Nanotechnology
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May 24 | News
In
quantum physics physical processes in condensed matter and other
many-body systems can often be described with quasiparticles. For the
first time, a team of physicists in Austiri has succeeded in
experimentally realizing a new quasiparticle— a repulsive polaron—in an
ultracold quantum gas.
May 24 | News
The Morgan Crucible Company plc announced the signing of a joint development agreement between its wholly owned subsidiary, MorganAM&T Inc., and Boston-Power Inc. to accelerate development and commercialization of MorganAM&T's advanced anode technologies based on metal-loaded carbon nanoparticles.
May 10 | News
For more than a decade, scientists have tried to improve lithium-based batteries by replacing the graphite in one terminal with silicon, which can store 10 times more charge. But after just a few charge/discharge cycles, the silicon structure would crack and crumble, rendering the battery useless. Now a team led by materials scientist has found a solution: a cleverly designed double-walled nanostructure that lasts more than 6,000 cycles, far more than needed by electric vehicles or mobile electronics.
May 10 | News
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) at infrared wavelengths are the magic
behind
such things as night vision and optical communications. Cornell
University researchers
have advanced the process of making such LEDs cheaper and easier to
fabricate,
which could lead to ultrathin LEDs painted onto silicon to replace
computer
wiring with light waves.
May 9 | News
A
detailed description of development of the first practical device that
mimics the process of photosynthesis has recently been published in an
American Chemical Society journal. Unlike earlier devices, which used
costly ingredients, the new device is made from inexpensive materials
and employs low-cost engineering and manufacturing processes.
May 9 | News
Hydrogen gas offers one of the most promising sustainable energy alternatives to limited fossil fuels. But traditional methods of producing pure hydrogen face significant challenges in unlocking its full potential. Now, scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed a new electrocatalyst that addresses one of these problems by generating hydrogen gas from water cleanly and with much more affordable materials.
Apr 27 | News
Taking
their cue from the humble leaf, researchers have used microscopic folds
on the surface of photovoltaic material to significantly increase the
power output of flexible, low-cost solar cells. Though the work by
Princeton University researchers involved plastic-based cells that are
not yet in widespread use, they reported a substantial increase in
electricity generation through channeling of light waves.
Apr 26 | News
Scientists at the University of Southern California have developed a potential pathway to cheap, stable solar cells made from nanocrystals so small they can exist as a liquid ink and be painted or printed onto clear surfaces.
Apr 26 | News
Silicon
germanium (SiGe) has been valued for its performance in
high-temperature thermoelectric applications, but its low-temperature
performance and high cost have prevented broader applications. By
altering the design of bulk SiGe with a process borrowed from the
thin-film semiconductor industry, however, researchers have
substantially increased its electrical conductivity.
Apr 20 | News
Theoretically,
a solar cell can achieve 33.5% efficiency under ideal conditions, but
until now researchers had hit only 26%. This past year, a company called
Alta Devices acted on the theory that emission and voltage go
hand-in-hand by creating solar cell that acts like a light-emitting
diode. Its prototype broke the record, achieving 28.3% efficiency.
