Tag Archives: materials

Revolutionary Quantum Simulator Breaks Records, Paving the Way for New Materials Discovery

Posted on by
Reply

Quantum Simulation of Qubits

Artist Representation of Qubits in the Quantum Twins Simulator

Silicon Quantum Computing

A groundbreaking large-scale quantum simulator has the potential to unveil the mechanisms of exotic quantum materials and pave the way for their optimization in future applications.

Quantum computers are set to leverage unique quantum phenomena to perform calculations that are currently unmanageable for even the most advanced classical computers. Similarly, quantum simulators can aid researchers in accurately modeling materials and molecules that remain poorly understood.

This holds particularly true for superconductors, which conduct electricity with remarkable efficiency. The efficiency of superconductors arises from quantum effects, making it feasible to implement their properties directly in quantum simulators, unlike classical devices that necessitate extensive mathematical transformations.

Michelle Simmons and her team at Australia’s Silicon Quantum Computing have successfully developed the largest quantum simulator to date, known as Quantum Twin. “The scale and precision we’ve achieved with these simulators empower us to address intriguing challenges,” Simmons states. “We are pioneering new materials by crafting them atom by atom.”

The researchers designed multiple simulators by embedding phosphorus atoms into silicon chips. Each atom acts as a quantum bit (qubit), the fundamental component of quantum computers and simulators. The team meticulously configured the qubits into grids that replicate the atomic arrangement found in real materials. Each iteration of the Quantum Twin consisted of a square grid containing 15,000 qubits, surpassing any previous quantum simulator in scale. While similar configurations have been built using thousands of cryogenic atoms in the past, Quantum Twin breaks new ground.

By integrating electronic components into each chip via a precise patterning process, the researchers managed to control the electron properties within the chips. This emulates the electron behavior within simulated materials, crucial for understanding electrical flow. Researchers can manipulate the ease of adding an electron at specific grid points or the “hop” between two points.

Simmons noted that while conventional computers struggle with large two-dimensional simulations and complex electron property combinations, the Quantum Twin simulator shows significant potential for these scenarios. The team tested the chip by simulating the transition between conductive and insulating states—a critical mathematical model explaining how impurities in materials influence electrical conductivity. Additionally, they recorded the material’s “Hall coefficient” across different temperatures to assess its behavior in magnetic fields.

With its impressive size and variable control, the Quantum Twins simulator is poised to tackle unconventional superconductors. While conventional superconductors function well at low temperatures or under extreme pressure, some can operate under milder conditions. Achieving a deeper understanding of superconductors at ambient temperature and pressure is essential—knowledge that quantum simulators are expected to furnish in the future.

Moreover, Quantum Twins can also facilitate the investigation of interfaces between various metals and polyacetylene-like molecules, holding promise for advancements in drug development and artificial photosynthesis technologies, Simmons highlights.

Topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Despite Our Digital Age, Materials Remain Essential

Posted on by
Reply
CGI representation of superconducting crystal LK99, showcasing its ideal shape and color, a dark blue copper-doped lead acid apatite, levitating on a magnet. ShutterStock ID 2442898429; Order Form: -; Job: -; Client: -; Other: -

Shutterstock/Javierlizarazo

In today’s world, our existence is intertwined with the digital realm. From finance to culture, news to gossip, everything thrives online. The rise of Generated Artificial Intelligence is a significant narrative, yet can you identify its physical origins? The tangible world seems absent.

Nevertheless, we inhabit a material world. Our infrastructure is dependent on materials like steel, lithium, and cobalt, all essential for powering vehicles. Though these materials may lack allure, they significantly influence our lifestyle and global events.

We could soon witness a transformative breakthrough: a revolutionary perspective on materials. History has shown us that the potential outcomes are monumental. Back in the late 1920s, groundbreaking advancements in materials science unveiled how electrons fill specific energy levels and the gaps between them, paving the path for transistors, the fundamental building blocks of modern computer hardware, including the chips that drive AI.

Research has long suggested that materials possess more than just straightforward energy bands. They may also contain intricate, undulating quantum topographies that dictate their properties. This quantum landscape is now visualized for the first time, as indicated in the cover article (see “Glimpse of a Secret Quantum Landscape in All Issues”).

“
Materials may have subtle, undulating quantum topography
“

This profound exploration could lead to breakthroughs as significant as the advent of transistors. For instance, one of my aspirations is discovering a material that can conduct electricity without resistance at room temperature.

