Quantum Server Newsletter on the latest news in Materials Science research - Edition of 25/02/2025

Quantum Server Newsletter on the latest news in Materials Science research Edition date: 25/02/2025 You can find general information on the present Mailing List, including the registration form to become a subscriber, under the following link:   Homepage of Mailing List In case of questions or comments on the present newsletter, please write at the following email address: gabriele.mogni@qscomputing.com Please also consider making a voluntary donation via the PayPal button below to continue supporting this project, in case you are satisfied with the information provided by our Newsletters: Donate via PayPal New Catalyst Technology Paves the Way for Carbon Neutrality Scientists from KAIST and KIMS have developed an advanced catalyst technology that significantly enhances the efficiency of carbon dioxide (CO2) conversion. Traditional methods struggle with high energy consumption and low efficiency, limiting their commercial viability. To overcome these issues, the researchers introduced single- and dual-single-atom catalysts (DSACs), which leverage electronic interactions between metal atoms to improve selectivity and reaction rates. By carefully designing defect structures and oxygen vacancies within metal oxide supports, these catalysts optimize CO2 adsorption and conversion with hydrogen (H2), achieving over twice the efficiency of conventional methods and an exceptionally high selectivity of 99%. The team also demonstrated a scalable production process using aerosol-assisted spray pyrolysis, which simplifies catalyst synthesis and improves distribution. This breakthrough paves the way for industrial applications in clean energy, hydrogen production, and synthetic fuels, offering a promising solution for carbon neutrality. The research was funded by multiple Korean scientific institutions and published in *Applied Catalysis B: Environmental and Energy*. Learn more Static electricity depends on materials' contact history, physicists show Researchers from the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) have discovered that the contact history of materials plays a crucial role in static electricity, resolving a long-standing scientific mystery. Traditionally, the unpredictability of contact electrification, especially in insulating materials, made it difficult to establish a consistent explanation. The study revealed that repeated contact between identical materials, specifically polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), led to a systematic charging pattern. After around 200 contacts, materials began forming a predictable triboelectric series, with the more frequently contacted sample consistently charging negatively. The team also found that surface smoothing at the nanoscopic level was the only detectable change caused by contact, suggesting a possible link to charge transfer. This breakthrough transforms the understanding of static electricity and may help in designing better materials for electrostatic applications. The research was published in *Nature*. Learn more Breakthrough in high-performance oxide-ion conductors using rubidium Researchers have achieved a major breakthrough in high-performance oxide-ion conduction by developing Rb-containing oxides with significantly enhanced ionic conductivity. The study, published in *Chemistry of Materials*, explores how these materials facilitate superior oxide-ion transport, which is crucial for advancing energy-related technologies such as fuel cells and oxygen separation membranes. Conducted as an experimental study, the research highlights the potential of these novel oxides to improve efficiency and performance in various applications requiring high ionic conductivity. The work was supported by institutions including KEK and J-PARC, which focus on accelerator-based research and material science innovations in Japan. Learn more Zinc-Carbon vs. Alkaline Batteries: Which One Performs Better? Zinc-carbon and alkaline batteries are both widely used primary batteries, but they differ in composition, performance, and ideal applications. Zinc-carbon batteries are more affordable, using a zinc anode and carbon cathode with an acidic electrolyte. They are best suited for low-drain devices like clocks and remote controls due to their lower energy density and shorter lifespan. However, they are more prone to leakage and perform poorly in extreme temperatures. Alkaline batteries, on the other hand, feature a zinc anode and manganese dioxide cathode with an alkaline potassium hydroxide electrolyte. They offer higher energy density, longer lifespan, and consistent power output, making them ideal for high-drain devices such as digital cameras and portable gaming consoles. While more expensive, their durability and efficiency often make them a cost-effective choice. Research in alkaline battery technology aims to improve energy density, leakage resistance, and sustainability, with efforts focused on reducing heavy metals and exploring biodegradable battery materials for environmentally friendly energy storage solutions. Learn more SIBs Less Safe Than Lithium-Ion Batteries A study led by the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology has identified significant safety concerns in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), particularly regarding their susceptibility to thermal runaway. While SIBs offer advantages such as lower costs and abundant resources, researchers found that sodium clusters forming in hard carbon anodes can trigger early thermal instability. These clusters exhibit strong electronic activity, even surpassing metallic sodium, leading to localized high-energy reactions that drastically lower the temperature at which the battery begins