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Highlights

Highlights

Figure 1. Visualizations of the charge density of the two electrons trapped in an oxygen vacancy at zero field in (a) MgO, (b) CaO, (c) SrO, and (d) BaO. Similar visualizations at a field of 22 MV/cm in the +x direction are shown for (e) MgO, (f), CaO, (g) SrO, and (h) BaO. Red, blue, cyan, green, and grey spheres represent O, Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba ions, respectively.
Figure 1. Visualizations of the charge density of the two electrons trapped in an oxygen vacancy at zero field in (a) MgO, (b) CaO, (c) SrO, and (d) BaO. Similar visualizations at a field of 22 MV/cm in the +x direction are shown for (e) MgO, (f), CaO, (g) SrO, and (h) BaO. Red, blue, cyan, green, and grey spheres represent O, Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba ions, respectively.
Apr 27, 2018
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Strong Electric Fields Tune the Stability of Ionic Defects in Oxides

Bilge Yildiz and Krystyn Van Vliet
Intellectual Merit: No ceramic crystal is perfect, and structural imperfections including point defects are responsible for many technologically desirable properties of ceramics. Applications such as modern computer memories rely on controlling defects inside a crystal by exposing them to large electric fields. High field effects on defective crystals, however, remain challenging to control and address.
Figure 1: The stiffness of mucus can be modified by targeting different associative groups on the mucin molecules. By performing both micro- and macro-rheological measurements on these gels, additional insight into the structural rearrangements leading to the observed differences in the bulk mechanical properties (such as heterogeneity) can be inferred.
Figure 1: The stiffness of mucus can be modified by targeting different associative groups on the mucin molecules. By performing both micro- and macro-rheological measurements on these gels, additional insight into the structural rearrangements leading to the observed differences in the bulk mechanical properties (such as heterogeneity) can be inferred.
Apr 27, 2018
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

How Mucus Keeps You Healthy

Katharina Ribbeck and  Garreth McKinley
Intellectual Merit:
Scanning Electron Microscope Image of a High-Temperature NanoThermoMechanical Diode.
Scanning Electron Microscope Image of a High-Temperature NanoThermoMechanical Diode.
Apr 25, 2018
University of Nebraska - Lincoln

NanoThermoMechanical Thermal Computing

Sidy Ndao (University of Nebraska-Lincoln)
Limited performance and reliability of electronic devices at extreme temperatures, intensive radiation found in space exploration missions and earth-based applications requires the development of alternative computing technologies. Nebraska MRSEC researchers have designed and prototyped the world’s first high-temperature thermal diode. They have demonstrated the use of near-field thermal radiation from smooth and metamaterial surfaces to achieve thermal rectification at high temperatures. They named the technology NanoThermoMechanical thermal computing.
Nebraska MRSEC undergraduates Spencer Prockish (left) and Peter Kosch help elementary students design their own experiments to determine how a magnet’s size and shape affect its strength.
Nebraska MRSEC undergraduates Spencer Prockish (left) and Peter Kosch help elementary students design their own experiments to determine how a magnet’s size and shape affect its strength.
Apr 25, 2018
University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Nebraska MRSEC Puts a “Spark” in Summer Learning

Rebecca Lai, Jocelyn Bosley, and Krista Adams (University of Nebraska-Lincoln)
In Summer 2017, Nebraska MRSEC partnered with the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools to offer a new, STEAM-based summer learning program. Spark Summer Learning provides opportunities for students in grades K-5 to explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math in an immersive setting, engaging students in problem-based learning through hands-on “maker” projects.
Optically-induced polarization reversal in hybrid MoS2/BaTiO3 (BTO) structures: geometry of experiment (left panel) and polarization state of BaTiO3 (right panels). The BaTiO3 surface is partially covered with MoS2. Under ultraviolet (UV) illumination polarization of the BaTiO3 film underneath the MoS2 flake is reversed as indicated by color.
Optically-induced polarization reversal in hybrid MoS2/BaTiO3 (BTO) structures: geometry of experiment (left panel) and polarization state of BaTiO3 (right panels). The BaTiO3 surface is partially covered with MoS2. Under ultraviolet (UV) illumination polarization of the BaTiO3 film underneath the MoS2 flake is reversed as indicated by color.
Apr 25, 2018
University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Optical Control of Polarization in Hybrid 2D-Ferroelectric Structures