Identifying such superconductors could minimize electricity loss, yielding tremendous advantages for green energy and mitigating climate change, among others.

Furthermore, this research may unveil entirely new types of materials that we have yet to envision. Rather than distancing ourselves from the material world, we might be on the verge of broadening our understanding.

Topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

FDA Warns Walmart Shrimp May Have Been Exposed to Radioactive Materials

Posted on by
Reply

The Food and Drug Administration announced on Tuesday that consumers should refrain from purchasing certain frozen shrimp available at Walmart due to potential contamination with radioactive materials.

According to health officials in a recent news release, the Indonesian company involved is Pt. Indonesia’s Bahari McMur Sejati, commonly referred to as BMS Food.

A variety of raw frozen shrimp products processed by Indonesian firms can be found in Walmart locations across 13 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia, as stated by the FDA.

The affected product includes Walmart’s “Great Value Brand Frozen Shrimp,” according to the health agency.

“If you have recently bought fresh frozen shrimp from Walmart that fits this description, please dispose of it,” the FDA advised. “Do not consume or serve this product.”

Health officials recommend that individuals speak with health care providers if they suspect they have been exposed to heightened levels of contaminants.

Both Pt. Bahari Makmur Sejati and Walmart did not respond promptly to requests for comments.

CS-137 is a radioactive isotope of cesium, a soft, pliable silver-white metal utilized in medical devices and gauges that liquefies at room temperature. As noted by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Repeated low-dose exposure to CS-137 “may raise the risk of cancer due to damage to DNA within living cells,” health officials stated in the news release.

The FDA mentioned that the US Customs and Border Patrol had alerted health agencies regarding the detection of CS-137 in shipping containers at ports in Los Angeles, Houston, Miami, and Savannah, Georgia. All containers that tested positive for CS-137 were denied entry into the country.

Health officials further noted that CS-137 was not found in products exceeding current Derived Intervention Levels for CS-137, set at 1200 BQ/kg.

However, the FDA stated, “The detected levels in the breaded shrimp samples could pose potential health risks.”

Matt Raviet

Matt Lavietes is a reporter for NBC News.

Austin Maren I contributed.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

What Materials Comprise a Super Earth?

Posted on by
Reply

Astronomers affectionately name planets discovered around other stars after those in our solar system. For instance, the sun is referred to when a giant gas giant orbits a star, known as a Hot Jupiter. On the other hand, planets that are massive icy and gaseous entities located further from their star system are called Cold Neptune. Scientists have a keen interest in exoplanets that are several times larger than Earth, referred to as Super Earth.

Super Earths do not necessarily bear a resemblance to our planet. They do not have to reside in the habitable zone of their respective planetary systems, nor must they support life similar to Earth. Rather, they are defined by their dimensions; these super-Earths are larger than our planet yet smaller than Neptune, which is the smallest gas giant in our solar system. They can generally be rocky or icy, but may also possess gaseous characteristics.

In 2020, a group of scientists observed a star, dubbed TOI512, which is roughly twice as old and massive as our sun and appears slightly red. Their observations were conducted using the TESS satellite, which indicated that it contained two exoplanets. TESS works by monitoring selected stars over extended periods to analyze variations in their brightness. Scientists plot this brightness against time, analyzing the light curve to interpret periodic dips in brightness, indicating that an object passes in front of the star. By measuring the time between dips, astronomers can determine how quickly a planet orbits its star and how much light from the star is obscured.

Recently, an international team of scientists argued that TESS’s observations of TOI512 support different interpretations. They confirmed the existence and characteristics of a single Super Earth in the TOI-512 system instead of two exoplanets. Their interpretation of the light curve indicates that the exoplanet is located at approximately 7% the distance the Sun is from Earth. They suggested that regular dips in the TESS data for TOI512 occur about seven days apart, implying that the light blockage corresponds to a super-Earth about 1.5 times the size of our planet.

However, the light curve provides limited information about the exoplanet. To gather more details regarding its mass and composition, scientists examine how it exerts gravitational influence on its host star, observing the effect on the star’s emitted light through radial velocity measurements. They noted that the stronger the gravitational pull on the star, the larger the exoplanet. Consequently, this team followed TESS observations with radial velocity measurements from the ESPRESSO echelle spectrograph for rocky exoplanets.

By combining data from TESS and ESPRESSO, astronomers determined that the exoplanet orbiting TOI512 is approximately 3.6 times the size of Earth, with a similar density and an almost circular orbit. They estimated its surface temperature to be around 1,000 Kelvin, which is 736°C or 1357°F!

