Graphene gets enhanced by flashing

Scientists who developed the flash Joule heating process to make graphene have found a way to produce doped graphene to customize it for applications.

Researchers find topological phenomena at high, technologically relevant frequencies

A new study describes topological control capabilities in an acoustic system at high technologically relevant frequencies. This work has implications for applications such as 5G communications and quantum information processing.

Simply printing high-performance perovskite-based transistors

A research team develops high performing p-type transistor using perovskite. Solution-processed metal halide perovskite transistors can now be printed.

'Hot' spin quantum bits in silicon transistors

Quantum bits (qubits) are the smallest units of information in a quantum computer. Currently, one of the biggest challenges in developing this kind of powerful computer is scalability. A research group has now made a breakthrough in this area.

Scientists shave ‘hairs’ off nanocrystals to improve their electronic properties

A new study introduces a breakthrough in making nanocrystals function together electronically. The research may open the doors to future devices with new abilities.

New Fermi arcs could provide a new path for electronics

Newly discovered Fermi arcs that can be controlled through magnetism could be the future of electronics based on electron spins. During a recent investigation of the rare-earth monopnictide NdBi (neodymium-bismuth), researchers discovered a new type of Fermi arc that appeared at low temperatures when the material became antiferromagnetic, i.e., neighboring spins point in opposite directions.

Light derails electrons through graphene

Researchers have experimentally caused electrons to bend in bilayer graphene with the use of light. The way electrons flow in materials determine its electronic properties. For example, when a voltage is sustained across a conducting material, electrons start flowing, generating an electrical current. These electrons are often thought to flow in straight paths, moving along the electric field, much like a ball rolling down a hill. Yet these are not the only trajectories electrons can take: when a magnetic field is applied, the electrons no longer travel in straight paths along the electric field, but in fact, they bend. The bent electronic flows lead to transverse signals called 'Hall' responses.

Photonic technology enables real-time calculation of radio signal correlation

Researchers have developed a new analog photonic correlator that can be used to locate an object transmitting a radio signal. They demonstrated its ability to identify the location of a radio frequency transmitter, working faster than other methods. The device is considerably simpler than today's analog or digital correlators and uses off-the-shelf telecommunications components to process a wide range of radio frequency signals in cell phones, signal jammers, and more.

Fermi Arcs in an Antiferromagnet detected at BESSY II

Researchers have analyzed samples of NdBi crystals which display interesting magnetic properties. In their experiments including measurements at BESSY II they could find evidence for so called Fermi arcs in the antiferromagnetic state of the sample at low temperatures. This observation is not yet explained by existing theoretical ideas and opens up exciting possibilities to make use of these kind of materials for innovative information technologies based on the electron spin rather than the charge.

Don’t underestimate undulating graphene

A theory suggests putting graphene on an undulating surface stresses it enough to create a minute electromagnetic field. The phenomenon could be useful for creating 2D electron optics or valleytronics devices.

Design tweak helps prevent malfunction in yarns designed to store energy

Findings in a recent study could advance the development of 'smart textiles' that would capture energy from the wearer's movements.

Making memory serve correctly: Fixing an inherent problem in next-generation magnetic RAM

SOT-RAM, a promising type of next-generation magnetic memory, could pave the way to ultra-low-power electronics. However, scientists have identified a source of disturbance during the read operation in SOT-RAMs that compromises their reliability. Fortunately, they also found a method to greatly reduce this disturbance by slightly modifying the SOT-RAM structure. Their findings will help make this type of memory faster and more reliable, helping its commercialization for sustainable IoT applications.

Scientists devise new technique to increase chip yield from semiconductor wafer

Scientists have developed a technique to create a highly uniform and scalable semiconductor wafer, paving the way to higher chip yield and more cost-efficient semiconductors.

New strategy for designing thermoelectric materials

Scientists have developed a new approach to the design of thermoelectric materials by constructing a database of electronic structure parameters correlated with materials' thermoelectric conversion properties and by a comprehensive analysis of the database. This approach can be used to develop higher performance thermoelectric materials.

Tiny battery-free devices float in the wind like dandelion seeds

Inspired by how dandelions use the wind to distribute their seeds, a team has developed a tiny sensor-carrying device that can be blown by the wind as it tumbles toward the ground.

Record-breaking, ultrafast devices step to protecting the grid from EMPs

Scientists have announced a tiny, electronic device that can shunt excess electricity within a few billionths of a second while operating at a record-breaking 6,400 volts -- a significant step towards protecting the nation's electric grid from an electromagnetic pulse.

Physicists show how frequencies can easily be multiplied without special circuitry

A new discovery by physicists could make certain components in computers and smartphones obsolete. The team has succeeded in directly converting frequencies to higher ranges in a common magnetic material without the need for additional components. Frequency multiplication is a fundamental process in modern electronics.

A 'zigzag' blueprint for topological electronics

A collaborative study confirms a potential new switching mechanism for a proposed generation of ultra-low energy topological electronics. Based on novel, quantum nanoribbons terminating on 'zigzag' edges, such devices would switch from non-conducting to conducting state, whereby electrical current could flow along topological edge states without wasted dissipation of energy.

New research advances wearable medical sensors

Monitoring vitals and diagnosing ailments can be clunky, painful and inconvenient. But researchers are now working to improve health monitoring by creating wearable sensors that collect data for clinicians while limiting discomfort for patients.

The interplay between topology and magnetism has a bright future

A new review paper on magnetic topological materials introduces the new theoretical concept that interweave magnetism and topology.

Ultrathin films for stretchable and sturdy bioelectronic membranes

Researchers have developed a unique design of ultrathin films for highly flexible yet mechanically robust bioelectronic membranes that could pave the way for diagnostic on-skin sensors that fit precisely over the body's contours and conform to its movements.

Surprising semiconductor properties revealed with innovative new method

Semiconductor experiments reveal a surprising new source of conductivity from oxygen atoms trapped inside the material.