Degraded Bismuth Vanadate (IMAGE) DOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Caption Shown is a cross-section of pristine (left) and damaged bismuth vanadate, a thin-film semiconductor, taken by a transmission electron microscope. The bismuth vanadate is colored yellow to highlight the contrast with the layer below. The yellow layer is intact on the left, but fragmented on the right after exposure to an alkaline bath. Credit Matthew McDowell/Caltech Usage Restrictions All rights reserved. Editorial use only. License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.