Quantum Server Newsletter on the latest news in Materials Science research

Published by Quantum Server Networks – June 2025 Imagine a future where materials scientists partner with artificial intelligence (AI) to generate new materials with the push of a button—no guesswork, no slow trial-and-error experimentation. This future is rapidly becoming a reality, as highlighted in a recent article by the World Economic Forum . The Age of Intelligent Materials Design In this new paradigm, scientists like David, a hypothetical researcher in an AI-augmented lab, work hand-in-hand with powerful platforms that can instantly screen millions of molecular configurations, predict material properties, and propose cost-effective, sustainable synthesis routes. AI doesn't just assist—it co-creates. By integrating high-throughput simulations, generative models, and automated laboratory execution, these platforms guide research through rapid iterations. Breakthroughs once decades in the making now happen in weeks. Addressing Climate and Resource Challenges ...

Published by Quantum Server Networks – June 2025 What do the Shinkansen bullet train, Velcro, and the mantis shrimp have in common? All are inspired by nature’s designs—and now, thanks to pioneering research from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a new class of bioinspired nanomaterials may soon join that list. These materials take cues from the mantis shrimp’s punch-resistant exoskeleton, unlocking new ways to build stronger, longer-lasting materials for extreme environments. Cracking the Code of Nature’s Armor The mantis shrimp’s appendage can strike with the force of a .22 caliber bullet, all without damaging itself. The secret lies in microscopic “Bouligand structures”—helicoidal arrangements of fibers layered like twisted plywood. NIST researchers Sujin Lee and Edwin Chan replicated these structures using cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), natural polymers found in plant fibers, which self-assembled into nanoplates and were stacked to create thi...

Published by Quantum Server Networks – June 2025 A recent breakthrough reported in Advanced Materials Interfaces has refined how scientists quantify the surface chemistry of Ti 3 C 2 T x MXenes, a class of 2D materials known for their promising applications in energy storage, catalysis, and filtration. The team utilized a combination of energy-dependent synchrotron X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) to disentangle true material signals from surface contaminants. This innovative methodology provides far more accurate data than conventional lab-based XPS, which often misrepresents the concentration of titanium vacancies and underestimates crucial surface terminal groups. The findings are not only a technical milestone but also a roadmap for improving MXene-based device performance across industries. Why Surface Chemistry Matters in MXenes MXenes, especially Ti 3 C 2 T x , have exceptional electrical conductivity and chemical ...

Published by Quantum Server Networks – June 2025 Ferroelectric materials, the workhorses behind multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs), are vital to everything from smartphones and laptops to automotive systems. However, their nanoscale domain interfaces have long remained a mystery—until now. A breakthrough by Dr. Takehito Seki and his team at the University of Tokyo has enabled the first direct observation of charge distributions at ferroelectric domain walls, using advanced electron microscopy that probes even picometer-scale atomic displacements. Published in Science Advances , the research opens new frontiers in understanding how these domain walls influence the performance, reliability, and miniaturization of capacitors in modern electronics. The implications are broad—enabling better modeling of domain behavior, predicting leakage current, and guiding future material design for next-generation energy and computing devices. MLCCs and the Role of Ferroelectric Interf...

Published by Quantum Server Networks – June 2025 In a striking marriage of art and nanoscience, researchers at Rice University have discovered a method to align boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) into elegant liquid crystalline phases in water. This breakthrough not only delivers a new pathway for scalable, functional nanomaterials but also provides an optical treat—images so beautiful they earned a Langmuir journal cover. Unlocking Order in the Nanoscale World Led by Professor Matteo Pasquali and first author Joe Khoury, the research team found that BNNTs could self-organize into nematic liquid crystal phases using sodium deoxycholate (SDC), a common surfactant. Unlike their carbon nanotube cousins, BNNTs are transparent and easily observable via visible light microscopy, offering unique insights into their structural behavior. Khoury’s keen artistic eye spotted the phenomenon during a filtration step, where the material glowed under polarized light—a clear signature of...

Published by Quantum Server Networks – June 2025 Silicon image sensors have long dominated the digital imaging world, powering smartphones, cameras, and scientific instruments. But their architecture comes with a trade-off: only one-third of the light is captured by each pixel, due to the RGB filter system that blocks out non-targeted wavelengths. Researchers at ETH Zurich and Empa have now unveiled a disruptive alternative—perovskite-based image sensors that promise triple the light sensitivity and resolution. How Perovskites Redefine Color Sensing The innovation is led by Professor Maksym Kovalenko and his team, who have developed a method to fabricate image sensors using layered perovskite semiconductors. Each layer absorbs a specific wavelength of light based on its chemical composition—iodine-rich perovskite captures red, bromine for green, and chlorine for blue. Unlike silicon sensors that require side-by-side pixel mosaics and filters, these perovskite layers are...

