Category Physics

Polymer film for organic PV2 Close-up of polymer films used in polymeric solar cells doped by the new solution-based electrical doping technique. (Credit: Christopher Moore, Georgia Tech)

A simple solution-based electrical doping technique could help reduce the cost of polymer solar cells and organic electronic devices, potentially expanding the applications for these technologies. By enabling production of efficient single-layer solar cells, the new process could help move organic photovoltaics into a new generation of wearable devices and enable small-scale distributed power generation.

Developed by researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology and colleagues from 3 other institutions, the technique provides a new way of inducing p-type electrical doping in organic semiconductor films...

EM Drive in forward thrust configuration. (NASA Photo)

After months of speculation and rumor, NASA has finally released its long-awaited research paper, published in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics’ peer-reviewed Journal of Propulsion and Power. If the electromagnetic technology proves sound, it could radically change the way humans travel in space, opening up the possibility of journeys to Mars in just 70 days. But there is no shortage of skeptics who are adamant that the drive is more science fiction than science fact. Critics are quick to point out that the drive violates one of the fundamental laws of physics, namely: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction...

Stanford engineers are developing new memory chips, based on materials other than silicon, to provide more energy-efficient ways to store data as digital zeros and ones. Credit: iStock / matejmo

Scientists often discover interesting things without completely understanding how they work. That has been the case with an experimental memory technology in which temperature and voltage work together to create the conditions for data storage. But precisely how was unknown. But when a Stanford team found a way to untangle the chip’s energy and heat requirements, their findings revealed a pleasant surprise: The process may be more energy efficient than was previously supposed. That’s good news for next-generation mobile devices whose batteries would last longer powering lower energy chips.

The new ...

The tiny YbMgGaO4 crystal, here perched on a stand for testing, appears to be the next extremely rare material to produce an equally as rare observable quantum spin liquid. Credit: Georgia Tech / Martin Mourigal

Inside a new exotic crystal, physicist Martin Mourigal has observed strong indications of “spooky” action, and lots of it. The results of his experiments, if corroborated over time, would mean that the type of crystal is a rare new material that can produce an observable quantum spin liquid. Currently, only a small handful of materials are believed to possibly have these properties. This new crystal was synthesized for the first time only a year ago.

A “liquid” found inside a solid object may sound confusing to many people...