When stacked in five layers in a rhombohedral pattern, graphene takes on a rare “multiferroic” state, in which the material’s electrons (illustrated here as spheres) exhibit two preferred electronic states: an unconventional magnetism (represented as orbits around each electron), and “valley,” or a preference for one of two energy states (depicted in red versus blue). The results could help advance more powerful magnetic memory devices. Image: Sampson Wilcox, RLE

A newly discovered type of electronic behavior could help with packing more data into magnetic memory devices.

From a five-layer graphene sandwich, a rare electronic state emerges

MIT engineers have found that a common hydrogel has unique, super-soaking abilities. Even as temperatures climb, the transparent material continues to absorb moisture, and could serve to harvest water in desert regions, and passively regulate humidity in tropical climates. Image: Felice Frankel

MIT engineers identified an unusually absorbent material that could be used for passive cooling or water harvesting in warm climates.

Even as temperatures rise, this hydrogel material keeps absorbing moisture

MIT physicists have found a new way to switch superconductivity on and off in magic-angle graphene. This figure shows a device with two graphene layers in the middle (in dark gray and in inset). The graphene layers are sandwiched in between boron nitride layers (in blue and purple). The angle and alignment of each layer enables the researchers to turn superconductivity on and off in graphene with a short electric pulse. Credit: Courtesy of the researchers. Edited by MIT News.

A quick electric pulse completely flips the material’s electronic properties, opening a route to ultrafast, brain-inspired, superconducting electronics.

Superconductivity switches on and off in "magic-angle" graphene

By depositing atoms on a wafer coated in a “mask” (top left), MIT engineers can corral the atoms in the mask’s individual pockets (center middle), and encourage the atoms to grow into perfect, 2D, single-crystalline layers (bottom right). Courtesy of the researchers. Edited by MIT News.

Their technique could allow chip manufacturers to produce next-generation transistors based on materials other than silicon.

Engineers grow "perfect" atom-thin materials on industrial silicon wafers

The device senses and wirelessly transmits signals without bulky chips or batteries. Courtesy of the researchers

The device senses and wirelessly transmits signals related to pulse, sweat, and ultraviolet exposure, without bulky chips or batteries.

Engineers fabricate a chip-free, wireless electronic "skin"

MIT engineers have created a reconfigurable AI chip that comprises alternating layers of sensing and processing elements that can communicate with each other. Credit: Figure courtesy of the researchers and edited by MIT News

Jennifer Chu

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Latest Posts

From a five-layer graphene sandwich, a rare electronic state emerges

Even as temperatures rise, this hydrogel material keeps absorbing moisture

Superconductivity switches on and off in "magic-angle" graphene

Engineers grow "perfect" atom-thin materials on industrial silicon wafers

Engineers fabricate a chip-free, wireless electronic "skin"

Engineers build LEGO-like artificial intelligence chip