News
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On the role of crack electrolyte wetting in the degradation and performance of battery active particles
The paper shows that cracks in lithium-ion battery cathode particles are not only damage features but also new electrochemical pathways: once electrolyte enters these cracks, lithium can move and react on internal crack surfaces rather than only on the outer particle surface. A detailed physics-based model that explicitly includes electrolyte inside and outside cracks is…
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Role of Intrinsic Electron Trapping in Negative Charging of Amorphous Alumina
Modern computer technology depends on nanoscale electronic devices. These devices rely on extremely thin layers of insulating materials which are in contact with metal or semiconducting electrodes. Many of these layers are amorphous, meaning their atoms are arranged in a disordered structure rather than the regular atomic patterns found in crystals. We use advanced atomistic computer simulations to investigate how this atomic disorder influences the…
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Crown Ether-Based Ion-Selective Organic Semiconductors by Molecular Design
This article reviews how scientists are designing organic semiconductor materials that can selectively recognize metal ions such as sodium and potassium. By incorporating crown ether “molecular receptors” into these materials, ion binding can trigger changes in colour, light emission, or electrical conductivity, opening new opportunities for chemical sensing, bioelectronics, and health-monitoring technologies. Authors: Blair G.…