Electronics get a power boost with the addition of simple material

The tiny transistor is the heart of the electronics revolution, and materials scientist have just discovered a way to give the workhorse transistor a big boost, using a new technique to incorporate vanadium oxide, one of a family of materials called functional oxides, into the device.

Soft probing with optical tweezers

Researchers have developed a method for measuring soft, structured surfaces using optical forces.

Controllable protein gates deliver on-demand permeability in artificial nanovesicles

Researchers have succeeded in building protein gates for artificial nano-vesicles that become transparent only under specific conditions. The gate responds to certain pH values, triggering a reaction and releasing active agents at the desired location.

Characterizing electrons in the smallest devices

A technique for investigating the magnetic properties of electrons in quantum point contacts leads to a better understanding of these quantum devices.

Stretching a material offers a way of tuning an exotic form of magnetism

A method for controlling magnetic skyrmions through applying a strain to a material has been demonstrated by researchers. Such skyrmions are potentially useful for low-power magnetic memories.

Using optical fiber to generate a two-micron laser

Lasers with a wavelength of two microns could move the boundaries of surgery and molecule detection. Researchers have managed to generate such lasers using a simple and inexpensive method.

Faster design - better catalysts

Catalyst design plays a key role in improving these processes. An international team of scientists has now developed a concept that elegantly correlates geometric and adsorption properties. They validated their approach by designing a new platinum-based catalyst for fuel cell applications.