In this issue:



ULVAC Technologies Inc.
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SPI Supplies
Sample Preparation Equipment and Consumables



Ted Pella, Inc.
Microscopy Supplies and
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MaterialsViews
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Ion Beams, RBS, PIXE,
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JEOL USA, Inc.
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CRAIC Technologies
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FEI Company
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International Business Technologies
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Angstrom Engineering
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Pfeiffer Vacuum
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REFFIT
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Bruker
Tribology, Optical Microscopy & AFM




IN FOCUS

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Call for Papers—2015 MRS Fall Meeting

The abstract submission period for the 2015 MRS Fall Meeting ends this Thursday! Don't delay; visit www.mrs.org/fall-2015-technical-sessions today for details.

Abstract Deadline: June 18, 2015


FREE Webinar: Biomineralization
Wednesday, June 24 | 12:00 - 1:30 pm (ET)

The presentations in this Webinar will cover some of the challenges in characterizing and replicating the biomineralization processes and the role of non-collagenous proteins in the biomineralization process, complementing the articles in the June 2015 issue of MRS Bulletin on this topic.

Attendance for this and all MRS OnDemand Webinars is FREE, but advance registration is required.

NEW MRS Member Benefit!

Effective July 1, 2015, MRS members will receive a FREE electronic subscription to Journal of Materials Research (JMR)—access to full-text articles from the Journal’s inception in January 1986 to the current issue. For a complete list of MRS Member benefits, visit www.mrs.org/member-benefits.

Join or renew your membership in MRS today and enjoy these valuable benefits.

MATERIALS NEWS

Keep up with materials research news through MRS!
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Materials in Focus


Removing substrate effects from nanoindentation measurements
In soft materials such as polymers, a hard substrate can influence nanoindentation measurements, leading to an overestimation of the material’s modulus. This substrate effect can be removed by using alternative methods to model the data. Researchers at Northwestern University have compared several such models in a new report published online in the Journal of Materials Research to determine which model is most accurate for soft materials.

Clear, anti-smudge coatings could keep electronics, buildings, and windows clean
A duo of chemists has come up with a simple technique to make invisible coatings that repel water, greasy organic liquids, inks, and fingerprints. The coatings can be sprayed or painted onto different surfaces. Such oil- and water-repelling coatings could be painted on buildings as an anti-graffiti measure. They could be applied to electronic gadgets and displays to keep them free of fingerprints, and could be used as protective stain-repelling layers on windows and windshields.

Design of imperceptible plastic electronics make flexible electronic devices promising
The inside of a computer or a mobile phone contains a stiff circuit board; is green in color; is crammed with chips, resistors, capacitors, and sockets; and interconnected by a suburban sprawl of printed wiring. What if the circuit board was not still, but flexible enough to fold? Now an international research team has designed a highly reliable, flexible, and stretchable sub-2-μm sensor using organic conductors with similar electrical resistance as metals.

Leak-sealing method plugs defects in single-layer, nanoporous graphene membrane
In the future, graphene could provide some relief for an increasingly water-starved world. In 2011, researchers proposed using single-layer, atom-thick sheets of graphene as desalination membranes; however, attempts to make these membranes have been stymied by defects that consistently spring up during manufacturing processes causing leaks. Now a leak-sealing method developed by an international research team might offer a solution to this problem.

Micromotors power hydrogen-gas production for portable energy
Hydrogen-powered energy sources hold great potential, especially in the realm of portable energy generation. However, creating portable fuel cells that use hydrogen has been challenging; to date, the techniques used to create hydrogen gas suffer from destabilization and long-term inefficiency. In order to make hydrogen fuel viable, a new approach that could generate hydrogen gas consistently is needed. In a recent study researchers designed small microscale motors that stir their way through the liquid-phase hydrogen storage medium while creating consistent energy on the go.

Glasswing butterfly wings inspire omnidirectional anti-reflective coatings
At first glimpse, you might miss the glasswing butterfly. Its transparent wings help it hide from predators—and inquisitive human observers. Researchers from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany have discovered that the butterfly’s unusual transparency is due to randomly arranged nanopillars on its wings that minimize the amount of light reflected from their surface.

Large grain size may improve efficiency of perovskite solar cells
A research team from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) has created large grain perovskite photovoltaics that have power-conversion efficiencies of up to 18%. The films are defect-free, have high crystallinity and, significantly, show hysteresis-free device operation.

