Fight to the top: Silver and gold compete for the surface of a bimetallic solid

It's the classic plot of a buddy movie. Two struggling bodies team up to drive the plot and do good together. That same idea, when it comes to metals, could help scientists solve a big problem: the amount of energy consumed by making chemicals.

X-ray microscope optics resolve 50-nm features while eliminating chromatic aberrations

An optical system for a full-field X-ray microscope eliminates chromatic aberrations that previously limited resolution capabilities.

Solar cells with nanostripes

On their search for underlying physical mechanisms, researchers have now detected strips of nanostructures with alternating directions of polarization in the perovskite layers.

New porous solids may lead to better drugs

Decades-long research culminates in a new way of creating left- and right-handed molecules.

Zapping bacteria with sanitizers made of paper (w/video)

Researchers have invented an inexpensive, effective way to kill bacteria and sanitize surfaces with devices made of paper.

Saving energy through light control

New materials can reduce energy consumption with the flip of a switch.

Teaching perovskites to swim

By carefully growing an ultrathin layer of metal oxide on a carbon coating, researchers made a perovskite device that worked even after dousing the device with a stream of water.