[Image above] Credit: NIST

NANOMATERIALS

X-ray experiments suggest high tunability of 2-D material tungsten disulfide

Researchers used an X-ray platform to zero in on signatures of exotic electronic behavior in 2-D material tungsten disulfide. They found that the material may be highly tunable, with potential applications in spintronics and other emerging fields.

Measuring the temperature of 2-D materials at the atomic level

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago describe a new technique for precisely measuring the temperature and behavior of new 2-D materials that will allow engineers to design smaller and faster microprocessors.

Researchers demonstrate graphene as a source of high-speed light pulses

Researchers show that graphene may be an ideal candidate for future optical communications by demonstrating graphene-based devices capable of emitting ultrafast light pulses, with a bandwidth of up to 10 GHz and pulse durations of less than 100 picoseconds.

‘Zipping-up’ rings to make nanographenes

Scientists have now developed a fast way to form nanographenes in a controlled fashion. This simple and powerful method for nanographene synthesis could help generate a range of novel optoelectronic materials, such as organic electroluminescent displays and solar cells.

Fabricating nanocrystalline diamonds to study materials under extreme conditions

A nanocrystalline diamond built by plasma vapor deposition has already produced a pressure nearly two times greater than that found at the center of the Earth. A new study finds that this manufacturing process is remarkably consistent and reproducible.

Quantum dot discovery could improve HD TV

New research shows that when quantum dots are clustered together, they are more fluorescent, providing a wide variety of colors. This could lead to a new generation of high-definition, paving the way for brighter, lighter and more energy efficient TVs and smart devices.

ENERGY

Revealing the hidden path of perovskite formation

Scientists have systematically studied the path of the sequential deposition reaction used to build perovskite solar panels. The study offers much-needed, fundamental understanding of perovskite formation and its different stages.

Production of solar fuels inches closer with new discovery

Caltech researchers have discovered how a catalyst splits water using solar power, opening the door to economically viable solar-fuel production. They say the discovery could lead to the economically viable production of solar fuels in the next few years.

Smart new method to manufacture organic solar cells

The ability to use cheap materials and simple manufacturing methods are two huge advantages of printed organic solar cells. Scientists have now developed an even simpler method to manufacture solar cell modules.

Adding graphene girders to silicon electrodes could double the life of lithium batteries

New research has found an effective approach to replacing graphite in the anodes of lithium-ion batteries using silicon, by reinforcing the anode’s structure with graphene girders. This could increase the life of rechargeable lithium-ion based batteries and their capacity.

BIOMEDICINE

3-D-printed ceramic scaffold can repair large leg fractures in sheep

A new 3-D-printed ceramic implant developed by biomedical engineers at the University of Sydney will could ultimately replace grafts and metal hardware in mending broken bones using the body’s natural healing process.

Graphene oxide is ‘sensed’ by specialized cells of the immune system

A study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet, the University of Manchester, and Chalmers University of Technology shows that our immune system handles graphene oxide in a manner similar to pathogens, paving the way for safer biomedical applications of this 2-D material.

Scientists successfully test new, safer titanium plate for bone tissue repair

For the first time, patented titanium fiber plates developed by engineers for medical use were put to the test in an animal model. Researchers found that the titanium fiber plates do not cause bone embrittlement after close contact with the bone for prolonged periods.

Tiny scales could serve as safe material in implants to reinforce bones and joints

Researchers have published a concept to use a naturally occurring mineral called calcite to “grow” scales that can attach to soft materials. The setup could one day serve as waterproof implants to reinforce bones or joints.

Applications of water-soluble warped nanographene for photo-induced cell death

Biomedical applications are hampered by the insolubility of graphene materials, especially in water. A Japanese team of scientists has now introduced substituted ‘warped nanographene,’ which is soluble in a broad range of solvents while maintaining its photophysical properties.

Repetition key to self-healing, flexible medical devices

Medical devices powered by synthetic proteins created from repeated sequences of proteins may be possible, according to materials science and biotechnology experts, who looked at material inspired by the proteins in squid ring teeth.

OTHER RESEARCH

Long sought-after form of cubic, semiconducting titanium nitride synthesized

A team of experimental and computational scientists led by Carnegie Institution for Science have synthesized a long sought-after form of titanium nitride, Ti3N4, which has promising mechanical and optoelectronic properties.

The dawn of gallium oxide microelectronics

One conductive oxide has unique properties that allow it to function well in power switching: gallium oxide, a material with an incredibly large bandgap. Researchers have now outlined a case for producing microelectronics using gallium oxide.

Beyond silicon: researchers solve a materials mystery key to next-generation electronic devices

Until now, a critical aspect of oxide electronics has been missing—one that complements the function of electrons. A team led by the University of Wisconsin–Madison has directly observed that missing second half of the duo necessary to move oxide electronics materials forward.

‘Sodium-scooter’ delivers tellurium to molybdenum disulfide

Researchers have now developed a low-temperature reaction, where a “chemical scooter delivery” can be used as a metaphor. A “sodium-scooter”, namely Na2Te, transports tellurium to molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and tungsten disulfide (WS2) monolayers.

Optical ceramic meets metal-organic frameworks

Researchers from Sun Yat-Sen University developed a new type of materials called metal-organic frameworks for preparation of optical ceramics. A condensed monolith may be formed by healing defects inside aggregates that are assembled by MOF nanocrystals.

Researchers run first tests of unique system for welding highly irradiated metal alloys

Scientists are conducting tests of a new system that will allow researchers to advance welding technologies for repair of irradiated materials by developing processing conditions and evaluating post-weld materials properties.

Strange things happen when a crystal gets split in two

Researchers have broken potassium tantalate crystals in specific directions and imaged the resulting surfaces using atomic force microscopy. Combining the data with computations helps explain phenomena that could be useful for technologies like hydrogen production.

Skin-inspired coating that’s as hard as teeth and can heal itself

Self-healing smart coatings could someday make scratches on cell phones a thing of the past. Now, one group reports the development of a smart coating that is as hard as tooth enamel on the outside but can heal itself like skin can.

Author

April Gocha

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