Article archives

Proximity effects or the fragility of electronic ground states in 2D materials

Proximity effects or the fragility of electronic ground states in 2D materials

DIPC Interfaces

By DIPC

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are layered compounds which can be thinned down to the single-layer limit. While mechanical exfoliation generates atomically thin TMD flakes possessing an area of a few square microns, chemical and physical methods provide high-quality monolayers on large-area substrates, which are suitable for actual technological applications. TMDs are a class of van […]

Some black holes are anything but black – and we’ve found more than 75,000 of the brightest ones

Some black holes are anything but black – and we’ve found more than 75,000 of the brightest ones

AstronomyAstrophysics

By Invited Researcher

When the most massive stars die, they collapse to form some of the densest objects known in the Universe: black holes. They are the “darkest” objects in the cosmos, as not even light can escape their incredibly strong gravity. Because of this, it’s impossible to directly image black holes, making them mysterious and quite perplexing […]

Carbon nanotubes as shields to enhance photocatalysis

Carbon nanotubes as shields to enhance photocatalysis

ChemistryMaterials

By Invited Researcher

We live in a time when scientific applications are growing by leaps and bounds. This exponential growth has been possible, among other tools, thanks to the application of nanotechnology. There is something that nanotechnology has taught us: In science, size matters. When studying matter at nanometric levels, we find that the properties are completely different […]

MI weekly selection #446

MI weekly selection #446

Weekly Selection

By César Tomé

Massive exoplanet detected in distant binary system Scientists have spotted a huge exoplanet orbiting a pair of stars roughly 325 light-years away that was observed via a direct image. The exoplanet resides in b Centauri, which is hotter than any other known system and is incredibly heavy, weighing in at about 11 times the mass […]

Robots can be companions, caregivers, collaborators — and social influencers

Robots can be companions, caregivers, collaborators — and social influencers

RoboticsSociology

By Invited Researcher

In the mid-1990s, there was research going on at Stanford University that would change the way we think about computers. The Media Equation experiments were simple: participants were asked to interact with a computer that acted socially for a few minutes after which, they were asked to give feedback about the interaction. Participants would provide […]

MI weekly selection #445

MI weekly selection #445

Weekly Selection

By César Tomé

Robot can land on branches, grasp objects like a bird Researchers have created a drone that is programmed to clasp objects and land on diverse surfaces. The Stereotyped Nature-inspired Aerial Grasper, or SNAG was inspired by falcons. New Atlas Stars’ remains include unknown rock types The remains of exoplanets that once orbited stars known as […]

A hydrogel matrix as viable solution for the efficient catalytic activation and delivery of cisplatin

A hydrogel matrix as viable solution for the efficient catalytic activation and delivery of cisplatin

ChemistryDIPC PhotochemistryPharmacy

By DIPC

Catalysis-based approaches for the activation of anticancer rely on the use of metal catalysts capable of deprotecting inactive precursors of organic drugs or transforming key biomolecules available in the cellular environment. Nevertheless, the efficiency of most of the schemes described so far is rather low, limiting the benefits of catalytic amplification as a strategy for […]

Mapping how the 100 billion cells in the brain all fit together is the brave new world of neuroscience

Mapping how the 100 billion cells in the brain all fit together is the brave new world of neuroscience

Neuroscience

By Invited Researcher

The brain plays an essential role in how people navigate the world by generating both thought and behavior. Despite being one of the most vital organs of life, it takes up only 2% of human body volume. How can something so small perform such complex tasks? Luckily, modern tools like brain mapping have allowed neuroscientists […]