Nanowerk November 9, 2022 While technological developments of 2D MOFs typically take advantage of substrates for growth, support, and electrical contacts, investigations often ignore substrates and their dramatic influence on electronic properties. Researchers in Australia have shown how substrates alter the correlated magnetic phases in Kagome MOFs using systematic density functional theory and mean-field Hubbard calculations. They demonstrated that MOF-substrate coupling, MOF-substrate charge transfer, strain, and external electric fields are key variables, activating and deactivating magnetic phases in these materials. They used the Kagome-arranged 9,10-dicyanoanthracene molecules coordinated with copper atoms as an example. According to the researchers their findings can […]
Tag Archives: S&T Australia
New faster charging hydrogen fuel cell developed
Science Daily August 12, 2022 Metal hydrides (MH) have large hydrogen storage capacity, low operating pressure, and high safety. However, their slow hydrogen absorption kinetics significantly decreases storage performance. Researchers in Australia designed and optimized a semi-cylindrical coil for hydrogen storage and embedded it as an internal heat exchanger with air as the heat transfer fluid (HTF). They analyzed and compared it with normal helical coil geometry, based on various pitch sizes, investigated the operating parameters of MH storage and HTF to obtain optimal values. Results from this study demonstrated that MH storage performance is significantly improved by using a […]
Report identifies seven ‘global megatrends’ shaping the 21st century
Phys.org July 27, 2022 In 2012, CSIRO published a report called Our Future World, which delivered an evidence-based view of future megatrends many of which are living reality. In the new report researchers in Australia provide an update on the 2012 report and capture other trends and drivers. According to the researchers the new megatrends are: Climate change; Leaner, cleaner and greener innovative solutions to meet demand; Escalating health imperative (aging populations, high rates of chronic illness); Geopolitical shifts (disrupted patterns of global trade); Diving into digital (rapid growth of telehealth, online retail, education, and entertainment); Increasingly autonomous (AI use); […]
A Huge Step Forward in Quantum Computing Was Just Announced: The First-Ever Quantum Circuit
Science Alert June 22, 2022 Researchers in Australia have created a functional quantum processor and tested it by modeling a small molecule in which each atom has multiple quantum states. They used a scanning tunneling microscope in an ultra-high vacuum to place quantum dots with sub-nanometer precision. The trickiest parts were figuring out: exactly how many atoms of phosphorus should be in each quantum dot; exactly how far apart each dot should be; and then engineering a machine that could place the tiny dots in exactly the right arrangement inside the silicon chip. The final quantum chip contained 10 quantum […]
Superworms capable of munching through plastic
Science Daily June 9, 2022 Polystyrene is among the most common forms of plastic, but recycling it is not easy and the vast majority ends up in landfills or ocean. Researchers in Australia discovered that superworms can survive on a sole polystyrene diet, and even gain a small amount of weight—compared to a starvation control group. They analyzed the microbial gut community and found which gene-encoded enzymes were involved in degrading the plastic. One way to put the findings to use would be to provide super worms with food waste or agricultural bioproducts to consume alongside polystyrene. But while breeding […]
A huge Atlantic Ocean current is slowing down—if it collapses, La Niña could become the norm for Australia
Phys.org June 7, 2022 Climate projections suggest a weakening or collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) under global warming, with evidence that a slowdown is already underway. This could have significant ramifications for Atlantic Ocean heat transport, Arctic Sea ice extent and regional North Atlantic climate. However, the potential for far-reaching effects, such as teleconnections to adjacent basins and into the Southern Hemisphere, remains unclear. Researchers in Australia used a global climate model to show that AMOC collapse can accelerate the Pacific trade winds and Walker circulation by leaving an excess of heat in the tropical South Atlantic. […]
Room-temperature molecular switch discovery paves the way for faster computers, longer-lasting batteries
Phys.org June 9, 2022 Until now, molecular switching has only been possible when the molecules are extremely cold. Researchers in Australia have developed a semiempirical microscopic model of spin crossover materials (SCO) materials combining crystal field theory with elastic intermolecular interactions. The model reproduces the key experimental results including thermally induced phase transitions, light-induced spin-state trapping (LIESST), and reverse-LIESST. They reproduced and explained the experimentally observed relationship between the critical temperature of the thermal transition. They proposed strategies to design SCO materials with higher TLIESST. The most dramatic increases came from increasing the cooperativity of the spin-state transition by increasing […]
The way of water: Making advanced electronics with H2O
Science Daily May 16, 2022 The next generation of photovoltaics, semiconductors and LEDs could be made using perovskites. The presence of moisture can lead to defects in the materials, causing them to fall apart more quickly when they’re being used in a device. Researchers in Australia found a simple way to control the growth of phase-pure perovskite crystals by harnessing water as a positive factor by changing the ratio of water to solvent during the early stages of the process, they could choose to grow different types of perovskite crystals, with structures to suit various purposes. They identified that the […]
Single-photon source paves the way for practical quantum encryption
Phys.org March 23, 2022 Researchers in Australia have developed an on-demand way to generate photons with high purity in a scalable and portable system that operates at room temperature. They combined hexagonal boron nitride with a hemispherical solid immersion lens, which increases the source’s efficiency by a factor of six. They incorporated the single-photon source into a fully portable device that can perform QKD. They demonstrated that it could produce over ten million single photons per second at room temperature. The streamlined device is easier to use and much smaller than traditional optical table setups allowing the system to be […]
A new record for laser stability across atmospheric distances
Phys.org January 24, 2022 The propagation of laser through turbulent atmosphere is affected by wind and minor equipment vibrations. Researchers in Australia used a host of features to keep the beam stable, including temperature controls, noise reduction and automatic adjustments to the devices holding the equipment. The test involved sending a beam from a building to a site 1.2 kilometers away. The target consisted of a mirror to bounce the laser beam back to a device near the source of the laser. The beam was held in place for approximately five minutes. Once a long-distance means of sending laser signals […]