All-fiber ellipsometer for nanoscale dielectric coatings
Measuring the refractive index and the thickness of thin films (films with a thickness from less than a nanometer to several microns) is essential to characterize them and improve the performance of sensors and devices that employ thin films. The mos.....»»
The 2024 Acura ZDX Type-S: This electric SUV feels polished but heavy
It's a badge-engineered Ultium EV, but Acura is responsible for all the software. Enlarge / When fitted with the optional carbon-fiber appearance pack, the ZDX manages to give off station wagon vibes. But others thought it looked.....»»
First high-resolution 3D nanoscale chemical imaging achieved with multi-modal tomography
By exploiting a smart learning algorithm that fuses two microscopy signals, University of Michigan researchers have accomplished high-resolution, efficient 3D chemical imaging for the first time at the one-nanometer scale. For context, a nanometer is.....»»
Researchers establish a high-throughput multiscale evaluation method for thermal stress in thermal barrier coatings
Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) are widely used in gas turbine engines to obtain elevated working temperatures and improve engine efficiency. The phase transition of the ceramic layer is accompanied by a large volume difference, causing the concentra.....»»
Towards novel promising perovskite-type ferroelectric materials: High-pressure synthesis of rubidium niobate
Capacitors are crucial components in electronic devices such as smartphones and computers. They are made of dielectric materials that polarize on the application of the voltage. Currently, barium titanate (BaTiO3) is the most widely used material for.....»»
Tesla"s freshened Model 3 Performance is a crazy fast, 510-hp bargain
Tesla adds adaptive suspension, improved sport seats and carbon-fiber interior accents. The performance trim is also the only Model 3 eligible for the $7,500 EV credit, making it a bargain......»»
Crinkled coatings could prevent medical implants from failing
Medical implants could fail less often when coated with a microscopically crinkled, ceramic material designed by researchers at the University of Michigan. The coating is described in a paper published in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces......»»
Plugging the leak on laundry pollution
Joaquim Goes, an ocean biochemist at Columbia Climate School's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, had to look twice when he first saw the tiny strands of fiber floating in a water sample from the Hudson River. An expert in microplastics detection, he.....»»
A molecular moon lander: Insight into molecular motion on surfaces at the nanoscale
For years, scientists have been intrigued by how molecules move across surfaces. The process is critical to numerous applications, including catalysis and the manufacturing of nanoscale devices......»»
A compact metasurface array-based system for single-shot spectroscopic ellipsometry measurement
Spectroscopic ellipsometry is widely adopted in semiconductor processing, such as in the manufacturing of integrated circuits, flat display panels, and solar cells. However, a conventional spectroscopic ellipsometer, as shown in Fig.1a, typically mod.....»»
Nanoscale movies shed light on one barrier to a clean energy future
Left unchecked, corrosion can rust out cars and pipes, take down buildings and bridges, and eat away at our monuments. Corrosion can also damage devices that could be key to a clean energy future. And now, Duke University researchers have captured ex.....»»
Nothing is everything: How hidden emptiness can define the usefulness of filtration materials
Voids, or empty spaces, exist within matter at all scales, from the astronomical to the microscopic. In a new study, researchers used high-powered microscopy and mathematical theory to unveil nanoscale voids in three dimensions. This advancement is p.....»»
Chinese scientists reveal the spinning mechanism of the silkworm
Mulberry silk is a natural protein fiber that is light, soft and fine in nature, known as the "second skin of the human body" and "Queen of fibers." China is the origin of the world's sericulture industry......»»
A novel liquid crystal-based tunable dielectric metasurface
Dielectric metasurfaces represent one of the cutting-edge research and application directions in optics. They not only possess the advantage of low loss but also enable the realization of device thicknesses at subwavelength scales. Moreover, they can.....»»
New single-cell analysis tech incorporates advanced fiber optics directly into microfluidic chips
Droplet microfluidics has revolutionized single-cell analysis, crucial for genomics, drug discovery, and diagnostics, by partitioning samples into nanoliter droplets for detailed cellular analysis. Yet, its broader adoption is hindered by the complex.....»»
Unlocking visible femtosecond fiber oscillators: An advance in laser science
The emergence of ultrafast laser pulse generation, marking a significant milestone in laser science, has triggered incredible progress across a wide array of disciplines, encompassing industrial applications, energy technologies, life sciences, and b.....»»
A nanoscale look at how shells and coral form reveals that biomineralization is more complex than imagined
Exactly how does coral make its skeleton, a sea urchin grow a spine, or an abalone form the mother-of-pearl in its shell? A new study at the Advanced Light Source at the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) reve.....»»
New method to measure entropy production on the nanoscale
Entropy, the amount of molecular disorder, is produced in several systems but cannot be measured directly. An equation developed by researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, and Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, now sheds new l.....»»
Enhancing fire safety: The emergence of PA-DAD as a sustainable flame retardant for epoxy resin composites
Epoxy resin (EP), an essential material in various applications such as adhesives, coatings, and composites, faces challenges due to its intrinsic flammability and dense smoke production, posing threats to safety and property. To address these issues.....»»
New ceramics promise hotter gas turbines that produce more power
Skoltech researchers have identified promising ceramic materials for metal coatings that would boost gas turbine efficiency. If further experimental tests prove successful, the coatings will enable power plants to produce more electricity and jet pla.....»»
Introducing multi-component liquid-infused surfaces for adaptive and functional coatings
Surface coatings have long been essential in various industries, offering protection and functionality. In recent years, liquid-infused surfaces (LIS) have emerged as a groundbreaking technology, revolutionizing how we approach surface coatings......»»