The team then modeled the composition of planets with these characteristics using statistical simulation techniques. In their model, scientists posited that the planets consist of four layers of varying sizes, including an outer gas envelope, an iron core, a silicate mantle, and water shells made of hydrogen and helium. They tested the model by generating 5,000 simulated stars that matched the properties of TOI-512, along with 2,000 simulated planets around each star.

Their findings revealed that the model could not replicate the properties of the TOI-512 exoplanet unless it featured a significant amount of surface water and a deep steam atmosphere. They suggested that this discovery challenges previous models of planetary layers, which assumed that rocky planets near stars lose both their atmospheres and water.

They proposed that this contradiction might imply that the planet is still actively shedding water, as earlier researchers have indicated that rocky planets can retain up to 20% of their original water for as long as a billion years. The team concluded that TOI512 is an excellent candidate for follow-up observations to determine if it is a steam planet or a model for future exoplanet studies.


Post view: 547

Source: sciworthy.com

Using fungi-based living materials to create sustainable buildings

Posted on by
Reply

The bacteria Neurospora Crassa formed a scaffold for living construction materials

Wim Van Egmond/Science Photo Library

Fungi and bacteria could one day become part of living building materials that can grow and repair.

When we try to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions, one of the major challenges facing the world is finding more sustainable building materials. Concrete-only production accounts for more than 5% of total human-induced greenhouse gas emissions.

Some researchers want to develop engineered biological materials generated from cells, which have desirable attributes such as self-assembly, repair, and photosynthesis. Many powerful, mineralized structures exist in organisms such as bones and corals.

Chelsea Heberan Montana State University and her colleagues tested whether similar mineralized structures could be created around scaffolds of fungal mycelium. Mycelium is a network of microscopic, branching filaments that make up part of most fungi.

Heberan and her team grew mycelial scaffolds using fungi called Neurospora Crassa, After that, I applied bacteria Sporosarcina pasteurii On the scaffolding.

As fungi and bacteria metabolize urea in the growth medium, they formed a cured structure consisting of calcium carbonate, the same compound found in eggshells and shells.

She says the team drew inspiration from the bones. Bone has biological ninerals formed on scaffolds for collagen and other proteins. “The bones are very strong and tough considering how light it is,” Heberan says.

Although other biological materials created in the lab only lived for a few days, the structure developed by Heberan and her colleagues was viable for at least a month.

“We are excited by the outcome and look forward to engineering more complex and larger structures,” Heberan says. “If survival rates are high enough, we can actually convey persistent biological properties to materials that we care about, such as self-healing, sensing, and environmental repair.”

“Proposing mycelium as a scaffolding medium for living materials is a simple but powerful strategy,” he says. Aysu kuru At the University of Sydney.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Astronomers report powerful winds of materials from central black hole in NGC 4945

Posted on by
Reply

Astronomers using the Muse Instrument with ESO’s extremely large telescope (VLT) detected ultra-large black hole-driven winds with the Burred Spiral Galaxy NGC 4945.

This image shows NGC 4945, a spiral galaxy that exceeds 12 million light-years in the constellation of Centaurus. The super-large black hole-driven wind of the NGC 4945 is shown in red in the inset. Image credits: ESO/Marconcini et al.

NGC 4945 It is more than 12 million light years away from Earth, the constellation of Centaurus.

Otherwise known as the Caldwell 83. That’s what this galaxy was like I discovered it by James Dunlop, the Sottsch astronomer in 1826.

NGC 4945 hosts one of the closest active, ultra-large black holes to Earth.

“At the heart of almost every galaxy, they are very large black holes,” the ESO astronomer explained in a statement.

“Some people are not particularly hungry, as they are in the heart of our own Milky Way.”

“However, the super-large black hole in NGC 4945 is greedy and consumes a huge amount of problems.”

Astronomers have studied the ultra-high Massive black holes of the NGC 4945 using the Muse Instrument, an ESO’s extremely large telescope (VLT).

“Contrary to the all-consuming reputation typical of black holes, this messy eater is blowing away the powerful winds of ingredients,” they said.

“This cone-shaped wind is shown in red in the inset and is covered in a wider image taken with La Silla’s MPG/ESO telescope.”

“In fact, this wind moves so fast that it completely escapes the galaxy, giving in to space in intergalactic space.”

“This is part of a new study measuring how the wind moves in several nearby galaxies,” they added.

