The appropriately named diabolical ironclad beetle has an incredibly crush-resistant exoskeleton, which could serve as a blueprint for tougher materials. To see, in microscopic detail, what makes the beetle so uniquely ironclad, researchers used the ALS to explore a protective covering known as the “elytra,” its abdomen, and other parts. Read more »
Stress-Induced Structural Transformations in Gold Nanocrystals
Metallic nanocrystals are widely used in catalysis, electronics, photonics, and sensing applications, but our understanding of their stability under operational stresses is limited. These studies of gold nanocrystals at high pressures found that large-scale structural transformation is possible and must be considered at the nanoscale. Read more »
Controlling Magnetization Vector Depth Profiles of La0.7Sr0.3CoO3/La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 Exchange Spring Bilayers via Interface Reconstruction
Polarized neutron reflectometry was combined with soft x-ray magnetic spectroscopy to quantify the changes in the magnetic and chemical depth profiles in La0.7Sr0.3CoO3/La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 bilayers, confirming the formation of interfacial layers with distinct magnetization and chemical density. Read more »
Understanding Electronic Structure in MXenes, One Atomic Layer at a Time
MXenes are 2D materials that can host a rich array of distinct chemical compositions that can be tuned for a broad range of applications, from energy storage to water purification. Site-specific x-ray absorption spectroscopy helped identify the unique roles of surface and subsurface transition-metal atoms in Ti-based MXenes. Read more »
The Flat Band in Magic-Angle Graphene Visualized
Researchers visualized flat band structures associated with exotic electronic phases in stacked graphene layers offset from each other by a “magic angle.” The work corroborates theoretical predictions and has significant implications for phenomena of technological and fundamental interest, such as topological phases and superconductivity. Read more »
Small but Still Mighty: Ultrafine Grains Produce Ultrastrong Metals
Researchers used in situ high-pressure diffraction to resolve a debate about whether a metal’s strength increases or decreases when its grain size decreases below a critical point. The results indicate that ultrastrong metals for future applications can indeed be achieved through grain-size refinement and grain-boundary engineering. Read more »
Toughening Mechanisms in Carp Scales at the Nanoscale
Scientists have characterized carp scales down to the nanoscale, using the ALS to watch how the fibers in the scales react as stress is applied. The resulting insights provide inspiration for the design of advanced synthetic structural materials with unprecedented toughness and penetration resistance. Read more »
2D Electronics Get an Atomic Tuneup
Researchers demonstrated a promising avenue for controlling atomic ordering in semiconductor alloys by engineering frustrated interactions in a 2D transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD). The work could lead to improved semiconductor performance for next-generation electronics such as optoelectronics, thermoelectrics, and sensors. Read more »
Scientists Dive Deep Into Hidden World of Quantum States
Researchers discovered two unique electronic properties—a Van Hove singularity and Fermi surface topology—at the interface between atomically thin oxide materials. The results suggest that the system is an ideal platform for investigating how to control superconductivity at the atomic scale in 2D materials. Read more »
Unexpected Rise in Ferroelectricity as Material Thins
Researchers showed that hafnium oxide surprisingly exhibits enhanced ferroelectricity (reversible electric polarization) as it gets thinner. The work shifts the focus of ferroelectric studies from more complex, problematic compounds to a simpler class of materials and opens the door to novel ultrasmall, energy-efficient electronics. Read more »
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