New Material Science Listings: November 17, 2025

Here's a rundown of the latest research in material science, focusing on keywords like 2D materials, magnetism, spin-related phenomena, excitons, magnons, superconductivity, topological materials, van der Waals structures and graphene.

2D Materials: High Mobility AlScN/GaN Heterostructures

Delving into the realm of 2D materials, a study by Asteris et al. explores the transport properties of two-dimensional electron gases (2DEGs) in AlScN/GaN heterostructures. This research highlights the potential of Aluminum Scandium Nitride (AlScN) as a barrier material for Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based transistors, crucial for the next generation of radio-frequency electronic devices. The team demonstrated the lowest sheet resistance reported to date among AlScN-based systems. By introducing GaN/AlN interlayers in single-channel structures, they achieved electron mobility of up to 1370 cm²/V⋅s at 300 K and 4160 cm²/V⋅s at 77 K, reducing sheet resistance to 170 Ω/sq and 70 Ω/sq, respectively. These enhancements were then applied to multi-channel heterostructures, achieving sheet resistances of 65 Ω/sq for three channels and 45 Ω/sq for five channels at 300 K, further reduced to 21 Ω/sq and 13 Ω/sq at 2 K, respectively. These results confirm the presence of multiple 2DEGs. This breakthrough positions AlScN as a strong contender against state-of-the-art Al(In)N/GaN systems, paving the way for advanced high-speed, high-power electronic devices. The structural characterization revealed pseudomorphic growth with smooth surfaces, although partial barrier relaxation and surface roughening were observed at high scandium content, these issues did not impact mobility. This exciting study showcases the remarkable potential of AlScN in advancing electronic device technology, promising faster and more efficient devices for the future.

2D Materials: Tunable Electronic Band Structure in WSSe van der Waals Alloys

Exploring the realm of tunable electronic band structures, Bouaziz et al. investigated WSSe van der Waals alloys. This study demonstrates the electronic structure of semiconducting 2D materials, specifically transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), can be manipulated through various means, including external fields and van der Waals heterostructures. The researchers explored conventional alloying to create composition-controlled ternary alloys, offering novel opportunities for tuning material properties. Using nano-angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy (nano-ARPES) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, they studied different alloy compositions of bulk WS2(1-x)Se2x. The results showed a continuous variation of the band structure and a progressive evolution of the valence band splitting at the K points from 420 to 520 meV in bulk WS2(1-x)Se2x. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) measurements and DFT calculations were also conducted to understand S or Se substitution variants in WS2(1-x)Se2x alloys. This research provides valuable insights into fine-tuning the band dispersion in van der Waals materials and demonstrates how the band structure can be modified in bulk TMDs, serving as a reference for future applications in electronic devices and beyond. The precise control over the band dispersion opens new avenues for designing materials with tailored electronic properties. This detailed analysis offers a pathway to create novel electronic components with specific functionalities.

2D Materials: ARPES Signatures of Trions in van der Waals Materials

Focusing on ARPES signatures of trions, Meneghini et al. present a theoretical analysis of trion signatures in monolayer transition-metal dichalcogenides. Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) has recently become a direct method of probing excitonic correlations in two-dimensional semiconductors. This technique helps resolving their dispersion and dynamics in energy-momentum space, including dark exciton states that are inaccessible to optical techniques. This research provides a crucial understanding of charged excitons (trions), which play a significant role in doped and gated 2D material systems. The study highlights how the additional charge carrier alters the spectral position and shape relative to neutral excitons in ARPES spectra. The researchers predicted that mass-imbalanced trions yield a characteristic double-peak structure, clearly separated in energy and line shape from neutral excitons. The predicted temperature dependence of these features provides guidance for experimental investigations aimed at identifying trionic states. This work establishes a framework for ARPES studies of many-body Coulomb complexes in doped two-dimensional semiconductors, enhancing our ability to characterize and manipulate these materials for advanced electronic applications. The ability to identify and understand trionic states is essential for optimizing the performance of 2D semiconductor-based devices.