“Muse’s observations show that these incredibly fast winds show strange behavior. They actually speed up far from the central black hole, and accelerate even further on their journey to the outskirts of the galaxy.”

“This process suggests that black holes control the fate of the host galaxy by ejecting potential star-forming material from the galaxy and attenuating the star’s fertility.”

“It also shows that more powerful black holes can hamper their own growth by removing the gas and dust they feed, bringing the entire system closer to a kind of galactic equilibrium.”

“Now, these new results bring us one step closer to understanding the mechanisms of wind acceleration that are responsible for galaxy evolution and the history of the universe.”

Survey results It will be displayed in the journal Natural Astronomy.

____

C. Marconcini et al. Evidence of rapid acceleration of AGN-driven winds at the Kiloparsec scale. Nut Athlonreleased on March 31, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41550-025-02518-6

Source: www.sci.news

Eco-friendly plant-based waterproofing materials to replace single-use plastics

Posted on by
Reply

Cups made from transparent paperboard

Noriyuki Isobe (Jamstec)

Waterproof, plant-based materials that break down quickly in the ocean may provide a sustainable alternative to the plastic used in cups and straws.

Transparent paperboard is a molecule that makes up the plant cell wall, like cellophane made from cellulose. Because it is a coagulant chemical used in the production of cellophane, it has previously been impossible to make it harder and limit it to applications such as food packaging.

Noriyuki Isobe At Yokohama and his colleague, Marine Geoscience and Technology Agency, they discovered that cellulose was treated with a solution of lithium bromide, and did not require coagulants.

“We’ve now developed a regenerated cellulose material from this solvent system. This solvent system not only shapes it, but also can serve as a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics,” says Isobe.

Researchers found that cups made of clear paperboard can just hold boiled water without leaking for more than three hours. Adding a coating made from plant-derived fatty acid salts made the cup completely waterproof.

This material can be made from both recycled and upcycled cellulose products such as recovered clothing. Isobe and his colleagues also tested how the material breaks in the ocean, finding that it completely deteriorated in 300 days in the deep sea and deteriorated faster at shallower depths.

Bhavna Middha While Royal Melbourne, Australia says that having a paper-based alternative to plastic is “not a bad thing,” there are some reservations on this approach to tackling the issue of waste.

“I think there should be objections to using single use unless, for example, the medical industry, the use of a single use is really necessary,” she says.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Earth and Mars’ foundational materials were initially abundant in moderately volatile elements.

Posted on by
Reply

A new analysis of the metstones of magmatic iron challenges traditional theories about why Earth and Mars are depleted with moderately volatile elements.

Bendego met stone. Image credit: Jorge Andrade / CC by 2.0.

Medium volatile elements (MVEs) such as copper and zinc play an important role in planetary chemistry with essential elements of life, such as water, carbon, and nitrogen.

Understanding its origins provides important clues as to why the Earth has become a habitable world.

Earth and Mars contain significantly fewer MVEs than primitive metstones (chondrites), raising basic questions about the planetary layer.

This new study employs a new approach by analyzing iron meteorites (the metal core remnants of the earliest planetary building blocks) to reveal new insights.

“We’ve seen a lot of experience in the world,” said Dr. Damanveer Grewal, a researcher at Arizona State University.

“This discovery reconstructs our understanding of how the planet acquired its components.”

Until now, scientists believed that MVE was lost because they were not completely condensed in the early solar system or escaped during planetary differentiation.

However, new research reveals a different story. It is held by many MVEs on the first planet, suggesting that the building blocks of Earth and Mars later lost theirs.

Surprisingly, the authors discovered that many inner solar system planets retain abundance of MVEs like chondrites, and accretion continues despite being differentiated. It indicates that it has been saved.

This was not because Earth and Mars ancestors began to deplete with these elements, but instead occurred in the long history of collision growth, rather than incomplete condensation of solar nebulae or planet differentiation. Suggests that.

“Our work redefines how we understand the chemical evolution of planets,” Dr. Grewal said.

“It shows that the components of Earth and Mars were originally rich in these vital elements, but the intense collisions during the planet’s growth caused depletion.”

study Published in the journal Advances in Science.

____

Damanveer S. Grewal et al. 2025. Enrichment of moderate volatile elements in first-generation planets of the inner solar system. Advances in Science 11 (6); doi:10.1126/sciadv.adq7848

Source: www.sci.news

Researchers use terahertz laser light to magnetize antiferromagnetic materials

Posted on by
Reply

MIT physicists used a terahertz laser, a light source that oscillates more than 1 trillion times per second, to directly stimulate the atoms of an antiferromagnetic material. Their results are attracting attention because they provide new ways to control and switch antiferromagnetic materials and have the potential to advance information processing and memory chip technology.

