Polymers, those versatile materials we often associate with plastics, are stepping into the spotlight of electronics. Researchers have discovered a way to manipulate how spins travel through these materials, paving the way for advanced electronics that function at room temperature. This is a game-changer, as it opens up new possibilities for data processing and stora...
Aluminum has always been a popular choice for making things light and strong. But what if it could be even stronger? That's where single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) come in. These tiny tubes are incredibly strong and have a large surface area, making them perfect for reinforcing materials. The challenge has always been mixing these tubes with aluminum. Old meth...
Scientists have discovered a new way to create special crystals. They mixed two old methods to make this happen. These crystals are unique because they can be magnetic. Three new types were made. One is not magnetic at all. The other two have parts that can be magnetic. One of these is like a 3D puzzle and changes in different ways. The other is like a flat sheet and...
Ceramics made from Y 2 O 3 and MgO are great for handling tough conditions and letting mid-infrared light pass through. But they often have flaws like uneven phases, big grains, and poor distribution. The usual way of making them, called coprecipitation, doesn't work well because Y 3+ and Mg 2+ don't precipitate at the same rate. This leads to weak ceramic...
A group of very smart people from OpenAI and Google Brain decided to start a new company called Periodic Labs. They want to use AI to discover new materials, like super conductors. They got a lot of money, $300 million, from investors to do this. The idea started when two friends, Liam Fedus and Ekin Dogus Cubuk, talked about how AI could help in science. They thoug...
A big problem in chemistry is separating ethane (C2H6) from ethylene (C2H4). These gases are similar, but important for different industries. Scientists have been working on ways to do this better. One approach is using special materials called metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). These are like tiny sponges that can pick out specific molecules. A new study focused on a...
Double perovskites are like the superheroes of solar tech, but they have a kryptonite: disorder in their atomic structure. Two of these heroes, Cs2AgBiCl6 and Cs2AgInCl6, have been under the spotlight. Scientists wanted to understand how these materials behave when their atoms get mixed up. They used fancy computer models to peek into the atomic world. What they fou...
Hydrogels are a big deal in the world of medical tech. They are flexible and play nice with the body. They can be used to track how the body is doing. But there is a catch. Making them strong, stretchy, and conductive is tough. It is like trying to make a rubber band that can also carry electricity and not break easily. A new type of hydrogel has been created. It is...
Zinc oxide is a material that can be tweaked by adding tiny amounts of other elements. This process is called doping. When samarium and silver are added to zinc oxide, interesting things happen. This is not just about mixing stuff together. It is about changing how the material behaves at a tiny level. The goal is to make zinc oxide useful for new kinds of gadgets...
Robots are becoming the future of space exploration. These robots are designed to work together in tough conditions. They can sense their environment and make decisions on their own. This is crucial for exploring harsh places like space. One big challenge is making sure these robots can talk to each other reliably. They need to share information quickly and accurate...