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[Images above] Credit: NIST


NANOMATERIALS

Monolayer resets record for thinnest non-volatile memory device

A team of Chinese and U.S. researchers led by University of Texas at Austin demonstrated resistive switching across monolayer hexagonal boron nitride, bringing the record thickness for a memory material down to around 0.33 nm. They explained the switching behavior as the result of boron vacancies based on ab initio simulations.

X-ray analysis of carbon nanostructures helps material design

Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin collaborated with a group at University of Tartu, Estonia, to understand structural formation and electrochemical characteristics of carbon as a function of synthesis temperature. Nanoporous carbons were produced by reacting a powder of molybdenum carbide with gaseous chlorine.


ENERGY

The key to safer batteries lies on the surface

University of Texas at Dallas researchers discovered the problem with lithium-ion batteries isn’t inside the battery materials—only the surface of battery cathode materials is a problem. They suggest adding a well-designed oxide coating on the battery surface.

Hybrid silicon and perovskite bifacial solar cell achieves 30.2 percent efficiency

Scientists at Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands developed a bifacial solar cell that is 30.2 percent efficient. To achieve this result, they put a perovskite layer on top of an existing bifacial cell, resulting in a device that combines two technologies, one optimized for capturing high-energy photons and another that works best with low-energy particles.

Improving Li-ion batteries by coating their cathode with BaTiO3 nanodots

Scientists at Tokyo Tech and Okayama University greatly improved performance of LiCoO2 cathodes in Li-ion batteries by decorating them with BaTiO3 nanodots. They concluded the BaTiO3 nanodots create a special interface through which lithium ions can circulate easily, even at very high charge/discharge rates.

New theory could lead to better batteries, fuel cells

Purdue University researchers developed a new theory that describes what happens at the interface between grains in ionic ceramics. The theory shows the interfaces undergo phase transitions, and was validated using yttria-stabilized zirconia.


MANUFACTURING

Melbourne startup developing 3D printing machines for glass

Two engineers from Monash University have nearly finished their first prototype and are preparing to file a provisional patent on a machine that can 3D print glass. Their company for the device, Maple Glass Printing, will focus on recycling glass.

New technology accelerates the science of deceleration

Researchers at University of British Columbia Okanagan campus mixed carbon fibers into polymer-based brakes to create brakes that are self-lubricating. These brakes can prevent wear-and-tear and have better frictional properties than brakes currently on market.


OTHER STORIES

First scalable graphene yarns for wearable textiles produced

The University of Manchester researchers developed a method to produce scalable graphene-based yarn that uses existing textile machineries and does not add to production costs. They believe their method will be an important step toward realizing next-gen high performance clothing.

Graphene and cobalt used to create new electromagnetic devices

Researchers from IMDEA Nanociencia and other European centers discovered the combination of graphene with cobalt offers relevant properties in the field of magnetism. This discovery could allow for logic devices that quickly store large data amounts, with reduced energy consumption.

Researchers improve description of defective oxides with first principles calculation

MARVEL researchers used self-consistent site-dependent U values computed from first principles to study defect chemistry and magnetic properties of SrMnO3 bulk and strained thin films. This approach may lead to more accurate predictions of the energetics of defects associated with in-gap states in semiconductors or insulators.

Research set to shake up space missions

A new study from The Australian National University found a number of 2D materials can not only withstand being sent into space, but potentially thrive in the harsh conditions. They exposed a variety of 2D materials to radiation levels comparable to space conditions, and found one material actually improved when subjected to intense gamma radiation.

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