self-heating—potentially as low as 92°C. Using solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, the study confirmed that sodium clusters accelerate thermal runaway by increasing conduction electrons at the Fermi energy level. Unlike lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), where exothermic reactions occur regardless of charge state, SIBs demonstrate a strong correlation between charge level and reaction onset, making them more unpredictable. The researchers suggest replacing liquid electrolytes with solid-state materials to mitigate these risks and improve SIB safety for future energy storage applications. The findings provide critical insights into the link between cell safety and sodium storage behavior. Learn more Flexible Crystals Reveal Secrets of Elasticity Australian researchers from The University of Queensland and QUT have uncovered key insights into the elasticity of flexible crystals, shedding light on the molecular interactions that allow these materials to return to their original shape. By studying how these crystals bend and store energy, the team determined that elasticity arises from reversible molecular rotations and reorganizations, which create varying energy distributions across the crystal. Their experiments demonstrated that bent crystals could store enough energy to lift objects significantly heavier than themselves. This breakthrough deepens the understanding of elasticity, a property essential for technologies like optical fibers, aerospace components, and structural materials. The findings open new possibilities for developing hybrid materials with applications in construction, electronics, and even spacecraft engineering. The study, which advances knowledge of a fundamental yet previously elusive phenomenon, was published in *Nature Materials*. Learn more Scientists Develop Hydrogel Layers That Mimic Natural Joints for Friction-Free Surfaces Researchers have developed surface-attached hydrogel layers inspired by natural synovial joints to create superlubricious surfaces with significantly reduced friction. Using a photoinduced crosslinking method, these hydrogels were covalently bonded to surfaces, ensuring strong adhesion and controlled one-dimensional swelling. The study found that increasing crosslink density improved lubrication by retaining more water while minimizing adhesion between surfaces. Adding shear-thinning polymers further reduced friction, achieving up to a 99.5% reduction compared to uncoated glass. These hydrogels outperformed even natural joint lubrication in some cases, making them a promising alternative to conventional oil-based lubricants. The research highlights their potential for various applications, though further studies are needed to optimize durability and prevent water evaporation in practical use. Learn more Revealing How Platinum Corrodes in Electrochemical Devices Scientists at Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL) and Leiden University have uncovered the mechanism behind the corrosion of negatively polarized platinum electrodes, a long-standing mystery affecting water electrolyzers and electrochemical sensors. Using high-energy-resolution X-ray spectroscopy, the team observed platinum actively dissolving in an electrolyte, confirming that platinum hydrides—not sodium ions—are responsible for the degradation. By developing a specialized "flow cell" to clear hydrogen bubbles and using computational modeling, researchers validated that hydrogen ions interact with platinum to form unstable hydrides, leading to material loss. This discovery provides crucial insights into improving the durability of platinum electrodes, which could enhance hydrogen production efficiency and electrochemical sensor reliability. The study, published in *Nature Materials*, highlights how advanced X-ray techniques and computational modeling can address complex scientific challenges. Learn more Nanoporous Helium-Silicon Co-Deposited Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries Researchers have developed a novel method for fabricating nanoporous helium-silicon thin films using a plasma-assisted co-deposition process, offering a promising advancement for lithium-ion battery anodes. By creating a high-density helium plasma environment, silicon layers were infused with helium atoms, generating thin films with controlled porosity to enhance lithium-ion storage capacity and cycling stability. The study found that the porous structure accommodated the volume expansion of silicon during charge-discharge cycles, significantly improving its durability. The best-performing sample retained 1800 mAh g⁻¹ after 100 cycles, demonstrating enhanced cycling stability. Additionally, helium implantation and copper diffusion into the silicon layer improved conductivity and lithium-ion transport. These findings suggest that He-Si thin films could serve as a high-performance alternative to conventional anodes, with further optimization needed to improve electrolyte compatibility for next-generation solid-state batteries. The research, published in *Advanced Energy and Sustainability Research*, contributes to the ongoing development of more efficient and durable energy storage technologies. Learn more Scientists map elusive liquid-liquid transition point using deep neural network Researchers have used deep neural networks to identify the elusive liquid-liquid critical point in supercooled water, confirming that water can exist in two distinct liquid states under extreme conditions. The study, published in *Nature Physics*, utilized molecular dynamics simulations based on first-principles quantum chemistry to overcome the experimental challenge of water freezing before reaching these conditions. By simulating water at various temperatures and pressures, scientists observed