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Category: nanotechnology – Page 6

Multiterminal Josephson junctions, nanoscale devices with unique electronic properties, comprise non-superconducting metallic material coupled to three or more superconducting leads. These devices have proved to be promising platforms for the exploration of topological phenomena in condensed matter physics.

Researchers at Northwestern University and Aalto University recently proposed a new approach to studying the topological signatures of multiterminal Josephson junctions, which relies on the collection of resistance measurements.

Using their approach, outlined in a paper published in Physical Review Letters, they were able to observe these signatures, while also unveiling resistance patterns that are far richer than those predicted by physics theories.

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Bimetallic particles, made from a combination of a noble metal and a base metal, have unique catalytic properties that make them highly effective for selective heterogeneous hydrogenation reactions. These properties arise from their distinctive geometric and electronic structures. For hydrogenation to be both effective and selective, it requires specific interactions at the molecular level, where the active atoms on the catalyst precisely target the functional group in the substrate for transformation.

Nanoscale Engineering and Electronic Structure Tuning

Scaling these particles down to nanoscale atomic clusters or single-atom alloys further enhances their catalytic performance. This reduction in size increases surface dispersion and optimizes the use of noble metal atoms. Additionally, these nanoscale changes alter the electronic structure of the active sites, which can significantly influence the activity and selectivity of the reaction. By carefully adjusting the bonding between noble metal single atoms and the base metal host, researchers can create flexible environments that fine-tune the electronic properties needed to activate specific functional groups. Despite these advances, achieving atomically precise fabrication of such active sites remains a significant challenge.

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A breakthrough in decoding the growth process of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), a 2D material, and its nanostructures on metal substrates could pave the way for more efficient electronics, cleaner energy solutions and greener chemical manufacturing, according to new research from the University of Surrey published in the journal Small.

Only one atom thick, hBN—often nicknamed “white graphene”—is an ultra-thin, super-resilient material that blocks electrical currents, withstands extreme temperatures and resists chemical damage. Its unique versatility makes it an invaluable component in , where it can protect delicate microchips and enable the development of faster, more efficient transistors.

Going a step further, researchers have also demonstrated the formation of nanoporous hBN, a novel material with structured voids that allows for selective absorption, advanced catalysis and enhanced functionality, vastly expanding its potential environmental applications. This includes sensing and filtering pollutants—as well as enhancing advanced energy systems, including hydrogen storage and electrochemical catalysts for fuel cells.

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We systematically investigated the detection performance of Al nanostrips for single photons at various wavelengths. The Al films were deposited using magnetron sputtering, and the sophisticated nanostructures and morphology of the deposited films were revealed through high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The fabricated Al meander nanostrips, with a thickness of 4.2 nm and a width of 178 nm, exhibited a superconducting transition temperature of 2.4 K and a critical current of approximately 5 μA at 0.85 K. While the Al nanostrips demonstrated a saturated internal quantum efficiency for 405-nm photons, the internal detection efficiency exhibited an exponential dependence on bias current without any saturation tendency for 1550-nm photons. This behavior can be attributed to the relatively large diffusion coefficient and coherence length of the Al films.

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Bimetallic particles, composed of a noble metal and a base metal, exhibit unique catalytic properties in selective heterogeneous hydrogenations due to their distinct geometric and electronic structures. At the molecular level, effective and selective hydrogenation requires site-specific interactions where the active atoms on the catalyst particle selectively engage with the functional group targeted for transformation in the substrate.

Reducing the particle to nanoscale atomic clusters and single-atom alloys enhances surface dispersion and improves the efficient utilization of atoms. These size reductions also simultaneously change the electronic structure of the , which significantly impacts the intrinsic activity or product distributions.

By precisely tuning the bonding structures of noble metal single atoms with the base metal host, reactants are flexibly accommodated and the electronic properties are fine-tuned to activate specific functional groups. However, the fabrication of such atomically precise active sites remains a challenge.

