Headline: New non-toxic method for producing high-quality graphene oxide

■ Release Date: 2024.2.20

■ Published by: Umea University

■ Keywords: graphene oxide, nitric acid, potassium chlorate

■ Abstract:

Researchers have found a new way to synthesize graphene oxide which has significantly fewer defects compared to materials produced by most common method. Similarly good graphene oxide could be synthesized previously only using rather dangerous method involving extremely toxic fuming nitric acid.

Headline: Fresh meat: New biosensor accurately and efficiently determines meat freshness

■ Release Date: 2024.2.20

■ Published by: American Institute of Physics

■ Keywords: graphene, zinc oxide, electrode

■ Abstract:

Despite the technological advances keeping meat fresh for as long as possible, certain aging processes are unavoidable. Adenosine triphosphate is a molecule produced by breathing and responsible for providing energy to cells. When an animal stops breathing, ATP synthesis also stops, and the existing molecules decompose into acid, diminishing first flavor and then safety. Hypoxanthine and xanthine are intermediate steps in this transition. Assessing their prevalence in meat indicates its freshness.

Headline: Physicists develop more efficient solar cell

■ Release Date: 2024.2.20

■ Published by: Universität Paderborn

■ Keywords: tetracene, solar cell, silicon

■ Abstract:

Physicists have used complex computer simulations to develop a new design for significantly more efficient solar cells than previously available. A thin layer of organic material, known as tetracene, is responsible for the increase in efficiency.

Headline: Road to better performing batteries using less critical raw materials

■ Release Date: 2024.2.20

■ Published by: Delft University of Technology

■ Keywords: lithium-ion, batteries, cathode

■ Abstract:

Researchers are developing batteries that can charge faster, offer more stable storage and are made of sustainable materials that are widely available. In doing so, they offer a cheaper alternative to lithium-ion batteries that consist of rare materials and have a high CO2 -footprint.

Headline: Accelerating the discovery of single-molecule magnets with deep learning

■ Release Date: 2024.2.20

■ Published by: Tokyo University of Science

■ Keywords: magnets, metal complexes, quantum

■ Abstract:

Single-molecule magnets (SMMs) are exciting materials. In a recent breakthrough, researchers have used deep learning to predict SMMs from 20,000 metal complexes. The predictions were made solely based on the crystal structures of these metal complexes, thus eliminating the need for time-consuming experiments and complex simulations. As a result, this method is expected to accelerate the development of functional materials, especially for high-density memory and quantum computing devices.

Headline: Plastic recycling with a protein anchor

■ Release Date: 2024.2.20

■ Published by: Wiley

■ Keywords: cobalt, plastic, polystyrene

■ Abstract:

Polystyrene is a widespread plastic that is essentially not recyclable when mixed with other materials and is not biodegradable. A research team has now introduced a biohybrid catalyst that oxidizes polystyrene microparticles to facilitate their subsequent degradation. The catalyst consists of a specially constructed 'anchor peptide' that adheres to polystyrene surfaces and a cobalt complex that oxidizes polystyrene.

Headline: Electrons become fractions of themselves in graphene

■ Release Date: 2024.2.21

■ Published by: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

■ Keywords: electrons, graphene, graphite

■ Abstract:

Physicists have observed fractional quantum Hall effect in simple pentalayer graphene. The finding could make it easier to develop more robust quantum computers.

Headline: Revolutionary breakthrough in solar energy: Most efficient QD solar cells

■ Release Date: 2024.2.21

■ Published by: Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)

■ Keywords: solar cells, perovskite, photoelectric

■ Abstract:

A research team has unveiled a novel ligand exchange technique that enables the synthesis of organic cation-based perovskite quantum dots (PQDs), ensuring exceptional stability while suppressing internal defects in the photoactive layer of solar cells.