A single atom can change the directional profile of the light emitted in scanning tunneling microscopes (07/11/2024)

Researchers from Madrid explain a phenomenon that allows the direction of light emission to be controlled at the atomic scale. The paper provides a detailed explanation of how the profile of the light collected in a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) experiments changes when the tip is placed on an atomic step.

Researchers develop high-quality nanomechanical resonators with built-in piezoelectricity (07/11/2024)

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden and at the University of Magdeburg in Germany have developed a novel type of nanomechanical resonator that combines two important features: high mechanical quality and piezoelectricity. This development could open doors to new possibilities in quantum sensing technologies.

Sustainable hydrophobic cellulose shows potential for replacing petroleum-related products (07/11/2024)

A recent study has aimed to create hydrophobic paper by exploiting the mechanical properties and water resistance of cellulose nanofibers, and so produce a sustainable, high-performance material suitable for packaging and biomedical devices. This involved a supramolecular approach, i.e., combining short chains of proteins (peptide sequences) that do not chemically modify the cellulose nanofibers. Sustainable hydrophobic paper may one day replace petroleum-related products.

Successful demonstration of a commercial cryogenic radio frequency power sensor paves way for quantum computing (07/11/2024)

Radio frequency (RF) and microwave power measurements are widely used to support applications across space, defense, and communication. These precise measurements enable engineers to accurately characterize waveforms, components, circuits, and systems.

Scientists develop starch nanocomposite films that pave the way for green electronics (31/10/2024)

Queen Mary University of London researchers have developed new nanocomposite films using starch instead of petroleum-based materials, marking a significant advancement in the field of sustainable electronics.

New electrochemical water splitting method offers fast, sustainable method for hydrogen production (29/10/2024)

Under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Francesco Ciucci from the University of Bayreuth, a German–Chinese research team has developed a new method for the electrochemical splitting of water. This not only accelerates the production of hydrogen for technology and industry but also makes it more sustainable. The researchers published their findings in Nature Nanotechnology.

Graphene-based memristors move a step closer to benefiting next-generation computing (29/10/2024)

Researchers from Queen Mary University of London and Paragraf Limited have demonstrated a significant step forward in the development of graphene-based memristors and unlocking their potential for use in future computing systems and artificial intelligence (AI).

A quantum material could be the future of high-energy X-ray imaging and particle detection (13/10/2024)

Scintillators are detectors that make high-energy X-rays or particles visible through flashes of light to form an image. Their many applications include particle physics, medical imaging, X-ray security and more.

Engineering perovskite materials at the atomic level paves way for new lasers, LEDs (13/10/2024)

Researchers have developed and demonstrated a technique that allows them to engineer a class of materials called layered hybrid perovskites (LHPs) down to the atomic level, which dictates precisely how the materials convert electrical charge into light. The technique opens the door to engineering materials tailored for use in next-generation printed LEDs and lasers—and holds promise for engineering other materials for use in photovoltaic devices.

Scientists use light to visualize magnetic domains in quantum materials (13/10/2024)

When something draws us in like a magnet, we take a closer look. When magnets draw in physicists, they take a quantum look. Scientists from Osaka Metropolitan University and the University of Tokyo have successfully used light to visualize tiny magnetic regions, known as magnetic domains, in a specialized quantum material. Their study was published in Physical Review Letters.