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Dive into the mesmerizing world of quantum mechanics and uncover the secrets of the quantum vacuum—a concept that challenges everything we thought we knew about empty space. This video explores the dynamic, energy-filled realm of the quantum vacuum, where virtual particles pop in and out of existence and Zero Point Energy offers tantalizing possibilities for clean, limitless power.

Learn about the Casimir Effect, a fascinating phenomenon where quantum fluctuations create forces between metal plates, and discover how these principles could revolutionize fields like nanotechnology, energy production, and even space exploration. From the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle to the Reverse Casimir Effect, this journey into quantum mechanics highlights the incredible potential of harnessing Zero Point Energy for a sustainable future.

Whether you’re a science enthusiast, a technology visionary, or just curious about the universe’s mysteries, this video will inspire you with the groundbreaking implications of the quantum vacuum and Zero Point Energy.

#QuantumVacuum #ZeroPointEnergy #QuantumMechanics #VirtualParticles #CasimirEffect #ReverseCasimirEffect #QuantumEnergy #CleanEnergy #LimitlessEnergy #QuantumFluctuations #QuantumPhysics #SustainableEnergy #HendrikCasimir #HeisenbergUncertainty #Nanotechnology #EnergyBreakthroughs #QuantumScience #QuantumFieldTheory #FuturisticEnergy #QuantumComputing #mcgintyequation

Continue reading “Hidden Energy in Empty Space: Casimir Effect and Zero Point Energy” | >

As computer chips continue to get smaller and more complex, the ultrathin metallic wires that carry electrical signals within these chips have become a weak link. Standard metal wires get worse at conducting electricity as they get thinner, ultimately limiting the size, efficiency, and performance of nanoscale electronics.

In a paper published in Science, Stanford researchers show that niobium phosphide can conduct electricity better than copper in films that are only a few atoms thick. Moreover, these films can be created and deposited at sufficiently low temperatures to be compatible with modern computer chip fabrication. Their work could help make future electronics more powerful and more energy efficient.

“We are breaking a fundamental bottleneck of traditional materials like copper,” said Asir Intisar Khan, who received his doctorate from Stanford and is now a visiting postdoctoral scholar and first author on the paper.

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A groundbreaking step in quantum technology has been achieved with the demonstration of an integrated spin-wave quantum memory, overcoming challenges of photon transmission loss and noise suppression.

Quantum memories play a crucial role in creating large-scale quantum networks by enabling the connection of multiple short-distance entanglements into long-distance entanglements. This approach helps to overcome photon transmission losses effectively. Rare-earth ion-doped crystals are a promising candidate for implementing high-performance quantum memories, and integrated solid-state quantum memories have already been successfully demonstrated using advanced micro-and nano-fabrication techniques.

Limitations of Existing Quantum Memory.

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Conventional photonic devices exhibit static optical properties that are design-dependent, including the material’s refractive index and geometrical parameters. However, they still possess attractive optical responses for applications and are already exploited in devices across various fields. Hydrogel photonics has emerged as a promising solution in the field of active photonics by providing primarily deformable geometric parameters in response to external stimuli. Over the past few years, various studies have been undertaken to attain stimuli-responsive photonic devices with tunable optical properties. Herein, we focus on the recent advancements in hydrogel-based photonics and micro/nanofabrication techniques for hydrogels. In particular, fabrication techniques for hydrogel photonic devices are categorized into film growth, photolithography (PL), electron-beam lithography (EBL), and nanoimprint lithography (NIL). Furthermore, we provide insights into future directions and prospects for deformable hydrogel photonics, along with their potential practical applications.

Microsystems & Nanoengineering volume 10, Article number: 1 (2024) Cite this article.

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Scientists recreated molecular switches that regulate biological timing, aiding nanotechnology and explaining evolutionary advantages.

Living organisms monitor time – and react to it – in many different ways, from detecting light and sound in microseconds to responding physiologically in pre-programmed ways, via their daily sleep cycle, monthly menstrual cycle, or to changes in the seasons.

These time-sensitive reactions are enabled by molecular switches or nanomachines that function as precise molecular timers, programmed to activate or deactivate in response to environmental cues and time intervals.

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