Scientists solve chemical mystery at the interface of biology and technology

Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) allow current to flow in devices like implantable biosensors. But scientists long knew about a quirk of OECTs that no one could explain: When an OECT is switched on, there is a lag before current reaches the desired operational level. When switched off, there is no lag. Current drops immediately. Researchers report that they have discovered the reason for this activation lag, and in the process are paving the way to custom-tailored OECTs for a growing list of applications in biosensing, brain-inspired computation and beyond.

New circuit boards can be repeatedly recycled

Researchers have developed a new PCB that performs on par with traditional materials and can be recycled repeatedly with negligible material loss. Researchers used a solvent that transforms a type of vitrimer -- a cutting-edge class of polymer -- into a jelly-like substance without damage, allowing solid components to be plucked out for reuse or recycling. With these 'vPCBs' (vitrimer printed circuit boards), researchers recovered 98% of the vitrimer and 100% of the glass fiber.

Professor resolves two decades of oxide semiconductor challenges

Successful development of high-performance amorphous P-type oxide semiconductor using tellurium-selenium composite oxide.

Key to efficient and stable organic solar cells

A team of researchers has made a significant breakthrough in the field of organic photovoltaics.

Opening up the potential of thin-film electronics for flexible chip design

The mass production of conventional silicon chips relies on a successful business model with large 'semiconductor fabrication plants' or 'foundries'. New research by shows that this 'foundry' model can also be applied to the field of flexible, thin-film electronics.

Rubber-like stretchable energy storage device fabricated with laser precision

Scientists use laser ablation technology to develop a deformable micro-supercapacitor.

Unlocking spin current secrets: A new milestone in spintronics

Using neutron scattering and voltage measurements, a group of researchers have discovered that a material's magnetic properties can predict spin current changes with temperature. The finding is a major breakthrough in the field of spintronics.

Magnetic with a pinch of hydrogen

Magnetic two-dimensional materials consisting of one or a few atomic layers have only recently become known and promise interesting applications, for example for the electronics of the future. So far, however, it has not been possible to control the magnetic states of these materials well enough. A research team is now presenting an innovative idea that could overcome this shortcoming -- by allowing the 2D layer to react with hydrogen.

2D materials rotate light polarization

Physicists have shown that ultra-thin two-dimensional materials such as tungsten diselenide can rotate the polarization of visible light by several degrees at certain wavelengths under small magnetic fields suitable for use on chips.

Development of organic semiconductors featuring ultrafast electrons

Collaboration has led to the successful observation of these ultrafast electrons within conducting two-dimensional polymers.

Novel material supercharges innovation in electrostatic energy storage

Scientists have developed artificial heterostructures made of freestanding 2D and 3D membranes that have an energy density up to 19 times higher than commercially available capacitors.

New colorful plastic films for versatile sensors and electronic displays

Researchers have synthesized triarylborane (TAB) compounds that exhibit unusual optical responses upon binding to certain anions. They also synthesized thin polymer films that incorporate the TAB and retain the sensing as well as the light emission properties of the TAB. This work is an important advance in plastic research and has applications in analyte sensing as well as electronic display technologies.

Machine learning used to create a fabric-based touch sensor

A new fabric-based touch sensor used machine learning to control mobile apps, video games and other devices while integrated into clothing.

'Surprising' hidden activity of semiconductor material spotted by researchers

New research suggests that materials commonly overlooked in computer chip design actually play an important role in information processing, a discovery which could lead to faster and more efficient electronics. Using advanced imaging techniques, an international team found that the material that a semiconductor chip device is built on, called the substrate, responds to changes in electricity much like the semiconductor on top of it.

Breakthrough for next-generation digital displays

Researchers have developed a digital display screen where the LEDs themselves react to touch, light, fingerprints and the user's pulse, among other things. Their results could be the start of a whole new generation of displays for phones, computers and tablets.

Progress in quantum physics: Researchers tame superconductors

An international team including researchers from the University of W rzburg has succeeded in creating a special state of superconductivity. This discovery could advance the development of quantum computers.

Micro-Lisa! Making a mark with novel nano-scale laser writing

High-power lasers are often used to modify polymer surfaces to make high-tech biomedical products, electronics and data storage components. Now researchers have discovered a light-responsive, inexpensive sulfur-derived polymer is receptive to low power, visible light lasers -- promising a more affordable and safer production method in nanotech, chemical science and patterning surfaces in biological applications.

Physics-based predictive tool will speed up battery and superconductor research

Researchers have developed physics-based guidelines that will benefit host-guest intercalated materials research. By using only two guest properties and eight host-derived descriptors, they correctly predicted the intercalation energies and stabilities of many host-guest systems. This work is an important advance that will minimize the extensive trial-and-error laboratory work that otherwise slows down research and development in battery and superconductor technologies.