materials

May 5, 2015

‘Microcombing’ Creates Stronger, More Conductive Carbon Nanotube Films

A new technique creates pure carbon nanotube films that are stronger than any previous such films. The technique also improves the electrical conductivity that makes these films attractive for use in electronic and aerospace applications. 

Apr 30, 2015

Why, and How, Computational Research is Changing Materials Science

To stay competitive, businesses and governments are constantly looking for materials that will open the door to new technologies or sources of energy. And computational research is key to developing those new materials. 

Apr 23, 2015

Electron Spin Brings Some Order to High Entropy Alloys

High entropy alloys (HEAs) are known for amazing properties -- and having chaotic atomic structures. But researchers have discovered that electron spin brings a previously unknown degree of order to HEAs, and may play a role in giving the alloys desirable properties. 

Mar 18, 2015

An Improved Method for Coating Gold Nanorods

Researchers have fine-tuned a technique for coating gold nanorods with silica shells, allowing engineers to create large quantities of the nanorods and giving them more control over the thickness of the shell. Gold nanorods are being investigated for use in a wide variety of biomedical applications. 

Feb 16, 2015

Researchers Synthesize Material for Efficient Plasmonic Devices in Mid-Infrared Range

Researchers have identified a material that can be used to create plasmonic devices that create an intense electric field in response to light in the mid-infrared range. The discovery has applications in fields ranging from high-speed computers to solar energy to biomedical devices. 

Feb 13, 2015

Researchers Glimpse Distortions in Atomic Structure of Materials

A technique developed at NC State is giving researchers an unprecedented glimpse of how materials are structured at the atomic level -- opening the door to studies on how subtle structural distortions at the atomic-scale can influence a material’s properties. 

Jan 23, 2015

New Technique Helps Probe Performance of Organic Solar Cell Materials

Researchers have developed a way to determine the role that a material’s structure has on the efficiency of organic solar cells, which are candidates for low-cost, next generation solar power. The finding will help guide future research and development efforts. 

Jan 13, 2015

Researchers Develop Novel Multiferroic Materials and Devices Integrated With Silicon Chips

Researchers have made two advances in multiferroic materials, including integrating them on a silicon chip, which will allow the development of new electronic memory devices. The researchers have already created prototypes of the devices and are in the process of testing them. 

Dec 18, 2014

New Technique Moves Researchers Closer to New Range of GaN Biosensors

Researchers have found a way of binding peptides to the surface of gallium nitride (GaN) in a way that keeps the peptides stable even when exposed to water and radiation. The discovery moves researchers one step closer to developing a new range of biosensors for use in medical and biological research applications. 

Dec 11, 2014

Stacking Two-Dimensional Materials May Lower Cost of Semiconductor Devices

Researchers have found that stacking materials that are only one atom thick can create semiconductor junctions that transfer charge efficiently, regardless of whether the crystalline structure of the materials is mismatched – lowering the manufacturing cost for a wide variety of semiconductor devices such as solar cells, lasers and LEDs. 

Dec 10, 2014

New ‘High-Entropy’ Alloy Is As Light As Aluminum, As Strong as Titanium Alloys

Researchers from North Carolina State University and Qatar University have developed a new “high-entropy” metal alloy that has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than any other existing metal material. 

Dec 9, 2014

Moving Toward a Cheaper, Better Catalyst for Hydrogen Production

Hydrogen could be an important source of clean energy, and the cleanest way to produce hydrogen gas is to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. But the catalyst currently used to facilitate this water-splitting reaction is platinum. And that’s a problem. 

Dec 8, 2014

Nanoparticle Allows Low-Cost Creation of 3-D Nanostructures

Researchers have developed a new lithography technique that uses nanoscale spheres to create 3-D structures with biomedical, electronic and photonic applications. 

Nov 13, 2014

Researchers Find New Way to Move Atomically Thin Semiconductors for Use in Extremely Flexible Devices

Researchers have developed a new way to transfer thin semiconductor films, which are only one atom thick, onto arbitrary substrates, paving the way for flexible computing or photonic devices. 

Oct 8, 2014

Report Outlines Efforts to Boost Diversity in Materials Science and Engineering Community

NC State played a leadership role in crafting a new national report addressing the lack of diversity in materials science and engineering.