Silicon Melt in Reverse!

The fact that many materials change state at a given temperature is a basic chemistry concept. However, scientists at MIT has found that silicon can exhibit a strange property of "retrograde melting" under high concentrations of certain metals dissolved in it. Basically, the compound of silicon melts at extremely low temperatures. This implies a lowered cost of manufacturing of some sillicon-based devices, new silicon nanowire structures and etc.

Reference:
Steve Hudelson, Bonna K. Newman, Sarah Bernardis, David P. Fenning, Mariana I. Bertoni, Matthew A. Marcus, Sirine C. Fakra, Barry Lai, Tonio Buonassisi. Retrograde Melting and Internal Liquid Gettering in Silicon. Advanced Materials, 2010; DOI: 10.1002/adma.200904344

Smallest Electronic Component: Molecular Diode

Researchers have found a way to make small, versatile diodes. The smaller size means cheaper cost and better performance for electronic devices. Diodes are important components for a broad range of applications. The idea of surpassing silicon limits with molecule-based electronic components has been around awhile. Currently, 'AC Modulation' is used by applying a little varying mechanical perturbation to the molecule.

Reference: Science Daily

Banana Plants May Produce Plastics

The Polymer Processing Research Center at Queen's is undergoing a Badana project, which will develop new procedures to include banana plants in the Canary Islands into the production of rotationally moulded plastics. An estimated 25, 000 tonnes of natural fibre from banana plant goes to waste in Canaries every year. The sucess of this project can reduce the amount polyethylene used in the rotational moulding process. The funding for the Badana project has been provided by the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme.

Reference: Science Daily

Superheavy Element 114 Confirmed

Scientists have been able to confirm the production of the super heavy element 114, an important aspect in nuclear science. Using the Berkeley Gas-filled Separator (BGS) at Berkeley Lab's 88-inch Cyclotron, the researchers are able to confirm the creation of two individual nuclei of element 114. Super heavy elements greater than uranium, element 92 - decay in a time shorter than the age of Earth, so these elements need to be made artificially to confirm their existence. Scientists are hoping that element 114 is stable.

Reference:
L. Stavestra, K. Gregorich, J. Dvořák, P. A. Ellison, I. Dragojević, M. A. Garcia, and H. Nitsche. Independent verification of element 114 production in the 48Ca + 242Pu reaction. Physical Review Letters, 2009; 103, 132502 DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.103.132502