Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Energy: Alternative Fuels Physics: Optics
Published

Perovskite solar cells: Vacuum process may offer a short track to commercialization      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Which process is best suited for mass production of perovskite solar cells? While solvent-based manufacturing processes are used in laboratories around the world, vacuum vapor-phase deposition processes are still the standard for the production of thin films for photovoltaics or organic light-emitting diodes. A new study that reveals major differences in the scientific discussion of these production processes.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Microbiology Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Engineering: Biometric
Published

New simpler and cost-effective forensics test helps identify touch DNA      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Research has found a less expensive and easier to use test to learn more about forensic touch DNA. This research has important implications for forensic investigations and being able to identify DNA from a primary contact -- someone who may have committed the crime -- as well as secondary DNA that was inadvertently and indirectly transferred through touch.

Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Physics: Optics
Published

How to upcycle low-energy light      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

To combine two low-energy photons into one high-energy photon efficiently, the energy must be able to hop freely, but not too quickly, between randomly oriented molecules of a solid. The discovery provides a much-needed design guideline for developing materials for more efficient PV cells, displays, or even anti-cancer therapies.

Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: Optics
Published

New high-speed microscale 3D printing technique      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new process for microscale 3D printing creates particles of nearly any shape for applications in medicine, manufacturing, research and more -- at the pace of up to 1 million particles a day.

Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General
Published

You don't need glue to hold these materials together -- just electricity      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Is there a way to stick hard and soft materials together without any tape, glue or epoxy? A new study shows that applying a small voltage to certain objects forms chemical bonds that securely link the objects together. Reversing the direction of electron flow easily separates the two materials. This electro-adhesion effect could help create biohybrid robots, improve biomedical implants and enable new battery technologies.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Physics: General
Published

Scientists reveal the first unconventional superconductor that can be found in mineral form in nature      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have identified the first unconventional superconductor with a chemical composition also found in nature.

Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Thermodynamics Energy: Technology Engineering: Graphene Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: General
Published

Spiral wrappers switch nanotubes from conductors to semiconductors and back      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

By wrapping a carbon nanotube with a ribbon-like polymer, researchers were able to create nanotubes that conduct electricity when struck with low-energy light that our eyes cannot see. In the future, the approach could make it possible to optimize semiconductors for applications ranging from night vision to new forms of computing.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Computer Science: General Computer Science: Quantum Computers Physics: General Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

Design rules and synthesis of quantum memory candidates      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

In the quest to develop quantum computers and networks, there are many components that are fundamentally different than those used today. Like a modern computer, each of these components has different constraints. However, it is currently unclear what materials can be used to construct those components for the transmission and storage of quantum information.

Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Breakthrough in nanostructure technology for real-time color display      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

New groundbreaking technology enables the real-time display of colors and shapes through changes in nanostructures.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: General Physics: Optics
Published

Combined microscopy technique catches light-driven polymers in the act      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have used tip-scan high-speed atomic force microscopy combined with an optical microscope to observe light-induced deformation of azo-polymer films. The process could be followed in real time, and the film patterns were found to change with the polarization of the light source. The observations will contribute to the use of azo-polymers in applications such as optical data storage, and the approach is expected to be useful across materials science and physical chemistry.

Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry
Published

How surface roughness influences the adhesion of soft materials      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A research team discovers universal mechanism that leads to adhesion hysteresis in soft materials. Through a combination of experimental observations and simulations, the team demonstrated that roughness interferes with the separation process, causing the materials to detach in minute, abrupt movements, which release parts of the adhesive bond incrementally. The findings will make it possible to specifically control the adhesion properties of soft materials through surface roughness and will allow new and improved applications to be developed in soft robotics or production technology in the future.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Energy: Technology Physics: Optics
Published

Tiny wireless light bulbs for biomedical applications      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The combination of OLEDs and acoustic antennas creates a light source that could be used for minimally invasive treatment methods.

Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: Optics
Published

Aluminum nanoparticles make tunable green catalysts      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A nanotechnology pioneer has uncovered a transformative approach to harnessing the catalytic power of aluminum nanoparticles by annealing them in various gas atmospheres at high temperatures.

Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Harmful 'forever chemicals' removed from water with new electrocatalysis method      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have developed new electrochemical approaches to clean up pollution from 'forever chemicals' found in clothing, food packaging, firefighting foams, and a wide array of other products. A new study describes nanocatalysts developed to remediate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Physics: General Physics: Optics Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

New method measures the 3D position of individual atoms      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Since more than a decade it has been possible for physicists to accurately measure the location of individual atoms to a precision of smaller than one thousandth of a millimeter using a special type of microscope. However, this method has so far only provided the x and y coordinates. Information on the vertical position of the atom -- i.e., the distance between the atom and the microscope objective -- is lacking. A new method has now been developed that can determine all three spatial coordinates of an atom with one single image.

Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Engineering: Robotics Research Physics: Optics
Published

A key to the future of robots could be hiding in liquid crystals      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Robots and cameras of the future could be made of liquid crystals, thanks to a new discovery that significantly expands the potential of the chemicals already common in computer displays and digital watches. The findings are a simple and inexpensive way to manipulate the molecular properties of liquid crystals with light exposure.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Computer Science: Quantum Computers Engineering: Robotics Research Physics: General Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

AI-enabled atomic robotic probe to advance quantum material manufacturing      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have pioneered a new methodology of fabricating carbon-based quantum materials at the atomic scale by integrating scanning probe microscopy techniques and deep neural networks. This breakthrough highlights the potential of implementing artificial intelligence at the sub-angstrom scale for enhanced control over atomic manufacturing, benefiting both fundamental research and future applications.