Magnetism: Electronic and Magnetic Properties of Light Rare-Earth Cubic Laves Compounds Derived from XMCD Experiments

Investigating magnetism in light rare-earth cubic Laves compounds, Lunde et al. presented electronic and magnetic properties of selected members in the cubic Laves phase series Nd1-xPrxCoNi and Ce0.25Pr0.75CoNi, along with the corresponding binary compositions (NdCo2, NdNi2, PrCo2, PrNi2, CeCo2, CeNi2). The study employed soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy, x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD), density-functional theory, and crystal field multiplet calculations. The research revealed that all transition-metal moments saturate below 1 T, while the rare-earth moments do not saturate even at 5 T, which is consistent with van Vleck paramagnetic contributions and crystal field suppression. The study also showed that the application of sum rules to extract element-specific magnetic moments from XMCD requires accurate estimates of the number of unoccupied 3d states for 3d transition metals. A finite magnetic moment was observed on Ni, challenging the assumption of its nonmagnetic character in Laves phases. The magnetic moments of Nd and Pr are suppressed relative to their free-ion values due to crystal field effects, while Ce exhibits a tunable mixed-valent ground state with both magnetic 4f1 and nonmagnetic 4f0 components. This work establishes a framework for accurately interpreting XMCD in light rare-earth-based intermetallics, enhancing our understanding of their magnetic behavior and potential applications in magnetic devices. The detailed analysis of magnetic moments and their response to external fields provides valuable insights for material design.

Spin: Parametric Resonance in a Spin-1/2 Chain: Dynamical Effects of Nontrivial Topology

Focusing on spin dynamics and topology, Elewa and Dykman explored parametric resonance in a spin-1/2 chain. This research investigates the response to the modulation turn-on, which allows for revealing dynamical aspects of the nontrivial topology of the periodic chain. In the topological regime, the system displays either the absence of spatial magnetization correlations or their increase with the increasing detuning of the modulation from resonance, depending on how fast the turn-on is. The transition between the topological and trivial regimes is controlled by the modulation frequency. This study provides insights into the fundamental properties of spin chains and their potential applications in quantum computing and spintronics. The ability to control the topological state of a spin chain through modulation frequency opens new avenues for quantum information processing. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of quantum systems and their potential for technological advancements.

Spin: Emergent Synchronization and Defect Dynamics in Confined Chiral Active Suspensions

Examining emergent synchronization in chiral active suspensions, Shen et al. demonstrated hydrodynamic coupling alone can drive spontaneous self-organization across a hierarchy of spatial and temporal scales in confined suspensions of torque-driven particles at moderate Reynolds numbers. Using large-scale hydrodynamic simulations, the study showed that spinners first self-assemble into dimers, which crystallize into a hexatic lattice and subsequently undergo a collective tilting instability. The resulting tilted dimers rotate and synchronize through hydrodynamic repulsion, which can be tuned by the Reynolds number. Upon synchronization, the polar director develops splay and bend deformations and nucleates topological defects with charges of ±1. These defects induce long-wavelength concentration gradients and drive crystal vortex dynamics spanning hundreds of particle diameters. The results reveal a purely hydrodynamic route to synchronization and defect-mediated dynamics in chiral active matter, without explicit alignment rules or interparticle forces. This research provides insights into the self-organization behavior of active matter systems, relevant to understanding biological systems and designing novel microfluidic devices. The discovery of a purely hydrodynamic route to synchronization could lead to new strategies for controlling active matter systems.

Spin: Field-Tunable Partial Antiferromagnetism, Glassy Spin Dynamics, and Magnetodielectric Coupling in the Quasi-One-Dimensional Spin-Chain Compound Ca3CoIrO6

