Quantum Server Newsletter on the latest news in Materials Science research

In a striking advance for future electronics and spintronics, researchers have found a novel way to excite and control magnetic skyrmions —tiny vortex-like structures in magnetic materials—by using electric currents. The study, led by teams from Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Tiangong University , explores how spin-polarized currents in the material Fe₃Sn₂ (iron tin) can induce vibrational modes in skyrmions, unlocking new techniques to detect and manipulate spin currents at the nanoscale. Published in Nature Communications , the research paves the way for future developments in low-power memory, neuromorphic computing, and advanced magnetic sensors. What Are Skyrmions—and Why Are They Important? Skyrmions are stable, swirling magnetic configurations that can exist in certain types of materials. Because they are small, robust, and highly mobile, skyrmions are considered promising candidates for next-generation information storage and logic devices. They can be moved or ...

Superconductors and magnets have long been considered incompatible—until now. In a remarkable discovery published in Nature , researchers at MIT have identified a material that defies this dogma: a “ chiral superconductor ” that conducts electricity with zero resistance and exhibits intrinsic magnetic behavior. What’s even more astonishing? This exotic quantum phase has been found in a seemingly mundane material— graphite , the same substance in your pencil lead. The MIT team demonstrated that when graphene layers are stacked in a special “rhombohedral” pattern, they exhibit superconductivity and magnetism—simultaneously. Graphene’s Chiral Surprise Graphite is composed of millions of stacked graphene sheets . Occasionally, these layers deviate from their typical alignment, forming a staircase-like structure called rhombohedral stacking . The MIT team focused on isolating and testing five-layer rhombohedral graphene structures placed on hexagonal boron nitride substrates. ...

Quantum physics may soon have a new ally: artificial intelligence . In a pioneering study led by researchers from MIT and the Cavendish Laboratory , scientists have used a specially designed fermionic neural network (FNN) to solve one of the most complex problems in quantum condensed matter physics — determining the ground state of fractional quantum Hall liquids . Published in Physical Review B , this study marks one of the first demonstrations of AI's real power in quantum science, applying an attention-based FNN to analyze highly entangled states in 2D electron systems. This breakthrough could not only accelerate quantum research but also provide new insight into exotic states of matter and emerging technologies like topological quantum computing. What Are Fractional Quantum Hall Liquids? These are topologically ordered states that emerge when electrons confined to a two-dimensional system are subjected to strong magnetic fields at ultra-low temperatures. They feat...

In a groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation , scientists from IBM Quantum® and Lockheed Martin have demonstrated that quantum computers can accurately simulate open-shell molecules —a long-standing challenge for classical computational chemistry. Their subject: the deceptively simple but chemically complex radical species known as methylene (CH₂) . This marks the first application of the Sample-based Quantum Diagonalization (SQD) technique to an open-shell system, establishing a new benchmark for quantum advantage in computational chemistry. Open-shell molecules contain unpaired electrons , which give rise to intricate quantum behavior, magnetic properties, and high reactivity—attributes that are notoriously difficult to simulate on classical machines. Quantum Chemistry and the Case for SQD Traditional high-performance computing methods often struggle to model systems with strong electron correlation—such as transition states, radi...

For decades, understanding how ions like potassium traverse biological membranes has fascinated scientists due to its relevance in neuroscience, physiology, and pharmaceutical research . Now, in a landmark study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , researchers have used molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to visualize potassium ion transport at atomic resolution , resolving long-standing questions about ion channel selectivity and conductance. This work—led by Bert de Groot and his team at the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences in collaboration with Queen Mary University London—represents a breakthrough in computational electrophysiology and bioenergetics. The simulations not only match real-world patch clamp data for the first time but also reveal a new mechanistic picture of how potassium ions line up inside the channel. The Ion Highway of Life Ion channels are specialized proteins embedded in cellular membranes that regula...

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) may be a major climate concern, but it's also a potential feedstock for valuable chemicals—if only we can find the right catalysts. In a recent breakthrough, researchers at Tohoku University's Advanced Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR) have developed a data-driven framework for identifying high-performance single-atom catalysts (SACs) for CO₂ electroreduction under realistic conditions. Published in the Journal of Chemical Physics , this research represents a major advance in computational materials science by accounting for both pH effects and interfacial electric fields —two often-overlooked but critical variables in electrochemical catalysis. Why CO₂ Reduction Matters Electrochemical CO₂ reduction (CO₂RR) is a promising strategy for creating fuels and chemical feedstocks while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A key target product is carbon monoxide (CO) , which serves as a precursor for fuels and industrial chemicals. However, cu...