Alexei Gruverman and Alexander Sinitskii (University of Nebraska-Lincoln) and Chang-Beom Eom (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
Switchable electric polarization of ferroelectric materials can serve as a state variable in advanced electronic systems, such as non-volatile memories and logic. Control of ferroelectric polarization by external stimuli is the key component for these systems. Nebraska MRSEC researchers have discovered an optical control of the hybrid structures comprising a two-dimensional (2D) semiconducting material, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), and ultrathin ferroelectric barium titanate (BaTiO3).
Magnetic structure of hexagonal ytterbium ferrite (h-YbFeO3) in which iron (Fe) magnetic moments (indicated by blue arrows) are anti-aligned to ytterbium (Yb) magnetic moments (indicated by grey arrows), thus revealing ferrimagnetism of multiferroic hexagonal ferrite h-YbFeO3.
Magnetic structure of hexagonal ytterbium ferrite (h-YbFeO3) in which iron (Fe) magnetic moments (indicated by blue arrows) are anti-aligned to ytterbium (Yb) magnetic moments (indicated by grey arrows), thus revealing ferrimagnetism of multiferroic hexagonal ferrite h-YbFeO3.
Apr 25, 2018
University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Direct Observation of Ferrimagnetism in a Multiferroic Hexagonal Ferrite

Xiaoshan Xu, Peter Dowben, and Evgeny Tsymbal (University of Nebraska-Lincoln)
Multiferroics is a class of materials that exhibits a coexistence of electric and magnetic polarizations.  Coupling of these polarizations is potentially useful for energy-efficient information storage and processing. Hexagonal rare-earth ferrites (h-RFeO3, where R is rare-earth element and Fe is iron) are new family of multiferroic materials. Magnetic interactions between rare-earth and iron ions in h-RFeO3, may amplify the weak ferromagnetic moment of iron, making these materials more appealing as multiferroics.
Modelled corrugation of a BCN monoatomic layer on iridium (Ir) surface, where red (blue) colors indicate high (low) BCN elevations. “h”, “H”, and “T” sites refer to the position of the B and N atoms with respect to the Ir substrate atoms. The top left panel shows the scanning tunneling microscopy image of the simulation cell.
Modelled corrugation of a BCN monoatomic layer on iridium (Ir) surface, where red (blue) colors indicate high (low) BCN elevations. “h”, “H”, and “T” sites refer to the position of the B and N atoms with respect to the Ir substrate atoms. The top left panel shows the scanning tunneling microscopy image of the simulation cell.
Apr 25, 2018
University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Nebraska MRSEC Facility: Synthesis and Characterization of Graphene-Like Boron-Carbon-Nitrogen Monolayers

Axel Enders, Peter Dowben, and Alexander Sinitskii (University of Nebraska-Lincoln)
The emergence of two-dimensional (2D) materials, which are only one atom or one structural unit cell thick, has stimulated an enormous range of research effort. The well-known example is graphene – a zero band gap semiconductor, which exhibits outstanding charge carrier mobility. However, the absence of a band gap is a major hindrance in implementing graphene in 2D electronics. The question arises whether other graphenic systems of mono-atomic thickness, with useful electronic properties, can be realized.
Electron microscope image of a 1-D channel of molybdenum disulfide embedded in 2-D tungsten diselenide. The blue/green dots are tungsten and selenium atoms; the magenta dots are sulfur atoms. The entire film is three atoms thick.
Electron microscope image of a 1-D channel of molybdenum disulfide embedded in 2-D tungsten diselenide. The blue/green dots are tungsten and selenium atoms; the magenta dots are sulfur atoms. The entire film is three atoms thick.
Feb 12, 2018
Cornell University

Threading Atom-Wide Wires Into 2D Materials

Cornell University researchers and collaborators have discovered – somewhat accidentally – a method for inserting a one-dimensional (1D) semiconductor channel into the “fabric” of a material that is only a few atoms thick.
Día De la Ciencia / Science Day - bilingual event at Princeton's MRSEC
Día De la Ciencia / Science Day - bilingual event at Princeton's MRSEC
Aug 23, 2017
Princeton University

Día De la Ciencia / Science Day - bilingual event at Princeton's MRSEC

Daniel Steinberg, Princeton Center for Complex Materials (PCCM)  
On April 8, 2017, PCCM held its first Día de la Ciencia at the Princeton Public Library. Forty scientists set up 20 table presentations and met with over 500 members of the community. In an attempt to improve outreach to all members of the community, PCCM organized the Día de la Ciencia event to reach the large Latino/Latina population in the town of Princeton, NJ and surrounding region. PCCM piloted Día de la Ciencia with science demos and had at least one Spanish speaking presenter at each table.
PCCM has helped industrial partners to many innovations and new product developments. PCCM would like to continue its efforts of developing the Imaging and Analysis Center (IAC) as an engine of education, innovation and economic growth.
PCCM has helped industrial partners to many innovations and new product developments. PCCM would like to continue its efforts of developing the Imaging and Analysis Center (IAC) as an engine of education, innovation and economic growth.
Aug 23, 2017
Princeton University

Imaging and Analysis Center Partners with Industry and Other Institutions

Nan Yao (Princeton University)
The Imaging and Analysis Center (IAC) supported by PCCM is a world-leading facility for materials characterization. It is a critical resource to our industrial user community. The advanced instrumentation and expertise in the IAC provide ultimate opportunity for us to actively interact with industrial scientists. IAC conducts a series of short courses (required for instrument access), which involve direct experimental demonstrations and hands-on instruction, ranging from basic sample preparation devices to high-end electron microscopes.

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