Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Ultrafast microscope used to make slow-motion electron movie

Researchers have demonstrated the use of the world's first ultrafast optical microscope, allowing them to probe and visualize matter at the atomic level with mind-bending speed.

Match-head nanowire structures boost photovoltaic efficiency

'Match-head' nanowires act as built-in light concentrators, enhancing solar cell efficiency.

Material deformation at atomic scale resembles avalanches

The rearrangement of particles in materials during deformation, such as when a spoon is bent, doesn't occur independently, but rather resembles highly collective avalanches that span the entire material.

Novel synthesis method opens up new possibilities for utilising Li-ion batteries

Doped lithium titanate nanoparticles could be incorporated into Li-ion batteries used in, for example, electric or hybrid automotive applications.

New technique for turning sunlight into hydrogen

Researchers have pioneered a new type of multilayered photoelectrode that boosts the ability of solar water-splitting to produce hydrogen. According to the research team, this special photoelectrode, inspired by the way plants convert sunlight into energy is capable of absorbing visible light from the sun, and then using it to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.

Quantum magnets forced to ''chillax'

In what may provide a potential path to connecting data in a quantum computer, researchers have shown that excited atoms in silicon can be forced into a relaxed state on-demand using a device that serves as a microwave 'tuning fork'.

Graphene becomes superconductive

Researchers have developed a method to grow high-quality graphene on a silicon carbide crystal by controlling the number of graphene sheets.