Method Detects Defects in 2D Materials for future Electronics, Sensors

A yellow laser beam shines on a chip and reveals a grain boundary defect
A laser beam (yellow) reflects off a 2D material (orange) highlighting a grain boundary defect in the atomic lattice.
 IMAGE: MRI/PENN STATE

To further shrink electronic devices and to lower energy consumption, the semiconductor industry is interested in using 2D materials, but manufacturers need a quick and accurate method for detecting defects in these materials to determine if the material is suitable for device manufacture. Now a team of researchers has developed a technique to quickly and sensitively characterize defects in 2D materials.

Two-dimensional materials are atomically thin, the most well-known being graphene, a single-atom-thick layer of carbon atoms.

“People have struggled to make these 2D materials without defects,” said Mauricio Terrones, Verne M...

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Space Super-storm likelihood estimated from longest period of Magnetic field observations

Artist’s depiction of solar wind particles interacting with Earth’s magnetosphere

A ‘great’ space weather super-storm large enough to cause significant disruption to our electronic and networked systems occurred on average once in every 25 years according to a new joint study by the University of Warwick and the British Antarctic Survey.

By analysing magnetic field records at opposite ends of the Earth (UK and Australia), scientists have been able to detect super-storms going back over the last 150 years.

This result was made possible by a new way of analysing historical data, pioneered by the University of Warwick, from the last 14 solar cycles, way before the space age began in 1957, instead of the last five solar cycles currently used.

The analysis shows that ‘severe’ magn...

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Parkinson’s Disease may start Before Birth

Clive Svendsen, PhD, director of the Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, right, and Nur Yucer, PhD, a project scientist, discuss a microscope image of dopamine neurons. Photo by Cedars-Sinai.

Stem cell study finds malfunctioning brain cells in patients who were diagnosed before age 50; researchers test potential new treatment. People who develop Parkinson’s disease before age 50 may have been born with disordered brain cells that went undetected for decades, according to new Cedars-Sinai research. The research points to a drug that potentially might help correct these disease processes.

Parkinson’s occurs when brain neurons that make dopamine, a substance that helps coordinate muscle movement, become impaired or die...

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As seen in Movies, new Meta-Hologram can be used as a Communication Tool

Meta-hologram optical device that operated in forward and backward directions.
CREDIT
Junsuk Rho(POSTECH)

Scientists have developed a multiplexed meta-hologram device operating at visible light. The newly developed technique can transmit information to multiple users from different locations. This can be employed in many hologram applications such as performance, exhibitions, automobiles and more.

Hologram techniques are already used in our everyday life. A hologram sticker to prevent from counterfeiting money, Augmented Reality navigation projected in front mirror of a car to guide directions, and Virtual Reality game that allows a user to play in a virtual world with a feeling of live are just a few examples to mention...

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