Graphene teams up with two-dimensional crystals for faster data communications

Researchers show that a two-dimensional crystal, combined with graphene, has the capability to detect optical pulses with a response faster than ten picoseconds, while maintaining a high efficiency.

Researchers find 'greener' way to assemble materials for solar applications

Today, formation of that polymer assembly requires solvents that can harm the environment, but scientists have found a 'greener' way to control the assembly of photovoltaic polymers in water using a surfactant - a detergent-like molecule--as a template.

Laser-wielding physicists seize control of atoms' behavior

Physicists have wondered in recent years if they could control how atoms interact using light. Now they know that they can, by demonstrating games of quantum billiards with unusual new rules.

Physicists turn toward heat to study electron spin

The quest to control and understand the intrinsic spin of electrons to advance nanoscale electronics is hampered by how hard it is to measure tiny, fast magnetic devices. Applied physicists offer a solution: using heat, instead of light, to measure magnetic systems at short length and time scales.

Research improves efficiency from larger perovskite solar cells

Perovskite solar cells are cheaper to make than traditional silicon cells and their electricity conversion efficiency is improving rapidly. To be commercially viable, perovskite cells need to scale up from lab size. Researchers report a method for making perovskite cells larger while maintaining efficiency.

Big range of behaviors for tiny graphene pores

Like biological channels, graphene pores are selective for certain types of ions.

Flame retardant nanocoating is naturally derived and nontoxic (w/video)

Inspired by a naturally occurring material found in marine mussels, researchers have created a new flame retardant to replace commercial additives that are often toxic and can accumulate over time in the environment and living animals, including humans.

Observing the unobservable: Researchers measure electron orbitals of molecules in 3-D

Electron orbitals provide information on the whereabouts of the electrons in atoms and molecules. Scientists have now succeeded in experimentally recording these structures in all three dimensions. They achieved this by further developing a method they had already applied two years ago to make these orbitals visible in two dimensions.

High-speed electron tomography sets new standards for 3-D images of the nanoworld

Scientists used a transmission electron microscope to record almost 3500 images in 3.5 seconds for the reconstruction of a 3D electron tomogram.

A quantum logic gate in silicon built for the for the first time (w/video)

A quantum logic gate in silicon built for the for the first time, making calculations between two qubits of information possible.

Nanoscale photodetector shows promise to improve the capacity of photonic circuits

Researchers have fabricated a device in which light can induce a current using a silver nanowire - an important step toward harnessing light to speed up the next generation of circuits.

Developing a nanoscale 'clutch'

Researchers have assembled model microscopic system to demonstrate the transmission of torque in the presence of thermal fluctuations - necessary for the creation of a tiny 'clutch' operating at the nanoscale.

Physicists succeed in direct detection of vacuum fluctuations

So far, physicists have assumed that it is impossible to directly access the characteristics of the ground state of empty space. Now, a team of physicists has succeeded in doing just that.

High-speed march through a layer of graphene

Scientists have made simulations of the processes that happen when a layer of carbon atoms is irradiated with strong laser light.

Researchers uncover unusual effects on the electronic structure of TMDs

To understand how a TMD semiconductor behaves inside a device, researchers investigated the effects of sub-monolayer deposition of alkali atoms at the surface of the semiconductor tungsten selenide. These deposited atoms mimics the electric field effects that a semiconductor would experience inside a transistor, while allowing researchers to directly analyse the electronic structure by a state of the art spectroscopic technique.

Brightness-equalized quantum dots improve biological imaging

Researchers have introduced a new class of light-emitting quantum dots with tunable and equalized fluorescence brightness across a broad range of colors. This results in more accurate measurements of molecules in diseased tissue and improved quantitative imaging capabilities.