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Highlights

Highlights

Atomic force microscope images (left), schematic (center), and photograph (top right) of a film with layers of graphene oxide, semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes, and graphene. This combination allows silicon to drive oxygen evolution (bubbles in photograph) by protecting the silicon and more efficiently extracting charge carriers (holes).
Atomic force microscope images (left), schematic (center), and photograph (top right) of a film with layers of graphene oxide, semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes, and graphene. This combination allows silicon to drive oxygen evolution (bubbles in photograph) by protecting the silicon and more efficiently extracting charge carriers (holes).
Jun 13, 2017
Northwestern University

Metal-Free Carbon-Based Nanomaterial Coatings Protect Silicon Photoanodes in Solar Water-Splitting

Solar water splitting converts solar energy into chemical fuels that can be easily stored and transported. Silicon is already used on a large scale for photovoltaics, but it is unstable in the electrolytes used for water oxidation.
Four-dimensional parameter space of In-based AOSs derived based on integrated experimental and theoretical studies: (1) deposition temperature (or quench rates); (2) oxygen stoichiometry; (3) metal composition; and (4) lattice strain.
Four-dimensional parameter space of In-based AOSs derived based on integrated experimental and theoretical studies: (1) deposition temperature (or quench rates); (2) oxygen stoichiometry; (3) metal composition; and (4) lattice strain.
Jun 13, 2017
Northwestern University

Parameter Space for Amorphous Oxide Semiconductors (AOSs)

Julia Medvedeva and Robert Chang, Northwestern University MRSEC
The combined results of controlled synthesis, ab-initio molecular-dynamics liquid-quench simulations, thorough structure and property characterization, and accurate density-functional calculations helped identify four major components that govern the electrical, optical, thermal, and mechanical properties of prototype In-based AOSs: (i) deposition temperature; (ii) oxygen stoichiometry; (iii) cation composition; and (iv) lattice strain, Figure.
Morphological characterization of cube-shaped growth in a-ZITO(30) crystallization.
Morphological characterization of cube-shaped growth in a-ZITO(30) crystallization.
Jun 13, 2017
Northwestern University

In-situ Crystallization and Morphological Evolution in Multicomponent Indium Oxide Thin Films

Peter Voorhees and Vinayak Dravid, Northwestern University MRSEC
Among all Transparent conducting oxides, Zinc-Indium-Tin Oxides are known for their good chemical stability, smooth surfaces and most importantly, high electrical conductivity. Having access to fundamental information like kinetics parameters is extremely important for processing and fabrication of these materials.
Density gradient centrifugation refines the shape distribution of gold nanostars in aqueous solution.
Density gradient centrifugation refines the shape distribution of gold nanostars in aqueous solution.
Jun 13, 2017
Northwestern University

Homogeneous Gold Nanostars

Mark Hersam and Teri Odom, Northwestern University MRSEC
Anisotropic gold nanoparticles have been shown to possess desirable plasmonic and optical properties at the single particle level, but ensemble averaged measurements are compromised by the as-synthesized polydispersity in nanoparticle size and shape.
Synthesis of multimetallic nanoparticles via scanning probe block copolymer lithography, based upon the aggregation and reduction of multiple metal ion precursors in a polymer nanoreactor.
Synthesis of multimetallic nanoparticles via scanning probe block copolymer lithography, based upon the aggregation and reduction of multiple metal ion precursors in a polymer nanoreactor.
Jun 13, 2017
Northwestern University

Polyelemental Nanoparticle Libraries

M. Hersam, V. Dravid, C. Mirkin, Northwestern University MRSEC
Multimetallic nanoparticles are useful in many fields, yet there are no effective strategies for synthesizing libraries of such structures with systematic compositional tunability.
Kirigami Nanofluidics
Kirigami Nanofluidics
Jun 13, 2017
Northwestern University

Kirigami Nanofluidics

J. Huang, E. Luijten, M. Olvera de la Cruz, Northwestern University MRSEC
Restacked films of exfoliated 2D nanosheets can function as massive nanofluidic channel arrays. Recent research shows that cutting such membranes into asymmetric shapes leads to ionic current rectification.
Anisotropic Polarized Emission from ReS2
Anisotropic Polarized Emission from ReS2
Jun 12, 2017
Northwestern University

Anisotropic Polarized Emission from ReS2

Nathaniel P. Stern, Northwestern University MRSEC
Optical properties of layered materials can be controlled manipulating the discrete number of atomically-thin two-dimensional crystal layers. Unique amongst the layered transition metal dichalcogenides, ReS2 has optical emission that is linearly polarized and proportional to layer number.
Tinkering Lab at Chicago Children's Museum
Tinkering Lab at Chicago Children's Museum
Jun 12, 2017
Northwestern University

Tinkering Lab at Chicago Children's Museum

Northwestern University with the Chicago Children’s Museum in prototyping and formative evaluation of the new permanent exhibit, Tinkering Lab, which focuses on the self-guided exploration of materials for K-8 students.
NSF-MRSEC Booth at International Materials Research Congress
NSF-MRSEC Booth at International Materials Research Congress
Jun 12, 2017
Northwestern University

NSF-MRSEC Booth at International Materials Research Congress

To increase awareness, promote international collaboration, and broaden participation from traditionally underrepresented groups in the NSF-MRSEC program, an NSF-MRSEC booth was featured at the XXV International Materials Research Congress in Cancun, Mexico. 
Figure: (A) Amorphous polymer networks inevitably possess topological “loop” defects whose impact on elasticity (stress vs. strain behavior of the bulk material) was unknown.
Figure: (A) Amorphous polymer networks inevitably possess topological “loop” defects whose impact on elasticity (stress vs. strain behavior of the bulk material) was unknown.
Jun 7, 2017
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Understanding Loops in Polymer Networks Results in an Improved Theory for Rubbery Materials

Jeremiah Johnson
MRSEC researchers have used newly developed loop counting methods to precisely measure the storage moduli and loop fractions of a range of rubbery gels. A new theory, called Real Elastic Network Theory (RENT) was derived that describes how loop defects affect bulk elasticity.

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