Scientists merge two “impossible” materials into new artificial structure

An international team led by Rutgers University-New Brunswick researchers has created a synthetic quantum structure by merging two lab-synthesized materials, previously thought impossible to combine. This exotic structure, developed through four years of experimentation, could provide new insights for quantum computing. The structure consists of distinct atomic layers: dysprosium titanate, used in nuclear reactors to trap radioactive materials and magnetic monopoles, and pyrochlore iridate, a magnetic semimetal known for its unique electronic, topological, and magnetic properties.

Individually, both materials are often considered “impossible” materials due to their unique properties that challenge conventional understanding of quantum physics.

The construction of the exotic sandwich structure sets the stage for scientific explorations in what is referred to as the interface, the area where the materials meet, in the atomic scale.

“This work provides a new way to design entirely new artificial two-dimensional quantum materials, with the potential to push quantum technologies and provide deeper insight into their fundamental properties in ways that were previously impossible,” said Jak Chakhalian, the Claud Lovelace Endowed Professor of Experimental Physics in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences and a principal investigator the study.

Chakhalian and his team are exploring a realm that follows the laws of quantum theory, a branch of physics that describes the behavior of matter and energy at the atomic and subatomic level. Central to quantum mechanics is the concept of wave-particle duality where quantum objects can possess both wave-like and particle-like properties – a foundational principle behind technologies such as lasers, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and transistors.

Chakhalian highly praised the efforts of three Rutgers students who made major contributions to the research: Michael Terilli and Tsung-Chi Wu, both doctoral students, and Dorothy Doughty, who graduated in 2024 and worked on the study as an undergraduate. In addition, Mikhail Kareev, who is a materials scientist working with Chakhalian, made a main contribution to the new synthesis method, as well as Fangdi Wen, a doctoral student who recently graduated from the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

Chakhalian said that creating the unique quantum sandwich was so technically challenging that the team had to build a new device to accomplish the feat.

The instrument, called Q-DiP, short for quantum phenomena discovery platform, was completed in 2023. Q-DiP incorporates an infrared laser heater with another laser which enables the construction of materials on an atomic level, layer by layer. The combination allows the scientists to explore the most intricate quantum properties of materials down to ultra cold temperatures near absolute zero.

“To the best of our knowledge, this probe is unique in the U.S. and represents a breakthrough as an instrumental advance,” Chakhalian said.

The half of the experimental sandwich that is dysprosium titanate, also known as spin ice, possesses special qualities. Tiny magnets inside, called spins, are arranged in a way that looks exactly like the pattern of water ice. The unique structure of the tiny magnets in spin ice allows them to emerge as special particles called magnetic monopoles.

A magnetic monopole is a particle that acts like a magnet, but with only one pole – either north or south, but not both. This object, predicted in 1931 by the Nobel prize winner Paul Dirac, does not exist in free form in the universe and yet inside spin ice it emerges as a result of the quantum mechanical interactions within the material.

On the other side of the sandwich, the semimetal pyrochlore iridate is also considered exotic because it contains tiny relativistic particles called Weyl fermions. Again, surprisingly, though predicted by Hermann Weyl in 1929, these exotic particles, discovered in 2015 in crystals, move like light and can spin in different ways – left-handed or right-handed. Their electronic properties are very strong and resist certain types of disturbances or impurities, making them very stable when operated as a part of electronic devices. As a result, pyrochlore iridate can conduct electricity very well, respond in unusual ways to magnetic fields and show special effects when exposed to electromagnetic fields.

Chakhalian said the combined properties of the new material created makes it a promising candidate for use in advanced technologies, including quantum computing and especially for the next-generation quantum sensors.
“This study is a big step forward in material synthesis and could significantly impact the way we create quantum sensors and advances spintronic devices,” he said.

Quantum computing employs the principles of quantum mechanics to process information. Quantum computers use quantum bits or qubits that exist in multiple states simultaneously due to a quantum physical principle called superposition. This allows for complex computations to be performed much more efficiently than by classical computers.

The specific electronic and magnetic properties of the material developed by the researchers can help in creating very unusual and yet stable quantum states, which are essential for quantum computing.

When quantum technology becomes practical, it will significantly impact ordinary life by revolutionizing drug discovery and medical research, markedly improving operations, predictability and cost savings in finance, logistics and manufacturing. It also is expected to revolutionize machine learning algorithms, making artificial intelligence systems more powerful, the scientists said.

For more information: Nano Letters

Image: By building a unique, advanced machine, Rutgers scientists have created a structure with quantum qualities. The green window (right) is the main growth chamber where synthesis of the quantum “sandwiches” occurs. Within the amber window (left) are advanced characterization tools that uncover chemical and electronic properties of the grown quantum thin films without exposing them to air.

Twisting 2D materials creates artificial atoms that could advance quantum computers

Researchers at the University of Rochester have discovered that twisting two atom-thick flakes of special materials at high angles reveals unique optical properties, potentially useful for quantum computers and other quantum technologies. By precisely layering these nano-thin materials, they create excitons—artificial atoms that can function as quantum information bits, or qubits.

