Phys.org January 10, 2018 Recently unidirectional spin Hall magnetoresistance was reported in a conventional metal bilayer material system. A team of researchers in the US (University of Minnesota, Pennsylvania State University) demonstrated the existence of such magnetoresistance in the topological insulator-ferromagnet bilayers and showed that the adoption of topological insulators, compared to heavy metals, doubles the magnetoresistance performance at 150 Kelvin (-123.15 Celsius). The research could improve the future of low-power computing and memory for the semiconductor industry, including brain-like computing and chips for robots and 3D magnetic memory…read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLE
A biological solution to carbon capture and recycling?
Science Daily January 8, 2018 The E. coli bacterium can grow in the complete absence of oxygen. When it does this it makes a special metal-containing enzyme, called ‘FHL’, which can interconvert gaseous carbon dioxide with liquid formic acid. An international team of researchers (Scotland, UK, Industry partners) has shown that when the bacteria containing the FHL enzyme are placed under pressurized carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas mixtures — up to 10 atmospheres of pressure — then 100 per cent conversion of the carbon dioxide to formic acid is observed. The reaction happens quickly, over a few hours, and at […]
Researchers design dendrite-free lithium battery
Phys.org January 8, 2018 In lithium batteries the anode requires a rigid electrolyte to block dendrite growth, but it is difficult for a rigid electrolyte to maintain sufficient contact with the solid cathode, which creates a highly resistive cathode/electrolyte interface. To address this problem, the researchers in China designed an asymmetrical solid electrolyte, in which the side facing the anode is a rigid ceramic material that presses against the lithium anode to discourage dendrite growth, the side facing the cathode is made of a soft polymer, which allows for a strong interfacial connection with the cathode. In tests, the new […]
Top 10 Science & Technology Innovations for the Week of January 5, 2018
Every week, we bring you the top ten stories in science and technology. Here are the top stories this week: 1. Innovative transistors based on magnetically induced movement of ions 2. Atomically thin perovskites boost for future electronics 3. Exploring electrolysis for energy storage 4. Thermoelectric power generation at room temperature: Coming soon? 5. Special Report: Top Tech 2018 6. Deep Learning: A Critical Appraisal 7. Six Cyber Threats to Really Worry About in 2018 8. Carbon nanotube as ultrafast emitter with narrow energy spread at optical frequency 9. Sensor the size of a nitrogen atom investigates hard drives 10. […]
Six Cyber Threats to Really Worry About in 2018
MIT Technology Review January 2, 2018 Hackers are constantly finding new targets and refining the tools they use to break through cyberdefenses. From AI-powered hacking to tampering with voting systems, here are some of the big risks on our radar screen – More huge data breaches, Ransomware in the cloud, The weaponization of AI, Cyber-physical attacks, Mining cryptocurrencies, Hacking elections (again!). Read more at MIT Technology Review
Sensor the size of a nitrogen atom investigates hard drives
Nanowerk January 2, 2018 Researchers in Germany are developing a quantum sensor that will be able to precisely measure the tiny magnetic fields we can expect to see in the next generation of hard discs. The sensor itself is just slightly larger than a nitrogen atom, with a specially grown ultra-pure diamond crystal as a substrate. The combined nitrogen-vacancy center acts as the actual sensor. Using electron spin resonance spectroscopy, they can detect magnetic fields with nanometer accuracy, and determine their force opening an extraordinary range of applications. Potentially the sensor can be used to measure brain activity. Read […]
Exploring electrolysis for energy storage
Science Daily January 2, 2018 Researchers in Japan have developed a flow-type polymer electrolyte cell for power storage. The cell reduces oxalic acid (OX) to glycolic acid, which has a higher volumetric energy-storage capacity than hydrogen gas. Newly fabricated TiO2 cathode enhanced the speed and efficiency of OX reduction. By using a solid polymer electrolyte in direct contact with the electrodes, the reaction can be as a continuous flow without addition of impurities. The maximum volumetric energy capacity of the GC solution is around 50 times that of hydrogen gas. The energy efficiency, as opposed to capacity, lags behind other […]
Flexible bonding: hard and soft at the same time
Fraunhofer Research News January 2, 2018 Researchers in Germany have developed a new material called MetAK which is comparable to commercially available resins. Its stiffness can be determined by two hardening mechanisms: irradiation with UV light, and heat. The areas that should remain flexible are not irradiated; they are instead treated with heat, which cures them. As the rigidity is very easily adjustable, it is possible to flexibly adjust the material to the frequency range of the vibrations and compensate for them. MetAk can be cast in a specified shape making it attractive for orthopedic applications. Read more.
Carbon nanotube as ultrafast emitter with narrow energy spread at optical frequency
Nanowerk January 2, 2018 An international team of researchers (China, Finland) used carbon nanotubes to achieve energy spreads as low as 0.25 eV to demonstrate field-driven ultrafast photo electron emission, in a system capable of much higher phase synchronization than its photon-driven counterpart. According to the researchers, their work will help reshape our understanding of strong field physics, and may very well light the way for entirely new types of electron emission systems. Read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Thermoelectric power generation at room temperature: Coming soon?
Physorg.com December 27, 2017 Researchers in Japan combined silicon with ytterbium to create ytterbium silicide which is a good electrical conductor, non-toxic and has valence fluctuation that makes it a good TE material at low temperatures. The Yb atoms in YbSi2 occupy crystal planes and the Si atoms form hexagonal sheets between those planes blocking the conduction of heat through the material keeping the thermal conductivity down. They have achieved high power factor of 2.2 mWm-1K-2 at room temperature. The research could help unlock the benefits of TE in everyday technology. Read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE