NEWS - MATERIALS SCIENCE

Twisted crystals open door to smaller, more powerful optical devices

In twisted moiré photonic crystals, how the layers twist and overlap can change how the material interact with light. By changing the twist angle and the spacing between layers, these materials can be fine-tuned to control and manipulate different aspects of light simultaneously — meaning the multiple optical components typically needed to simultaneous measure light’s phase, polarization, and wavelength could be replaced with one device.

Groundbreaking research, led by experts from the University of Exeter, would revolutionize the field of data storage, through the development of laser-driven magnetic domain memories.

Scientists achieve breakthrough in harnessing heat to control magnetism in 2D materials

Groundbreaking research led by Dr. Maciej Dąbrowski at the University of Exeter has developed ultrafast, laser-driven magnetic domain mem...

a) Molecular structures of ketocyanine dyes used in this work (Cyn1, Cyn2, Cyn3); b) scheme of the designed three-component thermochromic material, made of PCM, ketocyanine dye (Cyn3 was drawn as an example), and color developer, and the expected thermochromic transition through keto-enol equilibrium.

Major advance in the development of next-generation thermochromic materials

Scientists at ICN2 have developed an innovative material based on a solution of fluorescent dyes (ketocyanines) and phase-change material...

An electron micrograph shows nanometer-thick kirigami structures that highlight the advantages of using rippled metamaterials as structural films. The incorporation of rippled metamaterials allows for enhanced control over the final three-dimensional architecture.

New research examines how nanoscopic ripples affect material properties

Using a semiconductor manufacturing process, the team created alumina structures 28 nanometers thick (more than 1,000 times thinner than...

Ultrafast disruption of superconductivity in a YBa₂Cu₃O₇ thin film triggers an abrupt magnetic field quench, setting off dynamics in a neighboring spin system.

A new wave in ultrafast magnetic control

The research team designed a novel superconducting device capable of producing ultrafast, unipolar magnetic field steps—sudden magnetic c...

Illustration of the laser-induced transformation of diamond into planar-oriented graphite, with interfacial thermal stress control, followed by mechanical cleavage into graphene, ultimately achieving precise graphenization of ultra-thin diamond coatings. The resulting surface exhibits significantly enhanced frictional performance and good toughness at the nanometer scale.

Precise graphenization of ultra-thin diamond coatings achieved without substrate damage

Researchers from Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (NUAA) have successfully overcome the thickness limitations of diamon...

By building a unique, advanced machine, scientists have created a structure with quantum qualities. The green window (right) is the main growth chamber where synthesis of the quantum "sandwiches" occurs. Within the amber window (left) are advanced characterization tools that uncover chemical and electronic properties of the grown quantum thin films without exposing them to air.

Scientists merge two “impossible” materials into new artificial structure

An international team led by Rutgers University-New Brunswick researchers has merged two lab-synthesized materials into a synthetic quant...

A scanning electron microscope image of a bilayer titanium dioxide metasurface.

Doubling down on metasurfaces

“This is a feat of nanotechnology at the highest level,” said senior author Federico Capasso. “It opens up a new way to structure light...

A new copper alloy, a Cu-3Ta-0.5Li nanocrystalline alloy, exhibits remarkable resistance to coarsening and creep deformation, even at temperatures near its melting point. The orange-colored features represent Cu matrix atoms, the yellow-colored features represent Ta atoms, and the blue features represent Li atoms.

Breakthrough copper alloy achieves unprecedented high-temperature performance

The newly engineered alloy owes its superior properties to a unique nanoscale structure featuring precisely ordered copper Lithium precip...

Spatial modulation of the superconducting gap encoded in color and measured using scanning tunneling microscopy.

Caltech-led team finds new superconducting state

The observed gap modulation, reaching up to 40 percent, represents the strongest reported so far, leading to the clearest experimental ev...

Ultra-thin, ultra-fast: from nanoscale to starlight, a breakthrough lightsail era begins

Researchers develop new design and fabrication method to make lightsails for interstellar travel

Mapping the future of metamaterials

Mechanical metamaterials research demands interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation, say researchers from MechE's Portela Lab.

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