High-speed x-ray tomography tracks heat failure in lithium ion batteries
Even rotating under a heat gun like a hot dog over a campfire, the lithium ion battery seems fine—at first. It’s gradually getting hotter inside, but that’s to be expected. Then suddenly, in a burst of light, the cell dramatically explodes. Now, a team of scientists has used high-resolution imaging technology to monitor what happens inside of a battery at its moment of thermal failure

Materials fingerprints identified for informatics
Despite the vast amounts of data piling up in established materials databases, there has not been much success in forming quantitative relations between the properties and the overall function of a material. The ability to predict future materials and their properties from the information contained in these repositories is a much sought after goal in materials research. A team of researchers has now employed a set of novel materials fingerprints to quantify a material’s physical, electronic, and geometrical properties and to visually map the underlying similarities in the form of a materials cartogram.

Industry Focus

Charge of the lithium brigade

The lithium-ion battery is steadily improving, but new research aims to turbocharge the technology.

Twists And Shouts: A Nanotube Story

Nanotechnology’s chiral superstars were overshadowed by hype, but researchers believe they still have potential.

Renewable Minigrids Should Be the End Goal for Rural Poor

Distributed energy solutions, such as rooftop solar, should be the electrification solution for the 1.1 billion people who are not plugged into a national power grid, not just a stopgap measure. That is the message from a new global industry group, Power for All, launched in New York City amidst the latest gathering of the United Nations’ universal energy access program.

CORPORATE PARTNER—News

METTLER TOLEDO: Webinar on Thermal Analysis of Nanomaterials

Nanomaterials are being used more and more frequently to obtain materials with special bulk properties. These new materials are employed in many different application fields. The four main techniques of thermal analysis, DSC, TGA, TMA, and DMA, can be used to measure the properties of the original nanomaterial or the modified bulk material as function of temperature or time over a wide temperature range, from –150 to 1600 °C.

In this Webinar, METTLER TOLEDO will show how thermal analysis is used to investigate nanomaterials and present some typical examples measured by DSC, Flash DSC, TGA, TMA or DMA. Register for the Nanomaterials Webinar here.

CAMECA SIMS: the reference for light elements analysis in semiconductors and metals

While common microanalytical and mass spectrometry techniques fail to accurately measure atmospheric species, the CAMECA IMS 7f-Auto Dynamic SIMS tool achieves ppm level detection limits and excellent reproducibility at high throughput on H, C, N and O light elements - making it the best tool for characterizing novel microelectronics materials and devices, as well as for studying diffusion and segregation in metals, alloys and nuclear materials.

Download our Light Elements application note and learn more on Dynamic SIMS applications in semiconductor, PV, LED, display, metallurgy and nuclear science.

A portion of the funds from the Corporate Partner Program supports the Materials Research Society Foundation®.

 

Policy Focus

Advanced manufacturing emphasized in US FY2016 budget request

According to the White House, the 2016 budget proposal calls for a total of $2.4 billion “for Federal R&D directly supporting advanced manufacturing at [the National Science Foundation, the Department of Defense, the Department of Commerce], and other agencies, consistent with the goals and recommendations of the National Strategic Plan for Advanced Manufacturing.” Among the institutes already in the network are the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (Department of Energy), Lightweight Innovations for Tomorrow (DOD), Power America (with a focus on wide-bandgap semiconductors, DOE), and America Makes (with a focus on additive manufacturing, DOD).

Global research chiefs seek ways to foster serendipity

How can research funding agencies foster scientific breakthroughs? Funding agency heads conclude: Researchers need freedom and the flexibility that leads to serendipity, and they should be encouraged to take risks even if it leads to failure.

Plutonium studies begin at National Ignition Facility

When the U.S. Department of Energy built the $3.5 billion National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), its major selling point to the public was to explore nuclear fusion reactions as a possible new energy source. The less-heralded reason was to perform experiments to inform another area: nuclear weapons research.

For more science policy news, follow @MaterialsSciPol


OF INTEREST TO THE MATERIALS COMMUNITY

Caressing the future at a “petting zoo for materials”

On the 17th floor of an office building near Rockefeller Center in New York City, Material Connexion has around 2,500 materials on display for clients to poke, prod, and bend. The library’s original creator called it a petting zoo for new materials. More.

