Rust never sleeps

Research using atom probe tomography reveals chinks in iron crystals that can 'heal'.

A reconfigurable soft actuator

Researchers have developed a method to change the shape of a flat sheet of elastomer, using actuation that is fast, reversible, controllable by an applied voltage, and reconfigurable to different shapes.

Physicists create exotic electron liquid

The first production of an electron liquid at room temperature opens the way for new optoelectronic devices and basic physics studies.

Physicists uncover the topological origin of surface electromagnetic waves

Researchers showed that the well-known surface electromagnetic waves at interfaces between homogeneous isotropic media, obtained within classical Maxwell's electromagnetism, also have a purely topological origin, similar to quantum topological states.

Ceramic holds promise for greener optical devices

Scientists have developed an environmentally friendly nanostructured ceramic material.

Polymer power potential

Four organic thermoelectric polymers identified using theoretical calculations could prove valuable for harvesting energy from waste heat.

Wrinkles take the heat

Experiments on nanoribbons of black phosphorus reveal the origins of directional heat transport in this promising material.

Engineers harvest heart's energy to power life-saving devices

Using a dime-sized invention, the kinetic energy of the heart can be converted into electricity to power a wide-range of implantable devices.

Graphene biosensor could provide early lung cancer diagnosis

A team of scientists has developed a new technique that could create a highly sensitive graphene biosensor with the capability to detect molecules of the most common lung cancer biomarkers.