Washable electronic textiles to usher in an era of even smarter wearable products

With the wearable electronic device market having firmly established itself in the 21st century, active research is being conducted on electronic textiles, which are textiles (e.g. clothing) capable of functioning like electronic devices. Fabric-based items are flexible and can be worn comfortably all day, making them the ideal platform for wearable electronic devices.

Atomic 'patchwork' using heteroepitaxy for next generation semiconductor devices

Researchers have grown atomically thin crystalline layers of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) with varying composition over space, continuously feeding in different types of TMDC to a growth chamber to tailor changes in properties. Examples include 20nm strips surrounded by different TMDCs with atomically straight interfaces, and layered structures. They also directly probed the electronic properties of these heterostructures; potential applications include electronics with unparalleled power efficiency.

Applying pressure is way toward generating more electricity from waste heat

The ability of a thermoelectric material to produce electricity from waste heat was improved more than twofold. The researchers applied pressure to the material to induce a Lifshitz phase transition and, in a world-first, found a direct link between the Lifshitz transition and changes in the material's thermoelectric properties. Understanding the effect of the Lifshitz transition on quantum phenomena could lead to improved thermoelectric materials.

Experimental physicists redefine ultrafast, coherent magnetism

For the first time ever, experimental physicists have been able to influence the magnetic moment of materials in sync with their electronic properties. The coupled optical and magnetic excitation within one femtosecond corresponds to an acceleration by a factor of 200 and is the fastest magnetic phenomenon that has ever been observed.

Utrafast magnetism: Electron-phonon interactions examined at BESSY II

How fast can a magnet switch its orientation and what are the microscopic mechanisms at play? These questions are of first importance for the development of data storage and computer chips. Now, an HZB team at BESSY II has for the first time been able to experimentally assess the principal microscopic process of ultra-fast magnetism. The methodology developed for this purpose can also be used to investigate interactions between spins and lattice oscillations in graphene, superconductors or other (quantum) materials.

How you charge your mobile phone could compromise its battery lifespan

Researchers have found that use of inductive charging, whilst highly convenient, risks depleting the life of mobile phones using typical LIBs (lithium-ion batteries).

Shell increases versatility of nanowires

Nanowires promise to make LEDs more colorful and solar cells more efficient, in addition to speeding up computers. That is, provided that the tiny semiconductors convert electric energy into light, and vice versa, at the right wavelengths. Researchers have managed to produce nanowires with operating wavelengths that can be freely selected over a wide range. Fine-tuned nanowires could take on several roles in optoelectronic components, thus making them more powerful, more cost-effective, and easier to integrate.

Soft robots for all

Each year, soft robots gain new abilities. They can jump, squirm, and grip. Unlike hard robots, they can handle tomatoes without bruising the fruit, resurface unscathed after being run over by a car, and journey through radiation, disaster zones, and outer-space with few scars. Now, a new invention gives soft robots the ability to roll, undulate, sort, meter liquids, and swallow. Customizable designs could find use in labs, hospitals, and even inside the human body.

Robot arm tastes with engineered bacteria

A robotic gripping arm that uses engineered bacteria to 'taste' for a specific chemical has been developed by engineers. The gripper is a proof-of-concept for biologically-based soft robotics.

Machine learning reveals how strongly interacting electrons behave at atomic level

A team of scientists collaborating across theoretical and experimental physics and computer science, have developed and trained a new Machine Learning (ML) technique, to finally understand how electrons behave in important quantum materials.

A new 'golden' age for electronics?

Scientists have created materials that shrink uniformly in all directions when heated under normal everyday conditions, using a cheap and industrially scalable process. This potentially opens up a new paradigm of thermal-expansion control that will make electronic devices more resilient to temperature changes.

Branching out: Making graphene from gum trees

Researchers have developed a cost-effective and eco-friendly way of producing graphene using one of Australia's most abundant resources, eucalyptus trees.

