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Evidence of a Long-Predicted Magnet

Half a century ago, theorists proposed a novel way for materials to produce a magnetic field. Now, scientists have discovered a uranium compound that bears out that long-ago theory—a new type of magnet that holds promise for enhancing the performance of data storage technologies. Read more »

The Best Topological Conductor Yet: Spiraling Crystal Is the Key to Exotic Discovery

Researchers have discovered the strongest topological conductor yet, in the form of thin crystal samples that have a spiral-staircase structure. The realization of so-called topological materials—which exhibit exotic, defect-resistant properties and are expected to have applications in electronics, optics, quantum computing, and other fields—has opened up a new realm in materials discovery. Read more »

Absorber Captures Excess Chemotherapy Drugs

Researchers have designed a biomedical device for absorbing excess chemotherapy drugs during cancer treatment, characterizing the active surface layer using x-ray microtomography. The work opens up a new route to fighting cancer that minimizes drug toxicity and enables personalized, targeted, high-dose chemotherapy. Read more »PPT-icon-35 PDF-icon-35

A Nanoscale View of Defect Effects on Band Structure

In the first comprehensive study at the ALS involving nanoARPES, researchers probed the electronic effects of defects in monolayer tungsten disulfide at the nanoscale. The extremely small scale of the measurements makes nanoARPES a great discovery tool that will be particularly useful for understanding new materials as they are invented. Read more »

Scientists Take a Deep Dive Into the Imperfect World of 2D Materials

Researchers combined a toolbox of techniques to home in on natural, nanoscale defects formed in the manufacture of monolayer WS2, measuring their electronic effects in detail not possible before. The latest result marks the first comprehensive study at the ALS involving nanoARPES, which researchers enlisted to probe the 2D samples with x-rays. Read more »

How to Catch a Magnetic Monopole in the Act

A research team has created a nanoscale “playground” on a chip that simulates the formation of exotic magnetic particles called “monopoles.” The study could unlock the secrets to ever-smaller, more powerful memory devices, microelectronics, and next-generation hard drives that employ the power of magnetic spin to store data. Read more »

Spin-Momentum Locking in Cuprate High-Temperature Superconductors

A form of spin-momentum locking, similar to the strong linkage between electron spin and momentum in topological insulators, has been found in a cuprate superconductor. The results open a new chapter in the mystery of high-temperature superconductors, suggesting that new, unexplored interactions and mechanisms might be at play. Read more »PPT-icon-35 PDF-icon-35

Electric-Field Switching of Topological Phase

Researchers have successfully switched a topological insulator on and off by applying an electrical field. The work represents a major advancement toward the creation of a functioning topological transistor that would allow devices to operate more efficiently at lower power than conventional electronics. Read more »PPT-icon-35 PDF-icon-35

Pressure-driven band gap engineering in ion-conducting semiconductor silver orthophosphate

This work explores a novel method to tune the electronic band structures of active semiconductor photocatalysts to gain insight into structure–property relationships. Taking silver orthophosphate (Ag3PO4) as an example, a static pressure technique was applied to modulate the band gap and indirect–direct band character via altering its crystal structure and lattice parameters. Read more »