surface-science

This record-breaking crystal can transform from mirror-like to glass-like, opening the door to tiny optical chips, AR displays, and smart contact lenses. Creating truly “invisible” wearable technology such as smart contact lenses and ultrathin augmented reality glasses will require a radical rethink of how optical devices are built. Instead of relying on conventional bulky components, [...]

Scientific Reports, Published online: 13 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41598-026-57035-x FusionDiff: a dual-path diffusion-based framework for few-shot authenticity analysis of ceramic microstructures

Nature Communications, Published online: 13 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-74224-4 The design and synthesis of molecules featuring both boron and silicon moieties hold significant promise for delivering unique reactivity patterns and material properties. Herein, the authors report a titaniumcatalyzed selective hydroboration of the C(sp3)–Si bonds in silacyclobutanes for the synthesis of boryl-…

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 12 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02175-w Extreme reactivity has long hindered the study of linear atomic carbon chains (carbyne). Now it has been shown that transmetallation of suitable precursors overcomes stability issues, delivering 1D Au|Cn|Au junctions that sustain high currents through a cumulene ⋯C=C=C=C⋯ valence structure with 12 or more carbon atom…

A very recent experimental study [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 123 (10) e2524790123] demonstrated that non-functionalized graphene (Gr) supported on silicon(111) catalyzed the decomposition of small sulfur-containing compounds under ultra-high vacuum. Accompanying density functional theory (DFT) calculations identify grain boundary defects (GBDs) and interfacial defects as the active sites. Func…

Materials science researchers at USC Viterbi School of Engineering have addressed a longstanding problem in ferroelectric materials measurement, with implications for next-generation technologies including quantum communication and advanced photonic devices. The post Electron Microscopy Enters a New Dimension appeared first on USC Viterbi | School of Engineering .

Nature Communications, Published online: 12 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-74341-0 Bi-based chalcogenides and oxychalcogenides host interesting topological, ferroelectric and optoelectronic properties, but a generable synthesis method of this material family is still missing. Here, the authors report the growth of mm-sized Bi-based chalcogenide and oxychalcogenide crystals on K+-free mica surf…

Fingerprints are still one of the most effective means of forensic detection but degradation during the recovery process leads to a loss of contrast between ridge and background, making them difficult to visualize. In this study spinel copper aluminate (CuAl2O4) nanoparticles were synthesized by a facile and cost effective sol-gel method and evaluated for latent fingerprints (LFPs) development on…

Nature Communications, Published online: 09 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-74281-9 Extensive efforts have been made to enhance the durability of superhydrophobic coatings by adhesives, yet the non-destructive removal of coatings remains challenging. Here, the authors propose a superhydrophobic coating that can be removed non-destructively via an electrical switch

Nature Communications, Published online: 09 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-74201-x X-ray triggered molecular switches are promising for remote control through physical barriers, though it is challenging to reach the photostationary state for some radioswitches. Here the authors design a flexible radioswitching film using a triplet-triplet energy transfer system.

Hello ,As you can see in the plot bellow I have made several TDR of different materials on one plot. I need to deside which is the best material to use. Also I know that based on (S21_10inch-S21_5inch)/L I find the loss per inch. Two questions: 1.after I find the loss per inch how do I find the... Read more

Porous materials are the preferred choice for high-power laser coating applications. Scientists in China developed a method for preparing porous SiO2 materials by combining electron beam co-evaporation with selective chemical etching.

A recent major investment in Syracuse University research infrastructure has resulted in the installation of a Zeiss Sigma 360 field emission scanning electron microscope in the University’s Materials Research Core (MRC) facility. The instrument has introduced dramatic new imaging capabilities to researchers at the University and at partner institutions in the region. The new instrument demonstr.…

Nature Reviews Physics, Published online: 04 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s42254-026-00956-3 Forty years after its invention, atomic force microscopy has evolved from a simple surface imaging tool into one of the most versatile measurement platforms in nanoscience. This Comment traces the key innovations.

Nature Communications, Published online: 03 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-73981-6 Magnetically controlled swarms of bioadaptive SERS nanoprobes dynamically reconfigure to generate transient electromagnetic hotspots and recruit analytes via convective flows, achieving over tenfold Raman signal amplification for in vivo detection.

Nature Communications, Published online: 02 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-73823-5 Using newly developed electron imaging and applied to epitaxial BiFeO3 thin films, the authors uncover a depth evolution of polar textures: surface stripe domains transform into subsurface flux-closure vortices, which bifurcate into three-fold vertices near the bottom electrode.

IntroductionThis study investigates the influence of electrospark alloying (ESA) parameters on the morphological characteristics, microhardness, and abrasive wear resistance of coatings deposited on 1045 steel using VK15 alloy and R6M5 steel electrodes.MethodsCoatings were produced at specific processing times of 1 and 2 min/cm2. Their performance was evaluated through microhardness measurements …