“If we had just a single layer of this material we’re using, these dark excitons wouldn’t interact with light,” says Nickolas Vamivakas, the Marie C. Wilson and Joseph C. Wilson Professor of Optical Physics. “By doing the big twist, it turns on artificial atoms within the material that we can control optically, but they are still protected from the environment.”

The work builds on the 2010 Nobel Prize–winning discovery that peeling carbon apart until it reaches a single layer of atoms creates a new two-dimensional (2D) material called graphene with special quantum characteristics.

Scientists have since explored how the optical and electrical properties of graphene and other 2D materials change when layered on top of one another and twisted at very small angles—called moiré superlattices. For example, when graphene is twisted at the “magic” angle of 1.1 degrees, it creates special patterns that produce properties such as superconductivity.

But scientists from Rochester’s Institute of Optics and Department of Physics and Astronomy took a different approach. They used molybdenum diselenide, a 2D material that is more fickle than graphene, and twisted it at much higher angles of up to 40 degrees. Still, the researchers found the twisted monolayers produced excitons that were able to retain information when activated by light.

“This was very surprising for us,” says Arnab Barman Ray, an optics Ph.D. candidate. “Molybdenum diselenide is notorious because other materials in the family of moiré materials show better information-retaining capacity. We think that if we use some of those other materials at these large angles, they will probably work even better.”

The team views this as an important early step toward new types of quantum devices.

“Down the line, we hope these artificial atoms can be used like memory or nodes in a quantum network, or put into optical cavities to create quantum materials,” says Vamivakas. “These could be the backbone for devices like the next generation of lasers or even tools to simulate quantum physics.”

For more information: Nano Letters

NREL researchers advance substrate engineering pathways to improve power electronics

As global electricity demand and supply grow, efficient power electronics are crucial for enhancing grid efficiency, stability, integration, and resilience across all energy sources. Advances in wide-bandgap semiconductor materials promise greater power handling capabilities while reducing electrical and thermal losses, enabling the development of smaller, faster, more reliable, and energy-efficient power electronic components compared to current silicon-based technologies.

Researchers from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the Colorado School of Mines, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory examined a potential route to achieve peak performance of aluminum gallium nitride, AlxGa1–xN, a key material for increasing power electronics’ energy efficiency and performance, through growth on optimized substrate materials.

This work was undertaken with funding support from the microelectronics initiative through the U.S. Department of Energy Basic Energy Sciences Office and Advanced Scientific Computing Research program.

The goal of the work is to grow higher-quality materials through the selection of a lattice-matched substrate. Better electron transmission means better device performance, but the growth of AlxGa1–xN on lattice-mismatched substrates leads to dislocation (line defects that distort a lattice due to the misalignment of atoms), resulting in diminished performance.

“Substrate engineering enables the use of high-performing materials in real devices,” said NREL’s Dennice Roberts, a materials science researcher. “If we can engineer lattice-matched substrates to reduce the effect of dislocations, we can widen the range of sufficiently high-quality materials and build better, more energy-efficient power electronics.”

Substrate engineering can improve device performance—but it is complicated. Defects, such as substrate cracking, are common with growth on AlN and GaN. Efforts to reduce dislocation have been effective but often increase device complexity and limit device design and performance. Lattice mismatching, again, leads to device performance issues.

“Lattice matching is critical for high-quality epitaxial growth,” Roberts said. “We hypothesized that substrates from transition metal carbide and nitride families could enable desired conditions for AlxGa1–xN growth, not only because of ideal lattice matching but also because of ideal thermal and electrical conductivity properties. TaC and AlxGa1–xN are closely lattice-matched, TaC is highly conductive, and they display matched growth in size in response to changes in temperature.”

The team grew, prepared, and used TaC thin films as virtual substrates for high-aluminum-content AlxGa1–xN and demonstrated AlxGa1–xN growth on TaC virtual substrates. To precisely and effectively deposit TaC onto the substrate, they used radio frequency sputtering. They formed substrates through high-temperature annealing, a process that increases ductility—the ability of a metal to undergo significant stress before cracking or breaking—and reduces defects.

For more information: PRX Energy

Alloyed raises £37M in funding for metal alloy development

UK-based Alloyed has secured £37 million in Series B funding to expand its manufacturing facilities in Abingdon, UK, and Seattle, USA, and to advance its digital alloy design platforms and product line. Founded in 2017 as an Oxford University spinout, Alloyed specializes in creating advanced, lightweight metallic alloys for additive manufacturing, with clients including Boeing, Microsoft, Anglo American plc, and BMW. Their materials are used in a variety of applications, from antennas and satellite structures to jet engine components, VR headsets, and smartwatches.

Japanese investment firm SPARX and the Development Bank of Japan led the £37M Series B round. Aviva Investors and Senningerberg-based Future Industry Ventures also provided funding. This adds to Alloyed’s existing backers, Oxford Science Enterprises, JX Advanced Metals, and Anglo American plc.

“We’re excited to welcome this exceptional group of new investors, enabling us to accelerate investment in our digital tools and expand our certified production facilities both in the UK and the US,” explained Alloyed’s CEO, Michael Holmes. “Automated design and manufacturing is an industry where the UK, with our expertise in materials science and world class engineering capability, has the potential to lead on the global stage and Alloyed is at the forefront of this transformation.”