A wearable vibration sensor for accurate voice recognition

Scientists have developed a flexible and wearable vibration responsive sensor. When this sensor is attached to a neck, it can precisely recognize voice through vibration of the neck skin and is not affected by ambient noise or the volume of sound.

New e-tattoo enables accurate, uninterrupted heart monitoring for days

A new wearable technology that is made from stretchy, lightweight material, could make heart health monitoring easier and more accurate.

Discovery of a 'holy grail' with the invention of universal computer memory

A new type of computer memory to solve the digital technology energy crisis has been invented and patented by scientists. The device is the realization of the decades long search for a 'Universal Memory' to replace the $100 billion market for Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) and flash drives. It promises to transform daily life with its ultra-low energy consumption, allowing computers which do not need to boot up and which could sleep between key strokes.

Small currents for big gains in spintronics

A new low-power magnetic switching component could aid spintronic devices.

Semi-liquid metal anode for next-generation batteries

Researchers have developed a semiliquid lithium metal-based anode that represents a new paradigm in battery design. Lithium batteries made using this new electrode type could have a higher capacity and be much safer than typical lithium metal-based batteries that use lithium foil as anode.

Discovery of field-induced pair density wave state in high temperature superconductors

Superconductors are quantum materials that are perfect transmitters of electricity and electronic information. Presently, cuprates are the best candidate for highest temperature superconductivity at ambient pressure, operating at approximately -120 °C. Improving this involves understanding competing phases, one of which has now been identified.

'Sandwich' structure key to thin LSMO films retaining magnetic properties

The oxide ceramic material lanthanum strontium manganite (LSMO) retains its magnetic properties in atomically thin layers if it is 'sandwiched' between two layers of a different ceramic oxide, lanthanum strontium chromium oxide (LSCO).

Plot twist: Straightening single-molecule conductors improves their performance

Researchers have synthesized nanowires made of a single molecule of oligothiophene up to 10 nanometers in length. By forcing the molecular chain to adopt a planar conformation, they were able to significantly enhance its electrical conductivity. The findings have many potential applications for consumer electronics, especially OLED TVs and smartphone screens.

Researchers 'stretch' the ability of 2D materials to change technology

Two-dimensional (2D) materials -- as thin as a single layer of atoms -- have intrigued scientists with their flexibility, elasticity, and unique electronic properties. Now, researchers have combined 2D materials with oxide materials in a new way, using a transistor-scale device platform, to fully explore the capabilities of these changeable 2D materials to transform electronics, optics, computing and a host of other technologies.

Settling the debate: Solving the electronic surface states of samarium hexaboride

Researchers show that samarium hexaboride is a topological insulator, which allows electrons to flow only along its exterior surface. Together with its strong electron correlations, this material has potential to be used in future spintronic quantum devices that utilize the spins of individual electrons.

Probing semiconductor crystals with a sphere of light

Researchers have developed a technique using a hollow sphere to measure the electronic and optical properties of large semiconducting crystals. The approach could lead to energy savings for mass producers of power devices.

Organic electronics: a new semiconductor in the carbon-nitride family

Researchers have explored a new material in the carbon-nitride family. Triazine-based graphitic carbon nitride (TGCN) is a semiconductor that should be highly suitable for applications in optoelectronics.

UV light may illuminate improvements for next generation electronic devices

Scientists have developed a new method to make sure the mechanisms to connect between the two-dimensional layer of atoms and semiconductors are as perfect as possible -- an advance that promises to lead to develop novel optoelectronic devices.

Remaining switched on to silicon-based electronics

It has been assumed that we are approaching the performance limits of silicon-based power electronics. Researchers have now challenged this belief by developing a miniaturized silicon insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) that overcame previous performance limits. Their miniaturized IGBT displayed stable switching at an operating voltage of just 5 V, and the power consumption of its drive circuits was only 10% of that of a traditional IGBT operating at 15 V.

Bioinks to print therapeutics in 3D

A team of researchers has developed an innovative way to print therapeutics in 3D for regenerative medicine.