Physics

We have proposed methods for calculating topological numbers of two-dimensional lattice systems based on polarization and spiral boundary conditions.

A research team at Tohoku University have proposed a strategy to use spinel oxides to improve a reaction called the oxygen evolution reaction.

A sprinkling of magnetic nanoparticles is just enough to power up catalysts, so they can make hydrogen peroxide production more efficient.

Researchers from Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo have combined techniques to determine the location of hydrogen in titanium hydride nanofilms

Researchers look to deep learning techniques in order to streamline the time-consuming process of identifying 2D materials.

Researchers have developed a platinum-nickel core-shell catalyst for oxygen reduction reactions. The design improves efficiency and stability, addressing key challenges in catalyst performance, and could open the door to breakthroughs in renewable energy research.

The device could be used in classrooms as a learning tool, and may even pave the way for more cost-effective consumer product monitoring.

Polymer’s long spin relaxation time helps researchers gain spintronic insights

Researchers in Tokyo find that a 100-year-old method for redirecting water can be used to control heat dissipation in electronics

Photoswitching and thermal switching properties allow writing by irradiation or heat and erasing by visible light

Scientists visualize and control magnetic domains in quantum antiferromagnets

Unearthing new LEDs, solar cells, and photodetectors requires extensive knowledge surrounding the optical properties of materials. Calculating these takes time and resources. Yet researchers from Tohoku University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have unveiled a new AI tool that can accurately, and crucially much faster than quantum simulations, for predicting optical properties.

Researchers at Tohoku University developed a novel method using facet-selective, ultrafine cocatalysts to efficiently split water to create hydrogen – a clean source of fuel.

Mirror, mirror, in my tank, who’s the biggest fish of all? Sigma bond spotted, Balancing cell membrane, Exploring quantum squeezing and Outbreak preparedness. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice.

Tohoku University’s Dr. Le Bin Ho has explored how quantum squeezing can improve measurement precision in complex quantum systems, with potential applications in quantum sensing, imaging, and radar technologies. These findings may lead to advancements in areas like GPS accuracy and early disease detection through more sensitive biosensors.

Light-induced immunoassay coated with novel coronavirus spike proteins found highly sensitive even with weak light like a laser pointer

Altermagnetism (AM) is an emerging type of magnetism, combining advantages of both antiferromagnetism (AFM) and ferromagnetism (FM), with no net magnetization and spin-splitting Fermi surfaces. It is ideal material for spintronic applications. In our work, we studied the inverse altermagnetic spin-splitting effect (IASSE) in epitaxial RuO2 film capped by ferromagnetic insulator YIG layer. By injecting a spin current from YIG into RuO2, we observed a significant anisotropic spin to charge conversion with spin index parallel or perpendicular to the Néel vector directions, revealing the inverse altermagnetic spin-splitting effect (IASSE) in RuO2. Furthermore, we verify the ordering of the Néel vector along the [001] direction from magnetization measurements. Our study provides critical insights in the understanding of altermagnetism.

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is an electrochemical process in which water or hydroxide ions are oxidized to produce oxygen gas, playing a crucial role in water splitting and energy conversion. The OER requires efficient catalysts, and now a research group has enhanced the efficiency of traditional cobalt oxide catalysts by doping them with erbium.

As global demand for clean energy solutions grows, the development of cost-effective and efficient catalysts will be pivotal in advancing renewable energy systems. Now, a group of researchers has made significant progress in this regard by employing chromium doping on transition metal hydroxides.

How can we make certain electrochemical reactions faster and more efficient? Researchers at Tohoku University investigated the use of Co X-ides for the electrocatalytic hydrogenation of quinoline.

Seaweed helps brain health, Whales in long-distance relationships, Jumpstarting male fertility, Demystifying black hole turbulence, Shrimp to steel & Mpox Resources. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice.

A capacitor is like a highspeed battery that can quickly store and release energy. What happens when it becomes “super?” Researchers at Tohoku University have potential solutions to improve energy-efficiency.

Researchers at Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University, implement modifications to their high-speed atomic force microscopy that simultaneously improve resolution and speed, while enabling direct measurements of 3D structures to provide conclusive evidence of a contested hydration layer forming as calcite dissolves.

If we are to realize better renewable energy technologies, it is vital that scientists develop catalysts that improve the oxygen evolution reaction. A group of researchers has done just that by introducing rare-earth single atoms into manganese oxide.

Researchers at Kanazawa University report in eLife on deciphering the actin structure-dependent preferential cooperative binding of cofilin.

Ammonia is a gas that plays a crucial role in agriculture and industry and has the potential to become a zero-carbon fuel for energy conversion and storage technologies. However, the current methods of producing ammonia are highly energy-intensive, contributing to approximately 1.8% of global CO2 emissions. By focusing on spinel cobalt oxides, a research team has revealed how understanding and optimizing these catalysts could offer a solution to this challenge.

Applying chaos theory to the movement of iconic arctic whales uncovered a 24-hour diving cycle and a long-range (~100 km) synchronization.

Researchers from the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo have found that ice starts forming near the surface of water via structures similar to a rare, recently discovered type of ice, which helps us understand ice formation better

A 100-year-old physics mystery may be close to being solved as a new study reveals structural changes in titanium-48’s nucleus

Decoding dead stars’ “heartbeats”, Why do females live longer? DNA controller for molecular robots, Earliest twin quasars found. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice. Plus July's SciCom Coffee with A*STAR's Lisa Chong and get the early bird price to be in Asia Research News 2025.