Quantum Server Newsletter on the latest news in Materials Science research

In a major leap for thermoelectric energy harvesting, researchers from the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) , in collaboration with the University of Tokyo and Nagoya University , have developed a novel " thermoelectric permanent magnet " capable of achieving a world-record power density of 56.7 mW/cm² through transverse thermoelectric conversion at room temperature. This breakthrough, recently published in Energy & Environmental Science , represents the highest power density ever recorded among transverse thermoelectric modules—surpassing even some commercial longitudinal Seebeck-based devices. The innovation lies in a smartly engineered, artificially tilted multilayer structure combining SmCo 5 -type magnets with the thermoelectric compound Bi 0.2 Sb 1.8 Te 3 . Why Transverse Thermoelectricity Matters Traditional thermoelectric modules use the longitudinal Seebeck effect, generating electricity in the same direction as the heat flow...

In a significant advancement for drug delivery technologies, scientists at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) and Nanjing University in China have developed a new class of protein–polymer nanoparticles that can carry greater drug payloads while offering improved long-term stability. Their findings, published in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces , promise to reshape how we treat diseases such as cancer by reducing side effects and increasing treatment efficiency. This innovative approach combines PLGA (a widely used biodegradable polymer in medicine) with albumin (a natural blood protein that already plays a role in pharmaceutical formulations). When mixed, the two form stable, uniform nanoparticles that can carry an astonishing 40% by weight of the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin —a significant leap compared to existing drugs like Doxil, which typically contain around 11%. Solving Longstanding Challenges Current nanoparticle-based dru...

In a landmark step forward for computational materials science, a consortium of researchers led by Janosh Riebesell and Kristin A. Persson from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the University of Cambridge has introduced a new benchmarking standard for machine learning (ML) models aimed at accelerating the discovery of stable inorganic crystals. Published in Nature Machine Intelligence (June 2025), their work unveils Matbench Discovery , an open-source evaluation framework designed to simulate real-world materials discovery campaigns using ML-guided predictions. What is Matbench Discovery? Matbench Discovery addresses four major hurdles in materials discovery: benchmarking ML models prospectively (not retrospectively), identifying meaningful prediction targets (like distance to the convex hull for thermodynamic stability), using informative performance metrics (beyond just mean absolute error), and evaluating scalability across large chemical spaces. Most ...

Published: June 25, 2025 Source: Tech Xplore In a remarkable fusion of sustainability and robotics, researchers from the University of Bristol have successfully engineered biodegradable soft robots made from rice paper —a material more commonly associated with Vietnamese cuisine than technological innovation. Their findings, presented at the 2025 IEEE International Conference on Soft Robotics (RoboSoft), introduce an eco-friendly alternative to silicone for single-use or educational soft robotic systems. Why Rice Paper? Silicone has long dominated soft robotics for its flexibility and resilience, but its environmental footprint is a growing concern. Enter rice paper—a natural material derived from Oryza sativa (rice) and cassava root (Manihot esculenta) . Researchers found it offered comparable softness, strength, and mechanical properties to commonly used elastomers, while being biodegradable in just 32 days. Lead researcher Christine Braganza noted, “Our goal was to ...

Published: June 2025 Source: MIT Lincoln Laboratory Glass is a cornerstone of modern technology—from optical lenses and fiber networks to microfluidics and advanced electronics. Yet, its manufacturing has remained tied to traditional, high-temperature techniques for centuries. Now, researchers at MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory have introduced a low-temperature additive manufacturing method that redefines what’s possible for complex glass structures. This breakthrough process leverages direct ink writing of custom-engineered silicate-based inks, enabling room-temperature 3D printing of multimaterial glass forms. The printed components are subsequently cured in mineral oil at only 250°C —a dramatic reduction from the >1,000°C temperatures required by conventional sintering methods. Engineering Glass Inks for Flexibility and Functionality The innovative ink formulation combines widely available inorganic materials and silicate binders, resulting in high-resolution, thermall...

