Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST)’s Post

Recent research reveals that ordinary ice, when stressed through bending, stretching, or twisting, can generate electricity due to flexoelectricity. The study, led by nanophysicist Xin Wen from Institut Catala de Nanociencia i Nanotecnologia, highlights that ice's electric properties vary with temperature and could generate electricity through ferroelectricity at low temperatures. This discovery aligns with natural phenomena like thunderstorms, providing insights into ice particle interactions. Further studies are needed, but this finding could redefine ice as an active material in science and technology. #Physics #Science #Research https://lnkd.in/gHwBB3cj

Electrons that act like photons reveal a quantum secret: Quantum materials, defined by their photon-like electrons, are opening new frontiers in material science. Researchers have synthesized organic compounds that display a universal magnetic behavior tied to a distinctive feature in their band structures called linear band dispersion. This discovery not only deepens the theoretical understanding of quantum systems but also points toward revolutionary applications in next-generation information and communication technologies that conventional materials cannot achieve. #ScienceDaily #Technology

🧩🔊 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲-𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝘆𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻-𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗮𝗺𝘀: 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗮𝗺𝘀 How does the microscopic structure of foams shape the way they absorb sound? In this study, researchers reveal how the pore size polydispersity of melamine foams—open-cell materials with a 3D network of thin struts—directly influences their acoustic performance. SEM-image analysis shows that pores of distinct characteristic sizes coexist within the same structure. This means that low- and high-frequency sound waves travel differently through the material, enhancing its sound absorption capacity. A poly-sized model successfully links these microscopic differences to macroscopic properties, applied to three types of melamine foams. The work highlights the crucial role of polydispersity effects in the acoustic behavior of open-cell foams. 🔗 Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/dpeke9mm Published in #ActaAcustica by EDP Sciences #EAA #Acoustics #Materials #SoundAbsorption #Research

Thrilled to announce that our latest research has been published in Nature! As the first author, I’m excited to share a method we developed that leverages electron diffraction to determine the partial charges of all atoms within a compound in their natural environment—offering chemists a more detailed and accurate view of molecular structure and behavior. A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Tim Gruene and Christian Schröder for their invaluable guidance, and to everyone who contributed to making this work possible. Read the full study here: https://rdcu.be/eBAzD #ElectronDiffraction #chemistry University of Vienna Nature Portfolio

📚 When a Paper Becomes a Classic In research, reaching a high number of citations is a clear indicator of impact. Our 2007 paper, “Hybrid Functionals Applied to Rare-Earth Oxides: The Example of Ceria” (Phys. Rev. B 75, DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.75.045121), is currently cited 633 times in Web of Science and more than 700 times in Google Scholar. With this paper, I entered the field of cerium-based materials. In this work, we applied hybrid density functional theory (PBE0 and HSE) to cerium oxides (CeO₂ and Ce₂O₃), improving the description of structural, electronic, and magnetic properties compared to standard DFT approximations. Notably: Correctly predicted Ce₂O₃ as an insulator instead of a ferromagnetic metal. Achieved equilibrium volumes and band gaps in closer agreement with experiments. Provided benchmarks for atomization energies, heats of formation, and reduction energies. This research has helped the community better understand rare-earth oxides and advanced computational approaches in materials science. 🎯 Takeaway: High-impact work often comes from addressing fundamental challenges with innovative methods, and citations are one way the community acknowledges it. #MaterialsScience #ComputationalChemistry #Ceria #HybridFunctionals #DFT #ResearchImpact #ClassicPapers

Recently we have published a detailed research paper on classical electrodynamic telegraph equation using novel approach of electromagnetic energy-momentum relations. This is more than 30 and odd pages detailed mathematical analysis. The telegraph equation is very important in communication technology, particularly, in transmission line. It is also used in magneto-hydrodynamics (MHD), propagation of radio waves between ionosphere and earth, etc. Also, the quantum mechanical form of telegraph equation is developed. The paper is published in multidisciplinary journal Spixiana in August 2025. This is the UGC Care listed, and the Web of Science listed journal. This paper is co-authored by Chetan B Joshi as a first author. The link of paper download is as follows: https://lnkd.in/e7GhNnaP

I am happy to share that, our new paper titled "Atomistic simulation of damage in carbon–carbon composite from impact with water droplets at hypersonic velocity" has been published in 'CARBON', which is under Elesevier publication with an impact factor of 11.6. Our study focuses on two different aspects beginning with the formation of a Carbon-Carbon composite, consists of charred glassy carbon as matrix and graphene sheets as fiber, using Reactive Molecular Dynamics (RMD). And main aspect of the study aims at quantifying impact damage caused by high velocity rain droplets during hypersonic flight under extreme environmental conditions. One of the most important findings of this study is RMD's capability of capturing chemical ablation as well as mechanical damage which is not possible with other computational tools such as peridynamics or FEM as of now. I would like to thank my Ph.D. supervisor Dr. Samit Roy for his supports and providing me with his exceptional ideas to solidy the study. Also, thanks to the authors of every cited papers of this study for sharing their valuable insights. You can read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gqNw7rdv Personalized share link: https://lnkd.in/gndJjjpS #Research #Publication #MaterialsScience #ReactiveMolecularDynamics #ImpactDamage #ChemicalAblation #Hypersonic #ShockWave

Exploring the Physics and Chemistry of Rare Earths Handbook 1) Rare earth elements (REEs) are crucial for modern technology, playing a key role in devices like smartphones and wind turbines. 2) There are 17 rare earth elements, including 15 lanthanides, scandium, and yttrium, known for their unique magnetic and optical properties. 3) Yttrium, discovered in 1787, was the first rare earth element, and these elements gained practical importance in the mid-20th century. 4) Neodymium magnets, vital for electric vehicles and wind turbines, exemplify the strong magnetic properties of rare earth elements. 5) Europium and terbium's optical properties enable them to emit specific light wavelengths, crucial for LED displays and lighting. 6) Gadolinium's paramagnetic properties make it a valuable contrast agent in MRI procedures, highlighting the medical applications of REEs. 7) REEs primarily exist in a +3 oxidation state but can form other states, such as cerium, which is key in catalytic converters. 8) The separation and purification of REEs are challenging due to similar chemical properties, driving innovation in extraction methods. 9) REEs form complex compounds used in industrial processes, such as petroleum refining, underscoring their diverse applications. 10) Understanding the chemistry and physics of REEs provides a competitive advantage in the natural resources sector. https://lnkd.in/ePveAHYc

Check out our new research work in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (ACS Publications) where we highlight the importance of choosing the right host crystal and guest dopant combination to modulate not only the optical properties, but also, and more importantly, the 2D magnetism of hybrid organic-inorganic transition metal halides. By Samuele Mattioni, Yaiza Asensio García, Pavlo Solokha, Lucía Olano Vegas, Mirko Prato, Serena De Negri, Marco Gobbi, Felix Casanova, Aurelio Mateo-Alonso, Luis E. Hueso, Beatriz Martín-García from CIC nanoGUNE, Università degli Studi di Genova, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, CFM Materials Physics Center, EHU and Ikerbasque Basque Foundation for Science. https://lnkd.in/daFdhZUF #research #science #2D #materials #chemistry #physics #spectroscopy #perovskites #photoluminescence #magnetism