Transferring data with many colors of light simultaneously

Scientists have developed a fast and extremely efficient method for transferring huge amounts of data. The technique uses dozens of frequencies of light to transfer several streams of information over a fiber optic cable simultaneously.

'Electronic skin' from bio-friendly materials can track human vital signs with ultrahigh precision

Researchers have used materials inspired by molecular gastronomy to create smart wearables that surpassed similar devices in terms of strain sensitivity. They integrated graphene into seaweed to create nanocomposite microcapsules for highly tunable and sustainable epidermal electronics. When assembled into networks, the tiny capsules can record muscular, breathing, pulse, and blood pressure measurements in real-time with ultrahigh precision.

Novel metal-organic framework could help advance semiconductors

Researchers have developed a novel two-dimensional electrically conductive metal-organic framework (MOF) that has 10- to 15-times higher conductivity than the parent MOF that lacks such efficient out-of-plane pathways.

'Toggle switch' can help quantum computers cut through the noise

What good is a powerful computer if you can't read its output? Or readily reprogram it to do different jobs? People who design quantum computers face these challenges, and a new device may make them easier to solve.

Nanophotonics: Coupling light and matter

Researchers have developed a metasurface that enables strong coupling effects between light and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs).

Breakthrough innovation could solve temperature issues for source-gated transistors and lead to low-cost flexible displays

Low-cost, flexible displays that use very little energy could be a step closer, thanks to an innovation that solves a problem that has plagued source-gated transistors (SGT).

Combining twistronics with spintronics could be the next giant leap in quantum electronics

Quantum researchers twist double bilayers of an antiferromagnet to demonstrate tunable moiré magnetism.

Nanomaterials: 3D printing of glass without sintering

A new process enables printing of nanometer-scale quartz glass structures directly onto semiconductor chips. A hybrid organic-inorganic polymer resin is used as feedstock material for 3D printing of silicon dioxide. Since the process works without sintering, the required temperatures are significantly lower. Simultaneously, increased resolution enables visible-light nanophotonics.

A novel completely solid rechargeable air battery

Solid-state batteries use solid electrodes and solid electrolytes, unlike the more commonly known lithium-ion batteries, which use liquid electrolytes. Solid-state batteries overcome various challenges associated with liquid-based batteries, such as flammability, limited voltage, unstable reactants, and poor long-term cyclability and strength. Making advances in this field, researchers recently demonstrated an all-solid-state rechargeable air battery composed of a redox-active organic negative electrode and a proton-conductive polymer electrolyte.

Breaking through the limits of stretchable semiconductors with molecular brakes that harness light

A research team develops a highly stretchable and high-performance organic polymer semiconductor.

'Heat highways' could keep electronics cool

As smart electronic devices become smaller and more powerful, they can generate a lot of heat, leading to slower processing times and sudden shutdowns. Now researchers use an electrospinning approach to produce a new nanocomposite film. In tests, the film dissipated heat four times more efficiently than similar materials, showing that it could one day be used to keep electronics cool.

New superconducting diode could improve performance of quantum computers and artificial intelligence

A team has developed a more energy-efficient, tunable superconducting diode -- a promising component for future electronic devices -- that could help scale up quantum computers for industry and improve artificial intelligence systems.

Record 19.31% efficiency with organic solar cells

Researchers have achieved a breakthrough power-conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.31% with organic solar cells (OSCs), also known as polymer solar cells. This remarkable binary OSC efficiency will help enhance applications of these advanced solar energy devices.