Large Modulation of the Bottlebrush Diblock Copolymer Morphology and Structural Color through Solvent Selectivity

11/19/2025 | Simon Rogers, Damien Guironnet, and Ying Diao (University of Illinois)

Direct-ink-write Cross-linkable Bottlebrush Block Copolymers for on-the-fly Control of Structural Color

11/19/2025 | Simon Rogers, Charles Sing, Damien Guironnet, and Ying Diao (University of Illinois)

A Bioinspired and Degradable Riboflavin-containing Polypeptide as a Sustainable Material for Energy Storage

11/18/2025 | Jodie Lutkenhaus (Texas A&M University)

Accelerated Design of Redox-Active Polymers for Metal-Free Batteries

11/18/2025 | Daniel Tabor and Jodie Lutkenhaus (Texas A&M University)

Radiation Hardened Infrared Photodetectors

11/13/2025 | Jason D. Azoulay (Georgia Tech.); Jarrett H. Vella (AFRL)

Energy Transfer Mechanisms in Large Low-bandgap Polymers

11/13/2025 | M. Y. Sfeir and J. D. Azoulay (Georgia Tech.) B. M. Wong (U. CA – Riverside)

First Direct Measurement of a Large Exciton Binding Energy in a 2D Magnet

9/25/2025 | Bing Lv (University of Texas - Dallas)

In this paper, researchers report the first direct measurement of a large exciton binding energy in a 2D magnet, CrSBr. Using high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and self-consistent GW calculations, they show electronic localization and weak dielectric screening boost exciton binding energy in this bulk van der Waals antiferromagnet. They also find surface doping can tune the band gap, suggesting ways to engineer exciton-based optoelectronics and study how anisotropy affects strongly interacting bulk systems.

A Quantum Superhighway for Electrons

9/25/2025 | Fan Zhang (University of Texas - Dallas)

In a paper, researchers report the quantum anomalous Hall effect in a rhombohedral pentalayer graphene–monolayer WS2 heterostructure. Unlike previous QAHE systems, this one needs no magnetic elements or moiré patterns. At charge neutrality, QAHE with C = ±5 appears up to about 1.5 K. The effect stems from strong electron correlations in flat bands, gate tuning, and proximity-induced Ising spin-orbit coupling. This points to new possibilities for 2D materials and chiral Majorana edge states.

Controlling the Order–Disorder Transition Temperature through Anion Substitution in CuCrX2 (X= S, Se, Te)

9/23/2025 | Alexandra Zevalkink (Michigan State University)

Paper: Controlling the Order–Disorder Transition Temperature through Anion Substitution in CuCrX2 (X= S, Se, Te). In CuCrSe2, substituting S or Te on the anion site shifts order–disorder transition, with Te reaching 282 K—the lowest for this structure. Structural and elastic data tie the trend to bond-length and lattice stiffness: larger anions expand distances and soften bonds, promoting cation disorder. This shows bonding-stiffness tuning by anion alloying can steer thermodynamics of order–disorder transitions in ionic conductors.

Liquid-like Dynamics in a Solid-state Lithium Electrolyte

9/23/2025 | Olivier Delaire (Duke University)

In a paper, researchers reveal liquid-like dynamics in a solid lithium electrolyte, Li6PS5Cl. They show a crossover from crystal vibrations to relaxed, liquid-like ionic motion. Using inelastic and quasi-elastic neutron scattering plus machine-learned, first-principles simulations, they find the way vibration levels are spread departs from the Debye model. The diffusion appears as overdamped phonon modes with a distribution, and coupling between lattice phonons and Li bottleneck breathing boosts diffusivity tenfold. This helps guide energy storage.