Plant cell structure discovery could lead to improved renewable materials

Major steps forward in the use of plants for renewable materials, energy and for building construction could soon arise, thanks to a key advance in understanding the structure of wood.

Research could usher in next generation of batteries, fuel cells

Scientists have made a discovery that could dramatically improve the efficiency of batteries and fuel cells. The research involves improving the transport of oxygen ions, a key component in converting chemical reactions into electricity.

A smectic liquid crystal that overcomes many of the challenges posed by organic field effect transistor materials

Researchers designed a molecule that would incorporate a number of desirable liquid crystal qualities, in particular the smectic E phase. Low ordered liquid crystal phases form droplets at their melting temperature, but the smectic E phase has the advantage of retaining the thin-film shape.

Graphene looking promising for future spintronic devices

Researchers have discovered that large area graphene is able to preserve electron spin over an extended period, and communicate it over greater distances than had previously been known. This has opened the door for the development of spintronics, with an aim to manufacturing faster and more energy-efficient memory and processors in computers.

A research to find the optimum conditions for the growth of GaN nanowires

The aim of this research is to find the optimum conditions for the growth of GaN nanowires. This means obtaining nanostructures with the best characteristics for developing applications. For instance, the position control of these structures on diamond is strongly desired for quantum computation.

Nanopillar fabrication to lead to more efficient electronics

An engineering researcher will build nanoscale pillars that will lead to more energy-efficient transistors in electronic devices and gadgets.

Engineers now understand how complex carbon nanostructures form

Understanding how nanotube forests are created could lead to advancements in aerospace and biomedical applications.