Today's Tech News: Notable or Not?

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1098105 "uses tree derived rubber eucommia ulmoides gum... CNTs / MXenes integrated into salt-template created 2 mm thick porous foam... low IR emissivity due to MXene/ smooth surface, 0.15 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹ thermal insulation by trapping air, 49.7 dB shielding effectiveness in X-band, blocking >99.9989 % EMI... absorbs/ releases 36.8 J/g preventing heat buildup... compressive strength 825% higher than pure eucommia ulmoides gum foam, maintains 83.5 % shielding performance after rigorous 12-days under high heat/ humidity"

https://phys.org/news/2025-09-narrow-linewidth-laser-chip-standard.html "topological interface state extended laser with optical injection locking... distributed feedback laser with no hybrid integrations/ bulky external components... indium phosphide semiconductor substrate... chip has 3 regions, each with own optical phase tuned to keep light evenly distributed between them... chip integrated micro-ring resonator enables internal light recycling... easily switchable between optical phases, required in: quantum key distribution underpinning unbreakable encryption, advanced communication devices" Related: Uniting the light spectrum on a chip https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1097748 Synthetic magnetic fields steer light on a chip for faster communications https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1098131

https://techxplore.com/news/2025-09-world-fastest-ultraefficient-silicon-carbide.html "electric flow conversion between systems... smaller, lighter, but with 5X greater energy density... 1200 V, 400-amp, suitable for data centers, power grids, microreactors, heavy-duty vehicles/ aircraft/ military... 7 to 9X lower parasitic inductance. monitors own health predicting component failure... current routed for maximum magnetic flux cancellation... nearly 2D... bonds copper to flexible Temprion polymer... low-latency wireless communication protocol, high temperature tolerance... pulsed power fusion components"

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1098035 "moves excitons with light/ nano-ridge at room temperature, acts like wire/ switch enabling circuits running on excitons instead of electricity... moves quantum information without losses from moving inherently charged electrons... hard to move excitons since without charge, overcome pulling along physical ridge, exciton equivalent of wire... gate-like flow control with electrodes positioned on either side of ridge... high speed on-chip data transfer links: supercomputers, data centers, AI, autonomous vehicles, digital twins"

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1097584 "frequency converted up/ down changing input light polarization/ tuned by changing temperature... dichalcogenide crystal combined with chalcogenide anions,,, scalable using silicon chip technology... resonances 1220 nm, 2X that of exciton, to harness the energy... interaction between exciton/ quasi-bound state in continuum resonance on/ off switchable... 2 to 4 orders magnitude enhancement... adaptive camouflage, night vision, biosensing, photon generation for on-chip computing, secure communications."

https://phys.org/news/2025-09-silicon-nanowires-macroscopic-networks-advanced.html "bundled nanowire alignment/ density control significantly increases contact surface between individual nanowires... suspend nanowires in water, then slowly filter liquid via vacuum filtration, causes order, then linking forming paper-like networks... each bundle of around 15 individual self-assembled nanowires with 0.4 nm separation between them... large-scale silicon nanowire production... batteries, sensors, faster electronics, advanced functional materials, liquid crystal devices, photonic fibers, semiconducting textiles"  

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1097878 "light signals scatter into dead ends/ vanish before reaching destination, overcome using protected topological channel reshaping landscape on the fly keeping light on course, forward only... no bulky magnets... screen plots matched ideal topological band diagram... photonics not bound by electronics' constraints... sturdier lasers, faster data links, light-based chips that don’t get tripped up by imperfections, quantum light state shielding... future: scale to microwave where components larger/ easier to handle"

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1097680 "math operations performed through light interference mechanisms on mm-scale silicon microchips carried out faster/ using less energy, since no need to digitize information... step forward to make artificial intelligence (which relies on extremely energy-intensive data centers) more sustainable... addresses theme of training, phase in which network learns to perform certain tasks... also enables more sophisticated AI models integrating real-time data processing into portable devices... autonomous cars, intelligent sensors"