Jeanologia launches laser technology competition in Spain to celebrate IYL 2015

Laser manufacturer Jeanologia (Valencia, Spain) has launched a laser design competition throughout Spain to celebrate the 2015 International Year of Light declared by the United Nations. With an award of 6000 Euros (nearly $6600), Jeanologia will lead the Project until the start-up of the company. The initiative aims to attract talent to optics and photonics. The registration period ends on June 30, 2015. More.

 

MEETINGS UPDATE

Critical Meeting Deadlines

73rd Device Research Conference
(DRC 2015)

June 21-24, 2015 | Columbus, Ohio


ON-SITE REGISTRATION
Opens at The Ohio State University’s Ohio Union on June 21.

57th Electronic Materials Conference
(EMC 2015)
June 24-26, 2015  |  Columbus, Ohio


ON-SITE REGISTRATION
Opens at The Ohio State University’s Ohio Union on June 23.

XXIV International Materials Research Congress (IMRC 2015)
August 16-20, 2015  |  Cancun, Mexico


PREREGISTRATION OPEN!
Register by July 12 and SAVE!
2015 MRS Fall Meeting & Exhibit
November 29 - December 4, 2015
Boston, Massachusetts

exhibit opportunities available
CALL FOR PAPERS
Abstract submission Deadline—June 18

 

PUBLICATIONS UPDATE

Critical Publications Deadlines

January 2016 - Journal of Materials Research 31(1)
Early Career Scholars in Materials Science

Submission deadline:
7/1/2015

February 2016 - Journal of Materials Research 31(3)
Biomineralization & Biomimetics


Submission deadline:

7/1/2015

April 2016 - Journal of Materials Research 31(7)
Two-Dimensional Heterostructure Materials


Submission deadline:
9/1/2015

June 2016 - Journal of Materials Research 31(11)
Advanced Materials and Structures for Solar Fuels


Submission deadline:
11/1/2015

July 2016 - Journal of Materials Research 31(13)
Advances and Challenges in Carbon-based Tribomaterials


Submission deadline:
12/1/2015

October 2016 - Journal of Materials Research 31(19)
Reinventing Boron Chemistry for the 21st Century


Submission deadline:
3/1/2016

Advertise in JMR.


JUST PUBLISHED

MRS Communications

Google PlayiTunes

Research Letter
Electrostatic gating of hybrid halide perovskite field-effect transistors: balanced ambipolar transport at room-temperature
Y. Mei, C. Zhang, Z.V. Vardeny and O.D. Jurchescu

Get your free Android App or iOS App for MRS Communications for full mobile access to this journal.

     

MRS Bulletin
Follow @MRSBulletin

Biomineralization
June 2015

Google PlayiTunes

This issue of MRS Bulletin highlights some of the challenges in characterizing and replicating biomineralization processes observed in nature, and the role of non-collagenous proteins in the biomineralization process. The seashells on the cover are representations of calcium carbonate that serves as the primary constituent of the protective armor that encases the soft bodies of mollusks and some bivalves. Biogenic calcite along with amorphous silica represent the two most common biominerals. The assembly of mineral phases achieved by living organisms is yet to be rivaled by any synthetic effort to date.

Selected Theme Articles
Biomineralization: A confluence of materials science, biophysics, proteomics, and evolutionary biology
V. Prasad Shastri, Guest Editor


Microscopy techniques for investigating the control of organic constituents on biomineralization
Coit T. Hendley, IV, Jinhui Tao, Jennie A.M.R. Kunitake, James J. De Yoreo, and Lara A. Estroff


Circular dichroism: A powerful tool for studying biomineralization promoter proteins
Melika Sarem and Steffen Lüdeke


Technical Feature
Explaining and predicting the properties of materials using quantum theory
Marvin L. Cohen
2014 Von Hippel Award presentation


MRS Bulletin will present a free webinar on Biomineralization on Wednesday, June 24.

Advertise in MRS Bulletin.

Journal of Materials Research

June 2015, Volume 30, Issue 11

A selection of papers:

Models for nanoindentation of compliant films on stiff substrates
Yang Li, Pavan Valavala, Supinda Watcharotone and L. Catherine Brinson

Effect of catalyst concentration and high-temperature activation on the CO2 adsorption of carbon nanospheres prepared by solvothermal carbonization of β-cyclodextrin
Deepthi L. Sivadas, Rajaram Narasimman, Raghavan Rajeev, Kuttan Prabhakaran and Kovoor Ninan Ninan

Hardening and crystallization in monatomic metallic glass during elastic cycling
Ronggen Cao, Yun Deng and Chuang Deng

Advertise in JMR.  
   

