Hafnia-based ferroelectric memories are emerging as promising candidates for next-generation nonvolatile memory because they combine excellent scalability with compatibility with CMOS technology. Further reducing the thickness of ferroelectric films can lower operating voltage and increase storage density, but maintaining reliability at high temperatures becomes increasingly challenging. Researchers at Fudan University have now shown that tailoring the size and orientation of ferroelectric grains can help address this challenge. Their ultrathin devices remain highly stable at 225 °C, pointing to a route toward dense and reliable ferroelectric memories for harsh thermal environments. The study was published in Science Bulletin.

New study shows that catastrophic fractures begin not with an explosive crack, but with tiny two-dimensional patches that creep almost imperceptibly before suddenly racing through a material. The findings offer a new picture of material failure, with implications ranging from detecting fractures to understanding how earthquakes begin.

Soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) was adopted to measure organic molecules that contain sp²-hybridized carbons in organic solvents (Soft-XAS-OS) for applying the Hiyama cross-coupling reaction, a carbon-carbon bond-forming reaction. The C=C π* peaks of phenyl groups of an arylsilane and silicates in organic solvents were observed using the C K-edge XAS. Combining the XAS spectra with the inner-shell quantum chemical calculations, the energy shifts of the C=C π* peaks were related to the C‒Si bond lengths of an arylsilane and silicates, which are key factors for the reactivities in the Hiyama cross-coupling reaction.

A newly developed electrolyte additive could help lithium-ion batteries keep graphite anodes stable over prolonged cycling. Researchers synthesized pentafluorophenyl thiophene imine (FPTI), which forms a protective, LiF-rich solid electrolyte interphase on graphite. At 4 mg/mL, FPTI enabled 95.6% capacity retention after 1,000 cycles in graphite/Li half-cells and improved lithium-ion transport. NMC811/graphite full cells using FPTI-conditioned anodes reached an energy density of approximately 233 Wh/kg, highlighting its potential for longer-lasting battery systems. 

Spin states of myoglobin, which is one of hemoproteins, in aqueous solutions at room temperature were probed from the porphyrin C=N π* peaks of heme using nitrogen K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy combined with inner-shell quantum chemical calculations. Although the protein polypeptide chains include numerous nitrogen atoms, the porphyrin C=N π* peaks were analyzed to distinguish them from the protein polypeptide peaks. Oxymyoglobin with an Fe²⁺ ion connected to an oxygen molecule is in the S = 0 state. Deoxymyoglobin with an Fe²⁺ ion shows a spin equilibrium between the S = 2 and 1 states. Metmyoglobin with an Fe³⁺ ion connected to a water molecule also shows a spin equilibrium between the S = 5/2 and 3/2 states. These results clearly propose that the spin states of hemoproteins should be investigated in physiological conditions because these are influenced by factors such as liquid temperature, solvent, gas adsorption, and protein structure.

Researchers at the University of Osaka discovered a simple, rigid aromatic hydrocarbon that breaks the usual rule. Under pressure, its crystals grow 1.7 times brighter and shift color from light blue to yellow, with a record-high sensitivity of 37.4 nm/GPa, nearly double the previous best. An elongated, uniformly slender molecular shape was the key, offering a new design principle for pressure-responsive materials without complex flexible frameworks.

Tokyo, Japan – Scientists from Tokyo Metropolitan University have found a way to make plasma more effective for its wide-ranging uses, from anti-microbial applications to surface conditioning in the semiconductor industry. They mapped the production of atomic oxygen, a key ingredient of oxygen plasma, while a high voltage was put across oxygen gas. They discovered that the amount of atomic oxygen available for reactions was boosted at pressures moderately lower than atmospheric conditions. Their findings promise more energy-efficient, higher performance plasma technologies.

Photocatalytic reactions can be driven by both photochemical and photothermal processes. However, their individual contributions and synergistic effect remain to be clarified. Herein, we investigated the respective roles of these effects using a Cu–TiO₂/Ti model catalyst that integrated photochemical and photothermal functionalities within a single photocatalytic system. Employing photocatalytic methanol decomposition as a model reaction, the Cu–TiO₂/Ti catalyst achieved a high H₂ yield rate of 0.511 mmol h⁻¹ with selectivity of 96.6% toward HCHO among oxidation products, attributed to the cooperative action of photochemical and photothermal processes. In situ resonant Auger electron spectroscopy (RAS), together with in situ Cu K-edge X-ray absorption fine structure and excited-state density functional theory calculations, revealed the accumulation of photogenerated electrons at Cu sites from TiO₂, suggests the possible formation of an electron transfer pathway from TiO₂ to Cu, which promotes stepwise methanol dehydrogenation to HCHO and H₂. Simultaneously, the photothermal contribution from Ti enhanced catalytic activity by accelerating reaction kinetics and promoting the desorption of HCHO, thereby suppressing its overoxidation to CO.