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1097408 "strong ionic bond between hafnium and oxygen atoms exhibits high dielectric constant, superior thermal stability, wide band gap, optimal for ultrathin semiconductors... low-pressure, high-density plasma generation alternately irradiates with N2/ O2 plasmas... 0.023 to 0.107 nm etch depth/ cycle... formation of Hf-N bonds, nitrogen atoms replace surface oxygen atoms when exposed to N₂ plasma, then exposed to O2 plasma causing bond decomposition... after 20 etching cycles, surface roughness reduced 60%"

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1097587 "simultaneously focuses range of wavelengths from unpolarized source over large diameter... scalable, uses existing semiconductor nanofabrication... for single wavelength optimizes metasurface shapes (rounded squares, 4-leaf clover, propeller) large enough (300 X 1000 nm) to be resonant at longest wavelength without getting diffraction from shorter wavelengths, in both electric/ magnetic dipole, spanning phase shifts from 0 to 2 pi, enabling phase gradient map achieving any arbitrary focussing pattern"

https://phys.org/news/2025-09-core-technology-ultra-high-resolution.html "diazirine structured crosslinker reacts to single UV exposure, activating carboxylic acid functional group to bind to QD surface, forming ultra-fine patterns, achieving 2 μm (6,350 DPI) resolution patterning while also ensuring excellent precision/ stability... then applied PETMP thiol-based compound, passivating surface defects, further improving photoluminescence quantum yield, 10.3% maximum external efficiency, 99,369 cd/m² maximum luminance... displays, AR, VR, micro-QLEDs, transparent devices, image sensors" Related: Quantum dot and polymer cross-linking enables 50% stretch capability for micro-LED displays https://phys.org/news/2025-09-quantum-dot-polymer-linking-enables.html

https://phys.org/news/2025-09-terahertz-faster-electronics.html "light's wavelength not easily confined to small spaces, overcome by squeezing into tiny spaces 100X smaller than their natural wavelength so light can be confined/ guided in nanoscale devices... tiny strips topological insulator epitaxial Bi2Se3 arranged side by side with gaps between them adjusted to: shorten wavelengths 20%, extended attenuation length >50%... lowers momentum, retain energy longer... lightning-fast downloads, more secure networks, clearer, safer medical imaging, more powerful quantum computers"

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1097522 "convolution AI pattern detection in images, video, text... near 0 energy use... 98% accurate classifying handwritten digits, comparable to traditional electronic chips... 2 sets of miniature Fresnel lenses fabricated using current chip manufacturing etched directly onto chip... machine learning data converted into laser light on chip, light passes through Fresnel lenses, which carry out convolution, result converted back to digital to complete AI task... wavelength multiplexing using lasers of different colors... optical AI computing"

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250901104650.htm "heavy fermions, electrons acting as if they carry far more mass than usual, stay entangled at near room temperature, for an amount of time approaching Planckian limit (the shortest time interval measurable in classical physics)... since effect appears at close to room temperature, it might be harnessed in solid-state materials for a new type of quantum computer which can operate at that temperature... control/ manipulation of quantum entanglement in solid-state materials like CeRhSn for novel quantum computing architectures"

https://phys.org/news/2025-09-stretchable-nanofilms-tunable-magnetic-properties.html "overcomes limitations of conventional deposition methods on nanoscale magnetic thin film substrates... deposit magnetic nanofilm, such as cobalt or nickel, onto pre-stretched flexible substrate (greater stretching = stronger embedded magnetic anisotropy), release tension enabling contraction altering nanofilm's atomic spacing... created bilayer structure with perpendicular magnetization directions, for magnetic sensors/ strain gauges... beyond magnets, also superconductors, semiconductors, dielectrics... energy-efficient electronics"

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202508/26/WS68ad0920a3108622abc9d1fe.html "average helium in China's natural gas fields only 0.03 to 0.05%, far lower than 1 to 7% for international fields... system can operate around the clock, extracting 400,000 cubic meters of high purity helium annually... catalytic dehydrogenation removes hydrogen impurities, followed by membrane separation and pressure swing adsorption eliminating gases such as nitrogen and methane, then ultra-low-temperature refining removing neon"

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1095497 "interferometer design, potential fabrication using existing silicon-based technologies... conversion/ electro-optic modulation not: complex/ multi-tiered/ energy-intensive... conversion rates up to 186 Gbps, order magnitude faster... in wireless or radar communications can be combined with microwave photodetection converted into radio frequency signals... parallel processing in optical computers, AI"