MRS Online Proceedings Library

Visit the MRS Online Proceedings Library and read about the latest research presented at MRS Meetings. Access is free to MRS members.

 

From Volume 1670, 2014 MRS Spring Meeting, Symposium E/H – Advances in the Characterization, Performance and Defect Engineering of Earth Abundant and Thin-Film Materials for Solar Energy Conversion:

Development of Earth-abundant CZTS Thin Film Solar Cells with Sulfurization Technique
Hironori Katagiri, Kazuo Jimbo and Tsukasa Washio

From Volume 1672, 2014 MRS Spring Meeting, Symposium G – Photoactivated Chemical and Biochemical Processes on Semiconductor Surfaces:

Deep Surface Trap States at ZnO Nanorods Arrays
Christa Bünzli, David Parker, Kieren Bradley and David J. Fermín

From Volume 1674, 2014 MRS Spring Meeting, Symposium J – Physics of Oxide Thin Films and Heterostructures:

Novel Electrical Conduction of Insulators under Examination of Defects and Injection and Relationship to Theories of Ferroelectric Domains
Y. Watanabe, Y. Urakami, D. Matsumoto, S. Kaku, S.-W. Cheong, G. A. Thomas and S. Miyauchi

IN PRINT — MRS Symposium Proceedings Series
From the 2014 MRS Spring Meeting, San Francisco, CA

Synthesis, Characterization and Applications of Functional Materials—Thin Films and Nanostructures
Editors: V. Craciun, M. Guilloux-Viry, M. Jain, Q. Jia, H. Kozuka, D. Kumar, S. Mathur, X. Obradors, K.K. Singh
Volume 1675
ISBN 9781605116525

For a complete list of volumes in the MRS Symposium Proceedings Series visit  www.cambridge.org/us/mrsproceedings

 

SCIENCE AS ART

Sunflower
by Son Tung Ha
, Nanyang Technological University

The "flower" is CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite crystal grown on muscovite mica substrate.

A second-place winner in the Science as Art competition at the 2015 MRS Spring Meeting

Copyright for all Science as Art images belongs to the Materials Research Society. To request permission to re-use the images, please contact Anita Miller.

 

EDITOR'S CHOICE VIDEO

Google ATAP

Welcome to Project Jacquard

Project Jacquard is a new system for weaving technology into fabric, transforming everyday objects, like clothes, into interactive surfaces. It will allow designers and developers to build connected, touch-sensitive textiles into their own products.


NEW PRODUCTS FOCUS

Intelligent Mass Flow Meters


Aalborg® Instruments’ recently introduced its new ZFM Mass Flow Meters which combine meter intelligence, user convenience, and outstanding flow performance. They are designed for multi-gas/multi-range functionality up to 8 bar (currently 6 gases) and standard accuracy of ± (0.5% RD + 0.2% FS) based on actual calibration. By connecting the instrument to the RS232/RS485 port of a PC or lap-top and running free “ZFM Configuration Utility” software, the user can select different gas types and flow ranges within a few minutes without removing the instrument from the installation.

[Contact: [email protected] or 845-770-3000]

 
Dedicated Graphene Inks Manufacturing Capability


Haydale, a leader in the development of optimised graphene inks for biosensor devices, printed electronics, flexible displays and smart packaging, has announced a new 230 m2 dedicated manufacturing area at its South Wales, UK facility to keep up with rapidly growing demand for these ground breaking materials. Haydale graphene inks are manufactured using plasma functionalised HDPlas® Graphene Nanoplatelets (GNPs) to deliver performance benefits including; metal-free, electrical conductivity, flexibility, and durability. Validated for consistency by the Welsh Centre for Printing and Coating (WCPC), Haydale graphene ink is formulated to be ready-to-use and can also be customised to be for individual applications. .

[Contact: [email protected] or 44-1269-842946]

To suggest items for inclusion in Industry News and New Products Focus, please contact Mary Kaufold at 724-779-2755.

 

ABOUT MATERIALS360®

Materials360 is edited by Judy Meiksin, News Editor, and produced by Kirby Morris, Electronic Communications Assistant, Materials Research Society.

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This e-mail may be forwarded to anyone interested. We welcome reproduction of the content of this e-mail electronically or in print with credit and acknowledgement of MRS as follows:
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© Materials Research Society, 2015. All rights reserved.