Iliad others. demonstrated efficient manipulation of the magnetic ground state of layered magnets by a non-thermal route using terahertz light, and observed enhanced variations in order parameters as a promising area for exploring metastable hidden quantum states. The region near the critical point was established. Image credit: Adam Glanzman.

In a common magnet, known as a ferromagnetic material, the spins of the atoms point in the same direction, making the whole magnet susceptible to the influence of an external magnetic field and drawn in that direction.

In contrast, antiferromagnets are composed of atoms with alternating spins, with each atom pointing in the opposite direction from its neighbor.

This top, bottom, top, bottom order basically cancels out the spinout and gives the antiferromagnet a net zero magnetization that is unaffected by magnetic forces.

If memory chips could be made of antiferromagnetic materials, it would be possible to “write'' data into minute regions of the material called domains.

A certain configuration of spin orientation in a particular region (e.g., up-down) represents a classical bit ‘0’, and a different configuration (down-up) means ‘1’. Data written on such chips becomes robust against external magnetic influences.

For this reason, scientists believe that antiferromagnetic materials could provide a more robust alternative to existing magnetic-based storage technologies.

However, a major hurdle has been how to control antiferromagnets in a way that reliably switches the material from one magnetic state to another.

MIT professor Nuh Gedik and his colleagues were able to controllably switch antiferromagnets into new magnetic states using carefully tuned terahertz light.

“Antiferromagnetic materials are robust and unaffected by unwanted stray magnetic fields,” Professor Gedick said.

“But this robustness is also a double-edged sword: their insensitivity to weak magnetic fields makes these materials difficult to control.”

Researchers collaborated with FePS3a material that transitions to an antiferromagnetic phase at a critical temperature of about 118 K.

They thought that by tuning in to the vibrations of atoms, it might be possible to control the transitions of matter.

“You can imagine that any solid material has a periodic arrangement of different atoms, with little springs between them,'' said Dr. Alexander von Hogen of MIT.

“When you pull one atom, it vibrates at a unique frequency that typically occurs in the terahertz range.”

The way atoms vibrate is also related to how their spins interact.

Scientists believe that if they can stimulate atoms with a terahertz source called phonons, which vibrate at the same frequency as the atoms' collective vibrations, the effect will change the spins of the atoms from a perfectly balanced magnetically staggered state. It was inferred that there was a possibility of deviation.

When the balance is disrupted, the atoms have more spin in one direction than the other, creating a preferred orientation that moves the essentially unmagnetized material into a new magnetic state with finite magnetization.

“The idea is to kill two birds with one stone: we excite terahertz vibrations in atoms, which are also coupled to their spins,” Professor Gedick said.

To test this idea, they placed a sample of FePS.3 It was cooled to a temperature below 118K in a vacuum chamber.

They then generated terahertz pulses by directing a beam of near-infrared light at an organic crystal, converting the light to terahertz frequencies.

This terahertz light was then directed at the sample.

“This terahertz pulse is what is used to induce changes in the sample,” said Dr. Tianchuang Luo of MIT.

“It’s like ‘writing’ a new state to the sample.”

To confirm that the pulse caused a change in the material’s magnetism, the authors also aimed two near-infrared lasers, each with opposite circular polarization, at the sample.

Without the influence of the terahertz pulse, there should be no difference in the intensity of the transmitted infrared laser.

“Just seeing the differences tells us that the material is no longer the original antiferromagnetic material, but is essentially inducing a new magnetic state by shaking the atoms using terahertz light,” MIT said Dr. Bateer Ilyas.

Through repeated experiments, the researchers observed that the terahertz pulses were able to successfully switch previously antiferromagnetic materials into a new magnetic state. This transition persisted for a surprisingly long time, more than a few milliseconds, even after the laser was turned off.

“People have observed such light-induced phase transitions in other systems before, but typically their survival times are very short, on the order of picoseconds, or trillionths of a second. ,” Professor Gedick said.

of study Published in a magazine nature.

_____

B. Ilyas others. 2024. Near-critical terahertz field-induced metastable magnetization in FePS3. nature 636, 609-614; doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-08226-x

This article is a version of a press release provided by MIT.

