Quantum Server Newsletter on the latest news in Materials Science research - Edition of 27/03/2025
Latest Discoveries in Materials Science Research - March 2025
Electronic Rotons Observed Confirming Wigner Crystal Formation
Researchers at Yonsei University have, for the first time, detected elusive electronic rotons, offering direct evidence of the formation of Wigner crystals—electron-only structures predicted decades ago. By using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) on alkali-metal-doped black phosphorus, the team observed irregular energy patterns and momentum dips that signaled the presence of rotons. As the electron density decreased, these energy gaps vanished, marking the transition from a fluid-like to a crystalline electron state. Through structure factor analysis, they confirmed the development of short-range, ordered electron groupings, or Wigner crystallites. This breakthrough helps illuminate how electrons interact in strongly correlated quantum systems and could eventually contribute to the understanding of high-temperature superconductivity, potentially transforming electronics, energy transmission, and transportation technologies.
Read full article »MXenes Enhance Hydrogen Production via Water Splitting
The article discusses the role of MXenes, a family of two-dimensional materials composed of transition metal carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides, in advancing hydrogen production through water splitting. Due to their high conductivity, surface properties, and structural versatility, MXenes have emerged as promising electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in both acidic and alkaline conditions. Studies have shown that MXene variants like Ti₂CTx and Mo₂CTx demonstrate strong catalytic performance, with further improvements seen when combined with other materials such as transition metal dichalcogenides. MXenes are also being explored for photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical water splitting, where their ability to absorb light and facilitate efficient charge separation enhances solar-driven hydrogen generation. Despite their potential, MXenes face limitations such as oxidative degradation, restacking, and aggregation during electrode fabrication, which reduce their catalytic efficiency. Overcoming these challenges and developing more stable, scalable formulations will be essential for unlocking their full potential in clean energy applications.
Read full article »Metrology and Calibration Crucial for Accurate Scientific Measurements
This article explains the importance of metrology and calibration in ensuring precise and reliable measurements across scientific, industrial, and engineering applications. Metrology is the science of measurement, and it plays a critical role in quality control, materials testing, and regulatory compliance. Calibration aligns instruments with reference standards to maintain accuracy. The text details different branches of metrology—dimensional, mechanical, and thermal—highlighting their techniques and tools for measuring properties like size, hardness, tensile strength, and thermal conductivity. It also emphasizes the role of calibrated instruments such as spectrometers, hardness testers, and thermal analyzers in materials science. Despite calibration, uncertainties persist due to model assumptions and measurement errors, making uncertainty analysis essential for evaluating risk and improving model reliability. The article underscores the necessity of metrology and calibration in achieving repeatable results, complying with standards, and preventing defects, particularly in high-stakes industries like aerospace, automotive, and medical device manufacturing.
Read full article »Biochar-Based Fertilizers Improved by Polymer Networks
A recent study published in *Scientific Reports* explores the use of biochar-based slow-release fertilizers (SRFs) enhanced with semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (Semi-IPNs) to address issues linked to conventional fertilizers, such as nutrient runoff and soil degradation. Researchers combined biochar made from Conocarpus biomass with mica and chitosan to create SRFs that gradually release nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium while improving soil water retention. Tests showed that these SRFs significantly boosted water-holding capacity and slowed nutrient release over 30 days, making them more efficient and environmentally friendly than traditional fertilizers. The porous nature of biochar and the polymer matrix controlled nutrient diffusion, while mica added mechanical strength and potassium availability. This technology is especially promising for dry regions and supports sustainable agriculture by improving soil health, reducing fertilizer waste, and promoting circular use of agricultural biomass. Future research will focus on refining the production process, assessing long-term impacts, and scaling the solution across various farming systems.
Read full article »Leaf-Inspired Microstructures Advance Flexible Electronics
Researchers at the University of Turku have developed a novel method for replicating fractal-like microstructures found in leaf skeletons to create flexible, high-performance electronic surfaces without relying on cleanroom environments. By spraying various materials onto dried leaf skeletons and replicating their patterns with durable, stretchable polymers, the team produced surfaces with over 90 percent structural fidelity. These bioinspired materials exhibit excellent breathability, flexibility, and conductivity, making them ideal for wearable electronics, sensors, and artificial skin applications. The study highlights the potential to use nature’s efficient designs for scalable and sustainable manufacturing of flexible electronics. Conductive layers of metal nanowires were integrated to create devices like pressure sensors for robotic fingertips and heating systems. The approach minimizes environmental impact, reduces energy use, and can be adapted for mass production using computer modeling and alternative eco-friendly materials, offering a more sustainable alternative to traditional fabrication techniques.
