Quantum Server Newsletter on the latest news in Materials Science research

In the fast-evolving field of nanoelectronics, researchers at Nanyang Technological University have introduced a game-changing technique that could finally make wafer-scale fabrication of 2D semiconductors both scalable and residue-free. As published in Nature Electronics , their novel metal-stamp imprinting method enables direct patterning of delicate 2D materials—such as MoS₂—without the chemical residues and structural damage often introduced by traditional etching or masking techniques. The Challenge of Patterning 2D Materials Two-dimensional semiconductors like molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) are ultra-thin crystalline materials with promising applications in future electronics, especially as silicon nears its physical scaling limits. However, realizing the full potential of these atomically thin layers has been hindered by a lack of scalable, clean patterning techniques. Traditional patterning strategies, such as reactive ion etching (RIE) or polymer-based lithogra...

In a significant advancement for nanoelectronics, an international team of researchers from National Chung Hsing University, Kansai University, and National Cheng Kung University has developed a new strategy to integrate freestanding hafnium zirconium oxide (HZO) membranes into 2D field-effect transistors (FETs). This innovation, published in Nature Electronics , promises to overcome one of the main bottlenecks in the adoption of 2D semiconductors: the lack of scalable, high-κ dielectric integration. Why 2D Semiconductors Need Better Gate Dielectrics Two-dimensional semiconductors like molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) have long been heralded as successors to silicon, offering exceptional electrical properties at atomically thin dimensions. However, their commercialization in logic devices has stalled due to a critical integration challenge: embedding a gate dielectric that both insulates and enables effective gate control. A gate dielectric with a high dielectric constant ...

In a stunning advance that could redefine the future of computing, researchers at the International Center for Quantum Materials at Peking University and Renmin University of China have developed high-performance wafer-scale two-dimensional indium selenide (InSe) semiconductors. Published in the journal Science , this innovation marks a major leap toward post-silicon electronics, boasting record-breaking electron mobility and ultra-efficient transistor performance. InSe: A Golden Opportunity Nicknamed the "golden semiconductor" , indium selenide (InSe) offers a tantalizing mix of low effective mass, high thermal velocity, and a direct bandgap—ideal for next-generation logic devices. However, previous efforts to scale InSe films to wafer-level dimensions were hampered by unstable phase formations and imprecise atomic ratios during synthesis. Until now, most results yielded only microscopic flakes. Solid–Liquid–Solid Innovation To overcome this, Professor L...

In a remarkable leap for green chemistry, scientists at the University of Pennsylvania have discovered that a subtle disorder at the interface between water and metal can supercharge the transformation of carbon waste into high-value fuels like ethylene. Published in Nature Chemistry , the study reveals how tweaking water’s structure at the nanoscale unlocks unprecedented efficiency in electrochemical carbon conversion. A New Role for Water: Not Just a Solvent, but a Catalyst Co-Designer Led by materials scientist Shoji Hall, the research team focused on a persistent challenge: how to convert carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO₂)—both notorious greenhouse gases—into useful multi-carbon products such as ethylene (C₂H₄) . Ethylene is prized not only as a fuel but also as a building block for plastics, textiles, and even pharmaceuticals. Traditional copper-based catalysts often produce inefficient side reactions. But the Hall Lab discovered that introducing salt—spe...

In the heart of urban noise, a revolution is brewing from Switzerland. Engineers at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) have developed a new kind of sound-absorbing material—one that is remarkably thin, robust, and adaptable, yet powerful enough to quiet the persistent roar of the city. A Thinner Way to Silence Traditional acoustic materials like rock wool and fiberglass require significant thickness to be effective—often taking up precious real estate in buildings. EMPA’s new innovation is a mineral-based foam that is up to 75% thinner than conventional solutions, yet delivers similar sound attenuation performance. Its secret lies in its multilayer structure, which can be fine-tuned to target specific frequency ranges by altering the size of its internal pores. How It Works According to EMPA researcher Bart Van Damme, the foam’s effectiveness stems from the way it manipulates sound waves. “The varying pore structure of the mine...