Alloyed claims that its Abingdon HQ features “one of the largest fleets of Additive Manufacturing machines in Europe.” Across its UK and US facilities, it develops advanced metallic alloys optimized for metal 3D printing. The materials developer aims to capitalize on the emerging automated design and manufacturing with its portfolio, which includes copper alloys, alloy steels, stainless steels, and aluminum alloys.

Back in 2022, Alloyed showcased its 3D printed copper cooling plate designed for high-temperature computing systems and general liquid cooling systems. This device featured a complex 3D printed lattice structure that minimizes material usage while enhancing cooling performance. The monolithic plate was reportedly simpler and more efficient at transferring heat than its conventionally manufactured counterparts.

Looking ahead, the metal developer believes high-performance alloys will play a key role in global efforts to transition to sustainable energy. It anticipates that more companies will work to deploy increasingly stronger and lighter materials to develop “next-generation technologies.”

“Additive manufacture has great promise for the energy transition and future products across a range of industries, but has been held back by a range of engineering challenges,” explained Takaki Demichi, Director and Head of Investment for SPARX Asset Management’s Next-Generation Growth Division. He believes these barriers are “directly addressed by Alloyed’s materials, processing, design, and production technologies and its highly data-driven approach.”

Development Bank of Japan’s General Manager of Innovation Promotion Office, Yuki Takemori, added, “Alloyed is at the forefront of innovation in the manufacturing sector and a natural partner for us.” The Tokyo financial institution believes its collaboration with Alloyed will “enhance the sector even further” by creating a “model case for commercialising technology.”

Additive manufacturing is attracting the attention of global investors. According to IDTechEx data, approximately $650 million was invested into 3D printing across 40 deals in 2024. While the state of investing in 3D printing has not yet reached pre-pandemic levels, it remains stable amid a shift away from tech hype to disciplined funding.

For more information: Alloyed

Unveiling the role of defects in 2D material dynamics

Researchers from the University of Cambridge have shown that ripples in two-dimensional materials, like graphene, significantly influence fluid interactions, strength, conductivity, and chemical activity. Understanding how rippling and defects interact is essential for advancing technologies such as energy storage, flexible electronics, nanofluidics, and catalysis. Defects can dramatically alter the surface ripples, sometimes causing the material to freeze in place, similar to a still image.

Dr. Fabian Thiemann, the first author of the study, is currently a Research Scientist at IBM. He began this research while pursuing his Ph.D. at UCL, the University of Cambridge, and Imperial College London.

2D materials are central to technological advancements in areas such as water filtration, high-speed electronics, and ultra-thin flexible displays. However, at the atomic level, surfaces that appear flat are never truly flat. These 2D surfaces contain microscopic ripples that influence their properties.

The researchers used machine learning-based computer models to simulate 2D sheets of graphene and other materials. These models allowed them to examine how different materials, both with and without defects, exhibit rippling behavior. They discovered that defects in the material affect how ripples propagate and, more significantly, cause the membrane to freeze and lose its flexibility when defect concentrations are high.

Dr. Camille Scalliet, currently a Permanent Researcher at the Laboratoire de Physique de l’École Normale Supérieure in Paris, conducted this research while serving as a Herchel Smith Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Cambridge.

The researchers are excited to expand on these findings in the future. Fabian Thiemann and Camille Scalliet discussed their thoughts on the future of their study: “There are great ways to continue this work. Our next steps are to study more complicated situations at the nanoscale, such as membranes in contact with water or other materials. This is just the beginning of this collaboration.”

For more information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Image: Defects in a flexible sheet

Developing 3D-printed soft material actuators that can mimic real muscles

Empa researchers have developed a 3D printing method to produce soft, elastic, yet powerful artificial muscles. These artificial muscles could one day be used in medicine, robotics, and other applications requiring movement at the touch of a button. While they hold potential for supporting people at work, aiding mobility, or replacing injured muscle tissue, creating artificial muscles that match the performance of real muscles remains a significant technical challenge.

In order to keep up with their biological counterparts, artificial muscles must not only be powerful, but also elastic and soft. At their core, artificial muscles are so-called actuators: Components that convert electrical impulses into movement. Actuators are used wherever something moves at the push of a button, whether at home, in a car engine or in highly developed industrial plants. However, these hard mechanical components do not have much in common with muscles just yet.

The dielectric elastic actuators (DEA) consist of two different silicone-based materials: a conductive electrode material and a non-conductive dielectric. These materials interlock in layers. “It’s a bit like interlacing your fingers,” explains Empa researcher Patrick Danner. If an electrical voltage is applied to the electrodes, the actuator contracts like a muscle. When the voltage is switched off, it relaxes to its original position.

3D printing such a structure is not trivial, Danner knows. Despite their very different electrical properties, the two soft materials should behave very similarly during the printing process. They should not mix but must still hold together in the finished actuator.

The printed “muscles” must be as soft as possible so that an electrical stimulus can cause the required deformation. Added to this are the requirements that all 3D printable materials must fulfill: They must liquefy under pressure so that they can be extruded out of the printer nozzle. Immediately thereafter, however, they should be viscous enough to retain the printed shape.

“These properties are often in direct contradiction,” says Danner. “If you optimize one of them, three others change … usually for the worse.”

