A recent study has measured the internal quantum efficiency (IQE) of Zinc-Oxide (ZnO) crystals in both the light-emitting process and non-light-emitting process. «Obtaining a quantitative breakdown of IQE from both processes allows us to better design semiconductors to improve IQE,» said professor Kazunobu Kojima, lead author of the study. Highly efficient electronic and optical devices…

Research reveals how pores form during metals additive manufacturing and become defects trapped in solidifying metal. The practical value of this research is that it can inform industry on how to predict and improve 3D printing processes. When a slow-speed, high-power laser is melting metal powder during the 3D printing of a part, a keyhole-shaped…

A research team has found the key to controlled fabrication of cerium oxide mesocrystals, according to a recent report. The research is a step forward in tuning nanomaterials that can serve a wide range of uses —including solar cells, fuel catalysts and even medicine. Mesocrystals are nanoparticles with identical size, shape and crystallographic orientation, and…

Researchers have created an artificial intelligence tool that reduces the time and effort required to discover truly new materials, and has already led to the discovery of four new materials. Reported in the journal Nature Communications, the new tool has already led to the discovery of four new materials including a new family of solid…

Since the discovery of low-temperature superconductors, there has been an ongoing effort to realize superconductivity at room temperatures with low cooling costs. Crystalline materials containing hydrogen have shown promise on this front. Now, a global team of researchers have performed simulations to predict new crystal structures with hydrogen atoms as potential high-temperature superconductors, opening doors…

A new way to pull lithium from contaminated water could simplify the process of extracting the precious element from aqueous brines, potentially create a much larger supply and reduce costs for batteries to power electric vehicles, electronics and a wide range of other devices. An interdisciplinary team of engineers and scientists is developing a way…

New findings have emerged about five tiny moons nestled in and near Saturn’s rings. The closest-ever flybys by NASA’s Cassini spacecraft reveal that the surfaces of these unusual moons are covered with material from the planet’s rings — and from icy particles blasting out of Saturn’s larger moon Enceladus. The work paints a picture of…

Trust, safety and security are the most important factors affecting passengers’ attitudes towards self-driving cars. Younger people felt their personal security to be significantly better than older people. The findings are from a study into passengers’ attitudes towards, and experiences of, self-driving cars. The findings are from a Finnish study into passengers’ attitudes towards, and…

Scientists have increased the speed and accuracy of a laboratory-scale instrument for determining the age of planetary specimens onsite. The team is progressively miniaturizing the Chemistry, Organics and Dating Experiment (CODEX) instrument to reach a size suitable for spaceflight and lander missions. «In situ aging is an important scientific goal identified by the National Research…

Quantum physicists have developed an algorithm which helps early quantum computers to perform calculations most efficiently. The Sussex team have shown how calculations in such a quantum computer can be done most efficiently, by using their new ‘routing algorithm’. Their paper «Efficient Qubit Routing for a Globally Connected Trapped Ion Quantum Computer» is published in…