Materials
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Webinars and white papers: Park Systems, Lake Shore Cryotronics and WITec
Explore the latest technology white paper and webinars from physics-based industry in instrumentation and measurement, and materials science
Hydrogel helps make self-cooling solar panels
New technology could be an environmentally-friendly way to cool down photovoltaics and other devices
Research headlines
Read article: ‘Twistronics for photons’ brings tunable diffraction-free light rays
‘Twistronics for photons’ brings tunable diffraction-free light rays
Experiments reveal a photonic analogue for electron superconductivity in twisted bilayer graphene
Read article: Ultraporous metal-organic frameworks could make clean energy carriers
Ultraporous metal-organic frameworks could make clean energy carriers
The materials can store large amounts of hydrogen and methane in their nanoscopic pores
Read article: Electric fields control spintronics devices
Electric fields control spintronics devices
New low-power technique detects the spin of electrons in a non-volatile way that does not require ferromagnets
Read article: Thermogalvanic hydrogel cools down electronic devices
Thermogalvanic hydrogel cools down electronic devices
Material also recovers waste heat and converts it into electricity
Read article: Machine learning teases out differences in high-pressure ice phases
Machine learning teases out differences in high-pressure ice phases
Findings will be important for planetary science as well as condensed-matter physics
Read article: Cyanobacteria and nanomaterials give solar cell a boost
Cyanobacteria and nanomaterials give solar cell a boost
Photosynthesizing micro-organisms are at the heart of a new biophotovoltaic cell
Materials on film
Congratulations to John Goodenough, Stanley Whittingham and Akira Yoshino for the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Sealed cell improves oxide-peroxide conversion in lithium-ion battery
New work could help advance battery research for engineering next-generation high-energy-density technologies
Pioneers of physical cosmology, exoplanets and lithium-ion batteries bag Nobel prizes
This week’s podcast is devoted to the big news from Stockholm
Multilayer design makes conducting stretchable batteries
Conductors that stay conducting even when stretched by 300% in any direction could find use in a new generation of deformable and wearable electronic devices
Beyond the lithium-ion battery
Engineering a sustainable, electrified future means developing materials with properties that surpass those found in current technologies
Energy storage technologies vie for investment
Ideas abound for alternative energy storage technologies, but investment remains key for real-world change
Industries join forces to power up electric vehicles
The UK plans to secure battery manufacture from mine to motor, bringing a projected £4.8 billion to the chemical industry by 2030
Battle of the elements: lithium is the little element making a big difference
Margaret Harris observes that lithium not only offers a playground for atomic physicists, but also provides a route to greener energy and a life-changing treatment for peop...
Latest articles in materials science
Read article: High-quality graphene foams are made from organic waste
High-quality graphene foams are made from organic waste
Process is cheap and more environmentally friendly, say researchers
Read article: Randomized measurements reveal topological quantum states
Randomized measurements reveal topological quantum states
Researchers develop "recipe" for identifying topological invariants in the laboratory
Read article: Saving The Scream
Saving The Scream
Non-invasive spectroscopy and synchrotron radiation X-ray techniques shed light on the chemical degradation of paints in Munch’s masterpiece
Read article: Anyons bunch together in a 2D conductor
Anyons bunch together in a 2D conductor
Observations will be important for fundamental physics studies and may also aid the development of more robust quantum computers
Read article: Graphene quantum dots could treat autoimmune disorders
Graphene quantum dots could treat autoimmune disorders
Study in mice reveals that graphene quantum dots could provide a therapy for the inflammatory bowel disease ulcerative colitis
Read article: Tipsy sludge worms simulate active polymers
Tipsy sludge worms simulate active polymers
Worms’ viscosity is controlled using temperature and alcohol
Read article: Nano-optomechanical resonator detects low-frequency bacteria vibrations
Nano-optomechanical resonator detects low-frequency bacteria vibrations
Spectrometry technique offers a new way to classify biological particles
Read article: New material could be used to make a liquid metal robot
New material could be used to make a liquid metal robot
Crushed material returns to its original shape on heating
Read article: Optical phased array steers blue light
Optical phased array steers blue light
New device could significantly reduce the size of the light projection components employed in many emerging applications
Read article: Shedding light on the interfaces
Shedding light on the interfaces
Joe McEntee talks to surface scientist Karen Syres about striking a balance between teaching and research
Read article: Wearable supercapacitor stores energy using human sweat
Wearable supercapacitor stores energy using human sweat
Device eliminates the need for harmful battery electrolytes
Read article: Colourful bilayer paint can cool buildings by reflecting sunlight
Colourful bilayer paint can cool buildings by reflecting sunlight
Coating comes in a range of colours and could be used in summer clothing
Nanotechnology Briefing
Take a look inside the free-to-read digital edition of Physics World‘s briefing issue on nanotechnology. Covering the latest innovations and commercial developments, this issue explores some of the nanoscale technologies that are set to drive future business growth
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Related events
- Materials | Virtual event 16th International Conference on Structures under Shock and Impact (SUSI 2020) 22—24 June 2020
- Materials | School MetaNano School 6—10 July 2020 | Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Materials | Conference 11th International Conference on Metamaterials, Photonic Crystals and Plasmonics (META 2020) 20—23 July 2020 | Warsaw, Poland
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