movie

Using liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy, researchers have observed nanoparticles self-assembling and crystalizing into solid materials.

2023 Energy Storage Materials (ENSM) Award and ENSM Young Scientist Awards Nominations

New twist in topological physics

Researchers have discovered a novel topological phase, including topological objects known as merons and antimerons, in a stack of twisted 2D materials.

3D bioprinting promises better scaffolds for knee repairs

inkjet bioprinted scaffolds support the development of meniscus-like tissue with matching mechanical properties to repair disease or damage