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1095796 "highly efficient/ stable pure-red emission... modulates bandgap through lattice distortion but decomposes under high temperature, overcome using hot-injection, acid–base equilibrium between ethylammonium carbonate/ oleic acid survives hot-injection synthesis' harsh conditions... exhibits lattice expansion, reduced defect densities, near-unity photoluminescence quantum yield... tunable emission across 630-650 nm range... 26.1% maximum external quantum efficiency (vs. 9.9), also other quantum dot compositions, ranges"

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1095464 "high optical efficiency/ compatibility with existing systems, multiple device integration into compact optical platforms, energy efficient... non-Hermitian without need for metals enabling on-chip topological exceptional points within fully all-dielectric environment eliminating Ohmic losses/ suppressing zero-order diffraction background in projection-based AR vector holography enhancing image clarity/ fidelity... wearable AR, multiplexed information storage, optical displays"

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1097250 "installed dipolar rotors into COFs which have adequate space to flip in response to electric field or heat >200°C, not affected by steric hindrance from surroundings/ orientation, can be held at ambient temperature for long time, near 400°C thermal durability... building blocks: tetrahedral 4-handed molecule, flat 3-handed molecule in which 3 dipolar rotors (1,2-difluorophenyl, DFP)/ 3 aryl groups alternately positioned around central benzene ring... discovered COF sln topology/ shape dimorphism"

https://phys.org/news/2025-09-3d-micro-ion-quantum-tech.html "individual trapped ions as qubits... electrodes arranged around ion doesn't miniaturize well/ weak field since too far away, overcome, fabricated on sapphire substrates using 2-photon laser polymerization for large arrays of miniaturized 3D ion traps with complex geometries without sacrificing scalability/ precision... then metal-coated with either gold or aluminum... confined calcium ions with between 2 and 24 MHz radial trap frequencies, 4X higher than those typically seen... 2-qubit gate with high 0.978 ± 0.012 Bell-state fidelity"

https://techxplore.com/news/2025-09-solar-breakthrough-hotter-panels-storage.html "photoelectrochemical flow cells based on pn+-junction coated with 10 nm Pt layer photocathode, Hg/HgSO4 electrode reference electrode, carbon rod counter electrode... as devices warm up, electrochemical current flow improves due to faster ion movement/ better electrolyte electrolyte conductivity... performance gains strongest at 45°C, before starting to plateau... reduced need for cooling systems"

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1097164 "details <1 pixel get smeared out across pixel rather than precisely located within it, causing blurred sub-pixel details... overcome using camera motion to produce sub-pixel, gigapixel-scale resolution... movement causes small light points to leave tracks that cross multiple pixels that algorithm uses as extra information to pinpoint exactly where fine details must have been, reconstructing on finer grid... mounted conventional camera to moving stage... photography from moving aircraft, scientific, archival, art"

https://phys.org/news/2025-09-built-brilliance-zintl-phase-quantum.html "optimal bandgap, long carrier lifetime, intrinsic defect tolerance (no need for surface passivation)... fabrication: quickly injecting phosphorus precursor into heated ligand-solubilized mixture containing barium/ cadmium... adjusting temperature during growth controls nanoparticle size for specific light absorption/ color emissions... 21% photoluminescence quantum yield... light absorbing/ electric charge carrying semiconductors for LED lighting/ displays, fiber optics, solar panels, bioimaging, optical sensors"

https://greenstocknews.com/news/nyse/ionq/ionq-breakthrough-in-synthetic-diamond-materials-accelerates-quantum-networking-scale-and-production "high-quality, quantum-grade diamond films allow diamond-based devices to be made using standard semiconductor manufacturing techniques... key component for quantum memory/ photonic interconnects linking quantum computers... also, quantum sensing... allows quantum-grade diamond film bonding onto common substrates like silicon/ silicon nitride... can be incorporated into hybrid, on-chip integration of diamond quantum memory/ non-diamond non-quantum switches, modulators, electronic control layers"

https://techxplore.com/news/2025-09-code-future-scientists-faster-reliable.html "finds/ corrects errors arising from poor signals/ interference but: requires many iterations which creates delays/ lacks efficient decoding algorithms to support hardware implementation with low complexity... overcome using duals of Cordaro-Wagner based codes, along with efficient decoding algorithms... matched performance 5G codes, while: correcting more errors in less time, significantly faster convergence (meaning fewer iterations to correct errors), leading directly to reduction in communication latency"