Read full article »Silver Bismuth Sulfide Nanocrystals Boost Solar Cell Efficiency
Researchers from DGIST and UNIST have developed an improved method for enhancing the efficiency of environmentally friendly solar cells using silver bismuth sulfide (AgBiS2) nanocrystals, a non-toxic and abundant alternative to conventional toxic materials. The innovation involves chemically modifying these nanocrystals to create a thin film with mixed donor and acceptor properties, which significantly boosts electrical conductivity even in thicker layers. This advancement led to an 8.26 percent increase in power conversion efficiency, enabling better performance without compromising eco-friendliness. The enhanced solar cells can now support longer operational times for devices, making them more practical for real-world applications. The findings could help accelerate the adoption of sustainable, high-efficiency solar energy technologies.
Read full article »Electronic Properties of Molybdenum Disulfide Precisely Controlled
Researchers at RIKEN have developed a novel transistor-based technique to precisely alter the electronic properties of molybdenum disulfide, a two-dimensional material. This layered compound can behave as a semiconductor, metal, insulator, or even a superconductor depending on its phase and composition. By using a field-effect transistor to control the insertion of potassium ions, the team was able to shift the material from the semiconducting 2H phase to the metallic 1T phase. Remarkably, when cooled to -268°C with the right ion concentration, the 1T phase displayed unexpected superconductivity. Reducing potassium levels then caused the material to switch to an insulating state at -193°C. This ability to tune the material’s phase transitions through ion intercalation opens new possibilities for discovering and designing advanced electronic phases and superconductors without the need for traditional complex fabrication methods.
Read full article »New Material Significantly Improves Green Hydrogen Production
Researchers at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University have developed a new material that significantly boosts green hydrogen production by using a lab-based solar simulator to mimic sunlight. Led by Dr. Bishnu Bastakoti, the team designed a mesoporous honeycomb-structured iron titanate that enhances light-driven water splitting, producing nearly twice the hydrogen compared to existing commercial materials. This innovation addresses challenges in solar-based hydrogen production, such as inconsistent sunlight, and offers a more reliable method using controlled light exposure. Although green hydrogen is currently more expensive, the researchers stress its long-term environmental and energy benefits, positioning it as a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels and a critical component in transitioning to sustainable energy systems.
Read full article »New Mechanical Instability Discovered in Super-Soft Materials
Engineers at Princeton University have discovered a new mechanical instability in super-soft materials that could serve as a valuable tool for designing advanced technologies. When these materials are squeezed through narrow spaces, their surfaces develop unusual furrowed patterns caused by the material turning inside out and releasing stored elastic energy. This effect was unexpectedly observed during an experiment with a gel nearly 100,000 times softer than a gummy bear, which mimics properties of biological tissues and materials used in electronics and implants. The team ruled out compression as the cause by testing the gel in a controlled setup, confirming the furrowing pattern results from interactions between the material and its surrounding environment. These findings could lead to better models for soft materials and new applications in bioengineering, flexible electronics, and materials science.
Read full article »Smart Gel Polymer Electrolyte Enhances Sodium-Ion Battery Safety
This article presents a breakthrough in improving the safety and lifespan of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) by developing a smart gel polymer electrolyte (PCIE). Created through in situ radical polymerization of specially designed monomers in a standard sodium battery electrolyte, this gel forms a stable and robust interface between electrodes and electrolyte. When exposed to high temperatures (above 120 °C), the material undergoes further cross-linking, effectively shutting down ion transport and preventing thermal runaway. This behavior significantly boosts battery safety under extreme conditions. Additionally, the PCIE improves the structural stability of both electrodes, reduces unwanted chemical reactions, and limits gas formation and electrode degradation, even under high-temperature cycling. Batteries using this electrolyte retain up to 80% of their capacity after 500–1000 cycles at 50 °C, outperforming conventional setups. This research offers a scalable and effective solution for safer, long-lasting sodium-ion batteries, making them a stronger alternative to lithium-ion systems, especially in large-scale energy storage.
