Physicists have made a significant breakthrough in solar cell technology by developing a new analytical model that improves the understanding and efficiency of thin-film photovoltaic (PV) devices. ​Physicists have made a significant breakthrough in solar cell technology by developing a new analytical model that improves the understanding and efficiency of thin-film photovoltaic (PV) devices. Physicists have …

Moving beyond the 80-year-old solar cell equation Read More »

Scientists have taken on the daunting challenge of mapping all the chemicals around us. They take inventory of the available science and conclude that currently a real pro-active chemical management is not feasible. To really get a grip on the vast and expanding chemical universe, they advocate the use of machine learning and AI, complementing …

Exploring the chemical space of the exposome: How far have we gone? Read More »

Raising the energy state of an atom’s nucleus using a laser, or exciting it, would enable development of the most accurate atomic clocks ever to exist. This has been hard to do because electrons, which surround the nucleus, react easily with light, increasing the amount of light needed to reach the nucleus. By causing the …

Nuclear spectroscopy breakthrough could rewrite the fundamental constants of nature Read More »

Solar panel and biorefinery designers could learn a thing or two from iridescent giant clams living near tropical coral reefs, according to a new study. This is because giant clams have precise geometries — dynamic, vertical columns of photosynthetic receptors covered by a thin, light-scattering layer — that may just make them the most efficient …

Giant clams may hold the answers to making solar energy more efficient Read More »

Researchers have developed a new two-photon polymerization technique that uses two lasers to 3D print complex high-resolution structures. The advance could make this 3D printing process less expensive, helping it find wider use in a variety of applications, from consumer electronics to the biomedical field. ​Researchers have developed a new two-photon polymerization technique that uses …

Precise and less expensive 3D printing of complex, high-resolution structures Read More »

Combining genomic data and human travel patterns over a 14-year period in South Africa reveals key insights into the spread, evolution and resistance patterns of a major bacterium behind pneumonia and meningitis globally. ​Combining genomic data and human travel patterns over a 14-year period in South Africa reveals key insights into the spread, evolution and …

Mobile phone data helps track pathogen spread and evolution of superbugs Read More »

In the decade since their discovery, the family of two-dimensional materials called MXenes has shown a great deal of promise for applications ranging from water desalination and energy storage to electromagnetic shielding and telecommunications, among others. While researchers have long speculated about the genesis of their versatility, a recent study has provided the first clear …

Mapping the surfaces of MXenes, atom by atom, reveals new potential for the 2D materials Read More »

The more we discover about the natural world, the more we find that nature is the greatest engineer. Past research implied that liquids can only be transported in fixed direction on species with specific liquid communication properties and cannot switch the transport direction. Recently, researchers have shown that an African plant controls water movement in …

Mechanism of bio-inspired control of liquid flow Read More »

Combining single-wall carbon nanotubes and poly(styrene-b-butadiene-b-styrene) nanosheets, researchers developed a novel bioelectrode material for wearable devices. This innovative material is stretchable, permeable to humidity, and conforms closely to the skin, making it ideal for prolonged use. This development addresses critical limitations of current bioelectrode materials, promising more comfortable and effective wearables for healthcare and fitness …

Flexible and durable bioelectrodes: The future of healthcare wearables Read More »