Published by Quantum Server Networks – June 2025 Imagine a future where buildings are not just carbon-neutral but actively absorb CO 2 from the atmosphere. That future may be closer than we think, thanks to pioneering work at ETH Zurich . Researchers there have developed a 3D-printable, photosynthetic “living material” that integrates cyanobacteria capable of capturing and storing carbon dioxide. How It Works: The Science Behind Living Materials The new material consists of a hydrogel matrix populated with cyanobacteria. These photosynthetic microorganisms not only convert atmospheric CO 2 into biomass, but also facilitate the formation of stable carbonate minerals—effectively locking away carbon in a dual sequestration process. Over a 400-day period, the material demonstrated continuous carbon capture, storing approximately 26 milligrams of CO 2 per gram—comparable to some industrial sequestration methods. The researchers used 3D printing to shape the hydrogel into...

Published by Quantum Server Networks – June 2025 Carbon fiber — stronger than steel and lighter than aluminum — is already a vital material in aerospace and automotive applications. Now, scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have taken a giant leap in improving its performance using one of the world’s most powerful tools: the Frontier exascale supercomputer. In a project announced on June 19, 2025, the Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility detailed how researchers simulated the behavior of 5 million atoms to explore new ways of strengthening carbon-fiber composites using a fine layer of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers. The simulations were powered by Frontier , currently the world’s fastest supercomputer for open science, achieving speeds over 2 exaflops. Atomic Insights through Exascale Computing Led by scientists Tanvir Sohail and Swarnava Ghosh, the ORNL team developed an atomistic model integrating PAN nanofibers into a polymer matrix surrounding...

Posted on Quantum Server Networks – June 2025 Understanding catalytic surface reactions at the atomic scale has long been the cornerstone of innovations in chemical and energy industries. Yet, modeling such complex systems—particularly multi-reactant adsorption on diverse surfaces—has remained a computationally expensive challenge. A new research breakthrough from the University of Rochester offers a transformative solution through a novel structural similarity algorithm that drastically reduces the need for costly simulations. Why Modeling Multi-Reactant Catalysis is Challenging First-principles methods like Density Functional Theory (DFT) are indispensable in computational materials science. However, simulating reactions involving multiple adsorbates on surfaces with varied geometries typically requires evaluating thousands of unique atomic configurations. This becomes a bottleneck when modeling complex electrocatalytic processes like CO and OH co-adsorption or hydroc...

In a major leap for nanotechnology and materials science, a collaboration between researchers from the University of Michigan, University of Illinois, and the University of Wisconsin has unveiled a new method to directly observe phonon dynamics within self-assembled nanoparticle lattices. Published in Nature Materials , the study leverages advanced electron microscopy techniques to visualize how nanoparticles behave under quantum-level vibrational forces—revealing key insights that could redefine the design of metamaterials. Why Phonons Matter at the Nanoscale Phonons, the quantum mechanical representation of vibrational waves in a material, are essential for understanding how energy, heat, and sound propagate at the atomic and nanoscale. In metamaterials, which are often engineered for exotic properties such as negative refraction or seismic wave shielding, phonon dynamics determine mechanical resilience and reconfigurability. This new study marks the first time researcher...

A transformative breakthrough in magnetic field generation may reshape applications ranging from MRI machines to particle accelerators. Physicists Prof. Ingo Rehberg of the University of Bayreuth and Dr. Peter Blümler of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have unveiled a new class of permanent magnet configurations that outperform the long-trusted Halbach arrays—setting a new benchmark for compact, uniform magnetic field generation. The Limits of Classical Halbach Arrays Halbach arrays have long been the gold standard in creating unidirectional magnetic fields. However, their effectiveness relies on the assumption of infinitely long magnets—an impracticality in real-world engineering. When built with finite dimensions, these arrays show considerable field inhomogeneity, making them suboptimal for applications where precision and strength are paramount. Compact, Focused, and Strong: The New Magnet Design Rehberg and Blümler tackled this challenge with mathematical precisi...

