Trapping the sun: New thin-film technology uses sustainable components for solar panels

Environment-friendly solar panels consisting of the abundant materials Cu, Zn, Sn are hindered by their low practical efficiency compared to their theoretical potential. Researchers have now discovered a way to overcome these hurdles.

New insights into the energy levels in quantum dots

With their experiments, scientists confirmed certain energy transitions in quantum dots that had previously only been predicted theoretically: the so-called radiative Auger process.

Comb on a chip: New design for 'optical ruler' could revolutionize clocks, telescopes, telecommunications

Just as a meter stick with hundreds of tick marks can be used to measure distances with great precision, a device known as a laser frequency comb, with its hundreds of evenly spaced, sharply defined frequencies, can be used to measure the colors of light waves with great precision.

Ultrathin boron nitride films for next-generation electronics

A novel material could enable major leaps in the miniaturization of electronic devices.

Self-powered alarm fights forest fires, monitors environment

Scientists designed and fabricated a remote forest fire detection and alarm system powered by nothing but the movement of the trees in the wind.

Researchers cut nanometer-sized patterns into 2D materials

Researchers have developed a high-precision technology that enables them to carve nanometric patterns into two-dimensional materials.

Microscopic computers: The wires of the future may be made of molecules

There are physical limits to how powerful computers can become if they are to maintain their size. Molecular electronics can solve that problem, and now researchers are contributing to this field with a new, efficient conducting material, based on molecules.