Source: www.sci.news

Exploring the Potential of Graphene: A Revolutionary Material in Materials Science

Posted on by
Reply

Twenty years ago, scientists announced the creation of a new miracle substance that would revolutionize our lives. They named it graphene.

Graphene is made up of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal pattern, making it one of the strongest materials ever produced. It is more resistant to electricity than copper and has excellent heat conductivity.

The potential applications of graphene seemed limitless, with predictions of ultra-fast processors, quicker battery charging, and stronger concrete. It was even proposed as a solution for potholes in roads.


Professor Andre Geim (left) and Professor Konstantin Novoselov from the University of Manchester discovered graphene. Photo: John Super/AP

The scientists behind the discovery, Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010 for their work. The National Graphene Institute was established at the University of Manchester.

Despite the initial hype, the graphene revolution has not materialized as expected. Challenges in scaling up production have hindered its widespread adoption.

Sir Colin Humphreys, a materials science professor at Queen Mary University of London, pointed out that the main issue lies in the difficulty of producing graphene on a large scale.

He explained that the original method of creating graphene was not conducive to mass production and that significant investments by companies like IBM, Samsung, and Intel have been made to develop scalable production methods.

Recent advancements in manufacturing techniques show promise for the resurgence of graphene technology. Companies like Paragraph are now producing graphene-based devices in large quantities.

Skip past newsletter promotions

Graphene-based devices are being used for various applications, including sensors for detecting magnetic fields and differentiating between bacterial and viral infections.

Additionally, graphene devices are expected to be more energy-efficient than current technologies, offering a promising future for the material.

While the graphene revolution may have been delayed, it holds the potential to address pressing global challenges and significantly impact modern life.


Graphene “has the potential to make a real difference to modern life,” says Sir Colin Humphreys, professor of materials science.
Photo: AddMeshCube/Alamy

The hyped science failed to make the grade.

  • nuclear power “Our children will have immeasurably cheap electrical energy in their homes.” – Louis Strauss, then chairman of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, in 1954.

  • Sinclair C5 “This is the future of transportation” – promotional materials for the 1985 Sinclair C5 electric scooter/car. Sales in the first year were predicted to be 100,000 units, but only 5,000 units were sold. Project has been abandoned.

  • medical advances “The time has come to close the book on infectious diseases and declare that the war on epidemics has been won” – in the words of Dr. William H. Stewart, Surgeon General of the United States from 1965 to 1969.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Solving the Enigma of Polycrystalline Materials

Posted on by
Reply

Researchers have used AI to uncover new insights into dislocations in polycrystalline materials, challenging existing scientific models and paving the way for improved material performance in electronics and solar cells. Credit: SciTechDaily.com

scientists of Nagoya University A Japanese research team is conducting research to understand tiny defects called dislocations in polycrystalline materials, materials widely used in information devices, solar cells, electronic devices, etc., that can reduce device efficiency. A new method was discovered using artificial intelligence.The research results were published in a magazine advanced materials.

Challenge of polycrystalline materials

Almost all devices we use in modern life contain polycrystalline components. From smartphones to computers to car metals and ceramics. Nevertheless, polycrystalline materials are difficult to utilize due to their complex structures. In addition to its composition, the performance of polycrystalline materials is affected by its complex microstructure, dislocations, and impurities.

A major problem when using polycrystals in industry is the formation of small crystal defects caused by stress and temperature changes. These are known as dislocations and can disrupt the regular arrangement of atoms in the lattice, affecting electrical conduction and overall performance. Understanding the formation of these dislocations is important to reduce the likelihood of failure in devices using polycrystalline materials.

Researchers used 3D models created by AI to understand complex polycrystalline materials used in everyday electronics.Credit: Kenta Yamakoshi

AI-powered discovery

A research team led by Professor Noritaka Usa of Nagoya University and consisting of Lecturer Tatsuya Yokoi, Associate Professor Hiroaki Kudo, and other collaborators is using new AI to investigate polycrystalline silicon, which is widely used in solar panels. We analyzed image data of a material called . AI created his 3D model in virtual space and helped the team identify areas where dislocation clusters were affecting the material’s performance.

After identifying regions of dislocation clusters, the researchers used electron microscopy and theoretical calculations to understand how these regions formed. They revealed the stress distribution within the crystal lattice and discovered a step-like structure at the boundaries between grains. These structures are thought to induce dislocations during crystal growth. “We discovered a special nanostructure in the crystal that is related to dislocations in the polycrystalline structure,” Professor Usami said.

