Century-old problem solved with first-ever 3D atomic imaging of an amorphous solid

For more than a century, an important class of matter -- the amorphous solid -- has eluded scientists' ability to depict nature at the level of atoms and molecules. Until now. A study reports the first-ever determination of an amorphous solid's three-dimensional atomic structure.

Thermal power nanogenerator created without solid moving parts

Researchers propose a thermal power nanogenerator, called a thermoacoustically driven liquid-metal-based triboelectric nanogenerator, or TA-LM-TENG, which converts thermal energy into electrical energy.

'Designer' pore shows selective traffic to and from the cell nucleus

Scientists have developed an artificial model of membrane pores using simple design rules, which enabled them to study how this feat is accomplished.

A speed limit for spins

Scientists report that, when driven out of equilibrium by magnetic fields, a universal Doppler effect limits the maximal spin current in magnetic insulators. This finding is a surprising analogy to what happens in superconductors driven by electric fields and could provide a fundamental design principle for future nano-devices with computing science and power applications.

New method helps model the behavior of 2D materials under pressure

The research will help create pressure sensors based on silicene or other 2D materials.