Nano Picture: 03/06/15

Friday, March 6, 2015

Electron spins controlled using sound waves

Applied physicists have demonstrated an unprecedented method of control over electron spins using extremely high-frequency sound waves.

Squeezing out new science from material interfaces

By applying extreme pressure in a diamond anvil cell to metal films on diamond, researchers have now determined the physical process dominating this unexplained heat flow, which has implications for understanding and improving heat flow between any two materials.

Heat in graphene propagates as a wave

Researchers have shed new light on the mechanisms of thermal conductivity in graphene and other two-dimensional materials. They have demonstrated that heat propagates in the form of a wave, just like sound in air.

New nanomaterials will boost renewable energy

Using carbon composites with a porous structure to increase surface area and nanotubes to enhance conductivity, research demonstrates that these nanomaterials are able to catalyse oxygen reduction as efficiently as the state-of-the-art non-precious metal catalysts - and with a longer stability.

Scientists capture nanoscale images of lithium dendrite structures degrading lithium-ion batteries

Researchers studied dendrite formation by using a miniature electrochemical cell that mimics the liquid conditions inside a lithium-ion battery. Placing the liquid cell in a scanning transmission electron microscope and applying voltage to the cell allowed the researchers to watch as lithium deposits grew into dendritic structures.

Magnetic memory promises faster and more energy efficient information storage

A developing form of computer memory has the potential to store information more quickly and more cheaply, while using less energy, than what's used today by the semiconductor industry, NYU Physics Professor Andrew Kent concludes.

Temperature behaves in strange and unexpected ways in graphene

A collaboration of physicists and chemists has discovered that temperature behaves in strange and unexpected ways in graphene, a material that has scientists sizzling with excitement about its potential for new technological devices ranging from computing to medicine.

Simulations provide new insight into emerging nanoelectronic device (w/video)

Researchers have used an advanced model to simulate in unprecedented detail the workings of 'resistance-switching cells' that might replace conventional memory for electronics applications, with the potential to bring faster and higher capacity computer memory while consuming less energy.