In collaboration with researchers from ETH Zurich, Danner and Dorina Opris, who leads the research group Functional Polymeric Materials, have succeeded in reconciling many of these contradictory properties. Two special inks, developed at Empa, are printed into functioning soft actuators using a nozzle developed by ETH researchers Tazio Pleij and Jan Vermant.

The collaboration is part of the large-scale project Manufhaptics, which is part of the ETH Domain’s strategic area Advanced Manufacturing. The aim of the project is to develop a glove that makes virtual worlds tangible. The artificial muscles are designed to simulate the gripping of objects through resistance.

However, there are far more potential applications for soft actuators. They are light, noiseless and, thanks to the new 3D printing process, can be shaped as required. They could replace conventional actuators in cars, machinery and robotics. If they are developed even further, they could also be used for medical applications.

Opris and Danner are already working on it. Their new process can be used to print not only complex shapes, but also long elastic fibers. “If we manage to make them just a little thinner, we can get pretty close to how real muscle fibers work,” says Opris. The researcher believes that in the future it may be possible to print an entire heart from these fibers. However, there is still a lot to do before such a dream becomes a reality.

For more information: Advanced Materials Technologies

Image: Complexity on a small scale: A 3D-printed soft actuator or “artificial muscle.”

Penn State to establish new advanced semiconductor lab

Penn State researchers are set to enhance their semiconductor technology R&D capabilities with $4.3 million in funding and support from MMEC, a consortium focused on microelectronics. This funding, part of the Department of Defense’s Microelectronics Commons initiative under the CHIPS Act, will help establish an advanced lab for semiconductor thin films and device research at the Materials Research Institute in the Millennium Science Complex. MMEC, founded by Battelle, unites industry, academia, and government to drive innovation in microelectronics for commercial and defense applications, strengthening the U.S. supply chain.

“We were very fortunate to be included in the original MMEC proposal,” said Joan Redwing, lead investigator on the infrastructure project and distinguished professor of materials science and engineering and director of MRI’s Two-Dimensional Crystal Consortium, a U.S. National Science Foundation Materials Innovation Platform and national user facility. “The proposal included infrastructure investment for training and workforce development. The funding will allow MRI to build capacity for next-generation semiconductor thin films and devices, which includes new equipment that will allow us to scale up fabrication and create prototype devices.”

At the heart of the new facility, made possible by the funding, will be a metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) tool, manufactured by AIXTRON SE, a multinational technology company. The MOCVD tool works by heating a chamber in a highly controlled manner where special chemical gases, containing the elements needed for the material, are introduced. These gases react and break down on a hot surface, such as a semiconductor wafer, depositing a thin, even layer of material. This precise layering allows for high-quality materials used in advanced technologies like semiconductors.

This instrument will enable the deposition of semiconductor thin films on multiple wafers at a time at sizes up to four-inch diameter. The tool is unique in its ability to grow both wide bandgap semiconductors such as gallium nitride — used in power electronics — and two-dimensional (2D) materials — an emerging ultra-thin semiconductor for logic and brain-inspired computing. Gallium nitride and 2D materials have applications in high-performance power electronics and energy-efficient computing, which are critical technologies for electric vehicles and artificial intelligence, among other applications.

“This tool will allow students and early career researchers to gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art thin film deposition equipment used by industry for compound semiconductor thin film manufacturing,” Redwing explained. “It will also provide new capabilities for scaling up thin film materials for device research, particularly for advanced semiconductors including wide bandgap and 2D materials.”

In addition to the MOCVD tool, the lab will house several other specialized instruments. One is a Jupiter XR atomic force microscope from Oxford Instruments Asylum Research for fast scanning and full-wafer mapping, which will help enhance quality control and characterization of thin film materials. The other is an evaporator for deposition of specialized contact metal stacks for devices fabricated using 2D materials. This tool will support research by Suzanne Mohney, professor of materials science and engineering, and Saptarshi Das, professor of engineering science and mechanics, in addition to other faculty.

The equipment will be available for use by researchers inside and outside Penn State as a user facility with shared process know-how. The lab’s capabilities will provide opportunities for a range of Penn State researchers, including faculty working on power electronics and 2D-device development.

“This new lab connects us more closely with MMEC and provides a unique opportunity to support training and workforce development as well as collaborative research with universities and industry partners across the consortium,” Redwing said.

For more information: Penn State University

Image: The new lab will enable work developing advanced semiconductor wafers, shown here.

Scientists use AI to better understand nanoparticles

Scientists have developed a method to visualize the dynamic behavior of nanoparticles, crucial in pharmaceuticals, electronics, and industrial materials, by combining artificial intelligence with electron microscopy. This breakthrough, involving researchers from Arizona State University, Cornell University, and the University of Iowa, allows for unprecedented time-resolution imaging of molecules one-billionth of a meter in size.

“Nanoparticle-based catalytic systems have a tremendous impact on society,” explains Carlos Fernandez-Granda, director of NYU’s Center for Data Science and a professor of mathematics and data science, one of the paper’s authors. “It is estimated that 90 percent of all manufactured products involve catalytic processes somewhere in their production chain. We have developed an artificial-intelligence method that opens a new window for the exploration of atomic-level structural dynamics in materials.”

