Breakthrough tool predicts properties of theoretical materials

Scientists have created the first general-purpose method for using machine learning to predict the properties of new metals, ceramics and other crystalline materials and to find new uses for existing materials, a discovery that could save countless hours wasted in the trial-and-error process of creating new and better materials.

Even droplets sometimes take the stairs

Sometimes, liquid drops don't drop. Instead, they climb. Using computer simulations, researchers have now shown how to induce droplets to climb stairs all by themselves.

Controlling thermal and particle currents by quantum observation

Scientists have realized the control of thermal and electrical currents in nanoscale devices by means of quantum local observations.

Better than Star Wars: Chemistry discovery yields 3-D table-top objects crafted from light

Photoswitch chemistry allows construction of light shapes into structures that have volume and are viewable from 360 degrees, making them useful for biomedical imaging, teaching, engineering, TV, movies, video games and more.

New laser design offers more inexpensive multi-color output

Design can control color, intensity of light by varying cavity architecture.

Simulating splash at the microscopic level

Researchers use computer simulations to discover distinct physics of atomized droplet impact on dry surfaces at the microscopic level, improving understanding needed for spray cooling, inkjet printing and coating.

Thinking thin brings new layering and thermal abilities to the semiconductor industry

In a breakthrough for the semiconductor industry, researchers demonstrate a new layer transfer technique called 'controlled spalling' that creates many thin layers from a single gallium nitride wafer.

Carbon-coated microsensor for clean water applications (w/video)

Researchers have developed a water analyzer for continuous monitoring of trihalomethanes.

Selectively killing bacteria with magnetic nanoparticles

A novel nanoparticle system can specifically interact with adhesin molecules of a specific E. coli strain and cause agglutination through nanoparticle?bacteria complex. Applying treatment with an alternating magnetic field to such complex caused significant reduction in viability of the targeted bacteria.

Bacteria on surfaces -- strength of adhesion does not depend on size of contact area

Scientists have developed a method with which they can measure the contact area between a bacterium and the surface it is 'sitting' on. Interestingly a large contact area does not necessarily mean a large adhesive force.

DNA-functionalized graphene sensor for breath analysis

Researchers have demonstrated the enhanced sensing ability in a high humidity atmosphere of graphene sensors functionalized by single-stranded DNA, and proposed their novel sensing mechanism.

Racetrack memory - the future?

Synthetic ferrimagnet nanowires make more efficient memory devices.

Future materials are becoming 'topological'

Researchers experimentally developed the so-called Quantum Spin Hall effect in a two-dimensional material. Materials that display this phenomenon are called topological insulators.

Charting the path for catalyst imaging

Determining the parameters for transmission electron microscopy.