Scientists induce artificial 'magnetic texture' in graphene

Graphene is not magnetic -- a shortcoming that has stunted its usefulness in spintronics, an emerging field that could rewrite the rules of electronics, leading to more powerful semiconductors and computers. Researchers report an advancement to overcome this obstacle. They describe pairing a magnet with graphene, and inducing what they call 'artificial magnetic texture' in the nonmagnetic wonder material.

Data transfer system connects silicon chips with a hair's-width cable

Researchers developed a data transfer link that's slimmer, more energy efficient, and faster than alternatives like USB or fiber optics. The advance could cut energy budgets at data centers and lighten the load for electronics-rich aircraft.

Materials scientists show way to make durable artificial tendons from improved hydrogels

Materials scientists and their colleagues have developed a new method to make synthetic biomaterials that mimic the internal structure, stretchiness, strength and durability of tendons and other biological tissues.

Light-emitting tattoo engineered

The technology, which uses organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), is applied in the same way as water transfer tattoos. That is, the OLEDs are fabricated on to temporary tattoo paper and transferred to a new surface by being pressed on to it and dabbed with water.

An intelligent soft material that curls under pressure or expands when stretched

Plants and animals can rapidly respond to changes in their environment, such as a Venus flytrap snapping shut when a fly touches it. However, replicating similar actions in soft robots requires complex mechanics and sensors. Now, researchers reporting have printed liquid metal circuits onto a single piece of soft polymer, creating an intelligent material that curls under pressure or mechanical strain.

Fabricating the future with a new environment friendly method of polymerization

The current use of metal catalysts to develop polymers leads to suboptimal quality polymers that contain metallic impurities and involves a reaction process that is not environment friendly. Now, scientists have successfully demonstrated the room temperature formation of vinyl and styrene polymers -- two most abundantly found polymers in plastics -- using non-ionic, non-metallic organocatalysts, which pave the way for a low cost, environment friendly, efficient polymer-driven future.

Molecular bridges power up printed electronics

Researchers have boosted the efficiency of conductive inks and devices connecting layered materials flakes with small molecules.

Pushing computing to the edge by rethinking microchips' design

Responding to artificial intelligence's exploding demands on computer networks, researchers in recent years have radically increased the speed and slashed the energy use of specialized AI systems. Now, the researchers have moved their innovation closer to widespread use by creating co-designed hardware and software that will allow designers to blend these new types of systems into their applications.

Spintronics: New production method makes crystalline microstructures universally usable

New storage and information technology requires new higher performance materials. One of these materials is yttrium iron garnet, which has special magnetic properties. Thanks to a new process, it can now be transferred to any material. Developed by physicists, the method could advance the production of smaller, faster and more energy-efficient components for data storage and information processing.

This robot doesn't need any electronics

Engineers have created a four-legged soft robot that doesn't need any electronics to work. The robot only needs a constant source of pressurized air for all its functions, including its controls and locomotion systems.

A sharper look at the interior of semiconductors

A research team has developed a high-resolution imaging method based on extreme short-wave UV light. It can be used to examine internal structures in semiconductors non-destructively, and with nanometer precision.

Luminescent windows generate energy from inside and out

Engineers design and build windowpanes that redirect sunlight or illumination from indoors to edge-band solar cells.

Graphene 'nano-origami' creates tiniest microchips yet

Experimental physicists have developed the smallest microchips ever - 100 times smaller than conventional microchips. They believe that this next generation of microchips could lead to computers and phones running thousands of times faster.

Kagome graphene promises exciting properties

For the first time, physicists have produced a graphene compound consisting of carbon atoms and a small number of nitrogen atoms in a regular grid of hexagons and triangles. This honeycomb-structured ''kagome lattice'' behaves as a semiconductor and may also have unusual electrical properties. In the future, it could potentially be used in electronic sensors or quantum computers.

