Semiconducting materials have long been integral to the development of electronic components, with two-dimensional (2D) materials emerging as a new frontier in this field. These materials offer unique optoelectronic properties that could revolutionize the design of ultra-thin and tunable electronic devices. However, despite their potential advantages, interfacing 2D materials with gate dielectrics has posed challenges,
Technology
As the world grapples with the urgent need to address climate change, the role of heat pumps in significantly reducing carbon emissions cannot be understated. Despite being a relatively obscure technology in the United States, heat pumps are gaining momentum as a cost-effective and efficient alternative to traditional heating and cooling systems. While initiatives like
After a recent engine fire on a Cathay Pacific flight, Europe’s aviation safety agency announced that inspections will be required for a portion of the fleet of Airbus A350 wide-body jets. The incident, which prompted the grounding of 48 planes by Cathay Pacific, has raised concerns about the safety of the A350 aircraft. The European
Recent research has introduced an innovative method to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of dynamic emotion recognition through the utilization of a convolutional neural network (CNN) for facial analysis. This pioneering work, spearheaded by Lanbo Xu from Northeastern University in Shenyang, China, opens up a plethora of possibilities for various fields such as mental health,
Fuel cells have long been considered a promising energy-conversion solution that can generate electricity without the harmful emissions associated with combustion. However, the widespread adoption of fuel cells has been hindered by the expensive materials and precious metal catalysts traditionally used in their design. Recently, researchers from Chongqing University and Loughborough University have made a
The trial of former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn is set to begin, nearly a decade after the ‘dieselgate’ scandal rocked the German auto giant. Winterkorn faces charges related to his involvement in installing software to manipulate emissions levels in millions of vehicles globally. Volkswagen admitted to the use of defeat devices in 2015, leading to
The landscape of public transportation is on the brink of a major shake-up, with researchers from Concordia University proposing a revolutionary new approach to suburban commuting. In a recent publication in the Transportation Research Record, a group of researchers introduced the concept of On-Demand Transit (ODT) as a viable alternative to traditional bus routes. This
Matching algorithms play a crucial role in various systems, from rideshare apps to medical donor networks. The aim is to optimize pairings to maximize efficiency and user satisfaction. Computer scientists are constantly seeking ways to improve these algorithms, making them more effective and user-friendly. One such advancement comes from drawing inspiration from biological systems, as
In the bustling city of Nairobi, a new trend is emerging in the hospitality industry – the introduction of robot waiters in a cafe setting. The Robot Cafe, located in the heart of Nairobi, has made waves with its innovative approach to customer service. As children giggle and young people whip out their smartphones to
The recent blocking of social media platform X in Brazil has caused a great divide among users and politicians regarding the legitimacy of the ban. This move has left many Brazilians struggling to navigate other social media platforms in the absence of X. The shutdown of Elon Musk’s platform came after the billionaire refused to