Impact on crystal growth science

In addition to practical implications, this study may also have important implications for the science of crystal growth and deformation. The Hasen-Alexander-Smino (HAS) model is an influential theoretical framework used to understand the behavior of dislocations in materials. However, Professor Usami believes that he has discovered a dislocation that was missed by the Hasen-Alexander-Kakuno model.

New insights into the arrangement of atoms

Another surprise soon followed, as when the team calculated the arrangement of atoms within these structures, they discovered unexpectedly large tensile bond strains along the edges of the stepped structures that caused the creation of dislocations. .

Usami explains: “As experts who have been doing this research for years, we were surprised and excited to finally see evidence of the presence of dislocations in these structures. This suggests that we can control the formation of

Conclusions and implications for the future

“By extracting and analyzing, nanoscale “By combining experiment, theory, and AI, polycrystalline materials informatics has made it possible for the first time to elucidate phenomena in complex polycrystalline materials,” Usami continued. “This research is expected to shed light on the path towards establishing universal guidelines for high-performance materials and contribute to the creation of innovative polycrystalline materials. It extends beyond batteries to everything from ceramics to solar cells. semiconductor. Polycrystalline materials are widely used in society, and improving their performance has the potential to bring about social change. ”

Reference: “Polycrystalline informatics for polycrystalline silicon to elucidate the microscopic root cause of dislocation generation” Kenta Yamagoe, Yutaka Ohno, Kentaro Kutsukake, Takuto Kojima, Tatsuya Yokoi, Hideto Yoshida, Hiroyuki Tanaka, Liu Kin, Hiroaki Kudo, Noritaka Usa, December 2, 2023 advanced materials.
DOI: 10.1002/adma.202308599

Source: scitechdaily.com

Exploring the Future of Materials Science: A Innovative Twist

Posted on by
Reply

When a strong laser pulse hits a steel alloy, the material briefly melts where it is irradiated, forming a small magnetic region.Credit: HZDR / Sander Munster

The research team has shown that ultrashort laser pulses can magnetize iron alloys. This discovery has great potential for applications in magnetic sensor technology, data storage, and spintronics.

To magnetize a steel nail, simply stroke its surface several times with a bar magnet. But there is a more unusual method. it is, Helmholtz – Zentrum Dresden – Rossendorf (HZDR) Some time ago, a certain iron was discovered. alloy It can be magnetized with ultrashort laser pulses. The researchers are currently working with the Laser Institute of Mitweida University (LHM) to further investigate this process. They found that this phenomenon also occurs in different classes of materials. This greatly expands the range of potential applications.The working group will publish its results in a scientific journal Advanced functional materials.

Groundbreaking discovery in magnetization

An unexpected discovery was made in 2018. When the HZDR team bombarded a thin layer of iron and aluminum alloy with ultrashort laser pulses, the nonmagnetic material suddenly became magnetic. Explanation: Laser pulses rearrange the atoms in the crystal so that the iron atoms are closer to each other, forming a magnet. The researchers were then able to demagnetize the layer again using a series of weaker laser pulses. This allowed them to discover how to create and erase tiny “magnetic spots” on surfaces.

However, the pilot experiment still left some questions unanswered. “It was unclear whether the effect only occurs in iron-aluminum alloys or in other materials,” explains HZDR physicist Dr. Rantei Bali. “We also wanted to track the process over time.” For further investigation, he collaborated with his Dr. Theo Pflug at LHM and colleagues at the University of Zaragoza in Spain.

Flipbook using laser pulse

Experts especially focused on iron-vanadium alloys. Unlike iron-aluminum alloys, which have a regular crystal lattice, the atoms in iron-vanadium alloys are more randomly arranged, forming an amorphous glass-like structure. To observe what happens during laser irradiation, physicists used a special method called the pump-probe method.

“First, we bombard the alloy with powerful laser pulses to magnetize the material,” explains Theo Pflug. “At the same time, he uses a second, weaker pulse that is reflected off the material surface.”

Analysis of reflected laser pulses reveals the physical properties of the material. This process is repeated several times to continually lengthen the time interval between the first “pump” pulse and subsequent “probe” pulses.

As a result, time-series reflection data are obtained, which can characterize the processes induced by laser excitation. “The whole procedure is similar to creating a flipbook,” he says Pflug. “Similarly, a series of individual images that animate when viewed in succession.”

rapid dissolution

Results: Although they have a different atomic structure than iron-aluminum compounds, iron-vanadium alloys can also be magnetized by lasers. “In both cases, the material melts for a short time at the point of irradiation,” he explains Rantej Bali. “This causes the laser to erase the previous structure and create small magnetic regions in both alloys.”

