Team clarifies valley polarization for electronic and optoelectronic technologies

An interdisciplinary team of scientists has uncovered a direct link between sample quality and the degree of valley polarization in monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs).

Terahertz spectroscopy goes nano

Researchers have demonstrated a way to bring a powerful form of spectroscopy -- a technique used to study a wide variety of materials -- into the nano-world.

Chaos reigns even in simple electronics

It's really surprising: it turns out that among simple electronic circuits, built of just a few components, many of them behave chaotically, in an extremely complicated, practically unpredictable manner.

Scientists solve a magnesium mystery in rechargeable battery performance

A new study reveals surprising chemical reactivity in battery components previously considered compatible.

Strange but true: Turning a material upside down can sometimes make it softer

Scientists describe how the indentation toughness of polar crystals can be manipulated in such a way that they become easier or harder to dent from a given direction.

Extreme light trapping with nanomaterials

New nanomaterials technique bends light, pushing the limit of thin-film absorption in solar and water-splitting applications.

2D materials gets a new theory for control of properties

A theoretical method to control grain boundaries in two-dimensional materials could result in desirable properties, such as increased electrical conductivity, improved mechanical properties, or magnetism for memory storage or information processing, among other applications.