Hashtag Peace

Google Quantum AI has taken a significant step forward in the development of scalable quantum error correction, according to a new study published by the company. Quantum computers are prone to errors due to noise from the underlying physical system, which must be reduced for quantum computers to achieve their potential. One way to address this is through error-correcting codes, which use an ensemble of physical qubits to form a logical qubit that can detect and correct errors without affecting information. However, scaling up such systems means manipulating more qubits, which can introduce more logical errors. To address this challenge, the Google team demonstrated that a surface code logical qubit can lower error rates as the system size increases. They created a superconducting quantum processor with 72 qubits and tested it with two different surface codes: a distance-5 logical qubit on 49 physical qubits and smaller ones called distance-3 logical qubits on 17 physical qubits. The l...

Researchers from Clemson University and the Indian Institute of Science have developed a new metal oxide-based supercapacitor that can store solar energy more efficiently. This development could pave the way for a new technology that captures energy from the environment in a more practical way. Unlike traditional batteries, supercapacitors don't need a chemical reaction to store energy, allowing them to be rapidly charged and discharged. However, until now, two separate devices were required to harvest light into electricity and to store it. This made the overall system bulky and impractical. To overcome this challenge, the scientists developed a metal oxide-based optically responsive symmetrical supercapacitor using a novel stacked vanadium pentoxide/zinc oxide semiconducting heterostructure on fluorine-doped tin oxide glass . The new device converts light to electrical energy and stores it, reducing the overall bulkiness of the system. The researchers stacked vanadium pentoxide a...

Carbon fibers are known for their exceptional mechanical properties, including high strength, stiffness, and resistance to deformation, making them highly sought after in various industries. Carbon nanotubes are known to further enhance these properties, but commercializing them has been challenging due to the high cost of production.  However, a recent study proposes a solution to this problem by developing an economic fabrication technology for carbon nanotube-based composite carbon fibers. The researchers focused on the use of a liquid crystalline wet-spinning process to produce polymer-carbon nanotube composite fibers that are highly oriented and possess superior modulus, strength, and electrical conductivity. The solvent used in this process is camphorsulfonic acid (CSA), which has extremely high acidity and readily protonates aromatic hydrocarbons. This allowed for the hybridization of CNTs and the polymer without the need for physical or chemical treatment. High-performance ...

A recent review article published in the esteemed journal Nano Research Energy delves into the fascinating world of borophene, a remarkable two-dimensional (2D) material that has captured the attention of researchers worldwide. With its unique physical and chemical properties, borophene has become a promising candidate for various applications, including energy harvesting, energy conversion, energy storage, sensors, and information storage.  The article provides an in-depth analysis of the evolution and synthesis of borophene, tracing its development from its initial discovery as a monoelemental 2D material in 1997 to its current state as a material with extraordinary potential. Among its many remarkable characteristics, borophene boasts anisotropic plasmonics, physical compatibility, optical transmittance, ultrahigh thermal conductivity, and superconductivity. In addition, the article discusses how borophene's broad bandgap range, owing to its many structural phases, makes it an e...

Researchers have found a solution to the problem of rapid deterioration in the performance and shelf life of MXenes, a family of two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides with unique properties and potential applications in various fields. The solution involves exposing oxidized MXene films to brief high-frequency electromechanical vibrations, effectively removing the oxide layer and allowing the electrical and electrochemical performance to be recovered. This finding is significant as MXenes have been found to be useful for a variety of applications, including energy storage, electromagnetic interference shielding, and water purification, among others.  MXenes are derived from a family of compounds called MAX phases, which are ternary carbides and nitrides. They have a high surface area, high conductivity, and are flexible, robust, and thermally stable. However, their susceptibility to oxidative degradation has limited their practical utility, particularly when longer...