New metamaterial morphs into new shapes, taking on new properties

A newly developed type of architected metamaterial has the ability to change shape in a tunable fashion.

Little heaps of silver, all wrapped up

Determination of the crystal structure of a DNA-stabilized silver nanocluster.

Conductivity at the edges of graphene bilayers

For nanoribbons of bilayer graphene, whose edge atoms are arranged in zigzag patterns, the bands of electron energies which are allowed and forbidden are significantly different to those found in monolayer graphene. This causes variations in the ways in which bilayers conduct electricity.

Discovery challenges accepted rule of organic solar cell design

Scientists have discovered that the electrodes in organic solar cells actually only need about 1% of their surface area to be electrically conductive to be fully effective.

Time-saving simulation of peeling graphene sheets

Researchers have developed a time-saving potential model to simulate the adhesive characteristics during the peeling process of armchair-type graphene sheets from frictionless graphite substrate surfaces.

A chameleon-inspired smart skin changes color in the sun

Scientists have taken a page from the chameleon's playbook to develop a flexible smart skin that changes its color in response to heat and sunlight.