New skin patch brings us closer to wearable, all-in-one health monitor

Engineers have developed a soft, stretchy skin patch that can be worn on the neck to continuously track blood pressure and heart rate while measuring the wearer's levels of glucose as well as lactate, alcohol or caffeine. It is the first wearable device that monitors cardiovascular signals and multiple biochemical levels in the human body at the same time.

Nanowire could provide a stable, easy-to-make superconducting transistor

Researchers developed a superconducting nanowire that could enable efficient, easy-to-make electronics. The advance could boost quantum computing, as well as magnetic sensors for applications in brain imaging and telescopes.

Vibrating 2D materials

Two-dimensional materials hold out hope for many technical applications. An international research team now has determined for the first time how strongly 2D materials vibrate when electronically excited with light.

The future of solar technology: New technology makes foldable cells a practical reality

International research team creates solar cells with unprecedented flexibility and resistance.

A scalable method for the large-area integration of 2D materials

Researchers report a new method to integrate graphene and 2D materials into semiconductor manufacturing lines, a milestone for the recently launched 2D-EPL project.

New wearable device turns the body into a battery

A team of engineers has developed a new device that you can wear like a ring or bracelet and that harvests energy from your own body heat.

Silicon chip provides low cost solution to help machines see the world clearly

Researchers have developed the first compact 3D LiDAR imaging system that can match and exceed the performance and accuracy of most advanced, mechanical systems currently used.

3D printing polymers

Researchers have developed the first 3D-printable 'bottlebrush' elastomer. The new material results in printed objects that have unusual softness and elasticity -- mechanical properties that closely resemble those of human tissue.

A magnetic twist to graphene

By combining ferromagnets and two rotated layers of graphene, researchers open up a new platform for strongly interacting states using graphene's unique quantum degree of freedom.

New way to power up nanomaterials for electronic applications

Materials scientists have discovered that perovskites, a class of promising materials that could be used for low-cost, high-performance solar cells and LEDs, have a previously unutilized molecular component that can further tune the electronic property of perovskites.

Imaging technique provides link to innovative products

A study announces the successful use of a new nanoimaging technique that will allow researchers to test and identify two-dimensional materials.

New quantum receiver the first to detect entire radio frequency spectrum

A new quantum sensor can analyze the full spectrum of radio frequency and real-world signals, unleashing new potentials for soldier communications, spectrum awareness and electronic warfare.

Switching nanolight on and off

The report demonstrates a new method to control the flow of light of nanolight. Optical manipulation on the nanoscale, or nanophotonics, has become a critical area of interest as researchers seek ways to meet the increasing demand for technologies that go well beyond what is possible with conventional photonics and electronics.

New piezoelectric material remains effective to high temperatures

Piezoelectric materials hold great promise as sensors and as energy harvesters but are normally much less effective at high temperatures, limiting their use in environments such as engines or space exploration. However, a new piezoelectric device remains highly effective at elevated temperatures.

Load-reducing backpack powers electronics by harvesting energy from walking

Hikers, soldiers and school children all know the burden of a heavy backpack. But now, researchers have developed a prototype that not only makes loads feel about 20% lighter, but also harvests energy from human movements to power small electronics. The new backpack could be especially useful for athletes, explorers and disaster rescuers who work in remote areas without electricity, the researchers say.

Why food sticks to nonstick frying pans

Foods will sometimes get stuck to a heated surface, even if oil or a nonstick frying pan is used. Scientists have investigated the fluid properties of oil on a flat surface and their work shows convection may be to blame. When the pan is heated from below, a temperature gradient is established in the oil film, as well as a surface tension gradient. This gradient sets up a type of convection known as thermocapillary convection.

Researchers create novel photonic chip

Researchers have developed and demonstrated for the first time a photonic digital to analog converter without leaving the optical domain. Such novel converters can advance next-generation data processing hardware with high relevance for data centers, 6G networks, artificial intelligence and more.

Beyond qubits: Next big step to scale up quantum computing

Researchers have invented a device that operates at 40 times colder than deep space to directly control thousands of qubits, the building blocks of quantum computers.