Materials Science

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January 21, 2021
News Feature
Squeezing a rock-star material could make it stable enough for solar cells
A promising lead halide perovskite is great at converting sunlight to electricity, but it breaks down at room temperature. Now scientists have discovered how to stabilize it with pressure from a diamond anvil cell.
Illustration of a lead halide material being squeezed in a diamond anvil cell
January 13, 2021
News Feature
Yi Cui will receive E.O. Lawrence Award
A pioneer in clean energy technology at Stanford and SLAC, he is one of eight scientists and engineers honored by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Photo of Stanford and SLAC Professor Yi Cui
January 11, 2021
News Feature
Study shows tweaking one layer of atoms on a catalyst’s surface can make it work better
The surprising results offer a way to boost the activity and stability of catalysts for making hydrogen fuel from water.
Illustration showing a book with layers of atoms on its pages
January 4, 2021
News Feature
First glimpse of polarons forming in a promising next-gen energy material
These fleeting disruptions, seen for the first time in lead hybrid perovskites, may help explain why these materials are exceptionally good at turning sunlight into electrical current in solar cells.
An illustration shows polarons as bubbles of distortion in a perovskite lattice
December 17, 2020
News Feature
Physicists solve chicken-and-egg question at the heart of photomagnetism
The results, which show that ultrafast atomic motions are the first step in forming a magnetic state, could lead to faster and more efficient data storage devices.
Charge transfer
November 25, 2020
News Feature
External
Yi Cui, Risa Wechsler named AAAS fellows
Cui was honored for his work on materials chemistry for energy and the environment, and Wechsler for scientific contributions and leadership of large programs in cosmology.
Portraits of Yi Cui and Risa Wechsler
November 24, 2020
News Feature
Researchers search uncharted waters to find a better data-storage material
Most new materials are discovered near the proverbial shore. Now, scientists deploy artificial intelligence and high-throughput experimental techniques to search previously uncharted waters to find revolutionary new materials.
A ship sails along a coastline, while a sea monster swims near an island where treasure can be found.
October 29, 2020
News Feature
Scientists launch quest to develop quantum sensors for probing quantum materials
SLAC and Stanford partner with two Illinois universities to create the Center for Quantum Sensing and Quantum Materials, which aims to unravel mysteries associated with exotic superconductors, topological insulators and strange metals.
Illustration of quantum processes
October 28, 2020
News Brief
SLAC researchers join effort to make plastic more recyclable
Scientists at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource will study plastics and biologically-motivated processes that break them down in hopes of finding more efficient ways to “upcycle” them.
Clear plastic bottles
October 15, 2020
Press Release
A new approach boosts lithium-ion battery efficiency and puts out fires, too
Adding polymers and fireproofing to a battery’s current collectors makes it lighter, safer and about 20% more efficient.
Conceptual illustration of advantages of redesigned current collector

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