Published: June 24, 2025 Source: Phys.org In a major theoretical advance, physicists at the University of Michigan have revealed that the design space for optical topological insulators —materials that can guide light around corners and defects without scattering—is vastly broader than previously imagined. Their findings challenge long-held assumptions and lay a new foundation for developing next-generation photonic technologies. What Are Topological Insulators—And Why Do They Matter? Topological insulators are exotic materials that behave like insulators in their interior but conduct on their surfaces. In the photonic domain, this means light can travel unimpeded along the edges of these structures, even navigating around imperfections without being scattered. Such materials are vital for future applications in lasers, sensors, quantum communication, and optical computing . Until now, researchers believed that achieving this behavior in optical systems required carefull...

Published: June 24, 2025 Source: Phys.org Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have long captured scientific imagination for their extraordinary porosity and structural tunability. Now, they’re taking a giant leap into the world of quantum and electronic applications thanks to a breakthrough by researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and their international collaborators. For the first time, a MOF has been engineered to exhibit true metallic conductivity —not merely semiconducting or hopping-based behavior—by forming high-quality thin films with precisely controlled crystallinity. This advancement unlocks previously inaccessible possibilities in electronics, energy storage, spintronics, and quantum materials research . From Theory to Practice: MOFs Turn Metallic MOFs are composed of metal clusters linked by organic molecules, and while they’ve been widely used in gas storage and catalysis, their low conductivity has limited their use in electronics. However...

Published: June 2025 Source: The Brighter Side News In a landmark achievement that pushes the frontiers of quantum physics and materials science, a Princeton University team has uncovered a hidden chiral quantum state in a material long believed to lack such properties. Led by Professor M. Zahid Hasan, this breakthrough—published in Nature Communications —resolves years of speculation and opens new doors to next-generation quantum and optoelectronic technologies. The Enigma of Chirality in Quantum Materials Chirality, or “handedness,” refers to the mirror-image nature of certain structures. It's seen in biology, chemistry, and even particle physics. However, its role in crystalline solids like the Kagome lattice was long debated. Using a custom-built scanning photocurrent microscope (SPCM), researchers observed chirality in a compound made of potassium, vanadium, and antimony (KV 3 Sb 5 ) when cooled to near absolute zero. “We’re finally able to resolve subtle quant...

Published: June 2025 Source: Nature Computational Materials The rapid growth of nanomaterials research poses a daunting challenge: how can we efficiently extract structured, actionable data from a tidal wave of scientific literature? A new study presents nanoMINER , an advanced multi-agent AI system that leverages multimodal large language models (LLMs), natural language processing, and computer vision to tackle this task with high precision and minimal human intervention. The Birth of nanoMINER nanoMINER is a modular AI framework built around a central ReAct agent that coordinates specialized sub-agents responsible for vision processing, named entity recognition (NER), and text parsing. Unlike traditional single-stream LLMs, this architecture allows nanoMINER to simultaneously extract complex data from figures, tables, and unstructured text across full scientific articles. The system was benchmarked against state-of-the-art models including GPT-4.1 and smaller reasoni...

By Quantum Server Networks For centuries, restoring damaged artwork has been a time-consuming and delicate craft, requiring months of effort by skilled conservators. But what if this process could be completed in hours—with high fidelity and reversibility? A groundbreaking new technique developed by MIT graduate student Alex Kachkine has brought this possibility to life, using AI-generated polymer films to revolutionize the art restoration process. From Paintbrushes to Polymers Kachkine, a mechanical engineering student with a passion for art restoration, devised a system that blends traditional conservation ethics with cutting-edge digital technologies. His process prints transparent, two-layer polymer "masks" that can be applied to a painting's surface to restore color and form without permanent alterations. These masks are fully reversible and digitally documented, setting a new standard for conservation traceability. Unlike generative A...