The durability of ancient Roman concrete, standing resilient for over two millennia, has long intrigued researchers. A new peer-reviewed study published in iScience ( Martinez et al., 2025 ) takes a rigorous and quantitative approach to assess just how sustainable this ancient material really was—and whether it can guide today's green transition in the construction sector. Why Roman Concrete Matters Concrete is the most widely used man-made material on Earth, accounting for nearly 8% of total anthropogenic CO₂ emissions . The sheer scale of its use means that even small improvements can yield significant climate benefits. Roman concrete, made by mixing lime with volcanic ash (pozzolana), offers a historical low-carbon blueprint that could inspire modern alternatives. Study Highlights Ancient Roman concrete formulations typically included a binder (hydrated lime or quicklime) and volcanic pozzolans, often mixed in 1:2 to 1:4 ratios. Despite the use of biomass...

Could the future of aviation be grown in a bioreactor? In a remarkable step toward sustainable aerospace manufacturing, scientists at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have developed a new method to convert microalgae into high-performance carbon fiber . The innovation, part of the GreenCarbon project , eliminates fossil fuel dependency from the production of acrylonitrile—the precursor to carbon fiber—using photosynthetically active algae as the raw feedstock. This process not only reduces the carbon footprint of advanced composite materials , but also introduces a potential carbon-negative pathway by absorbing CO₂ through algae cultivation. The material has already been successfully flight-tested by Airbus, marking a milestone in green engineering. Photosynthesis Meets Performance Engineering Traditionally, acrylonitrile —the key molecule used in carbon fiber production—is derived from petroleum-based propylene. In contrast, the TUM-led team used photosynthetic alga...

In a stunning advance for materials science and industrial engineering, researchers have succeeded in synthesizing pure hexagonal diamond —a form of carbon that has long existed in theory, found naturally only in meteorites, and believed to be up to 60% harder than conventional cubic diamond. Led by Dr. Ho-Kwang Mao of the Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research in Beijing, the team created lab-grown hexagonal diamond crystals measuring 1 millimeter in diameter and 70 micrometers thick. This marks the first time this elusive material has been produced in significant quantity and near-perfect purity. The breakthrough, published in Nature , holds profound implications for cutting-edge industrial tools, space technology, and extreme-environment engineering . What Makes Hexagonal Diamond So Special? Conventional diamonds are structured in a cubic lattice, a geometry that allows for uniform cleavage planes—ideal for sparkle, but also vulnerability. In...

In an astonishing leap for regenerative medicine, researchers at Columbia Engineering have developed a new class of injectable hydrogels powered by extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from milk—specifically, from yogurt. These naturally occurring nanovesicles not only deliver bioactive signals to surrounding tissues but also structurally crosslink the hydrogel network itself, enabling a new breed of biomaterials with therapeutic potential. Published in the journal Matter on July 25, 2025, the study titled “Extracellular vesicles as dynamic crosslinkers for bioactive injectable hydrogels” was led by Prof. Santiago Correa , a biomedical engineer at Columbia University, in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Padova and several international institutions. Their findings introduce a scalable, modular platform for designing injectable, biocompatible materials that closely mimic the body’s natural healing environment. What Are Extracellular Vesicles (EVs)? EV...

In a technological milestone that borders on science fiction, a critical component of the world’s largest fusion energy project—the ITER divertor —has successfully passed certification tests, proving capable of withstanding temperatures hotter than an asteroid impact. Developed through a joint effort by Hitachi and Japan’s National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST) , this outer vertical target of the divertor plays a pivotal role in containing and stabilizing the blazing-hot plasma within the ITER tokamak, currently under construction in Southern France. The Crucial Role of the Divertor Often called the "exhaust system" of a fusion reactor, the divertor is the only component that comes into direct contact with the ultra-hot plasma. Its role is to remove byproducts such as helium ash and fuel residue, ensuring the sustained and stable operation of the fusion reaction. But unlike ordinary exhaust systems, this one must operate in conditions that push ...

Half a billion years ago, nature invented a way to dazzle the eye—creating color not with pigments, but with nanoscale structures that reflect and bend light. Now, a team of researchers at Trinity College Dublin has recreated this ancient phenomenon with modern precision. Their programmable nanospheres open a vibrant new world of structural coloration, paving the way for transformative advances in sensors, photonics, and even biomedical implants. The breakthrough was led by Professor Colm Delaney of Trinity’s School of Chemistry and the AMBER Centre (Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research), and recently published in the journal Advanced Materials . The key innovation lies in the precise control of nanosphere self-assembly , a major hurdle in materials science until now. Nature’s Rainbow, Engineered by Science Structural color arises when microstructures interfere with light to produce vivid hues, as seen in butterfly wings, peacock feathers, and beetle shells. The T...