Investigating spin dynamics in Ca3CoIrO6, Mahalle et al. reported a comprehensive investigation of the quasi-one-dimensional spin-chain compound Ca3CoIrO6 (CCIO) using a combination of structural, magnetic, thermodynamic, transport, Raman, and dielectric measurements. The study confirms the rhombohedral R-3c structure down to 5 K without any structural phase transition using temperature-dependent neutron powder diffraction. DC magnetization, ac susceptibility, and relaxation measurements reveal a gradual evolution from a high-temperature paramagnetic-like state to a partially disordered antiferromagnetic (PDA) state below 100 K, accompanied by slow cluster-like spin dynamics followed by a freezing transition near 30 K. Isothermal magnetic hysteresis M(H) loops demonstrate partial chain freezing, while robust exchange bias is observed in field-cooled protocols, highlighting the interplay between PDA ordering and frozen spins. Resistivity and specific heat data indicate strong coupling between spin and charge degrees of freedom, accompanied by activated transport behavior. Raman spectroscopy identifies pronounced anomalies in phonon frequencies and linewidths across multiple magnetic regimes, reflecting strong spin-lattice coupling. Polarization-electric field (P-E) measurements reveal temperature-dependent crossovers from linear dielectric to weakly hysteretic behavior, consistent with short-range polar correlations driven by spin-lattice interactions. These findings establish CCIO as a prototypical quasi-one-dimensional frustrated spin-chain system, offering insights into frustration-driven phases in low-dimensional oxides and potential multifunctional applications. The observed magnetodielectric coupling and exchange bias phenomena open possibilities for new device functionalities.

Spin: Orbital Accumulation Induced by Chiral Phonons

Exploring orbital accumulation, Sato, Kato, and Manchon theoretically investigated orbital accumulation driven by chiral phonons via orbital-dependent electron-lattice coupling. The research derives a formula for the orbital accumulation induced by classical lattice dynamics or nonequilibrium phonons, using the Berry curvature, linear response theory, and the nonequilibrium Green's function method. The study shows that chiral phonons primarily couple to orbital quadrupole moments and that static orbital dipole accumulation can be generated in the second-order of lattice displacement. This study provides a useful method for generating orbital accumulation without using spin-orbit interaction, opening new avenues for manipulating orbital degrees of freedom in materials. The ability to generate orbital accumulation without spin-orbit interaction could lead to novel electronic and spintronic devices.

Spin: Impact of Spin-Orbit Coupling and Zeeman Interaction on the Subharmonic Gap Structure due to Multiple Andreev Reflections in Nanoscopic Josephson Junctions

Investigating spin-orbit coupling in Josephson junctions, Kuiri et al. theoretically investigated the evolution of the subharmonic gap structure in spinful Josephson junctions. The study demonstrates that spin mixing, introduced by the spin-orbit coupling, opens avoided crossings in the dispersion relation of the leads, which results in pronounced multiple Andreev reflection features in the conductance traces. The researchers analyzed how these features evolve under an external magnetic field and explained that their visibility in conductance is governed by the spin polarization of the bands. This research provides insights into the transport properties of spinful Josephson junctions, relevant to the development of advanced superconducting devices. The understanding of how spin-orbit coupling affects the subharmonic gap structure is crucial for designing high-performance Josephson junctions.

Spin: Fokker-Planck Approach for Thermal Fluctuations in Antiferromagnetic Systems

Analyzing thermal fluctuations in antiferromagnetic systems, Martello et al. developed a Fokker-Planck approach to describe the dynamics of staggered magnetization and thermal fluctuations in a two-dimensional antiferromagnetic system with uniaxial anisotropy. Beginning with a classical model for the antiferromagnetic system, the researchers incorporated a Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation augmented by Langevin fields to account for thermal fluctuations, and derived the Fokker-Planck equation governing the probability distribution function of the spin configuration. The study employs the mean-field approximation to derive the equations of motion for the spin polarization and the two-time spin-spin correlation functions. The methodology is applied to the study of spin-wave dynamics and to the formulation of a phenomenological model for resistance fluctuations in two-dimensional antiferromagnetic semiconductors. This research provides a theoretical framework for understanding thermal fluctuations in antiferromagnetic systems, which is crucial for the development of antiferromagnetic spintronic devices. The Fokker-Planck approach offers a powerful tool for analyzing the dynamics of complex magnetic systems.