By Quantum Server Networks In a stunning leap for thermal physics and energy research, a team from Penn State University has shattered a 165-year-old pillar of physical law—Kirchhoff’s Law of Thermal Radiation. This breakthrough could open transformative pathways in solar energy harvesting, infrared sensing, and heat management technologies. Redefining What We Thought Was Impossible Since its introduction in 1860 by German physicist Gustav Kirchhoff, the law posited a fundamental balance: a material’s ability to absorb electromagnetic radiation at a specific wavelength and angle equals its ability to emit it under the same conditions. However, researchers led by Zhenong Zhang and Linxiao Zhu have not only broken this law, they’ve done so with record-setting strength. Using a custom-built angle-resolved magnetic thermal emission spectrophotometer, the team recorded a nonreciprocal emission contrast as high as 0.43—more than double some of the best earlier...

Posted on June 25, 2025 by Quantum Server Networks In a groundbreaking study published in Nature Chemical Engineering , researchers from Yale University have unveiled a novel method for transforming water pollution into a valuable energy resource. By integrating an electrified membrane with a smart ion-attracting molecule known as an ionophore , they achieved a record-breaking efficiency in converting nitrate pollution into ammonia. This not only offers a promising solution for wastewater treatment but also opens new avenues for fossil-free fertilizers and carbon-free fuels . The Problem with Nitrate Pollution Nitrate contamination in water sources, often stemming from agricultural runoff and industrial waste, is a growing global concern. While nitrates can be converted to ammonia—a useful chemical for fertilizers and hydrogen carriers—doing so efficiently and cleanly has been a persistent scientific challenge. Previous technologies have struggled to achieve high selectivi...

Posted on June 25, 2025 by Quantum Server Networks As global demand for safer and more sustainable battery technologies continues to surge, a new study by researchers from Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg in Germany provides critical insight into the thermal runaway behavior of two dominant battery chemistries: sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) and lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) . Published in the Journal of Power Sources , this comparative research has far-reaching implications for energy storage systems, electric vehicles, and grid-scale applications. Understanding Thermal Runaway: A Hidden Hazard Thermal runaway is a potentially catastrophic chain reaction within batteries that can lead to fire, explosions, and the emission of toxic gases. This condition is initiated when excessive heat causes the internal components of the battery to decompose uncontrollably. As noted by the German team, the cascading effects include release of combustible gases, electrolyte vapors, part...

In a landmark discovery that could transform our understanding of quantum magnetism and pave the way for advances in quantum technologies, physicists have confirmed the existence of a rare quantum spin liquid (QSL) phase in the crystalline compound cerium zirconium oxide (Ce₂Zr₂O₇) . This breakthrough, recently published in Nature Physics , marks the first robust 3D realization of this exotic state of matter and validates long-standing theoretical predictions. The international team, led by Pengcheng Dai from Rice University, used state-of-the-art polarized neutron scattering techniques to isolate and identify the emergent properties of QSLs, including fractionalized excitations and emergent photons—hallmarks of this elusive quantum state. These emergent behaviors were observed at near absolute-zero temperatures, highlighting the significance of quantum entanglement in non-traditional magnetic systems. QSLs defy classical magnetic ordering by maintaining disordered spin arrang...

In a major scientific stride toward solving global water scarcity, researchers have unveiled a groundbreaking nanomaterial capable of efficiently capturing potable water from air. This innovation, centered around a graphene oxide aerogel enhanced with calcium ions, could bring affordable, clean drinking water to the 2.2 billion people lacking reliable access today. Developed through an international collaboration led by Associate Professor Rakesh Joshi (UNSW) and Nobel Laureate Sir Kostya Novoselov (National University of Singapore), the study showcases the synergistic interplay between graphene oxide and calcium ions. Their unique interaction creates stronger-than-expected hydrogen bonds, allowing the material to adsorb water at levels greater than the sum of its parts. Unlike traditional systems, this aerogel is incredibly lightweight—akin to a feather—and forms a sponge-like structure. This enhances both adsorption and desorption of water vapor. The desorption process only re...

