Materials
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White papers: WITec, Ocean Insight and Photonic Science & Engineering
Explore the latest technology white papers from physics-based industry in instrumentation and measurement, and semiconductors
Nanolubricant makes household fridges more efficient
Adding multi-walled carbon nanotubes to a common refrigerant reduced the power consumption of a domestic fridge by nearly 30%
Research headlines
Read article: Stiffer road surfaces could cut greenhouse-gas emissions
Stiffer road surfaces could cut greenhouse-gas emissions
Carbon nanotubes could reduce road deformation by heavy vehicles
Read article: Quantum dots help preserve historic limestone monuments
Quantum dots help preserve historic limestone monuments
Stonework reinforcement can be monitored using fluorescence
Read article: Light-activated catalysts make nearly perfect water-splitters
Light-activated catalysts make nearly perfect water-splitters
A new model system based on strontium titanate has an external quantum efficiency of 96% for near-ultraviolet light
Read article: From virus spikes to narwhal tusks, physicists discover universal design for stingers
From virus spikes to narwhal tusks, physicists discover universal design for stingers
Study could lead to better artificial spikes
Read article: 5G switching gets a 2D boost
5G switching gets a 2D boost
Components based on atomically thin sheets of boron nitride could find their way into smartphones, mobile systems and Internet of things devices
Read article: Radiation alters ceramic grain boundaries
Radiation alters ceramic grain boundaries
Findings could enhance our understanding of existing ceramic materials and hasten the development of better ones – including in nuclear energy applications
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: Contraceptive hydrogel proves safe in rats
Contraceptive hydrogel proves safe in rats
Biodegradable hydrogel could provide a non-hormonal option for female contraception
Read article: Colour-changing probe maps stresses in soft materials
Colour-changing probe maps stresses in soft materials
New device builds up a quantitative picture of internal forces in a structure
Read article: Quantum dot solar cells get greener
Quantum dot solar cells get greener
New devices are toxic-element-free and defect-tolerant
Read article: Cellular nanosponges could neutralize SARS-CoV-2
Cellular nanosponges could neutralize SARS-CoV-2
Newly developed cellular nanosponges reduce the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 by binding to its receptors before the virus can attack human cells
Read article: ‘Magic-angle’ graphene doubles up
‘Magic-angle’ graphene doubles up
New platform could be used to investigate high-temperature superconductivity and correlated quantum phases
Read article: Scanning tunnelling microscopy images intramolecular details
Scanning tunnelling microscopy images intramolecular details
New high-resolution technique could make for a new analytical tool
Read article: Metasurface laser produces super-twisted light
Metasurface laser produces super-twisted light
New device could act as an “optical spanner” or wrench to control physical objects
Read article: Graphene-based strain sensor can detect a feather’s touch
Graphene-based strain sensor can detect a feather’s touch
Nanomaterials in highly flexible polymer can make a wide range of strain measurements
Read article: Webinars and white papers: Park Systems, Lake Shore Cryotronics and WITec
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
Read article: Hydrogel helps make self-cooling solar panels
Hydrogel helps make self-cooling solar panels
New technology could be an environmentally friendly way to cool down photovoltaics and other devices
Read article: Supercurrent goes to the edge
Supercurrent goes to the edge
“Topological superconductivity” could come in useful for a host of new applications
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
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 | Conference 11th International Conference on Metamaterials, Photonic Crystals and Plasmonics (META 2020) 20—23 July 2020 | Warsaw, Poland
- Condensed matter | Virtual event CRIM 2020: High Frequency Spintronics 9 September 2020
- Materials | Symposium World Congress on Material Science and Nanotechnology (WCMAN 2020) 14—15 September 2020 | Venice, Italy
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