In a groundbreaking step forward for aerospace energy technologies, engineers from the University of Surrey have unveiled a novel protective coating nicknamed the "cosmic veil" —a thin layer that can shield perovskite solar cells from the relentless assault of space radiation. The innovation, detailed in a study published in Joule , could significantly extend the life and efficiency of solar panels used in satellites and spacecraft, heralding a new era of durable, lightweight, and cost-effective energy sources in orbit. The Fragility of Perovskites in Space Perovskite solar cells have become a beacon of hope in the quest for next-generation photovoltaics. They are lightweight, cheaper to produce than traditional silicon panels, and boast impressive efficiency. However, their Achilles’ heel remains their vulnerability to the harsh environment of space—especially the onslaught of high-energy protons and UV radiation that bombard devices in low-Earth orbit. Dr. Jae Sun...

As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly advances, the physical limitations of conventional semiconductor hardware have become increasingly apparent. AI models today demand vast computational resources, high-speed processing, and extreme energy efficiency—requirements that traditional silicon-based systems struggle to meet. However, nanotechnology is stepping in to reshape the future of AI by offering solutions that are faster, smaller, and smarter at the atomic scale. The recent article published by AZoNano provides a compelling overview of how nanotechnology is revolutionizing the design and operation of AI systems, pushing beyond the constraints of Moore’s Law and Dennard scaling. Through breakthroughs in neuromorphic computing, advanced memory devices, spintronics, and thermal management, nanomaterials are enabling the next generation of intelligent systems. The Bottleneck of Traditional Architectures While silicon transistors have long been the workhorses of modern ...

Source: AZoNano - Emerging Trends in Nano-Biocomposites In the search for materials that balance performance, sustainability, and multifunctionality, nano-biocomposites are proving to be a transformative class of materials. Combining natural polymers with nanoscale additives, these composites are gaining traction in diverse fields—from food packaging to advanced medical devices—by offering high strength, improved barrier properties, biocompatibility, and tunable functionality. What Are Nano-Biocomposites? At their core, nano-biocomposites are blends of biodegradable biopolymers (such as cellulose, chitosan, collagen, and starch) and nanomaterials (like nanoclays, silica, or carbon nanotubes). These components operate synergistically: the polymer provides structural support and biodegradability, while the nanofillers enhance physical properties like tensile strength, thermal stability, and barrier resistance at the molecular level. Thanks to their high surface-area-to-volum...

Published: July 30, 2025 | By Quantum Server Networks In a groundbreaking development at the intersection of nanotechnology and biomedicine, researchers at the National Graphene Institute in Manchester have unveiled a new graphene-based antibacterial membrane that promises sustained, controlled, and safe release of silver ions for medical and industrial applications. This innovation, made in collaboration with the medical technology company Smith & Nephew , was recently reported by AZoNano and published in the journal Small . Why Silver and Why Graphene? Silver has long been hailed as a potent antimicrobial agent. It’s commonly found in wound dressings and coatings for medical instruments due to its ability to disrupt bacterial cell membranes. However, the uncontrolled release of silver ions in many current applications poses a double-edged sword: while bacteria are destroyed, adjacent healthy tissue can also suffer, leading to inflammation or cytotoxicity. This is wh...

Published: July 30, 2025 | By Quantum Server Networks The aerospace sector is soaring into a new era of innovation with the help of 3D printing , or more precisely, additive manufacturing (AM) . No longer just a rapid prototyping tool, this technology is reshaping how components for aircraft and spacecraft are designed, built, and optimized. A recent article from AZoM dives into the growing use of AM across major aerospace players—revealing how lighter parts, faster turnaround, and unprecedented design freedom are giving rise to smarter, greener, and more cost-effective aviation technologies. The Additive Advantage in Aerospace In traditional aerospace manufacturing, fabricating a complex component might require numerous molds, costly tools, and extensive machining. 3D printing eliminates these barriers, enabling rapid, mold-free fabrication from CAD models. Engineers can design custom geometries tailored to exacting stress profiles, often in a single monolithic piece—reducin...