Engineers imitate human hands to make better sensors

An international research team has developed 'electronic skin' sensors capable of mimicking the dynamic process of human motion. This work could help severely injured people regain the ability to control their movements, as well as contribute to the development of smart robotics.

New nanocomposite material revs up pursuit of advanced electric vehicles

Researchers used new techniques to create a composite that increases the electrical current capacity of copper wires, providing a new material that can be scaled for use in ultra-efficient, power-dense electric vehicle traction motors.

Having a ball: Crystallization in a sphere

Scientists used a droplet of a colloid as a model for single atoms or molecules in a sphere. Unlike single atoms or molecules, which are too small to easily observe, the colloid particles were large enough to visualize using a microscope. This allowed the researchers to track the ordering of single particles in real time during crystallization.

Mirror-like photovoltaics get more electricity out of heat

New heat-harnessing 'solar' cells that reflect 99% of the energy they can't convert to electricity could help bring down the price of storing renewable energy as heat, as well as harvesting waste heat from exhaust pipes and chimneys.

Towards chirality control of graphene nanoribbons embedded in hexagonal boron nitride

Researchers report the successful control over the chirality of graphene nanoribbons embedded in hexagonal boron nitride nano-trenches, whose direction can be modulated by different catalytic cutting particles.

Colloidal dispersions of nanosheets for catalysis

Researchers have used a liquid phase exfoliation process to obtain nanosheets with enhanced electrocatalytical properties.

Why there is no speed limit in the superfluid universe

Physicists have established why objects moving through superfluid helium-3 lack a speed limit.