Quantum Server Newsletter on the latest news in Materials Science research

By Quantum Server Networks – August 2025 Lithium-ion batteries ( LiBs ) have become the backbone of modern portable electronics, electric vehicles, and renewable energy storage systems. Their high energy density, lightweight design, and rechargeability make them indispensable to daily life. However, as demand for higher-capacity batteries grows, scientists face a persistent challenge: balancing energy density with long-term stability . A new study led by researchers at Peking University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences introduces a breakthrough approach to tackling this challenge. Published in Nature Energy , the work demonstrates how a dopant-pairing strategy significantly enhances the stability of Ni-rich layered cathodes—the type of materials often used in high-energy lithium-ion batteries. Why Cathode Stability Matters Cathodes are the positive electrodes in lithium-ion batteries and play a cr...

By Quantum Server Networks – August 2025 A team of chemists at the University at Albany has achieved a remarkable breakthrough that could change the trajectory of rocket propulsion technology. Their latest research introduces a newly synthesized high-energy compound— manganese diboride (MnB 2 ) —that offers a dramatic boost in fuel efficiency compared to traditional propellants used in space exploration. According to the study, published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society , manganese diboride releases over 20% more energy by weight and nearly 150% more energy by volume than aluminum, which is currently employed in solid rocket boosters. This means that future rockets could require far less fuel to achieve the same missions—freeing up space and reducing payload costs for critical instruments and research samples. The Science Behind MnB 2 The compound was synthesized using an arc melter , which subjects manganese and bor...

The era of two-dimensional (2D) materials continues to reshape the future of electronics. From graphene to transition metal dichalcogenides, 2D systems have shown unprecedented electronic, optical, and mechanical properties. Now, a new study highlights a breakthrough in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) , paving the way for its direct integration into advanced computing devices. Image: Direct on-chip synthesis of hBN memristors via PECVD (Credit: Nature Nanotechnology / Phys.org) Why Boron Nitride? Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is a 2D material with a honeycomb lattice similar to graphene, but with distinct properties. It is an excellent electrical insulator, has high thermal stability, mechanical strength, and a wide bandgap that makes it transparent to visible light. These features make hBN ideal for memristors —electronic components that act both as memory storage and as resistors that control current flow. ...

As the world accelerates toward a carbon-neutral future , hydrogen has emerged as a cornerstone of clean energy. Hydrogen fuel offers a way to decarbonize heavy industries, long-haul transport, and energy storage. Yet one of the biggest hurdles remains: producing hydrogen efficiently, at scale, and at low cost. A groundbreaking new study published in Nature Chemical Engineering shows that metal–organic framework (MOF) electrodes could provide the solution, delivering high efficiency and stability while slashing production costs. Image: Researchers developing scalable MOF electrodes for hydrogen production (Credit: NCNST / TechXplore) Why Hydrogen Matters Hydrogen is often called the “fuel of the future.” Unlike fossil fuels, its only combustion byproduct is water. Green hydrogen, produced by splitting water with renewable electricity, has the potential to decarbonize energy-intensive industries like steelmak...

Superconductivity—the phenomenon where electrical resistance drops to zero—has long fascinated scientists and engineers. It holds the promise of revolutionizing everything from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to quantum computing , energy transmission, and high-speed transport. Now, researchers at Cornell University have made a major breakthrough by developing a 3D-printing method for superconductors that combines soft matter chemistry with advanced nanostructuring. The result: record-breaking performance in a new generation of porous, crystalline superconductors. Image: 3D-printed superconductor using copolymer-inorganic nanoparticle inks (Credit: Cornell University / Phys.org) A Decade in the Making Nearly ten years ago, Ulrich Wiesner’s group at Cornell demonstrated the first self-assembled superconductors using block copolymers—soft, chain-like molecules that naturally form repeating nanoscale patterns...

A remarkable breakthrough has just expanded the frontier of materials science: the creation of goldene , a one-atom-thick sheet of gold. Much like graphene did for carbon two decades ago, goldene has the potential to revolutionize electronics, photonics, catalysis, and even medicine. Scientists have long dreamed of isolating 2D metallic sheets, but the tendency of metals to clump together at the atomic scale has posed a formidable challenge. Now, a Swedish team has succeeded. Image: Visualization of goldene, a one-atom-thick gold supermaterial (Credit: Earth.com) From Graphene to Goldene: A New Age of 2D Materials Since the isolation of graphene in 2004, the discovery of two-dimensional (2D) materials has exploded, with scientists unveiling atom-thin layers of boron nitride, molybdenum disulfide, phosphorene, and more. These materials exhibit unusual mechanical, optical, and electronic properties, making them candi...

Mechanical metamaterials have rapidly become one of the most exciting fields in advanced materials science. Defined by their ability to derive unique properties from structure rather than composition, metamaterials have already led to breakthroughs in optics, acoustics, and mechanics. A new study published in Nature Communications ( read the article here ) explores a surprising twist on this theme: the transformation of traditional beadwork into programmable, load-bearing beaded metamaterials . Image: Experimental design of beaded metamaterials (Nature Communications, 2025) From Soft Fibers to Rigid Structures The study, led by researchers from Princeton University, Boston University, Carnegie Mellon, and KU Leuven, investigates how rigid beads connected by flexible threads can form networks that dramatically alter their mechanical response. By weaving beads into specific patterns and applying tension, these...