Revealing the microscopic mechanisms in perovskite solar cells

Experiments show why doping improves efficiency.

A tough coat for silicon

Supercritical carbon dioxide delivers protective molecules to semiconductor surfaces.

Hydrogen freed by nanoparticle duo

Heat treatment offers precise control over catalytic activity of metal sulfide nanoparticles.

Novel 'soft' magnetic material could enable faster computer memory

Scientists have found a way to further reduce the coercivity of a soft material called cobalt iridium by adding rhodium.

Transparent silver: Tarnish-proof films for flexible displays, touch screens, metamaterials

The thinnest, smoothest layer of silver that can survive air exposure has been laid down by scientists, and it could change the way touchscreens and flat or flexible displays are made.

Pulverizing electronic waste to nanodust is green, clean - and cold

Researchers use cryo-mill to turn circuit boards into separated powders.

Scientists discover new 'boat' form of promising semiconductor GeSe

Researchers have discovered a new form of the simple compound GeSe that has surprisingly escaped detection until now. This so-called beta-GeSe compound has a ring type structure like graphene and its monolayer form could have similarly valuable properties for electronic applications.

Spintronic technology advances with newly designed magnetic tunnel junctions

Sputtering technique opens the possibility for new applications.

New gel-like coating beefs up the performance of lithium-sulfur batteries

Scientists have developed an ultra-thin coating material that has the potential to extend the life and improve the efficiency of lithium-sulfur batteries, one of the most promising areas of energy research today.

Manipulating magnetic textures

A group of researchers has shown that the simple curvature of nanomagnets can be used to induce textures within the magnetization field - a potential boon for future random access memory devices and data storage.

Nanomedicine could herald fast, easy way to spot early signs of disease

While more research is needed to confirm the findings, the use of FITR could herald a fast and easy way to spot early signs of infection, cancer, and difficult to diagnose neurological conditions.

Researchers report the first ever documented observation of the self-healing phenomena of graphene

With the first ever documented observation of the self-healing phenomena of graphene, researchers hint at future applications for its use in artificial skin.

Chemists created nanoparticles for safe imaging of tumors

Chemists have created biosafe luminescent nanoparticles for imaging tumors and blood vessels damaged by heart attack or stroke. The particles are made of hafnium oxide that is allowed for intravenous injection, and doped with ions of rare earth metals.

Quantum dots illuminate transport within the cell

Biophysicists have developed a strategy for using light-emitting nanocrystals as a marker in living cells. By recording the movements of these quantum dots, they can clarify the structure and dynamics of the cytoskeleton.

Solar cells can become twice as efficient by employing a few smart nano-tricks

Researchers are currently developing the environment-friendly solar cells of the future, which will capture twice as much energy as the cells of today. The trick is to combine two different types of solar cells in order to utilize a much greater portion of the sunlight.

Electrocrystallization: Breakthrough in gold nanoparticle research

Research team discovers how to prepare high-quality crystals formed of gold nanoparticles.