[Images above] Credit: NIST
NANOMATERIALS
Making contact: Researchers wire up individual graphene nanoribbons
Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign used ultrahigh-vacuum direct-write scanning tunneling microscopy to “wire up” graphene nanoribbons into a transistor on a silicon substrate.
ENERGY
Insights into solid-electrolyte interphases in next-gen aqueous potassium-ion batteries
Tokyo University of Science researchers used scanning electrochemical microscopy and operando electrochemical mass spectrometry to observe how the solid-electrolyte interphase forms and reacts in real time during the operation of a potassium-ion battery.
A scalable approach to fabricate ultrathin protonic ceramic electrochemical cells
Researchers at Kansas State University, Colorado School of Mines, Nissan Technical Center North America, Nissan Motor Company, and the University of Oklahoma introduced a new design strategy that brings down the operating temperatures of ultrathin protonic ceramic electrochemical cells to below 450°C.
Efficient next-generation solar panels on the horizon following breakthrough
University of Surrey researchers found that a nanoscale coating of aluminum oxide on metal halide perovskites stabilizes the drop in energy output which currently plagues this emerging photovoltaic technology.
Researchers achieve major breakthrough in highly efficient electrocatalyst for clean energy
Researchers led by City University of Hong Kong developed a highly efficient electrocatalyst based on transition-metal dichalcogenide nanosheets that can enhance the generation of hydrogen significantly through electrochemical water splitting.
BIOMATERIALS
MXene-enhanced hydrogel sensors for wearable tech and human–machine interfaces
Researchers from multiple Chinese institutions reported a kirigami-inspired strategy to significantly boost the strain sensitivity of conductive MXene-enhanced polymer hydrogels without compromising their stretchability and moisture retention.
Researchers tackle immune rejection of biomedical implants
University of Arizona researchers identified a protein that appears to drive the body’s rejection of biomedical implants. They believe the rejection response could be mitigated by incorporating a drug that blocks the protein into the implant coating.
ENVIRONMENT
Using solar-powered diamonds to turn CO2 into useful materials
Researchers led by Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin elucidated how diamonds can use light to provoke chemical reactions that turn carbon dioxide into useful materials.
No shortcuts: New approach may help extract more heat from geothermal reservoirs
Researchers at The Pennsylvania State University developed a technique that may help prevent the “short-circuits” that cause geothermal power plants to halt production. It involves adding materials or chemicals to the liquid pumped into the reservoir that would autonomously control flow from inside the rock itself.
OTHER STORIES
Exploring the length scales, timescales, and chemistry of challenging materials
Royal Society Publishing published a special double issue of Philosophical Transactions on exploring the length scales, timescales, and chemistry of challenging materials. View Part 1 and Part 2 of this special issue.
Material would allow users to ‘tune’ windows to block targeted wavelengths of light
Researchers from North Carolina State University, the University of Texas at Austin, and Vanderbilt University found that dynamic windows based on tungsten oxide hydrate can switch between three modes: transparent, infrared-blocking, and tinted.
Buried ancient Roman glass formed substance with modern applications
Tufts University researchers showed how molecules in ancient glass rearrange and recombine with minerals over centuries to form a patina of photonic crystals, which have many applications in modern technology. In other words, they discovered an example of nanofabrication by nature.
Golden future for thermoelectrics
TU Wien researchers found that a mixture of nickel and gold showed particular promise as a thermoelectric material.
Researchers pioneer ultralight ceramic fibrous aerogels for advanced thermal insulation
Oxford University researchers employed a scalable technique to develop ultralight fiber materials out of alumina/zirconia fibrous aerogels, which could reliably insulate heat in high temperatures, high humidity, and corrosion environments.
Topological materials open a new pathway for exploring spin hall materials
Researchers in Japan and China employed theoretical calculations to explore the electronic states of both ferromagnetic and paramagnetic cobalt–tin–sulfur (Co3Sn2S2), revealing that electron doping enhances the spin Hall effect. They then synthesized thin films of Co3Sn2S2, which aligned closely with the theoretical predictions.