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1096991 "error reduction/ fault tolerance performance tested, and compared with using nitride, carbide, or silicide superconducting resonators... on silicon substrates... tested at temperatures near absolute zero, demonstrated high performance, confirming feasibility for realizing low-loss quantum hardware. Loss is a critical measure of hardware quality, with lower values indicating more perfect superconducting devices"

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1096912 "rooftop flat-plate collectors warm data center’s eco-friendly coolant stream before it reaches organic Rankine cycle compact power system... recovers 60-80% more electricity annually, >8% higher efficiency during sunny peak hours along with increased annual average efficiency, 5.5 to 16.5% cheaper electricity... off-the-shelf technology... behind-the-meter generator that gets stronger when the sun is out, right when cooling loads are highest”

https://techxplore.com/news/2025-09-scientists-superior-gallium-oxide-semiconductors.html "silicon-based pn diodes waste energy as heat... gallium oxide-based electronic devices much more energy-efficient but their diodes require both n-type and p-type layers to function properly... gallium oxide accepts atoms needed to create n-type layers/ rejects atoms required for p-type... overcome with both types working together: shooting nickel atoms into gallium oxide layer, heating at 300°C with activated oxygen radicals and then at 950°C in oxygen gas... standard equipment/ processes, scalable... EVs, renewable energy"

https://techxplore.com/news/2025-09-metal-frameworks-enable-key-greener.html "lighting/display uses rare earth metals such as europium, terbium, yttrium, cerium, gadolinium, consuming 213 billion kWh annually in the US... replaced with stacked MOFs combining 2 types of porous crystals... controlling how components interact... produce same amount of light while consuming far less electricity... simultaneously reduces production costs, ecological impact and energy consumption"

https://phys.org/news/2025-09-hollow-core-optical-fiber-transmits.html "faster light travel through air than silica... record low 0.091 dB/km loss at 1,550 nm, compared to 0.14 dB/km for silica-based... maintains 0.2 dB/km losses over 66 THz with 45% faster transmission speeds, for distances from 700 to over 2,400 nm (tested up to 15 km fibers)... also, at wavelengths currently inaccessible... minimized leakage, surface scattering, microbending... air core surrounded by glass... longer unamplified spans... undersea/ terrestrial cables, high-power lasers/ sensing, waveguides"

https://phys.org/news/2025-09-future-electronics-ultrafast-ferroelectric-properties.html "photoinduced structural dynamics/ time evolution of strain... ferroelectric materials exhibit spontaneous polarization which can be reversed by applying an external electric field, ideal as nanoscale switches... ultra-short, high-energy laser pulses excite electrons, changing polarization in <1 trillionth second... polarization changed significantly 350 fs after laser excitation without barium titanate crystal lattice shifting notably.,, sensing, data processing, energy-efficient information storage"

https://phys.org/news/2025-09-quantum-entanglement-longer-elusive-dark.html "near-total invisibility to emitted light allows entanglement to persist... creating dark states: nanocavity with tuned loss rates balancing coupling strength between quantum dots/ cavity's dissipation... when cavity loss too high, quantum dots act independently without affecting each other/ if coupling sufficiently strong, collective entangled state formed... entanglement lasts up to 36 ns... quantum: ultra-sensitive sensors, memory/ transmission, energy-harvesting technologies based on quantum principles"

https://techxplore.com/news/2025-09-scientists-world-6g-chip-capable.html "11 X 1.7 mm, from 0.5 to 115 GHz replacing 9 radio systems... reconfigurable full-link wireless communications with improved bandwidth, data rates, functionality... broadband electro-optic modulator converts wireless signals into optical, then passed through optoelectronic oscillators to generate required radio frequencies... achieves 6 GHz in 180 μs... commercial 6G network roll out expected 2030... internet, power smart cities"