“Electron microscopy can capture images at a high spatial resolution, but because of the velocity at which the atomic structure of nanoparticles changes during chemical reactions, we need to gather data at a very high speed to understand their functionality,” explains Peter A. Crozier, a professor of materials science and engineering at Arizona State University and one of the paper’s authors. “This results in extremely noisy measurements. We have developed an artificial-intelligence method that learns how to remove this noise — automatically — enabling the visualization of key atomic-level dynamics.”

Observing the movement of atoms on a nanoparticle is crucial to understand functionality in industrial applications. The problem is that the atoms are barely visible in the data, so scientists cannot be sure how they are behaving — the equivalent of tracking objects in a video taken at night with an old camera. To address this challenge, the paper’s authors trained a deep neural network, AI’s computational engine, that is able to “light up” the electron-microscope images, revealing the underlying atoms and their dynamic behavior.

“The nature of changes in the particle is exceptionally diverse, including fluxional periods, manifesting as rapid changes in atomic structure, particle shape, and orientation; understanding these dynamics requires new statistical tools,” explains David S. Matteson, a professor and associate chair of Cornell University’s Department of Statistics and Data Science, director of the National Institute of Statistical Sciences, and one of the paper’s authors. “This study introduces a new statistic that utilizes topological data analysis to both quantify fluxionality and to track the stability of particles as they transition between ordered and disordered states.”

For more information: NYU

3D-printed knee implants improves quality and reliability

Researchers at Naton Biotechnology have advanced 3D-printed medical implants by developing the world’s first laser 3D-printed total knee implant, which has been approved by China’s National Medical Products Administration. Their study focused on enhancing the strength and consistency of cobalt-chromium-molybdenum (CoCrMo) alloy implants using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). By optimizing heat treatment, they corrected material inconsistencies, resulting in stronger, more reliable, and safer implants for patients.

This research provides key insights into how 3D printing affects metal implants and lays the foundation for better quality control in orthopedic manufacturing, helping to advance the future of customized medical implants.

This research was led by Professor Changhui Song from South China University of Technology and Professor Jia-Kuo Yu from Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital as co-corresponding authors. The study was conducted in collaboration with Senior Engineer Renyao Li from Naton Biotechnology (Beijing) Co., Ltd and other members of the team.

The layer-by-layer manufacturing process of CoCrMo, a widely used implant material, occurs at extremely high cooling rates (~10⁵–10⁶ K/s). This rapid solidification often leads to anisotropy, meaning the material’s properties vary depending on the direction of force. The main causes include columnar grain structures, porosity, and residual stress, all of which are inherent to additive manufacturing.

While extensive research has been conducted on LPBF-fabricated CoCrMo alloys, most studies have only examined their performance in a single direction, overlooking how anisotropy affects overall durability. However, implants inside the human body must withstand forces from multiple directions. Then, if the material’s strength is inconsistent, weak spots can develop, increasing the risk of breakage or failure.

In mechanical tests, CoCrMo samples stretched significantly more in one direction (19.1% elongation) than in another (9.3% elongation)—a disparity of over 100%. This inconsistency makes the material unreliable for long-term medical use, as implants must perform uniformly and safely under everyday stresses.

The team found that a two-step heat treatment process significantly improved the uniformity of the metal’s structure and strength. The process included:

  • Solution Treatment – Heating the material to 1150°C, holding it for an hour, and then rapidly cooling it in water. This helped restructure the uneven metal grains.
  • Annealing – Reheating the material to 450°C for 30 minutes and then cooling it again. This step refined the grain structure and further balanced the material’s properties.

As a result, the metal’s strength and flexibility became nearly identical in all directions. The ultimate tensile strength reached 906.1 MPa and 879.2 MPa, while elongation values balanced at 20.2% and 17.9%, making the material stronger and more reliable for medical use.

With this breakthrough, scientists are now looking at surface treatments to further enhance the wear resistance and biocompatibility of implants. Methods like shot peening (where tiny metal beads are blasted onto the surface) and ultrasonic peening could improve the fatigue resistance of implants, helping them last longer under daily stress. These next-generation treatments could make 3D-printed joint implants even more durable and widely used in clinical settings.

This research offers new insights into how to improve 3D-printed metal implants, making them safer and more durable for patients. By addressing uneven strength and material quality, this breakthrough lays the foundation for better orthopedic implants, particularly for joint replacements.

For more information: IOP Science

Image: Diagrams illustrating how columnar grains develop during the LPBF, contributing to microstructural anisotropy; (b) Stress-strain curves showing significant improvements in the mechanical anisotropy after heat treatment; (c) Diagrams showing the recrystallization process, where equiaxed grains form to eliminate directional effects and enhance uniformity; (d) TEM images revealing the nanoscale interactions between martensite laths in the solution-annealed state; (e) Visual representation of the synergistic effects between annealing twins and martensite laths.

How disorder makes materials tougher

Scientists at Penn Engineering, Penn Arts & Sciences, and Aarhus University found that adding just the right amount of disorder to the structure of certain materials can make them more than twice as resistant to cracking.

