Scientists at Harvard University and the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have made a groundbreaking discovery that could revolutionize our understanding of quantum materials. By using an ultrafast laser technique, they were able to freeze the quantum motion of these materials, paving the way for new technologies such as lossless electronics and high-capacity batteries.

The researchers, led by Matteo Mitrano from Harvard University, used a copper oxide compound called Sr14Cu24O41, which is nearly one-dimensional in structure. This allowed them to study complex physical phenomena that also show up in higher-dimensional systems.

One way to achieve a long-lived non-equilibrium state is to trap it in an energy well from which it does not have enough energy to escape. However, this technique risks inducing structural phase transitions that change the material’s molecular arrangement. Mitrano and his team wanted to avoid this and instead used an alternative approach, where they precisely engineered laser pulses to break the symmetry of electronic states in the compound.

This allowed charges to quantum tunnel from the chains to the ladders, trapping the system in a new long-lived state for some time. The ultra-bright femtosecond X-ray pulses generated at the SwissFEL facility enabled the researchers to catch these ultrafast electronic processes in action and study their properties.

The use of time-resolved Resonant Inelastic X-ray scattering (tr-RIXS) at the SwissFEL Furka endstation gave unique insight into magnetic, electric, and orbital excitations – and their evolution over time. This capability was key to dissecting the light-induced electronic motion that gave rise to the metastable state.

The findings of this study have broad implications for future technologies, including ultrafast optoelectronic devices and non-volatile information storage, where data is encoded in quantum states created and controlled by light.

This work represents a major step forward in controlling quantum materials far from equilibrium, with potential applications in fields such as quantum communication and photonic computing. The use of tr-RIXS at the SwissFEL Furka endstation has opened new scientific opportunities for users, allowing them to study individual and collective excitations in various materials.

As the world grapples with the growing problem of electronic waste (e-waste), researchers at Virginia Tech have made a groundbreaking discovery that could revolutionize the way we think about recycling. A new study published in Advanced Materials has developed a recyclable material that can make electronics easier to break down and reuse, offering a potential solution to the e-waste crisis.

The new material, created by two research teams led by Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Michael Bartlett and Assistant Professor of Chemistry Josh Worch, is a dynamic polymer called a vitrimer. This versatile material can be reshaped and recycled, combined with droplets of liquid metal that carry the electric current, similar to traditional circuit boards.

The benefits of this new material are numerous. It’s not only recyclable but also electrically conductive, reconfigurable, and self-healing after damage. This means that even if an electronic device is dropped or damaged, the circuit board can be easily repaired or recycled without losing its functionality.

Traditional circuit boards, on the other hand, are made from permanent thermosets that are incredibly difficult to recycle. The process of recycling them involves several energy-intensive deconstruction steps and still yields large amounts of waste. Billions of dollars’ worth of valuable metal components are lost in the process.

The Virginia Tech researchers have shown that their recyclable material can be easily deconstructed at its end of life using alkaline hydrolysis, enabling the recovery of key components such as liquid metal and LEDs. This closed-loop process could potentially reduce the amount of e-waste sent to landfills and conserve valuable resources.

While this breakthrough is a significant step forward in addressing the e-waste problem, it’s essential to note that the sheer volume of electronics being discarded by consumers is unlikely to be curbed entirely. However, by developing more sustainable and recyclable materials like the one described here, we can significantly reduce the environmental impact of electronic waste.

This research was supported by Virginia Tech through the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science and Bartlett’s National Science Foundation Early Faculty Career Development (CAREER) award. The findings have significant implications for industries such as electronics manufacturing, recycling, and materials science, highlighting the potential for innovation and collaboration to drive positive change in our world.

As scientists continue to push the boundaries of innovation, researchers at Tohoku University have made a groundbreaking discovery in the realm of electrocatalysis. They have successfully demonstrated that applying an external magnetic field can significantly enhance the performance of single-atom catalysts (SACs), leading to a staggering 2,880% improvement in oxygen evolution reaction magnetocurrent.

This revolutionary finding has far-reaching implications for various industries, particularly those involving ammonia production and wastewater treatment. Traditionally, electrocatalysis focused on tweaking the chemical composition and structure of catalysts. However, the introduction of magnetic-induced spin state modulation offers a new dimension for catalyst design and performance improvement.

By regulating the electronic spin state of the catalyst through an external magnetic field, researchers can precisely control the adsorption and desorption processes of reaction intermediates. This, in turn, reduces the activation energy of the reaction, allowing it to proceed more quickly. As explained by Hao Li of Tohoku University’s Advanced Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR), “More efficient production processes can reduce costs, which may translate into lower prices for products such as fertilizers and treated water at the consumer level.”

The study employed advanced characterization techniques to confirm that the magnetic field causes a transition to a high spin state, which improves nitrate adsorption. Theoretical analysis also revealed the specific mechanics behind why this spin state transition enhances electrocatalytic ability.

In an experiment conducted with a Ru-N-C electrocatalyst exposed to an external magnetic field, researchers achieved a remarkable NH3 yield rate (~38 mg L-1 h-1) and a Faradaic efficiency of ~95% for over 200 hours. This represents a significant improvement compared to the same catalyst without the boost from an external magnetic field.

This groundbreaking work enriches our theoretical understanding of electrocatalysis by exploring the relationship between magnetic fields, spin states, and catalytic performance. The experimental results offer valuable insights for future research and development of new catalysts, paving the way for practical applications in electrochemical technologies.