Spin: RF-Squad: A Radiofrequency Simulator for Quantum Dot Arrays

Introducing RF-Squad, a simulator for quantum dot arrays, Murphy et al. presented a physics-based simulator designed to replicate radiofrequency (RF) reflectometry measurements of quantum dot arrays. The simulator, named RF-Squad, is designed to realistically replicate radiofrequency (RF) reflectometry measurements of quantum dot arrays, with the ability to go beyond the Constant Interaction Model (CIM) and simulate physical phenomena such as tunnel coupling, tunnel rates, and quantum confinement. Implemented in JAX, RF-Squad achieves high computational speed, enabling the simulation of a 100x100 pixel charge stability diagram of a double quantum dot (DQD) in 52.1 ±0.2 milliseconds at the CIM level. Using optimization algorithms, combined with it's layered architecture, RF-Squad allows users to balance physical accuracy with computational speed, scaling from simple to highly detailed models. This tool will facilitate the development and testing of autotuning algorithms for quantum dot arrays, accelerating progress in quantum computing. RF-Squad provides a valuable resource for researchers working on spin-based quantum computing.

Exciton: ARPES Signatures of Trions in van der Waals Materials

This entry is a duplicate of the earlier entry under 2D Materials and has been removed to avoid redundancy.

Magnon: Anyonic Chern Insulator in Graphene Induced by Surface Electromagnon Vacuum Fluctuations

Exploring magnons and topological insulators, Cheng et al. proposed a cavity system based on magneto-electric materials, which host surface electromagnons with non-orthogonal electric field and magnetic field components. The study shows that the quantum fluctuations of the surface electromagnons drive a nearby graphene monolayer into an anyonic Chern insulator, characterized by anyonic quasi-particles and a topological gap that decays polynomially with the graphene-substrate distance. This work opens a path to controllably break time-reversal symmetry and induce exotic quantum states through cavity vacuum fluctuations. This research offers a novel approach to creating and manipulating topological states in graphene, with potential applications in quantum computing and spintronics. The use of cavity vacuum fluctuations to induce topological states could revolutionize material design.

Superconductivity: Raman Fingerprint of High-Temperature Superconductivity in Compressed Hydrides

Highlighting superconductivity in compressed hydrides, Dalladay-Simpson et al. acquired unprecedented high-quality Raman spectra of hexagonal LaH10 at approximately 145 GPa and low temperatures, in conjunction with electrical transport measurements. The study observes a drop of resistivity and simultaneous remarkable variations of phonon frequencies and linewidths upon cooling. These effects are interpreted and perfectly reproduced by the Migdal-Eliashberg theory, providing a definitive proof of phonon-mediated superconductivity and enabling a quantitative determination of the superconducting energy gap. These results establish Raman spectroscopy as a robust, contact-free probe with micrometric resolution for studying high temperature superconductivity, opening a powerful route to its discovery and characterization. The use of Raman spectroscopy as a quantitative tool for studying superconductivity could accelerate the discovery of new high-temperature superconductors.

Superconductivity: Kapitza-Dirac Interference of Higgs Waves in Superconductors

Investigating Higgs waves in superconductors, Kang et al. presented a novel framework for controlling Higgs mode and vortex dynamics in superconductors using structured light. The research proposes a phenomenon analog of the Kapitza-Dirac effect in superconductors, where Higgs waves scatter off light-induced vortex lattices, generating interference patterns akin to matter wave diffraction. The study also finds that the vortices enable the linear coupling of Higgs mode to the electromagnetic field. This interplay between light-engineered Higgs excitations and emergent vortex textures opens a pathway to probe nonequilibrium superconductivity with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. The results bridge quantum optics and condensed matter physics, offering new examples of quantum printing where one uses structured light to manipulate the collective modes in correlated quantum fluids. The ability to control Higgs modes with light opens exciting possibilities for manipulating superconductivity.