Promising results: Apparently, this phenomenon is not limited to a particular material structure and can be observed in a variety of atomic arrangements.

The team also tracks the temporal dynamics of the process. “At least we know on what time scale something will happen,” explains Theo Pflug. “Within femtoseconds, a laser pulse excites electrons in the material. After a few picoseconds, the excited electrons transfer their energy to the nucleus.”

Consequently, this energy transfer causes a rearrangement into a magnetic structure, which is then stabilized by rapid cooling. In follow-up experiments, the researchers aim to observe exactly how the atoms rearrange by examining the magnetization process with powerful X-rays.

Perspectives towards applications

Although still in its early stages, this research already provides a first idea of possible applications. For example, one could place small magnets on the chip surface via a laser. “This could be useful in producing highly sensitive magnetic sensors such as those used in vehicles,” he speculates Rantej Bali. “It could also have applications in magnetic data storage.”

Moreover, this phenomenon seems to be related to a new type of electronics: spintronics. Here, instead of electrons passing through transistors as usual, magnetic signals must be used for digital computing processes, providing a possible approach to future computer technology.

Reference: “Laser-Induced Positional and Chemical Lattice Reordering Generating Ferromagnetism” by Theo Pflug, Javier Pablo-Navarro, Md. Chabad Anwar, Markus Olbrich, César Magén, Manuel Ricardo Ibarra, Kay Potzger, Jürgen Faßbender, Jürgen Lindner, Alexander Horn. Lantei Bali, November 21, 2023, Advanced functional materials.
DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202311951

Source: scitechdaily.com

Give Your Proposal Materials a Refresh with These Tips

Posted on by
Reply

The holidays are in full swing. So when people go on vacation, they might start receiving auto-reply emails.

But don’t let a relatively quiet holiday stop you from fundraising. According to DocSend’s report on funding trends, young startups don’t seem to be getting as much attention. This means that they have been trying to attract investors’ attention without success. For example, investors are spending less time on the “product” and “business model” slides, and significantly more time on the “competitor” slides.

All articles on TechCrunch+ are available to members only.
Use discount code TC Plus Roundup Save 20% on a 1-year or 2-year subscription.

Now is the perfect time to brush up your pitch deck, practice your pitch, and be ready for when it starts again next year, writes resident pitch deck expert Haje Jan Kamps.

thank you for reading!

Karin

secondary, venture secondary,

Image credits: We/Getty Images

As I wrote last week, if startup IPOs pick up in 2024, as many predict, the secondary market could start to return to normal. But what are investors in the secondary venture market thinking now? One of the things venture reporter Rebecca Skutak found in her research is that LPs don’t actually want liquidity as much as you think.

Deep tech startups should use these 4 techniques when raising capital

Image credits: oxygen (Opens in new window) / Getty Images

Roman Axelrod, founder of smart contact lens maker XPANCEO, knows a thing or two about raising capital for deep technology startups. His company just raised a $40 million seed round. He offers his four tips on what to focus on when raising capital for his own deep tech business.

Why internal platforms can undermine your business strategy

Image credits: henrik sorensen (Opens in new window) / Getty Images

That’s natural. It’s better to build tools in-house than to buy or subscribe to them from a vendor. Having control over every aspect of your business reduces costs and even increases efficiency.

But not so soon, says Asanka Abeysinghe, CTO of WSO2. Having complete control over everything is an “illusion” and “leads organizations down a path full of unforeseen challenges and constraints.” What may seem like a comprehensive solution at first, quickly becomes can turn into a quagmire of rising costs, lack of focus, and suffocating complexity. ”

Get the TechCrunch+ Roundup newsletter in your inbox!

To receive TechCrunch+ Roundups via email every Tuesday and Friday, scroll down on this page, find the “Subscribe to Newsletter” section, select “TechCrunch+ Roundups,” enter your email, and click ” Click “Subscribe.”

Click here to subscribe

Startups need to master operations

Image credits: Lujan Nagiyev/Getty Images

“While technological innovation gets most of the glory, operational innovation is the next big leap for companies looking to gain a competitive edge,” writes Accelsius CEO Josh Claman. He offers some tips on how companies should think about innovation rather than improvement and excellence.

Source: techcrunch.com