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U of I System, University Academic Alliance in Taiwan launch joint R&D teams

The University of Illinois System and the University Academic Alliance in Taiwan awarded $1.2 million to eight new interdisciplinary research teams, selected from 52 applications, to drive innovations and enhance collaboration between the universities. This initiative, launched in 2023, aims to accelerate economic development through innovative technologies, with funding from UAAT’s Secretariat and the U of I System’s Office of the Vice President for Economic Development and Innovation.

The newly funded seed grant projects will focus on:

  • advanced materials and circuits for AI and future computing,
  • building a Taiwan-to-Illinois pipeline for nonlinear and quantum photonics,
  • AI-powered optical imaging for chronic disease prognosis,
  • using AI to assess social and environmental health outcomes,
  • creating digital twins for personalized immunotherapy,
  • developing a digital twin framework for smart additive manufacturing,
  • innovative aeration strategies for urban wastewater treatment,
  • and sustainable electrochemical remediation of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) for industrial and environmental applications.

“Through our strong partnership with UAAT, we look to develop research programs with impact in both the immediate future and over the long term,” U of I System President Tim Killeen said. “Researchers from Illinois and Taiwan have joined forces to conduct leading-edge work in their respective fields, and we fully expect breakthrough discoveries from these funded collaborations and longer-term solutions to grand challenges as these faculty-to-faculty partnerships grow. The seed grant program is part of our strategic focus on growing partnerships with the UAAT, its faculty and its students.”

Project teams were required to have participation from at least two of UAAT’s 12 universities and at least one of the three U of I System universities, and proposals had to focus on next-generation semiconductor technologies, AI and data for human well-being, and sustainability – key areas of strength for both groups of universities.

“It is inspiring to witness the launch of this collaboration among international university alliances and systems,” said Wen-Chang Chen, president of National Taiwan University and convener of UAAT. “With this joint initiative, UAAT and the U of I System are establishing a new model for international collaboration through international alliances/systems by combining the resources and expertise of their member universities. These funded projects represent some truly innovative ideas for collaboration in critical academic fields, and it will be exciting to follow their progress.”

For more information: University of Illinois System

From roots to rugged circuits: Tree-inspired printing tech for flexible electronics

Researchers at Xi’an Jiaotong University, China, have developed a new Template-Constrained Additive printing technology inspired by tree root systems that enhances the mechanical robustness and precision of flexible electronic circuits, allowing them to withstand extreme conditions like high temperatures and mechanical wear, expanding their applications in smart robotics and advanced sensing systems.

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Reducing TOPCon solar cell degradation via copper plating

Researchers at the University of New South Wales, Australia, have created a protective barrier on the front silver grid of a TOPCon solar cell using a 1 µm copper plating layer, which reduces corrosion susceptibility and significantly lowers contaminant-induced degradation compared to unprotected reference devices.

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Innovative apatite nanoparticles for advancing the biocompatibility of implanted biodevices

Medical implants have revolutionized healthcare with advanced materials and technologies, but many face challenges like poor cell adhesion, leading to inflammatory responses. Apatite coatings, especially hydroxyapatite (HA) found in bones, can enhance integration with tissues, but artificially synthesized apatite nanoparticles often lack effective binding with biological tissues. Researchers at Nagaoka University of Technology, Japan, have developed surface-modified apatite nanoparticles that improve cell adhesion, paving the way for the next generation of biocompatible medical implants.

Led by Dr. Motohiro Tagaya, Associate Professor at the Department of Materials Science and Bioengineering at Nagaoka University of Technology, Japan, this research aims to enhance the performance of apatite coatings and advance the field of biocompatible materials for medical devices.  Along with Dr. Tagaya, Mr. Kazuto Sugimoto from Nagaoka University of Technology, Dr. Tania Guadalupe Peñaflor Galindo from Sophia University, and Mr. Ryota Akutsu from Nagaoka University of Technology were also a part of this research team.

Apatites are a class of calcium-phosphorus-based inorganic compounds, with hydroxyapatite—a naturally occurring form found in bones. These compounds are known for their high biocompatibility. Recent studies have found that coating artificial joints and implants with apatite nanoparticles is a plausible solution for improving the biocompatibility of these biodevices. However, the artificially synthesized nanoparticles often show reduced binding affinity to biological tissues in vitro. According to Dr. Tagaya and his team, this difference could be linked to the nanoscale surface layer of the apatite nanoparticles.

Dr. Tagaya’s research was driven by a desire to unravel the complexities of biocompatible materials, leading his team to develop an interdisciplinary framework that controls the intricate interactions between apatite and biological systems.

The team synthesized hydroxyapatite nanoparticles by mixing aqueous solutions of calcium and phosphate ions. The pH of the solution was controlled using three different bases, which included tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAOH), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), and potassium hydroxide (KOH). The precipitated nanoparticles were then evaluated for their surface layer characteristics and were further used for coating via electrophoretic deposition.

The results revealed that pH was a key factor during synthesis, since it affected the crystalline phases, surface properties, and electrophoretic deposition. On analyzing the crystalline phases of the nanoparticles, it was observed that the choice of pH influenced the formation of different calcium phosphate phases like calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (CDHA) and carbonate-containing hydroxyapatite (CHA). Higher pH favored the formation of CHA, leading to better crystallinity, and a higher calcium to phosphorus (Ca/P) molar ratio.

