Near absolute zero, molecules may start to exhibit exotic states of matter

The air around us is a chaotic superhighway of molecules whizzing through space and constantly colliding with each other at speeds of hundreds of miles per hour. Such erratic molecular behavior is normal at ambient temperatures. But scientists have long suspected that if temperatures were to plunge to near absolute zero, molecules would come to a screeching...

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Stretchy sensors can detect deadly gases and UV radiation

RMIT University researchers have created wearable sensor patches that detect harmful UV radiation and dangerous, toxic gases such as hydrogen and nitrogen dioxide (, "Stretchable and Tunable Microtectonic ZnO-Based Sensors and Photonics"). These transparent, flexible electronics – which can be worn...

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How structural flaws dictate failure strength and deformation in nanosized alloys

A study from A*STAR reveals that designers of metallic-glass-based nanodevices must account for tiny flaws in alloy frameworks to avoid unpredictable catastrophic failure ("Mechanisms of Failure in Nanoscale Metallic Glass"). Understanding how nanoscale metallic glass fractures and fails when subjected to external stress is critical to improving its...

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