[Images above] Credit: NIST
NANOMATERIALS
Pressure tuned magnetism paves the way for novel electronic devices
Researchers found evidence that magnetism emerging at the interfaces between nonmagnetic oxide layers can be easily tuned by exerting tiny mechanical forces. The discovery provides a new way to control magnetism, thus enabling denser magnetic memory.
Graphene’s magic is in the defects
New York University researchers discovered only one group of defects in graphene’s structure—point defects—significantly impacts electrode sensitivity. If point defects are optimized in number and density, it can create an electrode up to 20 times more sensitive than conventional electrodes.
ENERGY
New property revealed in graphene could lead to better performing solar panels
Researchers fabricated pristine graphene into different geometric shapes and found when light illuminated constricted areas, a large light-induced current was detected. The finding could lead to development of ultrafast photodetectors.
Technique allows integration of single-crystal hybrid perovskites into electronics
Researchers synthesized hybrid perovskite crystals between two laminated surfaces, creating a single-crystal hybrid perovskite “sandwich.” The substrate and superstrate are already embedded with electrodes, resulting in a ready-made transistor or circuit.
Disordered crystals are promising for future battery technology
University College London and University of Illinois at Chicago researchers found disordered particles of magnesium chromium oxide may hold the key to new magnesium battery energy storage technology.
MANUFACTURING
Crystallizing success: New crucible design makes materials research safer, more accurate
An Ames Laboratory physicist worked with LSP Industrial Ceramics, Inc., to create a better strainer for separating crystal materials from their growth solutions—a single ceramic disc with holes that could be fitted in between two crucibles.
Discovery could lead to munitions that go further, much faster
Researchers from the U.S. Army and several universities demonstrated graphene oxide can enable efficient ignition of micron-size aluminum powders. The research could lead to enhanced energetic performance of metal powders as propellant/explosive ingredients in munitions.
Method to nondestructively measure the salt content of concrete structures
Researchers from RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics used a compact neutron source to nondestructively measure salt content of concrete structures. The next challenge is building a compact neutron source small enough for ready transportation.
Preventing concrete bridges from falling apart
A Mangosuthu University of Technology researcher found preservation of concrete infrastructure from corrosive effects requires a pre-treatment targeting adsorption sites in cement hydrate, where majority of hydrogen sulphide molecules attach.
OTHER STORIES
Adventures in phase space: Unified map on plastic and elastic glasses
Osaka University researchers used simulations to connect the annealing of a glass with its mechanical response to strain. Under small strains glass was perfectly elastic, and at higher strains glass became partially plastic.
Assessing the promise of gallium oxide as an ultrawide bandgap semiconductor
Researchers at University of Florida, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, and Korea University published a detailed perspective on the properties, capabilities, current limitations, and future developments for the ultrawide-bandgap compound gallium oxide.
New megalibrary approach proves useful for the rapid discovery of new materials
A new study supports the efficacy of a tool developed at Northwestern University to rapidly test millions of nanoparticles to determine the best for a specific use. The tool uses a combinatorial library of nanoparticles to identify new materials.
Predicting the properties of a new class of glasses
Penn State and Cambridge University researchers say zeolitic imidazolate frameworks glasses could combine the transparency of silicate glass with the nonbrittle quality of metallic glass. Additionally, some ZIFs contain large numbers of functional pores that can be used for gas storage.