In biology, defects are generally bad. But in materials science, defects can be intentionally tuned to give materials useful new properties. Today, atomic-scale defects are carefully introduced during ...

A new model measures defects that can be leveraged to improve materials' mechanical strength, heat transfer, and ...

In materials science, defects are usually seen as problems, unwanted microscopic features that degrade performance, reduce efficiency or shorten the lifespan of devices. But a recent breakthrough ...

An electron microscopy image can capture atoms arranged in a crystal lattice or defects threading through a semiconductor ...

Sometimes, in creating an alloy out of multiple metals, defects and structural instability can occur in the material. Now, researchers are harnessing those imperfections to make the material stronger ...

The rapid advancement of 2D materials (2DMs), such as graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), has revolutionized the field of nanotechnology and ...

Advancements in nanotechnology fabrication and characterization tools have facilitated a number of developments in the creation of new two-dimensional (2D) materials and gaining and understanding of ...

Cadmium selenide nanoplatelets provide a promising foundation for the development of innovative electronic materials. Since the turn of the millennium, researchers around the world have taken a ...

Arka Chatterjee, a postdoctoral researcher in the lab of Rice electrical engineer Shengxi Huang and a first author on the study. HOUSTON – (June 23, 2025) – Scientists across the world are working to ...

Much of modern electronic and computing technology is based on one idea: add chemical impurities, or defects, to semiconductors to change their ability to conduct electricity. These altered materials ...

Semiconductors may be small, but the impacts they have are significant. Semiconductors used in life-dependent applications, such as pacemakers, defibrillators, life support systems, automotive safety ...