Through a recently developed experimental platform, topological matter can be realized in a fast, cost efficient, and versatile way. It was only about two years ago that researchers of the Cluster of Excellence ct.qmat–Complexity and Topology in Quantum Matter realized "Topolectric Circuits" and did important pioneering work on their conceptualization for synthetic topological matter. Another breakthrough has now been achieved by the team led by Würzburg physicist Prof. Dr. Ronny Thomale as they have observed topological phenomena in a circuit system with gain and loss. The theoretical foundation for non-Hermitian topology might enable optronic technologies in the long run.
An enzyme could make a dream come true for the energy industry: It can efficiently produce hydrogen using electricity and can also generate electricity from hydrogen. The enzyme is protected by embedding it in a polymer. An international research team with significant participation of scientists from Technical University of Munich (TUM) has presented the system in the renowned science journal Nature Catalysis.
Prof. Dr. Carolin Körner, Chair of Materials Science and Engineering for Metals at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) has been awarded an ERC Advanced Grant, which is not only extraordinary funding, but also recognition of Erlangen and Nuremberg as an exceptional location for science and research. The EU has granted 3 million euros in funding to support research in additive manufacturing of high-performance components using high-energy electron beams.
An international team with researchers from the University of Bayreuth has succeeded for the first time in discovering a previously unknown two-dimensional material by using modern high-pressure technology. The new material, beryllonitrene, consists of regularly arranged nitrogen and beryllium atoms. It has an unusual electronic lattice structure that shows great potential for applications in quantum technology. Its synthesis required a compression pressure that is about one million times higher than the pressure of the Earth's atmosphere. The scientists have presented their discovery in the journal "Physical Review Letters".
3D printing has opened up a completely new range of possibilities. One example is the production of novel turbine buckets. However, the 3D printing process often induces internal stress in the components which can in the worst case lead to cracks. Now a research team has succeeded in using neutrons from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) research neutron source reactor for non-destructive detection of this internal stress – a key achievement for the improvement of the production processes.
Carbon fibre is an indispensable component of high-tech materials in many industries. Scientists at the University of Bayreuth are now seeking to research and develop a new generation of carbon fibre. The material is to be characterised by increased strength, remain stable even at temperatures of more than 400 degrees Celsius, and thus enable an even broader range of technological application. The German Research Foundation (DFG) will fund the project from May 2021 for the next three years to the tune of more than € 600,000.
Cooling is a long-standing technological challenge. Standard cooling cycle based on vapor compression exploits expensive helium gas to reach temperatures near absolute zero. Adiabatic demagnetization known since nearly a century could be a viable alternative if compact and durable paramagnetic materials were available. A team of researchers from the University of Augsburg used their recent experience in creating quantum-disordered magnetic states to design a promising new material for adiabatic demagnetization cooling.
The plasticisers contained in many everyday objects can impair important brain functions in humans. Biologists from the University of Bayreuth warn of this danger in an article in "Communications Biology". Their study shows that even small amounts of the plasticisers bisphenol A and bisphenol S disrupt the transmission of signals between nerve cells in the brains of fish. The researchers consider it very likely that similar interference can also occur in the brains of adult humans. They therefore call for the rapid development of alternative plasticisers that do not pose a risk to the central nervous system.
The long-term storage of energy generated from the sun and wind power is of central importance for the transition to green energy. Flow batteries (redox flow batteries) have already proven to be a form of energy storage with great economic and ecological potential. A new research project by Prof. Dr. Birgit Weber at the University of Bayreuth will now work towards optimising this type of battery. The goal is to significantly increase the efficiency and storage capacity of environmentally-friendly, iron-based flow batteries. The project is being supported for one and a half years with funds from the Volkswagen Foundation’s "Experiment!" programme amounting to approximately € 120,000.
An international research team has made progress towards improved materials for quantum sensor technology. Medicine, navigation and IT could benefit from this in the future.
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