Superconductivity: Multiple Correlation Lengths and Type-1.5 Superconductivity in $U(1)$ Superconductors due to Hidden Competition Between Irreducible Representations of Nonlocal Pairing

Exploring multiple correlation lengths in superconductors, Talkachov, Leask and Babaev showed that even, nominally single-component superconductors under certain conditions are characterized by multiple coherence lengths. The researchers considered nearest-neighbor pairing interactions on a square lattice that leads to s-wave and d-wave representations of link superconducting order parameter. The study shows that even if the subdominant order parameter is completely suppressed in the ground state, it results in multiple correlation lengths with nontrivial hierarchy, resulting in important physical consequences in inhomogeneous solutions. Under certain conditions, this leads to type-1.5 superconductivity, where magnetic field penetration length falls between two coherence lengths, leading to vortex clustering in an external magnetic field. The discovery of multiple correlation lengths enriches our understanding of superconducting behavior.

Superconductivity: Interpretable Descriptors Enable Prediction of Hydrogen-Based Superconductors at Moderate Pressures

Focusing on predicting hydrogen-based superconductors, Chen et al. developed an interpretable framework based on symbolic regression to predict Tc in hydrogen-based superconductors. A key descriptor is an integrated density of states (IDOS) within 1 eV of the Fermi level (EF), which exhibits greater robustness than conventional single-point DOS features. The resulting analytic model links electronic-structure characteristics to superconducting performance, achieves high accuracy, and generalizes well to external datasets. Guided by this model, four hydrogen-based candidates are identified and validated via calculation, including Na2GaCuH6 with Tc = 42.04 K at ambient pressure and NaCaH12, NaSrH12, and KSrH12 with Tc up to 162.35 K, 86.32 K, and 55.13 K at 100 GPa, 25 GPa, and 25 GPa, respectively. This approach accelerates materials screening and clarifies how hydrogen-projected electronic weight near EF and related features govern Tc in hydrides. The interpretable model provides a mechanism-aware route to stabilize high-Tc phases at reduced pressures.

Photonics

No relevant articles found for this keyword.

Topological: Anyonic Chern Insulator in Graphene Induced by Surface Electromagnon Vacuum Fluctuations

This entry is a duplicate of the earlier entry under Magnon and has been removed to avoid redundancy.

Topological: Parametric Resonance in a Spin-1/2 Chain: Dynamical Effects of Nontrivial Topology

This entry is a duplicate of the earlier entry under Spin and has been removed to avoid redundancy.

Topological: Nearly Semi-Elliptic Relation Between the Minimal Conductivity and Hall Conductivity in Unpaired Dirac Fermions

Exploring topological properties of Dirac fermions, Fu et al. evaluated the longitudinal and Hall conductivity for unpaired Dirac fermions in the framework of the self-consistent Born approximation. The study finds a nearly semi-elliptic relation between the minimal conductivity and Hall conductivities in the Dirac fermions. Near the charge neutrality point, disorder may drive a metal-insulator transition and enhance the longitudinal conductivity. For the massless case, the minimal conductivity σxx* coexists with the half-quantized Hall conductivity e²/2h, forming an indicator for the parity anomalous semimetal. The relation signals a disorder-induced metallic phase that bridges two topologically distinct insulating phases. The findings provide a theoretical framework for understanding the behavior of Dirac fermions in topological materials.

Topological: Hopfions in the Lee-Huang-Yang Superfluids

Investigating hopfions in Lee-Huang-Yang superfluids, Dong et al. systematically investigated the existence, stability, and evolution of hopfion states in binary BEC. They are characterized by two independent topological winding numbers: inner twist s of the vortex-ring core and overall vorticity m. The interplay between the LHY self-repulsion and a trapping harmonic-oscillator potential results in stability of the hopfions with s = 1 and m ranging from 0 to 4. The hopfions exhibit distinct topological phase distributions along the vertical axis and the radial direction in the horizontal plane. Their effective radius and peak density increase with the chemical potential, along with expansion of the vortex-ring core. The study predicts that the observations are experimentally accessible in currently used BEC setups. The discovery of stable hopfions in LHY superfluids opens new avenues for exploring topological quantum matter.

Topological: Emergent Synchronization and Defect Dynamics in Confined Chiral Active Suspensions

This entry is a duplicate of the earlier entry under Spin and has been removed to avoid redundancy.

