Helium ions create and heal radiation damage

11-Sep-2020

Several minerals suffer radioactive self-irradiation and hence experience long-term changes of their properties. The mineral monazite virtually behaves "just alike Camembert cheese in which holes are drilled": Existing radiation damage heals itself. An international research team led by Lutz ...

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Why do different measurements of material properties sometimes give different results?

02-Sep-2020

It is very hard to take a photo of a hummingbird flapping its wings 50 times per second. The exposure time has to be much shorter than the characteristic time scale of the wing beat, otherwise you will only see a colorful blur. A very similar problem is encountered in solid-state physics, where ...

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Simulations refute earlier theories on long-range charge transfer between organic and inorganic materials

05-Aug-2020

Oliver Hofmann and his research group at the Institute of Solid State Physics at TU Graz are working on the optimization of modern electronics. A key role in their research is played by interface properties of hybrid materials consisting of organic and inorganic components, which are used, for ...

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The Art of Making Tiny Holes: Scientists developed a technique for processing surfaces on an atomic scale

04-Aug-2020

Nobody can shoot a pistol bullet through a banana in such a way that the skin is perforated but the banana remains intact. However, on the level of individual atomic layers, such a feat has now been achieved - a nano-structuring method has been developed at TU Wien (Vienna), with which certain ...

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New method for assembling nanomaterials as desired

31-Jul-2020

“Core-shell” clusters pave the way for new efficient nanomaterials that make catalysts, magnetic and laser sensors or measuring devices for detecting electromagnetic radiation more efficient. Whether in innovative high-tech materials, more powerful computer chips, pharmaceuticals or in the field ...

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Chemist from the TU Wien was awarded an Elise-Richter scholarship: She is conducting research in catalysis with ultra-small gold clusters

17-Jul-2020

Nanometer-sized gold particles consisting of only a few atoms can be used as catalysts for important chemical reactions. Noelia Barrabés from the Institute of Materials Chemistry at TU Wien has been researching new methods of adapting and precisely controlling such tiny gold clusters for years. ...

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How can surfaces be studied as gently as possible on an atomic scale?

10-Jun-2020

Oxygen is highly reactive. It accumulates on many surfaces and determines their chemical behavior. At the Vienna University of Technology, scientists study the interaction between oxygen and metal oxide surfaces, which play an important role in many technical applications - from chemical sensors ...

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Hydrogen researchers and Graz-based start-up developed a cost-effective process for the decentralised production of high-purity hydrogen

27-May-2020

As an alternative propulsion technology in the transport sector, hydrogen is playing an important role in the energy transition. However, it is not yet suitable for mass production. Hydrogen is mainly produced centrally from fossil resources and compressed or liquefied in an expensive and ...

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Cutting-edge technology allows for real-time monitoring of biomineralisation

22-May-2020

21st century societal challenges such as demographic developments and an ageing population demand for new functional materials, such as for bone prostheses. Nature often serves as inspiration when designing these materials. In a recent study published in Analytical Chemistry, a team led by ERC ...

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With new nickelates and the predictive power of supercomputers to the superconductor without any cooling

29-Apr-2020

Nickel is supposed to herald a new age of superconductivity – but this is proving more difficult than expected. Scientists at TU Wien (Vienna) can now explain why. Last summer, a new age for high-temperature superconductivity was proclaimed - the nickel age. It was discovered that there are ...

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