International team of researchers investigates optical band gap of carbon compound

13-Nov-2020

Which photophysical properties does carbyne have? This was the subject of research carried out by scientists at FAU, the University of Alberta, Canada, and the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in Switzerland, which has led to a greater understanding of the properties of this unusual form ...

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World’s smallest broom

09-Apr-2020

A team of scientists at Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) has developed a novel mechanical cleaning method for surfaces on the nanoscale. The technique successfully removes even the tiniest contaminants down to the atomic scale, achieving an unprecedented level of ...

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The power of attraction

19-Dec-2019

Glyphosate is not only one of the most widely-used herbicides in the world, but also one of the most controversial chemical compounds, as it is suspected of being carcinogenic. In a study published in the journal Nature Sustainability, a team of researchers from FAU have demonstrated how ...

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Simple synthesis of seeds for standardised carbon nanotubes

02-Sep-2019

Synthesising single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is one of the greatest challenges faced by materials science. They can be synthesised using precursor molecules, so-called seeds, which determine growth. However, this synthesis has not been well researched up to now. Researchers at FAU have now ...

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New method of synthesising nanographene on metal oxide surfaces

04-Mar-2019

Nanostructures based on carbon are promising materials for nanoelectronics. However, to be suitable, they would often need to be formed on non-metallic surfaces, which has been a challenge – up to now. Researchers at FAU have found a method of forming nanographenes on metal oxide surfaces. Their ...

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Large, stable pieces of graphene produced with unique edge pattern

30-Jan-2019

Graphene is a promising material for use in nanoelectronics. Its electronic properties depend greatly, however, on how the edges of the carbon layer are formed. Zigzag patterns are particularly interesting in this respect, but until now it has been virtually impossible to create edges with a ...

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Chemistry in clouds

10-Dec-2018

Certain molecules with fluorine, chlorine or bromine, together with water, can release harmful substances into the atmosphere. The production of chlorofluorocarbons, which damage the ozone layer, has been banned as far as possible. However, other substances can also tear holes in the ozone layer ...

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Different temperature and proton dosages for the generation of defects

05-Oct-2018

Silicon carbide (SiC), a material known for its toughness with applications from abrasives to car brakes, to high-temperature power electronics, has enjoyed renewed interest for its potential in quantum technology. Its ability to house optically excitable defects, called color centers, has made ...

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FAU is coordinating a project for using carbon dioxide efficiently and internally in steelworks

21-Sep-2018

Six percent of the world's CO2 emissions are generated by steel production. The use of renewable energy sources in the steel industry is thus very important for responding to climate change. For this reason, researchers at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) have now initiated ...

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Electrons surfing on a laser beam

11-Oct-2017

The largest particle accelerator in the world – the Large Hadron Collider at CERN in Switzerland – has a circumference of around 26 kilometres. Researchers at Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany, are attempting to go to the other extreme by building the world's ...

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