Large rectification in molecular heterojunctions

Researchers demonstrate that rectification ratios of greater than 250 at biases of 0.5 V are achievable at the two-molecule limit for donor?acceptor bilayers of pentacene on C60 on Cu using scanning tunneling spectroscopy and microscopy.

Researchers discover new state of water molecule

Neutron scattering and computational modeling have revealed unique and unexpected behavior of water molecules under extreme confinement that is unmatched by any known gas, liquid or solid states.

Research team realizes 3-color photodetector

The discovery could be used to make infrared color televisions.

Oscillating currents point to practical application for topological insulators

Scientists studying an exotic material have found a potential application for its unusual properties, a discovery that could improve devices found in most digital electronics.

Theory establishes a path to high-performance 2D semiconductor devices

Researchers have uncovered a way to overcome a principal obstacle in using two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors in electronic and optoelectronic devices.

Successful laboratory test of photoswitchable anti-tumor agent

Scientists have developed a photo-switchable molecule as a basis of an oxygen-independent method.

Thin-film solar cells: How defects appear and disappear in CIGSe cells

Researchers were able for the first time to observe the defects as these formed during deposition and under what conditions they self-healed by using in-situ X-ray diffraction and fluorescence analysis.

Atoms placed precisely in silicon can act as quantum simulator

In a proof-of-principle experiment, researchers have demonstrated that a small group of individual atoms placed very precisely in silicon can act as a quantum simulator, mimicking nature - in this case, the weird quantum interactions of electrons in materials.

Attosecond physics: New movies from the microcosmos

With the aid of terahertz radiation, Munich physicists have developed a method for generating and controlling ultrashort electron pulses. With further improvements, this technique should be capable of capturing even electrons in motion.

Adding some salt to the recipe for energy storage materials

Researchers use common table salt as growth template.

Manipulating light inside opaque layers

Light propagating in a layer of scattering nanoparticles, shows the principle of diffusion. The deeper light is penetrating into the layer, the lower the energy density. Scientists managed to turn this falling diffusion curve into a rising one, by manipulating the incident light.