Quantum Server Newsletter on the latest news in Materials Science research

A research team from City University of Hong Kong and Southern University of Science and Technology has developed a pioneering approach known as thickness doping to dramatically improve the performance of semiconductor thermoelectric materials — a technology that directly converts waste heat into usable electricity. The findings, published in Science Advances , offer a scalable and flexible way to manufacture high-efficiency thermoelectric films , potentially revolutionizing waste-heat recovery, wearable electronics, and solid-state cooling devices. Thermoelectric materials have long been recognized for their ability to convert heat differentials into electric power ( the Seebeck effect ) and vice versa ( the Peltier effect ). However, despite their promise for sustainable energy technologies, their practical deployment has been hindered by low efficiency, expensive manufacturing, and limited flexibility in film fabrication. This new thickness doping approach changes the...

Scientists at Tohoku University in Japan have made a groundbreaking discovery about how temperature affects the performance and stability of one of the most promising catalysts for water-splitting reactions . Their study reveals that the catalyst RhRu₃Oₓ (rhodium–ruthenium oxide) changes its reaction mechanism depending on temperature, providing new insights into how to fine-tune catalysts for more efficient oxygen evolution reactions (OER) — a key process in clean hydrogen production. Published in Nature Communications , this research sheds light on one of the most critical bottlenecks in electrochemical energy systems. The oxygen evolution reaction, part of the overall water-splitting process, often limits the efficiency of devices such as electrolyzers, fuel cells, and metal–air batteries . Understanding how catalyst behavior changes under operating conditions is essential for designing durable materials for large-scale green hydrogen generation. Why Oxygen Evolution...

Scientists at New York University have discovered a remarkable new class of materials called gyromorphs — substances that combine the seemingly incompatible traits of liquids and crystals to control light in ways never seen before. This discovery, published in Physical Review Letters , could help usher in a new era of light-based computing , where information is transmitted and processed by photons rather than electrons. The development of optical or photonic computers has long been viewed as a transformative leap in computing technology. Unlike traditional electronics, which depend on the flow of charged particles through metal circuits, light-based processors use photons — offering potentially faster speeds , lower energy consumption , and reduced heat dissipation . Yet, one of the greatest challenges in making this vision a reality has been finding materials that can guide, block, or manipulate light efficiently in every direction. Gyromorphs may finally provide that ...

Researchers at Chung-Ang University in South Korea have unveiled a powerful new dual-level engineering strategy that significantly enhances the performance and stability of lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries — a long-sought next-generation alternative to traditional lithium-ion systems. By integrating hierarchical porous carbon nanofibers with single-atom cobalt catalysts , the research team has tackled some of the toughest limitations in sulfur-based batteries, including poor conductivity, slow redox reactions, and rapid capacity fading. The results, published in Advanced Fiber Materials , mark a major step toward making Li–S batteries viable for real-world use in electric vehicles (EVs) , renewable energy storage systems , and wearable electronics . The study was led by Associate Professors Seung-Keun Park (Department of Advanced Materials Engineering) and Inho Nam (Department of Chemical Engineering) at Chung-Ang University. The Challenge: Overcoming the Polysulfide ...

Physicists at Florida State University (FSU) have uncovered a fascinating new phase of matter — a “ quantum pinball state ” in which electrons act both as conductors and insulators at the same time. In this bizarre quantum regime, some electrons freeze into a rigid crystalline lattice while others move freely around them, much like balls ricocheting around fixed pins in a pinball machine. The discovery offers a new perspective on how quantum materials behave and could pave the way for breakthroughs in quantum computing , spintronics , and superconductivity . The research, published in npj Quantum Materials , was led by Dr. Aman Kumar , Prof. Hitesh Changlani , and Prof. Cyprian Lewandowski of FSU’s National High Magnetic Field Laboratory . Their study explores how electrons in a two-dimensional “moiré lattice” can transition between solid-like and liquid-like states under certain conditions, forming what physicists call a generalized Wigner crystal . The Quantum Dance ...

Researchers at North Carolina State University have achieved another breakthrough in materials engineering with a cutting-edge material known as Composite Metal Foam (CMF) — a structure so lightweight yet so resilient that it can withstand a blow strong enough to puncture a steel railroad tank car, all while weighing significantly less than traditional metal. This discovery could lead to a new generation of safer, lighter vehicles for transporting hazardous materials such as chemicals, fuel, or liquefied gases. The study, published in Advanced Engineering Materials , describes how CMF—an ingenious blend of metallic hollow spheres within a solid metal matrix—absorbs and dissipates immense amounts of kinetic energy. The results show that CMF not only prevents puncture under forces that would easily tear through steel, but does so with enhanced thermal insulation and high-temperature stability. What Is Composite Metal Foam? Composite Metal Foam (CMF) is not a tradition...