spontaneous transitions between high-density and low-density liquid states, providing strong computational evidence for the long-hypothesized phase transition. The findings suggest that this critical point occurs at lower pressures than previously thought, making it potentially accessible for experimental validation. Future experiments using nanodroplets and neutron or X-ray scattering techniques could help confirm these results. Understanding this phenomenon has broad implications, from improving climate models and planetary science to advancing water treatment technologies and energy storage. Learn more Synthesis method unlocks a pathway to valuable fluorinated drug compounds for new medicines Researchers from the National University of Singapore have developed a novel catalytic method to synthesize fluorinated oxetanes, a valuable class of drug molecules previously difficult to produce. By employing a copper catalyst, they introduced difluorocarbene into three-membered epoxides, enabling selective ring cleavage and cyclization to form α,α-difluoro-oxetanes. This breakthrough provides access to fluorinated drug scaffolds, which enhance the stability and bioavailability of pharmaceutical compounds. Computational studies confirmed the reaction mechanism, while biological assessments indicated strong potential for drug development. The findings open new possibilities for designing novel therapeutics and expanding the use of fluorinated heterocycles in medicine. The study was published in *Nature Chemistry*. Learn more Nickel superconductor works above -233°C threshold at normal pressure Scientists at the Southern University of Science and Technology in China have developed a nickel-based superconductor that functions above -233°C (40 K) at normal atmospheric pressure. This breakthrough, published in *Nature*, marks a significant advancement in the search for high-temperature superconductors that do not require extreme cooling or high-pressure conditions. The research team synthesized thin films of bilayer nickelate (La₂.₈₅Pr₀.₁₅Ni₂O₇) and found that substituting lanthanum with praseodymium enabled superconductivity at approximately -228°C. Unlike previous nickelate superconductors, which required high pressure, this material achieves superconductivity in ambient conditions, making it more practical for real-world applications. This discovery not only expands the potential of nickel-based superconductors but also provides insights into the mechanisms behind superconductivity, potentially leading to further breakthroughs in energy transmission, fusion reactors, and magnetic levitation technologies. Learn more Indian scientists design 31.16%-efficient 2D-3D perovskite solar cell Indian scientists have designed a high-efficiency 2D-3D perovskite solar cell that achieves a simulated efficiency of 31.16%. The innovation integrates a Dion-Jacobson (DJ) 2D perovskite layer with a 3D halide perovskite structure, improving both stability and performance compared to conventional designs without the DJ-2D layer. This hybrid approach enhances charge transport while reducing degradation issues commonly found in perovskite solar cells. The findings suggest that this novel design could lead to more durable and efficient solar energy solutions, advancing the development of next-generation photovoltaics. Learn more Holey Material Enhances Electron Flow Researchers have enhanced electron transport in two-dimensional materials by introducing an array of holes in a graphene sheet, significantly amplifying the superballistic conduction effect. This effect allows electrons to flow in a coordinated, fluid-like manner, reducing resistance and improving conductivity. By designing a structured "antidot" lattice with holes of varying sizes, the team induced sharp bends in electron trajectories, increasing interactions and enhancing hydrodynamic behavior. Their experiments showed that resistance decreased with rising temperature, opposite to typical metal behavior, with the strongest effect observed in the smallest holes. These findings provide insights into optimizing superballistic transport for reducing energy loss in advanced electronic devices. Future research will explore how current and temperature conditions influence this behavior in single- and bilayer graphene, potentially leading to more efficient next-generation 2D electronics. Learn more Liquid crystal method enables large-scale production of uniform perovskite nanocrystals Researchers at POSTECH have developed a new method for synthesizing perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) using liquid crystals (LCs) as an antisolvent, enabling large-scale production with uniform size and shape. Unlike conventional synthesis techniques that require high temperatures and complex processes, this approach leverages the elastic properties of LCs to precisely control nanocrystal growth, eliminating the need for additional purification steps. The study also found that interactions between LC molecules and ligands on the nanocrystal surface help reduce defects and enhance luminescence properties. This breakthrough, published in *ACS Nano*, is expected to improve the performance of optoelectronic devices such as LEDs, solar cells, lasers, and photodetectors while accelerating their commercialization. Learn more Scientists create nanotubes that point in one direction Researchers at Tokyo Metropolitan University have successfully synthesized aligned tungsten disulfide (WS₂) nanotubes, overcoming a long-standing challenge in nanomaterials. Unlike randomly oriented nanotubes, which suffer from reduced electron mobility and diminished optical properties, these aligned structures enhance conductivity and directional light interactions. The team achieved this breakthrough by using a sapphire substrate with a