Novel 3D printing method to fabricate complex metal-plastic composite structures

In recent years, research interest in the 3D printing of metal patterns on plastic parts has grown exponentially, due to its high potential in the manufacturing of next-generation electronics. But fabricating such complex parts through conventional means is not easy. Now, researchers have developed a new 3D printing process for the fabrication of 3D metal-plastic composite structures with complex shapes.

Researchers introduce an energy-efficient method to enhance thermal conductivity of polymer composites

Thermally conductive polymer composites consist of fillers oriented in certain directions that form pathways for heat flow. However, conventional methods to control the orientation of these fillers are energy-intensive and require surface modifications that can deteriorate the quality and properties of these materials. Now, researchers have developed an energy-efficient method to control the orientation of the fillers without the need for surface modification, resulting in improvement in thermal conductivity.

High-performance and compact vibration energy harvester created for self-charging wearable devices

A research team has developed a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) piezoelectric vibration energy harvester, which is only about 2 cm in diameter with a U-shaped metal vibration amplification component. The device allows for an increase of approximately 90 times in the power generation performance from impulsive vibration. Since the power generation performance can be improved without increasing the device size, the technology is expected to generate power to drive small wearable devices from non-steady vibrations, such as walking motion.

Breaking the scaling limits of analog computing

A new technique greatly reduces the error in an optical neural network, which uses light to process data instead of electrical signals. With their technique, the larger an optical neural network becomes, the lower the error in its computations. This could enable them to scale these devices up so they would be large enough for commercial uses.

Explainable AI-based physical theory for advanced materials design

Microscopic image data is key to developing low-power, high-speed electronic devices. However, the complex interactions in nanoscale magnetic materials are difficult to understand. A research group has now realized a new functional design theory called 'extended Landau free energy model' that combines topology and AI with free energy to automate the interpretation of the microscopic image. This model illustrates the physical mechanism and critical location of magnetization reversal and proposes a device structure with low energy consumption.

The whole in a part: Synchronizing chaos through a narrow slice of spectrum

Engineers have uncovered some intricate effects arising when chaotic systems, which typically generate broad spectra, are coupled by conveying only a narrow range of frequencies from one to another. The synchronization of chaotic oscillators, such as electronic circuits, continues to attract considerable fascination due to the richness of the complex behaviors that can emerge. Recently, hypothetical applications in distributed sensing have been envisaged, however, wireless couplings are only practical over narrow frequency intervals. The proposed research shows that, even under such constraints, chaos synchronization can occur and give rise to phenomena that could one day be leveraged to realize useful operations over ensembles of distant nodes.

Sweet new way to print microchip patterns on curvy surfaces

Regular table sugar can help to deposit microchips on new and unconventional surfaces, a researcher has shown in a new article.

Teaching photonic chips to 'learn'

A multi-institution research team has developed an optical chip that can train machine learning hardware.

Researchers develop a novel integration scheme for efficient coupling between III-V and silicon

Researchers have recently developed a novel integration scheme for efficient coupling between III-V compound semiconductor devices and silicon components on silicon photonics (Si-photonics) platform by selective direct epitaxy1, unlocking the potential of integrating energy-efficient photonics with cost-effective electronics, as well as enabling the next generation telecommunications with low cost, high speed and large capacity.

How '2D' materials expand

Researchers developed a technique to effectively measure the thermal expansion coefficient of two-dimensional materials. With this information, engineers could more effectively and efficiently use these atomically-thin materials to develop next-generation electronic devices that can perform better and run faster than those built with conventional materials.

Development of an easy-to-synthesize self-healing gel composed of entangled ultrahigh molecular weight polymers

A research team has developed a method for easily synthesizing a self-healing polymer gel made of ultrahigh molecular weight polymers (polymers with a molecular weight greater than 106 g/mol) and non-volatile ionic liquids. This recyclable and self-healable polymer gel is compatible with circular economy principles. In addition, it may potentially be used as a durable, ionically conductive material for flexible IoT devices.

Hindrance of semiconductor process -- static -- solved with the sole of a shoe

Researchers have developed a static prevention technology using a triboelectric nanogenerator. The findings of this study facilitate improved and more efficient static prevention with commercialization potential by expanding the application range of triboelectric nanogenerators.

A chemical reaction as good as gold

A new study finds gold atoms could be key to unlocking organic (carbon-based) reactions, potential building blocks in constructing materials with electronic properties useful in energy-efficient future technologies. Atomic-scale materials control revealed that the addition of a single gold atom allowed controlled reactions of the target organic molecules.

Putting the brakes on lithium-ion batteries to prevent fires

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are used to power everything from smart watches to electric vehicles, thanks to the large amounts of energy they can store in small spaces. When overheated, however, they're prone to catching fire or even exploding. But recent research offers a possible solution with a new technology that can swiftly put the brakes on a Li-ion battery, shutting it down when it gets too hot.

Novel nanowire fabrication technique paves way for next generation spintronics

The challenge of fabricating nanowires directly on silicon substrates for the creation of the next generation of electronics has finally been solved. Next generation spintronics will lead to better memory storage mechanisms in computers, making them faster and more efficient.

Magnetism or no magnetism? The influence of substrates on electronic interactions

A new study illustrates how substrates affect electronic interactions in 2D metal-organic frameworks. With electronic properties tuneable by electrical charge, mechanical strain, and hybridization, such structures can be 'switched' off and on, allowing potential applications in future energy-efficient electronics.

Researchers develop superfast new method to manufacture high-performance thermoelectric devices

Aerospace and mechanical engineers have developed a machine-learning assisted superfast new way to create high-performance, energy-saving thermoelectric devices.

Faster and more efficient computer chips thanks to germanium

Our current chip technology is largely based on silicon -- even though different materials such as silicon-germanium would have decisive advantages. The problem is that it is very hard to create clean contacts between silicon-germanium an metal. A new method has been found to create such contacts.

Plant fibers for sustainable devices

Plant-derived materials such as cellulose often exhibit thermally insulating properties. A new material made from nanoscale cellulose fibers shows the reverse, high thermal conductivity. This makes it useful in areas previously dominated by synthetic polymer materials. Materials based on cellulose have environmental benefits over polymers, so research on this could lead to greener technological applications where thermal conductivity is needed.

New material will make locally flexible diodes possible

Diodes allow directed flows of current. Without them, modern electronics would be inconceivable. Until now, they had to be made out of two materials with different characteristics. A research team has now discovered a material that makes it possible to create a diode with a simple change in temperature.

Magnetic molecules on surfaces: Advances and challenges in molecular nanoscience

In the field of molecular magnetism, the design of devices with technological applications at the nanoscale --quantum computing, molecular spintronics, magnetic cooling, nanomedicine, high-density information storage, etc.-- requires those magnetic molecules that are placed on the surface to preserve their structure, functionality and properties. Now, an article analyses the most updated knowledge on the processes of deposition and organization of magnetic molecules on surfaces (nanostructuring), a determining process for the progress of technologies that involve a miniaturization of engines and a more efficient functioning in nanometric dimensions.

Quantum dots form ordered material

Quantum dots are clusters of some 1,000 atoms which act as one large 'super-atom'. It is possible to accurately design the electronic properties of these dots just by changing their size. A team has succeeded in making a highly conductive optoelectronic metamaterial through self-organization.