Category archives: DIPC Advanced materials

Carbon is one of the most versatile elements in the periodic table. Beyond the familiar forms of graphite and diamond lies a rich family of carbon structures with surprising and useful properties. Among these, graphene, a single two-dimensional (2D) allotrope consisting in a layer of carbon atoms arranged in a perfect hexagonal lattice, has captivated […]

In the layered kagome metal CsV₃Sb₅, researchers have observed something that, until now, seemed almost impossible: robust quantum interference in the normal, non-superconducting state, persisting over distances of several micrometers. The interference is not the fragile single-particle kind seen in ultra-clean semiconductors at millikelvin temperatures. Instead, it behaves as if the entire stack of kagome […]

Imagine electrons as tiny particles zipping through a material, each carrying two key properties: charge, which powers our everyday electronics, and spin, like a little internal compass needle that points up or down. Charge flow is what we call electric current, but spin adds a magnetic twist, opening doors to advanced technologies like more efficient […]

Picture this: Your home’s walls don’t just keep out the rain—they soak up warmth from the sun during the day, slowly release it to keep you cosy at night, and even convert some of that heat into a trickle of electricity to power your lights or charge your phone. This isn’t science fiction; it’s the […]

When you look at a crystal—say, a piece of salt or a sheet of graphene—its atoms are not randomly scattered. They form an orderly grid, like tiles on a floor. Because the atoms are arranged in this repeating way, electrons moving through the crystal don’t behave as if they’re in free space. Instead, their motion […]

Imagine a material where electrons glide through without any resistance, moving like a perfectly synchronized dance troupe. This phenomenon, known as superconductivity, allows electricity to flow with zero energy loss, holding immense promise for everything from ultra-efficient power lines to advanced quantum computers. A a team of researchers dives into this fascinating world, focusing on […]

Imagine a lattice shaped like a network of interconnected triangles, called a kagome lattice, where atoms or particles struggle to find a comfortable arrangement. This unique structure creates a situation known as geometric frustration, where the particles can’t settle into a simple, orderly pattern because of the lattice’s shape. In a magnetic metal called FeGe […]

Graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb pattern, is renowned for its ability to conduct electricity with ease. When two graphene sheets are stacked and twisted at a “magic angle” of about one degree, something remarkable happens: the electrons slow down dramatically, creating “flat bands” where they interact strongly. A new […]

In the realm of modern physics, few materials have captured the imagination quite like graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb lattice. Its remarkable properties, such as exceptional electrical conductivity and strength, have made it a cornerstone of research into quantum materials. A recent study published in Nature takes this fascination […]

Nanotechnology is like a playground for scientists, where they tinker with materials at the scale of atoms to create new tools and devices with extraordinary properties. One of the most exciting areas in this field involves nanographenes, which are tiny pieces of graphene—a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb pattern, known for […]