Superconductivity, the phenomenon where electrical current flows without resistance, has long captivated scientists and engineers. This unique state of matter holds promise for revolutionizing technologies, from power grids to magnetic levitation. A recent study delves into the intriguing world of graphene-based superconductors, shedding light on how twisting multiple layers of graphene can influence their superconducting […]
Cement is a fundamental material in modern construction, used in everything from buildings to bridges. One of its key components, tricalcium aluminate (C₃A), plays a crucial role in determining cement’s setting time and durability. A recent study has provided new insights into how C₃A behaves under heat, combining computer simulations with experimental data to deepen […]
Spintronics is a field of technology that focuses on using the spin of electrons—an intrinsic property that can be thought of as a tiny magnetic moment—to store and process information. This concept is based on the fact that electrons, in addition to carrying electric charge, also have a “spin,” which can be oriented in different […]
In certain materials, when we apply an electric field (it could be that of light) that vibrates at a certain frequency, it can create a direct current, a steady flow of electrical charge. This current is special because its strength depends on the square of the electric field’s strength. This phenomenon is called “shift current.” […]
Topological insulators are materials with special universal properties, which are protected against perturbations. Such properties are theoretically described by topology, a branch of mathematics concerned with the properties of geometrical objects that are unchanged by continuous deformations. Concretely, topological insulators are electronic materials that have a bulk band gap like an ordinary insulator but have […]
A diode is an electronic device with two electrodes. In the obsolescent thermionic diode a heated cathode emits electrons, which flow across the intervening vacuum to the anode when a positive potential is applied to it. The device permits flow of current in one direction only as a negative potential applied to the anode repels […]
Periodic responses to nonperiodic energy inputs, such as oscillations, are hallmarks of living systems. Researchers have devoted considerable efforts to understanding and mimicking natural self-assembled structures and functions to systems composed of nonbiological components. This has rendered remarkable developments in regulating interparticle interactions to form static and dynamic self-assemblies. Dynamic assemblies can, under suitable stimuli […]
Adopting a more sustainable energy portfolio is imperative to address and alleviate the impacts of climate change. A key process is energy harvesting versus energy “production”. In this vein, a potentially viable approach involves the conversion of dissipated heat into electrical energy via the use of thermoelectricity. This method has the potential to contribute significantly […]
The bottom-up design of hierarchically organized nanostructures is a powerful strategy to achieve new materials with innovative functionalities. To a large extent, this approach takes inspiration from the ability of living organisms to engineer hybrid nanocomposites both for structural and functional purposes. Intense research has been dedicated to synthesizing biologically inspired textures and shapes mimicking […]
Topology has been at the forefront of condensed matter physics for the past two decades, influencing our understanding of quantum materials and phenomena. More recently, it has however become clear that a more general concept, that of quantum geometry, manifests itself in a series of quantum phenomena involving flat electronic bands. In condensed matter physics […]