Chemists establish fundamentals of ferroelectric materials

In a new study, chemists demonstrate a multiscale simulation of lead titanate oxide that provides new understanding about what it takes for polarizations within these materials to switch.

Nanocoating technology improves Teflon

A nanocoating of Teflon will reduce friction and wear in manufacturing equipment.

Low-cost printed patterns for diagnostics

Laser-printed patterns on cellulose paper can serve as a structural support for biochemical high-tech functionalization schemes.

Integrated trio of 2D nanomaterials unlocks graphene electronics applications

Voltage-controlled oscillator could be used in thousands of applications from computers to wearable technologies.

Bouncing droplets remove contaminants like pogo jumpers

Researchers are exploring whether surfaces can shed dirt without being subjected to fragile coatings.

New plastic material begins to oscillate spontaneously in sunlight

Researchers have succeeded in producing a thin polymer layer containing light-sensitive molecules (azo-dyes). Lying in sunlight, the thin film begins to oscillate spontaneously and irregularly.

Building a better (nano) bowtie

Bowtie-shaped nanostructures may advance the development of quantum devices.

Record speed and accuracy achieved with single-electron pumps

Scientists have measured silicon single-electron pumps with the highest speed and accuracy ever achieved, paving the way towards practical primary standards for electric current.

New discovery could better predict how semiconductors weather abuse

Mimicking nature is not easy, but new insights could help create a viable artificial system of photosynthesis.

A little impurity makes nanolasers shine

Scientists have improved the performance of tiny lasers by adding impurities, in a discovery which will be central to the development of low-cost biomedical sensors, quantum computing, and a faster internet.

From super to ultra-resolution microscopy (w/video)

A new method pushes the frontier in imaging resolution, with the potential to distinguish individual features in single molecules.

A close up look at ultra-thin nanomaterials for industrial use

The EU-funded 2DInterFOX project is seeking new insights into the behaviour of nanomaterials - the results could help manufacturers develop new electronic and energy-related products, potentially boosting their competitiveness.

How water gets its exceptional properties

Using artificial neural networks, researchers have examined the atomic interactions of water molecules. Based on their findings, they explain the melting temperature of ice and the density maximum at four degrees Celsius - based solely on computer simulations.