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Highlights

First crystal growth and magnetic structure of the high-temperature antiferromagnet Cr2Al
First crystal growth and magnetic structure of the high-temperature antiferromagnet Cr2Al
May 17, 2022
Big Idea: Harnessing the Data Revolution, Quantum Leap

First crystal growth and magnetic structure of the high-temperature antiferromagnet Cr2Al

Switching Néel vector orientations in antiferromagnets has been proposed as an ultrafast means of data storage, but the fundamental energy scales of switching cannot be evaluated without oriented measurements on single crystals. These single-crystal methods are vital for understanding if first-principles calculations can predict the energies and dynamics that govern these devices.
Atomic-scale origin of the low grain-boundary resistance in perovskite solid electrolyte Li0.375Sr0.4375Ta0.75Zr0.25O3
Atomic-scale origin of the low grain-boundary resistance in perovskite solid electrolyte Li0.375Sr0.4375Ta0.75Zr0.25O3
May 17, 2022
University of California, Irvine

Atomic-scale origin of the low grain-boundary resistance in perovskite solid electrolyte Li0.375Sr0.4375Ta0.75Zr0.25O3

T. Lee, C.A. Gadre, H. Huyan, C. Du, J. Li, T. Aoki, R. Wu, X. Pan (University of California, Irvine) J. Qi, S. Ko, Y. Zuo, J. Luo, S. P. Ong (University of California, San Diego)

The main goal of this research is to reveal the atomic-scale origin of the low grain-boundary (GB) resistance in Li0.375Sr0.4375Ta0.75Zr0.25O3 (LSTZ0.75) perovskite solid electrolyte and to provide insights on overcoming the ubiquitous bottleneck of high GB resistance in other oxide solid electrolytes.
Electrically Fueled Active Materials
Electrically Fueled Active Materials
May 17, 2022
University of California, Irvine

Electrically Fueled Active Materials

S. Selmani, E. Schwartz, J. T. Mulvey, A. Grosvirt-Dramen, W. Gibson, A. I. Hochbaum, J. P. Patterson, R. Ragan, Z. Guan (University of California, Irvine)

The UCI MRSEC team have developed the first electrically-fueled dissipative system that offers rapid kinetics, directionality, and unprecedented spatiotemporal control, closely mimicking systems found in nature.
Student-Industry Seed Projects Teach Essential Skills for Future Success
Student-Industry Seed Projects Teach Essential Skills for Future Success
May 17, 2022
Big Idea: NSF 2026

Student-Industry Seed Projects Teach Essential Skills for Future Success

Preparing students for careers inside and outside academia is a key mission for the Wisconsin MRSEC and its Advanced Materials Industrial Consortium (AMIC). AMIC sponsors student-led seed research projects to help students learn essential skills. AMIC companies suggest project areas, then company engineers work with MRSEC students to develop research proposals that leverage the student’s expertise.
Low temperature properties of glass and its connection to glass stability
Low temperature properties of glass and its connection to glass stability
May 17, 2022
Big Idea: Harnessing the Data Revolution, Machine Learning / Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Leap

Low temperature properties of glass and its connection to glass stability

Clare Yu, University of California, Irvine; Bu Wang, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Wisconsin MRSEC IRG 1 developed a new theory describing how sound waves couple two level systems together. Experiments using a superconducting qubit measured the coupling of many TLS, one at a time, and showed that they are consistent with the theory. Machine learning applied to simulations identified the atomic arrangements associated with TLS and showed that as the glass grows more stable, the TLS density decreases.
Top:  A custom chamber interfacing a laser beam for selective laser melting and an IR camera. Bottom left: Thermal image of CoNi powders at a uniform temperature during temperature calibration. Bottom right: Calibrated emissivity of CoNi powders as a function of temperature.
Top: A custom chamber interfacing a laser beam for selective laser melting and an IR camera. Bottom left: Thermal image of CoNi powders at a uniform temperature during temperature calibration. Bottom right: Calibrated emissivity of CoNi powders as a function of temperature.
May 16, 2022
University of California, Santa Barbara

Understanding thermal effects on the microstructure of additive manufactured materials

Temperature has been shown to be a critical factor impacting additive manufacturing (AM). During selective laser melting (SLM), the heat transfer and fluid flow affect grain growth and the microstructure of the printed material. Previous efforts have mostly relied on tuning parameters such as laser power and scan rate, but a more detailed understanding of temperature effects in AM is still lacking. In this Seed, we will probe and understand how dynamic and localized heating and cooling affect the microstructure of additive manufactured (AM) materials by operando temperature mapping and machine learning.
Top: Examples of printed structures with complex geometries. Bottom: Internal structures before (left) and after (right) heating, showing the thermal activation of microporosity.
Top: Examples of printed structures with complex geometries. Bottom: Internal structures before (left) and after (right) heating, showing the thermal activation of microporosity.
May 16, 2022
University of California, Santa Barbara

Three-Dimensional Photochemical Printing of Thermally Activated Polymer Foams

S.E. Seo, Y. Kwon, N.D. Dolinski, C.S. Sample, J.L. Self, C.M. Bates, M.T. Valentine, C.J. Hawker (UC Santa Barbara)

This work demonstrates the facile, on-demand manufacturing of polymer foams with desirable properties such as mechanical strength, controlled porosity, and varied composition.
Left: Schematic of swell shark and egg casing. Right: Inset shows hierarchical nanostructures that deform under stress.
Left: Schematic of swell shark and egg casing. Right: Inset shows hierarchical nanostructures that deform under stress.
May 16, 2022
University of California, Santa Barbara

Nanolatticed Architecture Mitigates Damage in Shark Egg Cases

R. Goh, S.P.O. Danielsen, E. Schaible, R.M. McMeeking, J.H. Waite (UC Santa Barbara)

Structure-mechanics analysis of shark egg cases has revealed that dynamic reorganization of the nanolatticed architecture provides strength and resilience without compromising permeability.
3D-printing aligned collagen reveals that this scaffold does not direct mammary gland branching.
3D-printing aligned collagen reveals that this scaffold does not direct mammary gland branching.
These zwitterionic electrolytes promote ion transport through a pathway of vacancies. This transport mechanism enables performance that exceeds the literature (squares) when analyzed in the selectivity-conductivity design space.
These zwitterionic electrolytes promote ion transport through a pathway of vacancies. This transport mechanism enables performance that exceeds the literature (squares) when analyzed in the selectivity-conductivity design space.
May 16, 2022
University of California, Santa Barbara

Zwitterionic Electrolytes Enable Decoupling of Ionic Transport from Segmental Relaxation

Ionic transport in polymers typically undergoes a standard liquidlike transport mechanism whereby diffusion of ions is permitted only by relaxation of the local fluid elements, this mechanism results in limitations in designing conductive and cation-selective electrolytes. In this work we demonstrate that superionic transport (untethered to polymer dynamics) is possible in semicrystalline poly(zwitterionic liquids).