Trapping gases better with boron nitride "nanopores"
What is common between a technology for storing energy in a solar cell and that for water purification? They both rely on the use of porous materials, or more specifically, 'nanoporous' materials that can trap gas molecules within narrow spaces on th.....»»
Scientists trap light inside a magnet
A new study led by Vinod M. Menon and his group at the City College of New York shows that trapping light inside magnetic materials may dramatically enhance their intrinsic properties. Strong optical responses of magnets are important for the develop.....»»
Human scent receptors could help "sniff out" nerve gases in new sensor
By some estimates, the human nose can detect up to a trillion different smells with its hundreds of scent receptors. But even just catching a quick whiff of certain chemicals known as nerve agents can be lethal, even in tiny amounts. Researchers repo.....»»
New metalens lights the way for advanced control of quantum emission
Quantum emission is pivotal to realizing photonic quantum technologies. Solid-state single photon emitters (SPEs), such as hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) defects, operate at room temperature. They are highly desirable due to their robustness and brigh.....»»
Boron nitride-based nanocomposites have unexpected properties, researchers discover
Just as carbon makes up both the brittle core of a No. 2 pencil and the harder-than-steel diamond in a cutting tool, boron nitride gives rise to compounds that can be soft or hard. Yet, unlike carbon, far less is known about boron nitride's forms and.....»»
Enhanced light absorption in thin silicon photodetectors with photon-trapping structures
Photonic systems are quickly gaining traction in many emerging applications, including optical communications, lidar sensing, and medical imaging. However, the widespread adoption of photonics in future engineering solutions hinges on the cost of man.....»»
Report: Halogenated greenhouse gases still being emitted in Germany
In the past, they were found in every refrigerator and aerosol until it was discovered that they had ripped a hole in the ozone layer protecting Earth's atmosphere: chlorofluorocarbons, in short CFCs......»»
Spin defects in hexagonal boron nitride created by helium ion bombardment
National University of Singapore (NUS) physicists have developed a method using a focused beam of helium ions to create arrays of defects in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) that can potentially be used for magnetic sensing applications......»»
Team develops highly active catalyst for alkaline water electrolysis using boron and sulfur
Development of hydrogen-related technologies is essential to realize and sustain a carbon-neutral society. Hydrogen is obtained from water electrolysis; however, the existing catalysts are made of rare and expensive metals. A research group led by th.....»»
Laser-controlled intracellular flows in temperature-sensitive biological cells
Micromanipulation techniques are widely adopted in materials science, colloidal physics and life sciences for various applications, ranging from nanostructure assembly and particle trapping to spatio-temporal analysis of cell organization. Introduced.....»»
Ultracold Gases Can Probe Neutron Star Guts
Earth-based analogs are opening new frontiers in studies of the superdense interiors of neutron stars.....»»
Ohio train derailment, clean-up resulted in high levels of some gases, study shows
A freight train carrying industrial chemicals derailed near East Palestine, Ohio, in February 2023, and to avoid explosions, authorities conducted a controlled release and burned the cars' contents. Residents were worried about their health and the e.....»»
Probing the mysteries of neutron stars with a surprising earthly analog
Ultracold gases in the lab could help scientists better understand the universe. Enlarge / Spectral analysis indicates that silica is present in this supernova remnant, Cassiopeia A. (credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ O. Krause (Steward.....»»
Scientists develop 2D nanosheets for sustainable carbon capture
Global warming has been attributed to the sharp increase in heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions, in particular CO2 emissions. Carbon capture technology, such as using adsorbents to capture and store CO2 from ambient air, is a promising solution to.....»»
Assessment of the impact of halogens on the atmosphere suggests they should be included in climate models
An international team of chemists and climate scientists, has conducted an assessment of the impact of short-lived halogens (SLHs) on Earth's atmosphere and are suggesting that their findings indicate that such gases should be included in climate mod.....»»
Study advances understanding of anthropogenic effects on climate change
Anthropogenic aerosols—aerosols originating from human activity—and greenhouse gases, or GHGs, have helped modulate the storage and distribution of heat in oceans since the industrial age. Isolating and quantifying the effects of both forcers usi.....»»
Q&A: Astrophysicists study primordial gases to investigate how galaxies are born
Studying the universe isn't easy, and not just because of the massive distances involved. If you want to study the galactic nurseries where stars and galaxies form, you often have to look at areas of the universe where there isn't any visible light,.....»»
Tiny nanopores can contribute to faster identification of diseases
In a collaboration with Groningen University, Professor Jørgen Kjems and his research group at Aarhus University have achieved a remarkable breakthrough in developing tiny nano-sized pores that can contribute to better possibilities for, among other.....»»
Research suggests cleaner air may be possible with a cold catalytic converter
The so-called three-way catalytic converter in the exhaust system of a car consists of expensive materials and only works correctly when the exhaust gases have a temperature that is several hundred degrees Celsius......»»
Single-atom vacancies in atomically thin insulators created in ultra-high vacuum
Single photons have applications in quantum computation, information networks, and sensors, and these can be emitted by defects in the atomically thin insulator hexagonal boron nitride (hBN). Missing nitrogen atoms have been suggested to be the atomi.....»»
Canadian Prairies farmers try to adapt to a warming world
Following repeated droughts, Canadian farmers are trying to adapt to a new era in agriculture marked by a warming world—including by trapping snow in their fields, planting heat-resistant crops and seeding earlier in the season......»»