Materials Sciences

Synopsis A research team led by Professor Akihiko Nakamura from the Research Institute of Green Science and Technology at Shizuoka University, in collaboration with Researchers Takashi Matsuzaki and Toshiyuki Saeki from Kirin Holdings Co., Ltd., Professor Ryota Iino from the Institute for Molecular Science, and Professor Nobuyasu Koga from the Institute for Protein Research at Osaka University, has successfully engineered a novel PET hydrolase enzyme, PET2-21M, significantly enhancing the biodegradation of bottle-grade polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics. Significant activity was also…

A research team in South Korea has created an innovative transfer printing process that applies protective thin layers to lithium metal surfaces, addressing the persistent dendrite problem affecting next-generation lithium-metal batteries. Dr. Jungdon Suk’s team at the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) has successfully applied hybrid protective layers made of solid polymers and ceramics onto lithium metal through a solvent-free method. This process allows for uniform coating over extensive regions without compromising the reactive lithium surface, representing a…

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (07/18/2025) — Researchers at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities have uncovered a promising path to make computer memory faster and far more energy-efficient through the use of a novel material, according to a recent study published in Advanced Materials. The university team has also filed a patent for this technology. As technology evolves, the need for more efficient memory continues to grow. Scientists are actively exploring advanced materials that can support higher performance with lower…

Coordination nanosheets—two-dimensional materials made by linking metal ions with organic ligands—have captured attention in recent years due to their remarkable conductivity, redox activity, and catalytic performance. They are especially useful in areas such as energy storage, sensors, and electronics. However, producing these nanosheets, particularly heterometallic ones (which contain two or more metal ions), has traditionally relied on a complex two-phase interfacial reaction and lacked precise structural control. Addressing this challenge, a team led by Professor Hiroshi Nishihara from the Research…

The majority of Earth’s water is unfit for human consumption since it is trapped in salty oceans. Although desalination plants are capable of turning saltwater into freshwater, they usually use a lot of energy. Scientists have now created a novel, sponge-like substance that effectively turns saltwater into drinkable water when combined with sunlight and a basic plastic cover. Their research, which was published in ACS Energy Letters, shows that an outdoor proof-of-concept that used just natural sunlight to successfully produce…

The scientific team led by Dr. Miloslav Polášek at IOCB Prague has come up with a technique to separate and purify rare earth elements (lanthanides). These are critical to industries ranging from electronics and medicine to automotive and defense. This novel method enables the extraction of metals like neodymium and dysprosium from used neodymium magnets. It is an important component in electric vehicles and wind turbines. Eco-Friendly and Solvent-Free Process Unlike conventional methods that rely on harsh chemicals and generate…

Inserting a nanometer-thin spacer in ExUC-OLEDs improves energy transfer, enhances blue light emission 77-fold, paving way for lightweight, low-voltage, and more flexible OLEDs Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) have transformed display and lighting technology with their vivid colors, deep contrast, and energy efficiency. As demand grows for lighter, thinner, and more energy-saving devices—especially in wearables, foldables, and portable electronics—there’s increasing interest in OLEDs that can operate at lower voltages without compromising performance. A new type of OLEDs, known as exciplex upconversion…

Tokyo, Japan—The COVID-19 pandemic increased public awareness of the importance of mask use for personal protection. However, when the mesh size of mask fabrics is small enough to capture viruses, which are usually around one hundred nanometers in size, the fabric typically also restricts air flow, resulting in user discomfort. But now, researchers from Japan have found a way to avoid this. In a study published this month in Materials Advances, researchers from the Institute of Industrial Science, The University…

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Millions of years of evolution have enabled some marine animals to grow complex protective shells composed of multiple layers that work together to dissipate physical stress. In a new study, engineers have found a way to mimic the behavior of this type of layered material, such as seashell nacre, by programming individual layers of synthetic material to work collaboratively under stress. The new material design is poised to enhance energy-absorbing systems such as wearable bandages and car…

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are a transformative class of next-generation devices for energy conversion and self-powered sensing. Selecting appropriate triboelectric and conductive materials is crucial for optimizing TENG performance. In recent years, MXenes, especially Ti3C2 MXene, have become highly promising candidates for both triboelectric and conductive materials in TENGs. Although many studies (including research and review articles) have focused on TENG construction and performance, there is a significant gap in the literature: a comprehensive summary of MXene applications from a materials…

Oxygen defect engineering enables efficient sulfone production using molecular oxygen at low temperature Sulfones, a class of sulfur-containing compounds, are chemically derived from the selective oxidation of sulfides. While these compounds form the core of the pharmaceuticals, solvents and polymer industries, their chemical synthesis is often hindered by high reaction temperatures and extreme reaction conditions. Additionally, these also require costly additives and harsh solvents for production. Against this backdrop, a team of researchers from Japan introduced a new catalyst design,…

TUM researchers develop new material for solid-state batteries The team led by Prof. Thomas F. Fässler from the Chair of Inorganic Chemistry with a Focus on Novel Materials partially replaced lithium in a lithium antimonide compound with the metal scandium. This creates specific gaps, so-called vacancies, in the crystal lattice of the conductor material. These gaps help the lithium ions to move more easily and faster, resulting in a new world record for ion conductivity. Since the measured conductivity far…

Iron-based magnetic nanomaterials have emerged as candidates in biomedicine due to their unique physicochemical properties. Beyond their established role as clinical MRI contrast agents, they have shown potential in drug delivery, magnetic hyperthermia, and the treatment of iron deficiency. Macrophages are also primary targets for these nanomaterials in vivo. The biological effects of iron-based nanomaterials are closely linked to the plasticity and phenotypic shifts of macrophages. However, the underlying mechanisms by which these materials influence macrophage-mediated immune regulation remain unclear….

Iron-rich hematite, commonly found in rocks and soil, turns out to have magnetic properties that make it a promising material for ultrafast next-generation computing In 2023, EPFL researchers succeeded in sending and storing data using charge-free magnetic waves called spin waves, rather than traditional electron flows. The team from the Lab of Nanoscale Magnetic Materials and Magnonics, led by Dirk Grundler, in the School of Engineering used radiofrequency signals to excite spin waves enough to reverse the magnetization state of…

Queensland University of Technology QUT researchers have identified a new material which could be used as a flexible semiconductor in wearable devices by using a technique that focuses on the manipulation of spaces between atoms in crystals. In a study published in the prestigious journal Nature Communication, the researchers used “vacancy engineering” to enhance the ability of an AgCu(Te, Se, S) semiconductor, which is an alloy made up of silver, copper, tellurium, selenium and sulphur, to convert body heat into…

The EFRE project G.O.A.L. (1.6-14) “Gallium Oxide Application Laboratory for Power Electronics”, which was launched in September 2024, completes the value chain created at the IKZ in the field of gallium oxide technology development. In addition to the existing Cz volume crystal growing and wafering sections, the epitaxy module in the form of a 3×2” MOVPE from AIXTRON has now been added. This expansion creates the prerequisite for establishing IKZ in the EU as the only supplier of 2 inch…