Superconducting Material Stabilized at Ambient Pressure: A Step Toward Real-world Applications

6/25/2025 | Russell Hemley (University of Illinois-Chicago) Eva Zurek (SUNY-Buffalo)

Researchers have made a breakthrough by stabilizing a superconducting material, Bi_0.5Sb_1.5Te₃, at normal pressure. This was achieved using a new technique that allows for the exploration of materials usually only found under extreme conditions. This discovery is crucial because most useful materials exist in metastable states, and stabilizing these materials could lead to better superconductors, benefiting various scientific and technological applications.

Structural Transitions, Octahedral Rotations, and Electronic Properties of Rare-earth Nickelates under High Pressure

6/25/2025 | J. Hamlin, G. Steward, P. Hirschfeld, R. Hennig (University of Florida)

A recent study examined the properties of bilayer nickelates under high pressure, motivated by the discovery of superconductivity in certain compounds. Researchers created a phase diagram showing how pressure and chemical composition interact. They found surprising links between superconductivity and specific bond angles. The study highlights Tb₃Ni₂O₇ as a potential candidate for superconductivity at normal pressure and emphasizes the varied structural and electronic phases that could lead to new superconducting materials.

Accelerating Superconductivity Discovery through Deep Learning

6/25/2025 | Peter Hirschfeld and Richard Hennig (University of Florida)

Researchers are using deep learning to speed up the search for new high-temperature superconductors, which are materials that can conduct electricity without resistance. They developed a model that predicts a key property related to superconductivity by first calculating that property for 818 materials. By incorporating specific knowledge into the model, they achieved much better predictions than random methods. This approach could significantly enhance the discovery of superconductors, showing promise for future materials research even when data is scarce.

Evolutionary Algorithm for the Discovery and Design of Metastable Phases

6/20/2025 | Eva Zurek (SUNY-Buffalo)

A new method has been developed using the XtalOpt evolutionary algorithm to predict metastable materials, which are less stable but useful in nature and technology. Unlike traditional methods that only find the most stable structures, this approach can identify materials with specific features like crystal order and symmetry. The method successfully discovered various low-energy metastable phases, including some already known experimentally. XtalOpt is openly available, enhancing collaboration in research and development.

Discovery of Giant “Wine-Rack” Negative Linear Compressibility in Copper Cyanide

6/20/2025 | Russell Hemley (University of Illinois-Chicago)

Researchers have found that copper cyanide (CuCN) displays a unique behavior known as giant negative linear compressibility (NLC), which allows it to expand in one direction under pressure. Unlike other materials, CuCN maintains this large NLC over a wide pressure range due to a special "wine-rack" compression mechanism. This discovery has potential applications in areas like pressure sensors, aerospace, seismic monitoring, and creating impact-resistant materials.

A New Pathway to Resilient Materials

6/20/2025 | Sara Kadkhodaei and Russell Hemley (University of Illinois-Chicago)

Researchers have developed a new type of high-entropy oxide nanoribbon that combines multiple elements, making it more stable and durable. These materials can withstand extreme temperatures, high pressures, and exposure to harsh chemicals, unlike traditional high-entropy materials that often break apart. Additionally, these nanoribbons can be easily 3D-printed or spray-coated, offering a cost-effective way to create strong coatings and improve energy storage for practical applications.

A 3D Printable Alloy Designed for Extreme Environments

6/16/2025 | Michael Mills (Ohio State University)

Researchers have developed a new 3D printable alloy called GRX-810, which is significantly stronger and more durable under extreme temperatures than existing alloys. This innovative material combines nickel, chromium, and cobalt in equal parts and is enhanced with tiny oxide particles to boost its strength. Using 3D printing techniques, GRX-810 offers efficient manufacturing at a lower cost. It can withstand temperatures over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit and sets the stage for future advanced materials through computer modeling and additive manufacturing.

Opto-twistronic Hall Effect in a Three-dimensional Spiral Lattice

6/16/2025 | Song Jin (University of Wisconsin) and Ritesh Agarwal (University of Pennsylvania)

XtalOpt: Multi-objective Evolutionary Search for Novel Functional Materials

2/4/2025 | Eva Zurek (SUNY-Buffalo)

In the new version of the XtalOpt code, a general platform for multi-objective global optimization is implemented. This functionality is designed to facilitate the search for (meta)stable phases of functional materials through minimization of the enthalpy of a crystalline system coupled with the simultaneous optimization of any desired properties that are specified by the user.

Heating Samples to 2000° C for Scanning Tunneling Microscopy Studies in Ultrahigh Vacuum

2/4/2025 | Michael Trenary (U. Illinois - Chicago)

A simple device for heating single-crystal samples to temperatures ≥2000 °C in ultrahigh vacuum that is compatible with the standard sample plates used in a common commercial scanning tunneling microscope (STM) is described.