Killing it softly

Mechanical engineers predict how seemingly disparate disordered materials fail, using 'softness' as a criterion.

Metal printing offers low-cost way to make flexible, stretchable electronics

The technique can use multiple metals and substrates and is compatible with existing manufacturing systems that employ direct printing technologies.

Using the dark side of excitons for quantum computing

New experiments demonstrate a more efficient and scalable method for using dark excitons in quantum information processing.

Micro-spectrometer opens door to a wealth of new smartphone functions

Use your smartphone to check how clean the air is, whether food is fresh or a lump is malignant. This has all come a step closer thanks to a new spectrometer that is so small it can be incorporated easily and cheaply in a mobile phone.

Panning for nanosilver in laundry wastewater

Silver nanoparticles are being used in clothing for their anti-odor abilities but some of this silver comes off when the clothes are laundered. The wastewater from this process could end up in the environment, possibly harming aquatic life, so researchers have attempted to recover the silver.

Electron injection transforms a thin film

Simply applying a small voltage dramatically changes the atomic structure, vital to creating materials for advanced computer memory.

Gilding technique inspired by ancient Egyptians may spark better fuel cells

Approach could make electric car batteries more efficient and cost-effective, helping accelerate movement away from fossil fuels.