Long-range ordering is typically associated with a decrease in disorder, or entropy. Yet, it can also be driven by increasing entropy in certain special cases. In a recent DOE-funded study, researchers demonstrated that certain artificial spin-ice arrays—nanomagnets lithographically patterned to form Tetris-like shapes—can produce such entropy-driven order. Read more »
Key to Coral Resilience Is Faster Skeletal Crystallization
In a new study, researchers show that the crystallization rate of coral skeletons differs across species and is correlated with their resilience to ocean acidification. The results have implications for predicting coral reef survival and developing mitigation strategies against having their bony skeletons weakened by ocean acidification. Read more »
Biomineralization: Integrating mechanism and evolutionary history
In this review, Gilbert et al. develop a model for calcium carbonate biomineralization applicable to all phyla. Their model may help elucidate the key genetic components that drive biomineralization and offers insight into the consequences of global climate change on marine organisms. Read more »
Loss of biological control of enamel mineralization in amelogenin-phosphorylation-deficient mice
Amelogenin phosphorylation plays crucial roles in controlling structural, crystallographic, mechanical, and compositional characteristics of dental enamel. Thus, loss of amelogenin phosphorylation leads to a reduction in the biological control over the enamel mineralization process. Read more »
EPSCoR Collaboration Fosters New Research and New Careers
The DOE Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DOE EPSCoR) encourages partnerships between national labs and researchers in qualifying states and territories. An EPSCoR collaboration with researchers from Kentucky has resulted in an ALS highlight, career advancement for young scientists, and a larger, center-scale proposal. Read more »
Artificial Spin Ice Toggles Twist in X-Ray Beams on Demand
ALS studies helped scientists understand how a nanoscale magnetic lattice (an artificial spin ice) acts as a toggle switch for x-ray beams with spiral character. The findings represent an important step toward the development of a versatile new tool for probing or controlling exotic phenomena in electronic and magnetic systems. Read more »
Single-Domain Multiferroic Array-Addressable Terfenol-D (SMArT) Micromagnets for Programmable Single-Cell Capture and Release
Researchers develop programmable multiferroic micromotors that enable single-cell manipulation based on time-dependent functions of individual cells, such as cell secretion. Smart programmable multiferroic materials lay the groundwork for large-scale automated single-cell sorting and enable a broad spectrum of biotechnology applications. Read more »
Programmable Micromagnets for Single-Cell Sorting
Researchers demonstrated that electrically induced mechanical strain can control the magnetic state of tiny magnets used to sort biological cells. The work lays the foundation for a programmable, single-cell sorting platform to support a wide variety of biotechnology applications, including personalized cancer treatments. Read more »
Meteorites Reveal Magnetic Record of Protoplanet Churn
Researchers detected the signatures of ancient magnetic fields imprinted in the ferromagnetic grains of meteorites that originated from the same parent body. The results, combined with radioisotopic dating of the samples, support an extended time frame for the cooling of molten protoplanetary cores. Read more »
The Spintronics Technology Revolution Could Be Just a Hopfion Away
Scientists have long treated skyrmions as merely 2D objects. Recent studies, however, have suggested that 2D skyrmions could actually be the genesis of a 3D spin pattern called hopfions. Now, a team of researchers has reported the first demonstration and observation of 3D hopfions emerging from skyrmions at the nanoscale in a magnetic system. Read more »
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