The surface of the apatite nanoparticles shows three different layers. The inner apatite layer/core is characterized by the presence of the crystalline structure of the apatite. Above the apatite layer is the non-apatitic layer, which is rich in ions like phosphate ions and carbonate ions. This layer reacts with water molecules and forms the hydration layer. Analyzing the surface characteristics of these layers revealed that pH adjustments facilitated the formation of the non-apatitic layer rich in reactive ions, enhancing hydration properties, which was confirmed.

Importantly, the study revealed that while higher pH facilitates the formation of the non-apatitic layer, the presence of Na+ ions reduces the concentration of phosphate ions, leading to decreased reactivity of the layer. The introduction of substantial ions by NaOH also affected the uniformity of electrophoretic deposition, as observed in scanning probe microscope studies. This effect was not observed with KOH, indicating that KOH was more suitable than NaOH for forming the non-apatitic layer and ensuring uniform coating.

These findings can be potentially useful for surface coating of a wide range of biodevices that are implanted in the human body, including artificial joints and implants.

For more information: ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

Image: Researchers from Nagaoka University of Technology, Japan develop highly biocompatible apatite nanoparticles by manipulating surface properties through pH changes.

Behold the world’s thinnest pasta

The world record for thinnest pasta has just been shattered.

A team of researchers has created starchy nanofibers from white flour, with an average thickness of about 370 nanometers, or roughly two-hundredths the thickness of a human hair. These nanofibers, produced by mixing flour with formic acid to uncoil the starch molecules, are being explored for use in biodegradable bandages rather than as food.

“Normally, if you want to cook starch, then you use water and heat to break up the tight packing of starch,” notes Adam Clancy. “We do that chemically with formic acid. So we effectively pickle it instead of cooking it.”

Clancy is a chemist at University College London in England. He was part of a team that warmed this dough to give it the right consistency. To stretch the dough into tiny noodles, they used a technique called electrospinning.

In this process, an electrical charge pulled the dough through a needle and onto a plate several centimeters away. The starch molecules tangled with each other as they left the needle, forming a jet. As the jet flew through the air, the formic acid evaporated. This left behind a thin fiber. After about 30 minutes, the fiber formed a thin mat on the plate.

This isn’t the first time someone has made a mat of starchy nanofibers. Such mats typically have tiny holes called pores. These pores are large enough to let water molecules through, but too small for bacteria to enter. That makes them good options for bandages and wound dressings.

But past research has electrospun mats using pure starch, as opposed to a starch-containing flour. The process of extracting pure starch from plant matter takes a lot of energy and water. The new study shows such costly extraction isn’t always needed.

Since the fibers are made of dried flour, they count as pasta, the authors say. That makes them the thinnest pasta on record.

Each noodle is roughly a thousandth the width of su filindeu. That’s a type of pasta about half the width of angel hair noodles, which are about 1 millimeter (0.04 inch) thick when cooked.

So is Clancy’s nanopasta edible? “I certainly hope so,” he says.

For more information: Nanoscale Advances

Image: These nanofibers (seen under a scanning electron microscope) can be called pasta because they are made from dried flour. That makes them the thinnest noodles ever.

Scientists use quantum computers to simulate elusive particles

Researchers from Harvard University, MIT, and QuEra Computing Inc. have developed a new digital quantum simulation architecture based on reconfigurable atom arrays to simulate fermionic systems on quantum computers. This approach aims to advance materials science, chemistry, and high-energy physics by improving simulations of complex quantum materials and exotic phases of matter, which are challenging to study with classical computational methods. Fermions, such as electrons, protons, and neutrons, obey the Pauli exclusion principle, making their simulation difficult due to non-local interactions where changes in one part of the system can affect distant parts.

The research team used a quantum computing method that maps fermionic behavior onto qubits by leveraging a model known as Kitaev’s honeycomb lattice. This mathematical framework describes how particles interact in a two-dimensional honeycomb-shaped grid. The Kitaev model is particularly useful because it allows researchers to study exotic phases of matter, including spin liquids — materials where magnetic moments remain disordered even at very low temperatures. The approach encodes fermionic statistics using long-range entangled states to allow for more efficient quantum simulations of strongly interacting systems.

The study confirms the existence of a non-Abelian spin liquid phase by measuring an odd Chern number, a key mathematical indicator of topological order. Non-Abelian states are special because the way particles interact depends on the order in which they are exchanged. Unlike conventional particles, which either return to their original state or flip when swapped, non-Abelian particles retain a memory of the sequence of swaps, making them useful for robust quantum computing.

Although it’s not exact, to grasp some idea of the concept, you could think of non-Abelian states like a combination lock — if you enter the numbers in a different order, it will give you a different result. On the other hand, conventional particles are like light switches, which only have two states regardless of how many times you flip them.

The odd Chern number serves as a topological signature that identifies different quantum phases, much like how a fingerprint identifies an individual.

The work demonstrates how quantum simulations can efficiently capture the essential physics of strongly correlated fermions, according the researchers.

By encoding fermionic interactions in a topologically ordered state, the system enables precise control over the quantum evolution of fermions. Topological states are quantum states of matter that depend on their overall structure rather than specific local details. These states are particularly important because they provide robust ways to store and manipulate quantum information, making them valuable for fault-tolerant quantum computing.

