Researchers have created a new cobalt-based metal-organic framework that shows potential for hosting a Kitaev spin liquid. This material features cobalt ions in a honeycomb arrangement, linked together by benzoquinone, which creates a special type of magnetic frustration. By adjusting the linkers' chemical composition, the strength of the magnetic interactions can be varied. While magnetization tests indicated antiferromagnetic interactions, no spin ordering was found at low temperatures, highlighting this framework's potential in exploring spin liquid physics.

Researchers have theoretically shown that distinct signs of Majorana excitations can be found in the Kitaev honeycomb model when a perpendicular magnetic field is applied. These unique features appear in what are called two-spin-flip excitations. The findings suggest that techniques like nonlinear THz spectroscopy could help detect these signatures in materials that are being studied as spin liquids. This work advances the understanding of quantum matter in these complex systems.

A recent study showcased how boron-vacancy centers in hexagonal boron nitride can be used for quantum sensing. These defects allow for the detection of weak magnetic fields through their spin-sensitive light emissions. The researchers demonstrated the capability to optically detect specific magnetic wave behaviors in materials like yttrium iron garnet. This work positions boron-vacancy centers as a flexible tool for exploring various magnetic phenomena in new material systems.

A new type of magnetoresistance called unidirectional magnetoresistance (UMR) has been discovered in a study that combines a topological semimetal (WTe₂) with a ferromagnetic semiconductor (Cr₂Ge₂Te₆). This phenomenon involves changes in resistance linked to magnetization reversal and spin interactions. The findings highlight how the unique properties of these materials can create distinct resistance states, which could be valuable for developing more advanced magnetic memory devices.

One of the research goals of UCSD MRSEC IRG2 included developing shape-shifting materials driven by asymmetric forces. In a recent effort, the MRSEC team demonstrated an ELM capable of shape-shifting driven by both a temperature stimulus and enzymatic mediated partial degradation of the composite material.

A recent study revealed that m-terphenyl isocyanide ligands have different orientations when bonded to gold and silver surfaces—vertical on gold and flat on silver. This finding is important as it helps understand how surface ligands affect the properties of plasmonic nanoparticles. The research could lead to the development of new types of patterned nanoparticles, which would facilitate new self-assembly techniques, bridging the gap between inorganic materials and proteins.

Super-moiré patterns identified in WSe2 bilayer with large twist angles. While moiré superlattices in graphene and transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) bilayers with small twist angles are known to exhibit flat bands and host exotic correlated phases, strong lattice reconstruction in these systems poses challenges. In contrast, large-angle bilayers are structurally robust but typically considered electronically decoupled. Here, we discover robust super-moiré patterns emerging near a large commensurate angle, combining the advantages of both regimes—structural stability with flat electronic bands. This work expands moiré twistronics and flat-band quantum physics into the large twist-angle regime.

Novel double moiré system realized in a four-layer twist- controlled graphene structure. These double moiré twist-controlled structure goes beyond the single moiré structures generally investigated in twisted bilayer graphene or transition metal dichalecogenides. The results show that demonstrate that electronic confinement in multilayer graphene stacks can be compactly realized by changing the twist angles, in contrast to traditional band engineering that employ dissimilar materials. Furthermore, near the magic angle the flat bands host correlated insulators, which suggests that the proximity of one flat band does not suppress the correlated insulating states in the other flat band.

Metal Oxide nanocrystals that incorporate dopants (impurities) can display intense absorption bands known as localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) that can transduce light into heat. Using a series of time-resolved measurements with femtosecond resolution together with a theoretical heat transfer model, we have quantified timescales over which tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) nanocrystals heat their environment following light absorption.

Here, we developed a method to generate a synthetic cortex at the membrane of synthetic cells upon blue light illumination. This is important since it allow us to control the mechanical properties of synthetic cells reversibly. When incorporated into a synthetic tissue, this method would enable mechanical patterning and defining the 3D morphology of tissue with light.