Read full article »Long-Life Supercapacitor Developed for Electric Vehicles
Researchers in China have developed a groundbreaking supercapacitor for electric vehicles that retains over 81 percent of its energy capacity even after 10,000 charging cycles. Unlike traditional batteries, supercapacitors store energy using ion separation rather than chemical reactions, enabling ultra-fast charging and energy release. However, conventional water-based supercapacitors have been limited by low voltage tolerance and poor performance in extreme temperatures. To solve this, the team created a new hybrid electrolyte made of water, an ionic liquid (EMIMNTf₂), and a potassium salt (KOTf). This ternary combination reorganizes water molecules around potassium ions, reducing undesirable breakdown reactions and allowing the device to handle voltages up to 3.37 volts—almost three times higher than traditional designs. The new supercapacitor remains stable across a wide temperature range from freezing to boiling, making it a promising solution for high-performance, thermally stable energy storage in electric vehicles. The research has been published in *Science Bulletin*.
Read full article »First Rechargeable Uranium Battery Offers Novel Energy Solution
Researchers in Japan have developed the world’s first rechargeable battery powered by uranium, offering a novel way to repurpose depleted uranium, a common byproduct of nuclear fuel enrichment. The prototype battery, created by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency, uses uranium in its electrolyte to enable charge and discharge cycles, showing stable performance over 10 cycles with a voltage of 1.3 volts—comparable to conventional batteries. The uranium used has similar chemical properties to depleted uranium, which is usually treated as nuclear waste. This innovation could help stabilize energy from renewable sources like solar and wind by storing surplus power and converting problematic nuclear waste into a valuable energy resource. Although commercial use would likely be restricted to radiation-safe environments, such as nuclear facilities, future development aims to scale the technology using redox flow battery designs for greater capacity. With Japan alone holding 16,000 tons of depleted uranium and a global stockpile exceeding 1.6 million tons, this technology presents a significant opportunity for sustainable energy and waste management.
Read full article »Silver Nanowires and Electric Current Create Antimicrobial Surface
Researchers at the University of Arkansas have developed a new antimicrobial surface that combines silver nanowires with a tiny electric current to effectively kill and prevent the growth of bacteria and viruses. In lab tests, this innovation successfully eliminated all E. coli bacteria from glass surfaces. Silver, known for its strong antimicrobial properties, forms a conductive network that carries a low-level electric current, which is safe to touch and can be powered by a fingernail-sized solar cell. The team, led by physicist Yong Wang and colleagues, is seeking patent protection and commercial partners. Potential applications include germ-resistant door handles, countertops, medical and food facility surfaces, and even protective equipment like masks and air filters.
Read full article »Novel Nickel-Boron Chemical Bond Discovered
Researchers from Osaka University have discovered a previously unreported type of chemical bond between nickel in its zero oxidation state and boron-containing ligands, forming square-planar complexes. Unlike past examples where boron needed additional structural support to bond with metals, the team used bulky tris(perfluoroaryl)boranes that could directly attach to nickel as monodentate Z-type ligands, accepting electrons from the metal. This resulted in a flat, four-ligand arrangement around the nickel atom, which is unusual for nickel(0). The bonding showed both covalent and dative characteristics, along with unique interactions between the electron-donating and electron-accepting ligands. These findings open new possibilities for customizing nickel-based catalysts for more efficient and selective synthesis of materials like pharmaceuticals and polymers.
Read full article »Light-Controlled Reaction Enhances 3D Printing Capabilities
Researchers at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, in collaboration with Queensland University of Technology, have developed a new light-controlled chemical reaction that enhances 3D printing by allowing precise polymer formation with sub-millimeter resolution. The method uses two different colors of light: one to trigger polymerization and another to halt it, enabling highly localized control over where solid material forms. This approach, based on an oxo-Diels–Alder reaction, addresses the limitations of traditional photopolymerization, which often suffers from low resolution and unwanted material diffusion. The new technique allows fine-tuning of shapes and could pave the way for faster, more accurate 3D printing down to the sub-micrometer scale.
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