Blog
- Using a new kind of electron microscopy to measure weak van der Waals interactions 29/04/2021 A team of researchers from China, the Netherland and Saudi Arabia has used a new kind of electron microscopy to measure weak van der Waals interactions. In their paper published in the journal Nature, the group describes creating what they describe as a molecular compass to measure weak van der Waals interactions using a new type of electron microscopy developed in the Netherlands.
- Identification of the wettability of graphene layers at the molecular level 27/04/2021 Graphene is a two-dimensional material in which carbon atoms are arranged in hexagonal structures, and it has unique physical and chemical properties such as sub-nanometer thickness, chemical stability, mechanical flexibility, electrical and thermal conductivity, optical transparency, and selective permeability to water. Due to these properties, various applications of graphene in transparent electrodes, desalination, electrical energy storage, and catalysts have been vigorously studied.
- Oxygen migration enables ferroelectricity on nanoscale 22/04/2021 Hafnium-based thin films, with a thickness of only a few nanometres, exhibit an unconventional form of ferroelectricity. This allows the construction of nanometre-sized memories or logic devices. However, it was not clear how ferroelectricity could occur at this scale. A study that was led by scientists from the University of Groningen showed how atoms move in a hafnium-based capacitor: migrating oxygen atoms (or vacancies) are responsible for the observed switching and storage of charge. The results, which were published online by the journal Science on 15 April, point the way to new ferroelectric materials.
- Can room-temperature superconductors work without extreme pressure? 20/04/2021 Physicists aim to make practical materials that conduct electricity with zero resistance.
- A new technique to synthesize superconducting materials 15/04/2021 Researchers who demonstrated superconducting materials at room temperatures last fall, now report a new technique in the quest to also create the materials at lower pressures. They describe separating hydrogen atoms from yttrium with a thin film of palladium inside a diamond anvil.
- Plasma gun sprays out high-quality graphene 13/04/2021 The fast, low-cost method splits graphite particles into graphene flakes, showing promise for mass production
- Twisted trilayer graphene supports existence of exotic superconductivity 08/04/2021 ‘Magic angle’ twist in three layers of graphene offers new insight into superconductivity current models can’t explain
- 2D materials combine, becoming polarized and giving rise to photovoltaic effect 06/04/2021 For the first time, researchers have discovered a way to obtain polarity and photovoltaic behavior from certain nonphotovoltaic, atomically flat (2D) materials. The key lies in the special way in which the materials are arranged. The resulting effect is different from, and potentially superior to, the photovoltaic effect commonly found in solar cells.
- Cadmium cyanide surprises chemists by shrinking when irradiated with x-rays 01/04/2021 Contraction expands potential applications for inorganic materials
- Subtle quantum phenomenon found to alter chemical reactivity for the first time 30/03/2021
- Ionization source for mass spectrometry needs no external power supply 25/03/2021 Device could have applications for portable instruments