specific crystalline orientation as a template and precisely controlling the chemical vapor deposition process. The resulting nanotubes maintain their alignment throughout synthesis, improving their performance in electronic and optoelectronic applications such as transistors, solar cells, and sensors. Additionally, the method simplifies fabrication and scalability, making WS₂ nanotube arrays more viable for industrial use. This advancement could lead to improved energy storage, advanced computing, and new material applications in catalysis and nanocomposites. Learn more Turning robotic ensembles into smart materials that mimic life Researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Dresden University of Technology have developed robotic ensembles that behave like smart materials, capable of changing shape and strength in a way similar to living tissues. Inspired by embryonic development, where cells switch between fluid and solid states to form complex structures, the team designed disk-shaped robots with magnetic edges and motorized gears that enable them to bond, reconfigure, and move collectively. Light sensors help coordinate their movements, allowing them to transition between rigid and fluid states. This innovation enables robotic materials that can reshape, self-heal, and adapt their properties, opening new possibilities for applications in robotics, physics, and biology. Future advancements could scale this system to thousands of miniaturized units, transforming the concept of dynamic, reconfigurable materials. The study was published in *Science*. Learn more Goodbye to perovskite, the future is kesterite: These solar panels come from the 22nd century Researchers at the University of New South Wales have demonstrated that kesterite (Cu₂ZnSnS₄) solar cells could be a viable alternative to perovskite-based photovoltaics, offering better stability, environmental benefits, and lower manufacturing costs. Unlike perovskites, which often contain toxic lead and degrade quickly, kesterite is composed of abundant, non-toxic elements, making it a more sustainable choice. Although kesterite solar cells currently achieve lower efficiency (with a record of 13.2%), ongoing advancements such as hydrogen annealing are improving performance by reducing energy loss from carrier recombination. Scientists believe that with further development, kesterite could surpass silicon and perovskite technologies, playing a key role in the future of renewable energy. This breakthrough could particularly benefit developing regions where cost-effective and sustainable energy solutions are essential. Learn more EV range doubled: Toyota’s solid-state battery cathode beats lithium in energy density Researchers from Kyoto University, in collaboration with Toyota, have developed a solid-state fluoride-ion battery (FIB) using copper nitride (Cu₃N) as a cathode material, significantly improving energy storage capacity. This new cathode exhibits a high reversible capacity of approximately 550 mAh/g, which is more than double that of conventional lithium-ion batteries. By utilizing fluoride ions, which move efficiently through solid electrolytes, these batteries offer enhanced safety and durability. The improved energy density could potentially double the range of electric vehicles, increasing it from 600 km to 1,200 km. The study, published in the *American Chemical Society*, highlights the potential of fluoride-ion batteries as a next-generation energy storage solution, with ongoing research focusing on optimizing anodes and electrolytes for full-scale battery development. Learn more Revolutionary Adhesive Could Transform Plastic Recycling Researchers at the University of Reading have developed a new polymer adhesive that dissolves in alkaline solutions, making plastic recycling more efficient by allowing labels to be easily removed. Unlike conventional adhesives that leave behind residues and hinder recyclability, this adhesive maintains strong adhesion during use but breaks down during processing, improving the quality of recycled plastic. The study, published in *Macromolecules*, details how the adhesive, incorporating sulfonyl ethyl urethane units, loses up to 65% of its sticking power when exposed to basic solutions. The material performs well on various surfaces, including glass and aluminum, making it suitable for food packaging, shipping, and electronics. Sponsored by Domino Printing Sciences, this innovation could significantly reduce plastic waste and enhance recycling efficiency across multiple industries. Learn more Breakthrough bifacial solar cells hit 80% efficiency with new transparent electrodes Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Dharwad have developed a breakthrough transparent electrode for bifacial solar cells, significantly enhancing their efficiency. The electrode consists of a triple-layer structure made of nickel oxide and silver, allowing light to pass through while efficiently conducting electricity. Using a low-energy physical vapor deposition technique, the team created an ultra-thin (40 nm) electrode that improved solar cell performance, achieving a bifaciality factor of 72% and retaining 80% efficiency even after 1,000 hours of operation. Unlike previous transparent electrodes made from expensive and fragile materials like indium tin oxide, this new design is more durable, cost-effective, and suitable for various applications, including building-integrated photovoltaics, agrivoltaics, and automotive technologies. The study, published in the *Journal of Photonics for Energy*, paves the way for widespread adoption of highly efficient bifacial solar cells. Learn more We hope that you have found today’s newsletter interesting! Please stay tuned for more news on Materials Science and Materials Chemistry in the next edition…