Apr 03, 2024 (Nanowerk News) Drawing inspiration from the way plants breathe, a group of researchers at Tohoku University has created a paper-based magnesium-air battery that can be used in GPS sensors or pulse oximeter sensors. Taking advantage of paper’s recyclability and lightweight nature, the engineered battery holds promise for...
Scientists visualize quantum effects in electron waves
Apr 03, 2024 (Nanowerk News) One of the most fundamental interactions in physics is that of electrons and light. In an experiment at Goethe University Frankfurt, scientists have now managed to observe what is known as the Kapitza-Dirac effect for the first time in full temporal resolution. This effect was...
Physics-based predictive tool will speed up battery and superconductor research
Apr 03, 2024 (Nanowerk News) From lithium-ion batteries to next-generation superconductors, the functionality of many modern, advanced technologies depends on the physical property known as intercalation. Unfortunately, it's difficult to identify in advance which of the many possible intercalated materials are stable, which necessitates a lot of trial-and-error lab work...
Researchers discover dual topological phases in an intrinsic monolayer crystal
Apr 02, 2024 (Nanowerk News) Dual topological phases have been discovered in an intrinsic monolayer crystal, a finding that reveals new and unique rule-bending properties in a quantum material, an international team of scientists led by Boston College physicists reported recently in the journal Nature ("Dual quantum spin Hall insulator...
Novel platform harnesses microfluidics and optics for rapid, low-cost cellular analysis
Apr 02, 2024 (Nanowerk Spotlight) Microfluidics, the technology of precisely controlling fluids at the submillimeter scale, has long held the promise of revolutionizing biological research and medical diagnostics. By miniaturizing assays into tiny water-in-oil droplets, these platforms can analyze individual cells with unprecedented speed and efficiency while drastically reducing reagent...
Acids enables adhesive electrodes for thin, flexible supercapacitors
Apr 01, 2024 (Nanowerk News) Supercapacitors have the superb ability to capture and store energy. Researchers can use different materials and fabrication methods to make them flexible, thin and appropriate for use in wearable or implantable electronics, like smart watches or pacemakers, but those approaches tend to be intricate and...
Dielectric meta-atoms with liquid crystal alignment effect for electrically tunable metasurface
Apr 01, 2024 (Nanowerk News) Dielectric metasurfaces represent one of the cutting-edge research and application directions in the current optical field. They not only possess the advantage of low loss but also enable the realization of device thicknesses at subwavelength scales. Moreover, they can freely modulate light in multiple dimensions...
Engineering sustainable living materials for a greener future
Apr 01, 2024 (Nanowerk Spotlight) Faced with mounting environmental challenges, scientists worldwide are seeking sustainable solutions. Engineering living materials—composites incorporating living organisms—offers great promise by reducing our reliance on fossil-fuel-derived materials and harnessing the unique properties of living systems. Revolutionizing Material Science with Living Organisms Living materials take inspiration from...