In a groundbreaking study using one of the most powerful supercomputers ever built, scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have shed new light on a long-standing mystery in chemistry: how exactly water influences chemical reaction rates when air meets liquid. The results are not only scientifically illuminating—they could have far-reaching implications for greener industrial processes, drug development, and carbon capture. Where Air Meets Water: The Forgotten Frontier Most chemistry textbooks focus on reactions occurring in bulk solutions or gases, but there’s a critical space that is often overlooked—the thin, dynamic interface where air meets water. It turns out, this boundary layer plays a crucial role in shaping the efficiency and outcome of many real-world reactions, including nucleophilic substitution (SN2) reactions that underpin processes ranging from ibuprofen synthesis to atmospheric CO₂ transformations. Simulating the Invisible with Supercomputing Powe...

Ammonia may be a quiet hero in global agriculture, but behind its nitrogen-rich benefits lies one of the most carbon-intensive industrial processes on Earth. Traditionally made under high pressure and scorching temperatures via the Haber–Bosch process, ammonia production currently contributes about 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions. But researchers at UNSW Sydney are rewriting that story — with artificial intelligence at the helm. From Green Chemistry to Greener Engineering Back in 2021, a team at UNSW developed a method for synthesizing ammonia at room temperature using only air, water, and renewable electricity. But this pioneering concept still needed a performance upgrade — particularly in finding the right catalyst that could maximize reaction rates and energy efficiency. This is where AI stepped in. The team, led by Dr. Ali Jalili, began with 13 known metals suitable for ammonia catalysis. When combined, they presented over 8,000 possible alloy permutations. Exhau...

A new breakthrough from the International Center for Quantum Materials at Peking University has opened a window into one of the most elusive processes in materials science: phonon-mediated heat transport across atomic interfaces. For the first time, scientists have visualized this phenomenon directly at the nanoscale, providing critical insight into how heat flows — or fails to flow — across material boundaries in modern electronic devices. Why Phonons Matter in Materials Science Phonons — quantized vibrations of atoms in a crystal lattice — are the primary carriers of heat in semiconductors and insulators. At the junctions between different materials, these phonons often scatter or mismatch, generating thermal resistance that limits device efficiency. As transistors shrink and power densities rise, managing this interfacial thermal resistance becomes mission-critical for chip performance and reliability. Until now, researchers lacked the ability to map this behavior with s...

In the race to develop ultra-compact, high-performance electronics, nanomaterials like carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have emerged as promising candidates to overcome current limitations in heat dissipation and miniaturization. Now, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and Rutgers University are combining cutting-edge microscopy with machine learning to unravel the mystery of how to grow these materials in a more controlled, scalable way. From Grass to Graphene: Cultivating CNT Forests Led by Dr. Mostafa Bedewy and Dr. Ahmed Aziz Ezzat, the research team received a $549,947 grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation to investigate the dynamics of carbon nanotube growth at the nanoscale. Their work focuses on alumina-supported iron nanoparticles—described metaphorically as “billions of seeds”—spread over tiny plots just one centimeter square. “These nanoparticles are like tiny seeds, and some of them sprout into nanotubes while others don’t,” Bedewy explains. “Our goa...

Quantum computing is inching closer to reality — thanks to defect engineering in 2D materials. In a recent study published in Science Advances , a team of researchers led by Rice University demonstrated a new method to create stable, bright, and reproducible quantum emitters in hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) thin films. The breakthrough? Turning "defects" into feature-rich quantum light sources that work at room temperature. Why Defects Matter in Quantum Technology In classical computing, information is stored as bits — either a 0 or a 1. But in quantum computing, the basic unit is a qubit , which can be 0, 1, or both at once. To make quantum computing scalable, scientists need robust, reproducible ways to create and manipulate these qubits. One promising strategy is to embed single-photon emitters (SPEs) into solid-state materials like h-BN. These SPEs arise from atomic-level defects in the crystal lattice that can emit exactly one photon at a time — a critical ...

In a paradigm-shifting study from the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), researchers have unveiled nanoscale 3D-printed glass structures capable of reflecting nearly 100% of visible light . Long considered optically "weak" for high-performance photonics, glass—specifically silica—has been elevated to a new role in manipulating light at the nanoscale. A New Era for Glass in Photonics For decades, photonics engineers have preferred high-refractive-index materials like silicon or titanium dioxide to build reflective devices. Glass, despite its ubiquity in optics, has mostly served passive roles. However, the team led by Professor Joel Yang at SUTD has turned that notion on its head, publishing their results in Science Advances . The innovation lies in a new photocurable material dubbed Glass-Nano , a hybrid resin composed of silicon-rich molecules that undergoes precise thermal contraction during sintering. Using two-photon lithography followed by...