Topological: Optical Conductivity of Layered Topological Semimetal TaNiTe5

Analyzing the optical conductivity of TaNiTe5, Budić et al. presented an infrared spectroscopy study of the layered topological semimetal TaNiTe5. Despite its structural features, infrared reflectivity and electronic transport measurements along the a and c crystallographic axes show metallic behavior without evidence of reduced dimensionality. Optical conductivity reveals an anisotropic but conventional metallic response with low scattering rates and a single sharp infrared-active phonon mode at 396 cm⁻¹ (49 meV). Ab initio calculations closely match the experimental optical data and confirm a three-dimensional electronic structure. The results demonstrate that TaNiTe5 behaves as a three-dimensional anisotropic semimetal in its electronic and optical properties. The study provides valuable insights into the electronic structure and optical properties of this topological semimetal.

Topological: Topological Theory of Helium 4

Presenting a topological theory of Helium 4, Lantsman attempts to construct the topological theory of superfluid helium 4 in the framework of the (rigid) U(1) model in which the initial U(1) group is destroyed with appearance of (topologically nontrivial) domains separated by domain walls treated as step voltages between domains. This can explain the superfluid properties in a helium 4 specimen as well as the appearance of topologically nontrivial vortices therein. This research provides a theoretical framework for understanding the superfluid properties of helium 4. The topological theory offers a new perspective on the behavior of superfluid helium.

Topological: Topological States and Flat Bands in Exactly Solvable Decorated Cayley Trees

Investigating topological states in decorated Cayley trees, Duss et al. derived the full spectrum of decorated Cayley trees that constitute tree analogs of selected two-dimensional Euclidean lattices. The common feature of these Euclidean lattices is that their nearest-neighbor models give rise to flat energy bands interpretable through compact localized states. The study finds that the tree analogs exhibit similar flat or nearly flat energy bands at the corresponding energies. Interestingly, such flat bands in the decorated Cayley trees acquire an interpretation that is absent in their Euclidean counterparts: as edge states localized to the inner or the outer boundary of the tree branches. The findings reveal a rich landscape of flat-band and topological phenomena in non-Euclidean systems. The research provides insights into the relationship between geometry and topological states in quantum systems.

Topological: Wiener-Hopf Factorization and Non-Hermitian Topology for Amoeba Formulation in One-Dimensional Multiband Systems

Focusing on non-Hermitian topology, Kaneshiro and Peters established the Wiener-Hopf factorization (WHF) of the non-Bloch Hamiltonian as a powerful framework, providing a unified and rigorous foundation for Amoeba analysis in multiband systems. By combining the WHF with Hermitian doubling, the study elucidates the applicability criteria for the generalized Szegö limit theorem in multiband systems. They showed that the WHF provides the natural mathematical origin for the symmetry-decomposed Ronkin function in symmetry class AII†, leading to a rigorous proof of the generalized Szegö limit theorem for these systems and opening a path toward systematic generalizations to other symmetry classes. The Wiener-Hopf factorization provides a powerful tool for analyzing non-Hermitian topological systems.

Topological: Interlinking Helical Spin Textures in Nanopatterned Chiral Magnets

Exploring spin textures in chiral magnets, Turnbull et al. demonstrated that through the 3D nanopatterning of chiral single crystal helimagnets into nano-tori, the controlled formation of a magnetic double helix can be achieved. This surface-localized topological state is stabilized by the interplay of intrinsic exchange interactions of the single crystal with the extrinsic emergent effects of the patterned geometry. These double helices host magnetic defects akin to supercoiling in circular DNA and climbing vines. This research provides a pathway for controlling emergent phenomena in nanoscale magnets and wider quantum material systems. The controlled formation of magnetic double helices offers new opportunities for designing advanced magnetic devices.

Topological: Visible and Terahertz Nonlinear Responses in the Topological Noble Metal Dichalcogenide PdTe2

Investigating nonlinear responses in PdTe2, de Coster et al. report on strong second and third-order nonlinear optical responses in visible and terahertz (THz) light in single crystals of the noble metal dichalcogenide PdTe2. The study finds that buried conduction and valence topological surface states of PdTe2 lead to resonant enhancement of optical second-harmonic generation. By carefully considering the radiative photocurrent framework of stimulated THz emission, they are able to extract fingerprints of both second- and third-order processes in the THz regime. The authors showed that PdTe2 is a promising material candidate for radio frequency rectification, frequency mixing, and beam focusing. The findings suggest that PdTe2 is a promising material for advanced nonlinear optical devices.

van der Waals: Tunable Electronic Band Structure in WSSe van der Waals Alloys

This entry is a duplicate of the earlier entry under 2D Materials and has been removed to avoid redundancy.