Quantum simulations of fermionic systems are particularly challenging due to the non-local nature of fermion interactions. Traditional quantum computing methods require complex encodings that can introduce significant computational overhead. The researchers overcame these challenges using measurement-based state preparation, tunable Floquet circuits, and error detection techniques. Floquet engineering, which is a method that uses periodic driving to control quantum interactions, played a crucial role in simulating fermionic behavior in a controllable manner.

In the experiment, the team used a reconfigurable array of 104 atomic qubits on a neutral-atom quantum computing platform to represent the honeycomb lattice. They employed Floquet engineering to simulate fermionic behavior. Through this method, they successfully prepared and verified various low-energy states, including those corresponding to topological spin liquids. These spin liquids are phases of matter that, unlike conventional magnets, do not exhibit long-range magnetic order but instead host highly entangled quantum states with exotic properties such as fractionalized excitations.

One of the study’s major findings is the ability to simulate strong interactions within a fermionic system, particularly in the context of the Fermi-Hubbard model. This model is widely used in condensed matter physics to describe electron interactions in materials and has implications for understanding high-temperature superconductivity. By engineering interactions among fermions on a square lattice, the researchers were able to explore dynamics relevant to real-world materials, potentially providing insights into novel electronic properties that could be harnessed in future technologies.

Despite these advances, the study acknowledges several limitations that will likely be the focus of future work, as we’ll see later. Quantum errors remain a significant challenge, limiting the depth of circuits that can be executed before decoherence affects results. To mitigate these errors, the researchers implemented built-in error detection methods and post-selection techniques, improving the accuracy of their results. However, fully error-corrected simulations will require further advancements in quantum hardware and fault-tolerant encoding schemes. Scaling up these simulations to more complex and larger systems will also require improving quantum hardware stability and reducing noise.

Future directions for this research include expanding the scale of quantum simulations and integrating more sophisticated error correction techniques. The researchers also suggest that their approach could be applied to other complex quantum systems, including lattice gauge theories and quantum gravity models. Lattice gauge theories are mathematical frameworks used to describe fundamental interactions in particle physics, and their simulation could provide new insights into quantum chromodynamics, the theory governing the strong force that binds atomic nuclei.

Simulating aspects of quantum gravity could shed light on how quantum mechanics and general relativity interact at small scales, an area that remains largely unexplored due to the limitations of classical computation.

For more information: arXiv

Detecting additive manufacturing defects in real time

A research team led by Associate Professor Tao Sun has made significant advancements in additive manufacturing, particularly for aerospace and other industries requiring strong metal parts. They have successfully tackled the challenge of detecting keyhole pores, a major defect in the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) technique.

Introduced in the 1990s, LPBF uses metal powder and lasers to 3D print metal parts. But porosity defects remain a challenge for fatigue-sensitive applications like aircraft wings. Some porosity is associated with deep and narrow vapor depressions which are the keyholes.

The formation and size of the keyhole is a function of laser power and scanning velocity, as well as the materials’ capacity to absorb laser energy. If the keyhole walls are stable, it enhances the surrounding material’s laser absorption and improves laser manufacturing efficiency. If, however, the walls are wobbly or collapse, the material solidifies around the keyhole, trapping the air pocket inside the newly formed layer of material. This makes the material more brittle and more likely to crack under environmental stress.

Sun and his team, including Professor Anthony Rollett from Carnegie Mellon University and Mechanical Engineering Professor Lianyi Chen from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, developed an approach to detect the exact moment when a keyhole pore forms during the printing process.

“By integrating operando synchrotron x-ray imaging, near-infrared imaging, and machine learning, our approach can capture the unique thermal signature associated with keyhole pore generation with sub-millisecond temporal resolution and 100 percent prediction rate,” Sun said.

In developing their real-time keyhole detection method, the researchers also advanced the way a state-of-the-art tool — operando synchrotron x-ray imaging — can be used. Utilizing machine learning, they additionally discovered two modes of keyhole oscillation.

“Our findings not only advance additive manufacturing research, but they can also practically serve to expand the commercial use of LPBF for metal parts manufacturing,” said Rollett.

“Porosity in metal parts remains a major hurdle for wider adoption of LPBF technique in some industries. Keyhole porosity is the most challenging defect type when it comes to real-time detection using lab-scale sensors because it occurs stochastically beneath the surface,” Sun said. “Our approach provides a viable solution for high-fidelity, high-resolution detection of keyhole pore generation that can be readily applied in many additive manufacturing scenarios.”

For more information: Science Magazine

Image: UVA materials science and engineering postdoctoral fellow Zhongshu Ren (left) and Tao Sun display the results of their research.

Evident’s new DSX2000 Digital Microscope simplifies inspection workflows

Evident (Waltham, Mass.) announces the launch of its DSX2000 fully motorized digital microscope designed to simplify operations and boost productivity in material analysis and inspection workflows. An automated and integrated system for imaging, measurement, analysis and reporting, the advanced microscope can be easily operated by users of all skill levels for fast, precise results and high-quality macro to micro imaging at resolutions beyond 4K.

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