In a milestone achievement for sustainable chemistry, researchers at the University of Tokyo have successfully demonstrated a process that uses only air, water, and sunlight to produce ammonia—one of the world’s most critical industrial chemicals. By mimicking natural photosynthesis with a dual-catalyst system, this innovation offers a radically greener alternative to the traditional Haber-Bosch process. The findings, published in Nature Communications , could pave the way for carbon-free fertilizer and fuel production and dramatically reduce the global carbon footprint of ammonia synthesis, which today accounts for roughly 2% of the world’s total energy use and CO₂ emissions . The Ammonia Problem Ammonia (NH₃) is vital for agriculture and industry. Around 200 million tons are produced globally each year, primarily as fertilizer. But the conventional manufacturing method—Haber-Bosch—requires high temperatures and pressures and consumes vast amounts of fossil fuels. This e...

As the world accelerates its shift toward a low-carbon economy, the demand for new energy materials is rapidly growing. Among the most promising candidates are metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)—highly tunable, porous materials that can store, convert, and transport chemical energy efficiently. But one critical challenge remains: predicting which MOFs are stable enough to be synthesized and deployed at scale. A team of scientists and engineers from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering and the Department of Chemistry has now tackled this challenge using a groundbreaking computational screening tool. This method not only predicts the thermodynamic stability of MOFs but also points to viable synthesis pathways. The results were published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society and represent a major leap in materials discovery for decarbonization technologies. The Power of Predictive Chemistry The research, led by Ph.D. student Jianming Mao ...

Imagine moving and rotating objects underwater—or even inside the human body—without physical contact. Thanks to an innovative new acoustic metamaterial developed by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison , this science-fiction scenario is becoming a scientific reality. This breakthrough, presented by doctoral researcher Dajun Zhang at the 188th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America, introduces a specially engineered composite that can be remotely manipulated using precisely tuned sound waves . With potential applications ranging from underwater robotics to in-body surgical procedures , the implications of this metamaterial are profound and far-reaching. How It Works: Sound-Driven Motion with Structured Surfaces The metamaterial features a sawtooth-patterned surface that interacts asymmetrically with sound waves. When targeted by underwater acoustic fields, it responds by moving—either pushing, pulling, or rotating—depending on how the waves reflect off...

In an exciting convergence of artificial intelligence and materials science, researchers have developed a machine learning framework that uses graph neural networks (GNNs) to identify promising catalysts for carbon dioxide reduction (CO₂RR) based on high-entropy alloys (HEAs) . This breakthrough, recently published in the Chinese Journal of Catalysis , could significantly speed up the development of sustainable technologies for carbon-neutral energy systems. The research team, led by Liejin Guo (Xi'an Jiaotong University) and Ziyun Wang (University of Auckland), tackled one of the biggest challenges in catalysis design—predicting performance from complex surface structures. HEAs, known for their tunable atomic compositions and promising catalytic properties, have been difficult to model due to surface complexity and segregation effects that diverge from bulk compositions. Understanding the Problem: Surface Complexity in HEAs High-entropy alloys are composed of multiple...

In a groundbreaking advancement that could redefine catalytic chemistry and industrial sustainability, researchers from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have unveiled a new cobalt-based catalyst capable of rivaling—and even surpassing—traditional platinum catalysts for propane dehydrogenation . This innovation, published in Nature Catalysis , introduces CoS-1 , a highly stable cobaltosilicate zeolite with isolated tetrahedral cobalt sites. It achieved an impressive propylene productivity of 9.7 kgC₃H₆·kg cat ⁻¹·h⁻¹ , exceeding the output of standard PtSn/Al₂O₃ industrial catalysts while using an Earth-abundant metal. The Need for Non-Precious Catalysts Propylene is a cornerstone of the petrochemical industry, vital for manufacturing plastics, synthetic rubbers, and other essential materials. However, its conventional production relies on precious-metal catalysts like platinum, which are expensive and resource-limited. The discove...

In a time where sustainability demands smarter materials and scalable solutions, researchers from Shinshu University, Japan , have unveiled a nanotechnology innovation that hits two birds with one stone. Their newly developed nanocomposite is designed to deliver high-performance energy storage while simultaneously acting as an efficient catalyst for pollutant degradation . Published in Advanced Fiber Materials , this research presents a new class of multifunctional materials that embed ultrafine bi- and tri-metallic molybdates into hollow-core carbon nanofibers doped with nitrogen, boron, and fluorine. The result is a cost-effective, scalable material offering tangible solutions to two of the most urgent global challenges: clean energy and clean water. Why This Breakthrough Matters With rapid industrialization and urban expansion across developing nations, energy demands and water pollution are rising in tandem. Traditional nanomaterials often tackle these issues in isolat...

