How long’s too long? Effects of crosslinker length on anion-exchange membrane fuel cells

Scientists reveal how crosslinker length affects performance in polymer electrolyte membranes for anion exchange membrane-based alkaline fuel cells

Pulp succeeded in diet? Determining the slenderization of wood pulp

Scientists at Osaka University develop a test to measure the quality of nanofibrillation for wood pulp using its natural optical birefringence, which may lead to clear definition and sophisticated utilization of wooden cellulose nanofibers

Flexible and powerful electronics

University of Tsukuba researchers improve the electrical conductivity of organic electrochemical transistors using ionic liquids, creating an ionic gel conductor that may form the basis of flexible electronics and efficient photovoltaics

A theory as clear as glass

Tokyo, Japan – Researchers from the Institute of Industrial Science at The University of Tokyo used molecular dynamics calculations to simulate the glass-forming ability of metallic mixtures. They show that even small changes in composition can strongly influence the likelihood…

JILA’s electric ‘knob’ tunes chemical reaction rates in quantum gas

Building on their newfound ability to induce molecules in ultracold gases to interact with each other over long distances, JILA researchers have used an electric “knob” to influence molecular collisions and dramatically raise or lower chemical reaction rates. These super-chilly…

Hidden symmetry could be key to more robust quantum systems, researchers find

Researchers have found a way to protect highly fragile quantum systems from noise, which could aid in the design and development of new quantum devices, such as ultra-powerful quantum computers. The researchers, from the University of Cambridge, have shown that…

New JILA tools ‘turn on’ quantum gases of ultracold molecules

JILA researchers have developed tools to “turn on” quantum gases of ultracold molecules, gaining control of long-distance molecular interactions for potential applications such as encoding data for quantum computing and simulations. The new scheme for nudging a molecular gas down…

A Swift Kick to Initiate Electronic Motion in Molecules

Researchers have observed the production of electronic excitations near a single atom in a molecule. This is caused by impulsive stimulated X-ray Raman scattering of X-ray pulses that last less than a femtosecond. The combination of X-ray Raman scattering and the ability produce sub-femtosecond X-ray pulses allows scientists to view motion in molecules at atom-scale resolution and helps them understand chemical reactions involving light.

Shining a light on the weird world of dihydrogen phosphate anions

Scientists at UNSW Sydney, together with collaborators from Western Sydney University and The Netherlands, were surprised to find that dihydrogen phosphate anions – vital inorganic ions for cellular activity – bind with other dihydrogen phosphate anions despite being negatively charged.…

Curtin collision models impact the future of energy

A new Curtin University-created database of electron-molecule reactions is a major step forward in making nuclear fusion power a reality, by allowing researchers to accurately model plasmas containing molecular hydrogen. The Curtin study, published in the Atomic Data and Nuclear…

AI reduces computational time required to study fate of molecules exposed to light

Light-induced processes are critical in transformative technologies such as solar energy harvesting, as well as in photomedicine and photoresponsive materials. Theoretical studies of the dynamics of photoinduced processes require numerous electronic structure calculations, which are computationally expensive. Scientists from the…

CCNY researchers overcome barriers for bio-inspired solar energy harvesting materials

Inspired by nature, researchers at The City College of New York (CCNY) can demonstrate a synthetic strategy to stabilize bio-inspired solar energy harvesting materials. Their findings, published in the latest issue of Nature Chemistry , could be a significant breakthrough…

A filter for environmental remediation

Scientists at Osaka University create seaweed-shaped sodium titanate mats made of nanofibers that can remove cobalt ions from water, which may help provide a source of safe, recycled drinking water by removal of heavy metals and radionuclides

Looking inside the glass

Tokyo, Japan – A team of researchers from the Institute of Industrial Science at The University of Tokyo used advanced electron spectroscopy and computer simulations to better understand the internal atomic structure of aluminosilicate glass. They found complex coordination networks…

Analysis paves way for more sensitive quantum sensors

Quantum sensors can measure extremely small changes in an environment by taking advantage of quantum phenomena like entanglement, where entangled particles can affect each other, even when separated by great distances. Researchers ultimately hope to create and use these sensors…

CCNY & partners in quantum algorithm breakthrough

Researchers led by City College of New York physicist Pouyan Ghaemi report the development of a quantum algorithm with the potential to study a class of many-electron quantums system using quantum computers. Their paper, entitled “Creating and Manipulating a Laughlin-Type…

Surrey helps to produce the world’s first neutron-rich, radioactive tantalum ions

An international team of scientists have unveiled the world’s first production of a purified beam of neutron-rich, radioactive tantalum ions. This development could now allow for lab-based experiments on exploding stars helping scientists to answer long-held questions such as “where…

Scientists and students publish blueprints for a cheaper single-molecule microscope

**Strictly embargoed until 10:00 (GMT) Friday 6 November 2020** Scientists and students publish blueprints for a cheaper single-molecule microscope to make the specialist technique more widely available A team of scientists and students from the University of Sheffield has published…

3D print experts discover how to make tomorrow’s technology using ink-jet printed graphene

The University of Nottingham has cracked the conundrum of how to use inks to 3D-print novel electronic devices with useful properties, such as an ability to convert light into electricity. The study shows that it is possible to jet inks,…