In a pioneering advancement for both membrane separation technologies and energy storage systems, scientists at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP), part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, have unveiled a new class of ultra-thin polymeric membranes that could revolutionize how ions are transported at the nanoscale. Their approach, described in a recent paper published in Nature Chemical Engineering , overcomes one of the most persistent limitations in polymer membrane technology — the delicate trade-off between permeability and selectivity. By employing a novel interfacial polymer cross-linking technique , the team fabricated membranes just 3 μm thick that deliver exceptional performance in ion-selective separation. The Science Behind the Innovation Unlike conventional membranes formed through phase separation — which often suffer from disordered pore structures — these new membranes utilize a stable covalently cross-linked nanoscale layer constructed atop a pol...

In an era increasingly focused on sustainability, a team of researchers led by Dr. Chi Zhou from the University at Buffalo has introduced an innovative way to insulate homes—using 3D-printed wheat straw. Published recently in the Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering , the study reveals how this agricultural byproduct can outperform conventional insulation materials, offering a greener and more efficient alternative. Why Wheat Straw? Wheat straw is typically discarded or burned after harvesting, contributing to carbon emissions and waste. However, Dr. Zhou's team discovered that this golden byproduct has a naturally fibrous and porous structure that makes it an excellent thermal insulator. Not only does it withstand pressure, but it also shows superior flame retardancy compared to other organic materials. From Farm Waste to Functional Insulation The team devised a method to convert wheat straw fibers into a thick, 3D-printable ink by pulping the fibers and cr...

As the computing world races toward ever more powerful and compact systems, the bottlenecks of traditional semiconductor architectures are becoming impossible to ignore. Fortunately, researchers at the Institute of Science Tokyo have taken a leap into the future with a groundbreaking 3D chip stacking method called BBCube (Bumpless Build Cube) , showcased at the 2025 IEEE 75th Electronic Components and Technology Conference (ECTC). What is BBCube? BBCube is a next-generation chip integration technology that sidesteps the limitations of the standard two-dimensional system-in-package (SiP) approaches. Instead of relying on solder bumps to connect chips side-by-side, BBCube vertically stacks processing units directly above dynamic random access memory (DRAM), optimizing both memory bandwidth and power efficiency. Advanced Bonding and Adhesive Techniques At the heart of this innovation is a high-speed face-down chip-on-wafer (COW) process using inkjet technology and a new selecti...

Published: June 24, 2025 A significant leap forward in solar energy research has been made by scientists at the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering (NIMTE) , part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Under the leadership of Prof. Ge Ziyi, the team has successfully developed a new design for all-perovskite tandem solar cells (TSCs) that exhibit exceptional efficiency and long-term stability, thanks to a novel interface engineering strategy involving boric acid-functionalized monolayers. The Perovskite Advantage Perovskites have emerged as one of the most promising materials in photovoltaics due to their high light absorption, tunable bandgap, and cost-effective processing. In tandem solar cell configurations, two perovskite layers—one with a wide bandgap (WBG) and one with a narrow bandgap (NBG)—are stacked to capture different parts of the solar spectrum, significantly improving conversion efficiency. Solving the Stability Challenge One major obsta...

Published: June 24, 2025 In a stunning advancement at the interface of quantum mechanics and material science, researchers from the Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter (MPSD) have unveiled a theoretical approach to observe the invisible: the quantum vacuum fluctuations within optical cavities. Their work, published in Physical Review Letters , opens up new possibilities to probe and control the properties of materials using the subtle interplay of light and matter. Quantum Vacuums: Not So Empty After All While we often think of a vacuum as a void, quantum theory teaches us otherwise. The vacuum is teeming with ephemeral particles appearing and disappearing—a phenomenon known as vacuum fluctuations . These fluctuations, although averaging zero, possess measurable variance and can significantly affect nearby materials, particularly magnetic and insulating compounds. Enter the Optical Cavity Using highly reflective mirrors, scientists construct ...