In a landmark achievement for computational materials science, researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) , in collaboration with North Carolina State University (NCSU) , have successfully developed and executed real-time simulations of tens of thousands of electrons. This milestone allows for the observation of electronic behavior at an unprecedented scale and time resolution, opening up new pathways in quantum material research and technology design. The Breakthrough: Real-Time RT-TDDFT Simulations on an Exascale Machine The researchers used the Frontier supercomputer , the world's first exascale system, to run simulations using a novel adaptation of Real-Time Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (RT-TDDFT) within the Real-space Multigrid (RMG) code framework. This method allowed them to model systems comprising up to 24,000 electrons —comparable to the number found in 4,000 carbon atoms or 2,400 water molecules. What sets ...

In a major leap forward for spintronics, researchers at the Institute of Science Tokyo have achieved a record-high Curie temperature (TC) of 530 K in a ferromagnetic semiconductor (FMS), significantly surpassing the performance of previous FMS materials. This achievement marks a crucial step toward the realization of practical spin-based devices that can operate well above room temperature. The material in question— (Ga,Fe)Sb —was grown using a specialized step-flow growth method on vicinal GaAs(100) substrates. Published in Applied Physics Letters , the breakthrough demonstrates a powerful solution to a decades-long bottleneck in integrating magnetism into semiconductor-based electronics. The Challenge: Raising the Curie Ceiling Ferromagnetic semiconductors hold immense promise for next-generation spintronic devices , which exploit electron spin in addition to charge. However, their adoption has been limited by low Curie temperatures—temperatures above which ferrom...

Sometimes, great discoveries happen when scientists stumble across the unexpected. That’s precisely what occurred at the University of Pennsylvania , where researchers in chemical and biomolecular engineering inadvertently uncovered a class of nanostructured materials capable of passively harvesting water vapor from air —without using any external energy. As published in Science Advances , this unique material features a hybrid amphiphilic nanoporous structure that condenses atmospheric water inside its pores and then releases it onto the surface as droplets. It opens up a transformative pathway toward sustainable water collection in arid environments and passive cooling systems for electronics or buildings. A Surprising Observation Sparks Discovery According to lead researcher Prof. Daeyeon Lee , the water-collecting effect was first spotted by accident. The team had been experimenting with hydrophobic polymers and hydrophilic nanopores when a former Ph.D. student, ...

What if complex quantum chemistry calculations could be executed as easily as chatting with an AI assistant? That vision is becoming reality thanks to El Agente Q , a new LLM-driven, multi-agent AI system developed by the Matter Lab at the University of Toronto in collaboration with NVIDIA . This innovative platform can create, troubleshoot, and execute full quantum chemistry workflows based on plain-English instructions—bringing advanced simulations within reach for chemists at all levels. The Problem: Too Complex, Too Inaccessible Quantum chemistry tools are notoriously hard to use. Despite their power in materials discovery and molecular design, they often require deep domain knowledge and precise scripting to run even basic tasks. This complexity hinders broader adoption—particularly by non-specialists or interdisciplinary teams. The Solution: AI-Powered Agents with Specialized Roles El Agente Q changes the game with a hierarchical AI architecture composed of ov...

In a groundbreaking achievement published in Nature , researchers have experimentally observed the structure of liquid carbon for the very first time. Conducted at the European XFEL near Hamburg and led by the University of Rostock in collaboration with Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), this experiment offers vital insights into the behavior of carbon under extreme conditions—conditions that mirror the interior of planets and high-energy systems like fusion reactors. Why Liquid Carbon Matters Carbon is one of the most abundant and versatile elements in the universe, forming the basis of both life and advanced materials. Yet until now, understanding its liquid phase remained elusive. Under normal conditions, carbon sublimates directly from solid to gas—bypassing the liquid phase entirely. Only under pressures of several gigapascals and temperatures near 4,500°C —the highest melting point of any known material—does it become a liquid. This made lab-based observa...

In the global fight against plastic waste, scientists have just discovered a promising new ally: a common organic peroxide. A recent breakthrough by researchers at Cornell University may pave the way for more effective recycling of mixed plastics like polyethylene and polypropylene—materials that account for the vast majority of global plastic waste but are notoriously difficult to reuse together. Why Polyethylene and Polypropylene Don't Play Well Although chemically similar, polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (iPP) resist mechanical recycling when blended. Their molecular incompatibility causes phase separation, resulting in weak, degraded materials. Until now, this problem has limited the viability of recycling streams that mix these polymers—essentially turning most plastic waste into unusable sludge. A Low-Cost Fix from the Chemistry Lab Led by Professor Geoffrey Coates , the Cornell team developed a radical-induced method using a commercially available or...