In-depth articles written by our editorial team focusing on the latest developments in materials science and technology
A special diagnostic tool for determining the physical conditions in the interstellar medium of galaxies is provided by mid-infrared spectra.
By Ilamaran Sivarajah
12 Dec 2022
A new fabrication method for quantum dots could lead to more effective and efficient quantum dot displays, especially due to improvements in the generation of blue-colored quantum dots. The process has been called a “bottom-up, self-organizing chemistry” by its designer, Dr. Eiichi Nakamura of Tokyo University.
By Ben Pilkington
5 Dec 2022
One of the most challenging aspects of developing self-driving cars, particularly for vehicles that will be used in environments with mixed autonomous and manually operated vehicles, is developing sensor systems that can deal with the range of distances, weather, and light conditions that the vehicle will be exposed to.
By Rebecca Ingle, Ph.D
29 Nov 2022
In order to explain the electrodynamic dispersion of the photon field, a team led by Prof. Zubin Jacob at Purdue University developed a Maxwell Hamiltonian theory of matter along with the quantum theory of atomistic polarization.
By Ilamaran Sivarajah
28 Nov 2022
Photoelectron spectroscopy involves the detection of the kinetic energies of photoelectrons emitted following an ionization event. If it is assumed that the emitted photoelectrons do not undergo any collisional event post-ionization, the kinetic energy of the detected electron should be equal to the binding energy of the orbital it was ejected from.
By Rebecca Ingle, Ph.D
31 Oct 2022
Mass spectrometry is an analytical technique used for chemical identification. By ionizing and fragmenting the sample of interest and measuring the mass-to-charge ratios of the products formed, it is possible to see a ‘chemical fingerprint’ that can help work out a chemical structure. Mass spectrometry can also be used to identify unknown compounds.
By Rebecca Ingle, Ph.D
28 Oct 2022
Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy is a type of absorption spectroscopy where, rather than measuring the transmitted beam through the sample, the light reflected from the sample is measured instead. It is a common method for measuring opaque samples that absorb too strongly to be measured in transmission.
By Rebecca Ingle, Ph.D
27 Oct 2022
Bright-field microscopy uses light to produce a dark image against a bright background. Often considered one of the simplest types of microscopy, a bright-field microscope uses an objective, condenser and eyepiece to magnify the image of a sample so the eye can see more minor features.
By Rebecca Ingle, Ph.D
26 Oct 2022
Phase contrast microscopy manipulates phase shifts in light as it passes through transparent specimens. By converting phase shifts to changes in amplitude (brightness), the method enables scientists to view organic and biological samples with high levels of detail without needing sample preparation, staining, or labeling.
By Ben Pilkington
26 Oct 2022
Confocal microscopy is an optical imaging technique that relies on spatial filtering methods to remove contributions to the image from regions of the sample that are not immediately in focus.
By Rebecca Ingle, Ph.D
25 Oct 2022