Conductivity

Revolutionary carbon fiber electrocatalysts pave the way for affordable green hydrogen production

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A groundbreaking technology has been developed to address the limitations of current catalyst electrodes, facilitating the large-scale production of green hydrogen at a relatively low cost. This significant advancement was published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. The innovative project was led by Professor Han Gi Chae from the Department of Materials Science … Read more

Enhancing electric vehicle battery performance with innovative polymers

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A recent breakthrough in chemistry has shown that maintaining distance can significantly improve the performance of batteries used in electric vehicles (EVs). A research team has developed a polymeric protective film that ensures the safe operation of the anode in sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries. Their findings were published in the online edition of Advanced Functional Materials. The … Read more

Researchers discover novel antiaromatic π-stacking system for conductive liquid crystals

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In organic chemistry, π-stacking systems are supramolecular structures that arise due to the dispersion force, a type of intermolecular noncovalent interaction. They are a common occurrence in nature. The stabilized structure of DNA is a very prominent example of a π-stacking system, and so are the arrangement of amino acids in certain proteins. Interestingly, π-stacking … Read more

Aquatic Biology: Life in Water Environments

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Aquatic biology is a branch of biology that focuses on the study of life in water environments, encompassing a wide range of organisms, ecosystems, and processes that thrive in aquatic habitats. From the smallest microorganisms to the largest marine mammals, aquatic biology explores the diversity, adaptations, interactions, and ecological dynamics of aquatic life across freshwater, … Read more

Study solves lag mystery in organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs)

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Researchers who want to bridge the divide between biology and technology spend a lot of time thinking about translating between the two different “languages” of those realms. “Our digital technology operates through a series of electronic on-off switches that control the flow of current and voltage,” said Rajiv Giridharagopal, a research scientist at the University … Read more

Scientists achieve brain-mimicking computing with saltwater

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Imagine a computer that processes information not with the cold hum of silicon but with the gentle flow of ions in a saltwater solution. This isn’t science fiction; it’s the cutting edge of neuromorphic computing, inspired by the human brain’s remarkable efficiency. In a groundbreaking study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of … Read more

Study identifies potential biomarker for autism spectrum disorder

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Autism spectrum disorder has yet to be linked to a single cause, due to the wide range of its symptoms and severity. However, a study by University of Virginia researchers suggests a promising new approach to finding answers, one that could lead to advances in the study of other neurological diseases and disorders. The work … Read more

Thermoelectric effect reveals full picture of superconducting fluctuations

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Weak fluctuations in superconductivity, a precursor phenomenon to superconductivity, have been successfully detected by a research group at the Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech). This breakthrough was achieved by measuring the thermoelectric effect in superconductors over a wide range of magnetic fields and over a wide range of temperatures, from much higher than the superconducting transition … Read more

Pair distribution function technique unravels hidden electronic state in 1T-TaS2

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Research often unfolds as a multistage process. The solution to one question can spark several more, inspiring scientists to reach further and look at the larger problem from several different perspectives. Such projects can often be the catalyst for collaborations that leverage the expertise and capabilities of different teams and institutions as they grow. For … Read more

NIMS develops world’s first n-channel diamond MOSFET

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A National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) research team has developed the world’s first n-channel diamond MOSFET (metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor). The developed n-channel diamond MOSFET provides a key step toward CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor: one of the most popular technologies in the computer chip) integrated circuits for harsh environment applications, as well as the development of … Read more

Physicists create artificial andreev molecules in superconducting circuits

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Electronic states that resemble molecules and are promising for use in future quantum computers have been created in superconducting circuits by physicists at RIKEN. The most obvious advantage of superconductors—materials that offer no electrical resistance to the flow of electrons—in electronic circuits is that they don’t produce any wasteful heating, which limits the energy efficiency … Read more

New magnet design paves the way for practical fusion power

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In the early hours of September 5, 2021, a groundbreaking achievement unfolded within the laboratories of MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center (PSFC), marking a significant milestone in the realm of fusion energy research. Engineers successfully developed a new type of magnet using high-temperature superconducting material, achieving a world-record magnetic field strength of 20 tesla … Read more

PVPA binder demonstrates superior performance for micro-SiO anode lithium-ion batteries

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Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in various applications but need improved binders to enhance their performance to meet evolving demands. This is because silicon oxide (SiO), a promising anode material due to its high capacity and low cost, faces several challenges. These include poor conductivity, which leads to slower charging rates, and significant expansion during … Read more

Researchers develop 3D printable material for communication devices

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In a first-of-its-kind development, UBC Okanagan researchers, in collaboration with Drexel University, have created a new compound that can be used to 3D print telecommunication antennas and other connectivity devices. These 3D printed products, created by combining a two-dimensional compound called MXenes with a polymer, can be used as an alternative for metallic counterparts and … Read more

Novel sensors shine light on superconducting hydrides under high pressure

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Under extreme pressure, hydrogen, like many elements, exhibits peculiar behavior that defies conventional understanding. Theoretical predictions suggest that under pressures exceeding a million times that of our atmosphere, hydrogen transforms into a metal and, even more remarkably, a superconductor—a material capable of conducting electricity without resistance. Scientists have long sought to comprehend and harness the … Read more

Niobium qubits rise from the ashes with new design and fabrication

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For years, niobium was considered an underperformer when it came to superconducting qubits. Now, scientists supported by Q-NEXT have found a way to engineer a high-performing niobium-based qubit and take advantage of niobium’s superior qualities. When it comes to quantum technology, niobium is making a comeback. For the past 15 years, niobium has been sitting … Read more

Magnetic field fingerprint found in quark-gluon plasma

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A new analysis by the STAR collaboration at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), a particle collider at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory, provides the first direct evidence of the imprint left by what may be the universe’s most powerful magnetic fields on “deconfined” nuclear matter. The evidence comes from measuring … Read more

Understanding dopant-polymer interactions for higher conductivity in organic semiconductors

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California’s Silicon Valley and Utah’s Silicon Slopes are named for the element most associated with semiconductors, the backbone of the computer revolution. Anything computerized or electronic depends on semiconductors, a substance with properties that conduct electrical current under certain conditions. Traditional semiconductors are made from inorganic materials—like silicon—that require vast amounts of water and energy … Read more