Tag Archives: Materials Sciences

Active Matter Gets Solid

Posted on October 31, 2025 by rberkowitz

Researchers have determined the mechanical properties of a tiny beam made of active particles, laying the groundwork for future micromachines. Continue reading →

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Active Matter Breaks like an Amorphous Plastic

Posted on September 24, 2025 by rberkowitz

Shearing a dusty plasma with a laser shows how vibrational modes lead to weak points in an amorphous active system. Continue reading →

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Magnetic Topological Insulators Have an Edgy Side

Posted on August 13, 2025 by rberkowitz

Edge currents are observed in a magnetic topological insulator even when conventional theory says that they should not. Continue reading →

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Amorphous Ice Is Partly Crystalline

Posted on July 8, 2025 by rberkowitz

Evidence builds against the long-held notion that water ice can be truly glassy. Continue reading →

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Birefringent Nanocubes Give Light a Circular Boost

Posted on March 21, 2025 by rberkowitz

An achiral metasurface selectively transmits two beams of opposite chirality. Continue reading →

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A Versatile Design for a Metasurface Cavity

Posted on March 6, 2025 by rberkowitz

An all-dielectric version of a metamaterials-based cavity allows the cavity to operate over a previously inaccessible wavelength range—which could benefit lasers and other resonant devices. Continue reading →

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A New Way to Engineer Composite Materials

Posted on March 6, 2025 by rberkowitz

The innovative polymer design combines strength with reversibility. Continue reading →

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Piezoelectric Catalyst Destroys Forever Chemicals

Posted on February 26, 2025 by rberkowitz

Startup secures $16 million to deploy PFAS-busting tech for wastewater. Continue reading →

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Iron–Helium Compounds Form Under Pressure

Posted on February 25, 2025 by rberkowitz

Experiments show that iron’s crystal lattice expands to incorporate
helium. Continue reading →

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Bumpy Particles Take One Step to Become Glass

Posted on January 24, 2025 by rberkowitz

Roughing up the surfaces of particles in a colloidal system can smooth its transition into a glassy state. Continue reading →

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