Graphene: Anyonic Chern Insulator in Graphene Induced by Surface Electromagnon Vacuum Fluctuations

This entry is a duplicate of the earlier entry under Magnon and has been removed to avoid redundancy.

Graphene: Impact of Nitrogen Atom Clusters and Vacancy Defects on Graphene: A Molecular Dynamics Investigation

Analyzing the impact of defects on graphene, Rudra et al. systematically investigated the comparative effects of nitrogen atom clusters and equivalent sized vacancy defects on the mechanical behavior of graphene sheets through molecular dynamics simulations. The Nitrogen clustering significantly degraded mechanical performance almost similarly to random doping. In comparison, systems with equivalent-sized vacancy defects showed higher stiffness and lower ductility than those with clusters. The study revealed distinct failure mechanisms between doped and defective configurations, with nitrogen clusters showing modified crack propagation patterns while vacancies acted as pronounced stress concentrators, leading to premature failure. The findings provide important insights for optimizing graphene synthesis and processing protocols.

Graphene: Ripple-Assisted Adsorption of Noble Gases on Graphene at Room Temperature

Investigating gas adsorption on graphene, Liu et al. theoretically simulated and experimentally realized the stable adsorption of noble gases like xenon (Xe), krypton (Kr), argon (Ar), and helium (He) on highly rippled graphene at RT. The elemental characteristics of adsorbed Xe are confirmed by electron energy loss spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The adsorbed gas atoms are crystalized with periodic arrangements. These adsorbed noble gases on graphene exhibit high stability at RT and can be completely desorbed at approximately 350 °C without damaging the intrinsic lattice of graphene. The controllable adsorption could be generalized to other layered adsorbents, accelerating advancements in gas storage and separation technologies.

Graphene: Effect of Doping on Hot-Carrier Thermal Breakdown in Perforated Graphene Metasurfaces

Focusing on thermal breakdown in graphene metasurfaces, Ryzhii et al. examined the robustness of the S-shaped current-voltage characteristics associated with hot-carrier-induced electrical breakdown in perforated graphene metasurfaces (PGMs) as a function of doping. The degree of electron-hole asymmetry significantly influences this positive feedback and strongly modifies the overall current-voltage response. The results provide a framework for optimizing PGM-based devices employing GMR/GNR architectures, including voltage-controlled fast switches, incandescent emitters, and terahertz bolometric detectors. The results provide a framework for optimizing PGM-based devices employing GMR/GNR architectures

Graphene: Human-AI Collaborative Autonomous Synthesis with Pulsed Laser Deposition for Remote Epitaxy

Showcasing human-AI collaboration in graphene synthesis, Haque et al. developed and deployed a human-AI collaborative (HAIC) workflow that integrates large language models for hypothesis generation and analysis, with collaborative policy updates driving autonomous pulsed laser deposition (PLD) experiments for remote epitaxy of BaTiO3/graphene. In situ Raman spectroscopy reveals that chemistry drives degradation while the highest energy plume components seed defects, identifying a low-O2 pressure low-temperature synthesis window that preserves graphene but is incompatible with optimal BaTiO3 growth. Thus, the study shows a two-step Ar/O2 deposition is required to exfoliate ferroelectric BaTiO3 while maintaining a monolayer graphene interlayer. HAIC stages human insight with AI reasoning between autonomous batches to drive rapid scientific progress.

In conclusion, the field of material science continues to evolve rapidly, with significant advancements in 2D materials, magnetism, spin-related phenomena, superconductivity, topological materials, graphene, and related areas. These studies pave the way for innovative technologies and a deeper understanding of the fundamental properties of materials.

For more information on material science research, visit the Materials Research Society website.