Category Chemistry/Nanotechnology

Amorphous Boron Nitride shows excellent Insulating Properties for Next Generation of Electronics

a) Remote ICP-CVD system with borazine mass flow controller (MFC) for precise control of borazine flow. The a-BN films were grown on Si substrates at 400 °C. Credit: UNIST, SAIT, University of Cambridge, Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
b) Side view of images of a -BN sample grown on a Si substrate at T= 673K. Atomic species are shown in different colours: Si (yellow), Blue (N), Pink 3 (B). Credit: UNIST, SAIT, University of Cambridge, Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

In the ongoing process of miniaturization of logic and memory devices in electronic circuits, reducing the dimensions of interconnects—metal wires that link different components on a chip—is crucial to guarantee fast response of the device and improve its performance...

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New Battery Electrolyte may boost the performance of Electric Vehicles

A conventional (clear) electrolyte on the left and the novel Stanford electrolyte of the right. (Image credit: Zhiao Yu)

A new lithium-based electrolyte invented by Stanford University scientists could pave the way for the next generation of battery-powered electric vehicles.

In a study published June 22 in Nature Energy, Stanford researchers demonstrate how their novel electrolyte design boosts the performance of lithium metal batteries, a promising technology for powering electric vehicles, laptops and other devices.

“Most electric cars run on lithium-ion batteries, which are rapidly approaching their theoretical limit on energy density,” said study co-author Yi Cui, professor of materials science and engineering and of photon science at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory...

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Graphene Smart Textiles developed for Heat Adaptive Clothing

Graphene Smart Textiles The University of Manchester
Using electro-optical tunability of graphene, adaptive optical textiles were made with electrically controlled reflectivity and emissivity covering the infrared and near-infrared wavelengths.

New research on the two-dimensional (2D) material graphene has allowed researchers to create smart adaptive clothing which can lower the body temperature of the wearer in hot climates.

A team of scientists from The University of Manchester’s National Graphene Institute have created a prototype garment to demonstrate dynamic thermal radiation control within a piece of clothing by utilising the remarkable thermal properties and flexibility of graphene. The development also opens the door to new applications such as, interactive infrared displays and covert infrared communication on textile.

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Transparent Graphene Electrodes might lead to New Generation of Solar Cells

A new manufacturing process for graphene is based on using an intermediate carrier layer of material after the graphene is laid down through a vapor deposition process. The carrier allows the ultrathin graphene sheet, less than a nanometer (billionth of a meter) thick, to be easily lifted off from a substrate, allowing for rapid roll-to-roll manufacturing. These figures show this process for making graphene sheets, along with a photo of the proof-of-concept device used (b).
Courtesy of the researchers

Engineers have synthesized a tiny structure with high surface area and discovered how its unique architecture drives ions across interfaces to transport energy or information...

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