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.

Processed NW network

Graduate students at Ohio State's Center for Emergent Materials (Andrew Berger, Michael Page, Shane White) developed a demo illustrating how a computer hard drive works. This demo has been used at several outreach events and in school efforts through the Scientific Thinkers program and is currently under discussion with the Museum of Science in Boston for duplication there.

Simulations of a model for microtubule(MT)-based active nematics capture experimentally observed defect dynamics. The image on the right shows three sequential images from experimental system in which +½ and -½ defects are created through a bending stability and subsequently separate. The image on the left shows similar defect behaviors observed in dynamical simulations of a coarse grain model for the MTbased active nematics.

The Industrial Mentorship Program connects undergraduate students, graduate students and post-doctoral fellows to a mentor in industry. This program is designed to expose participants to fundamental research as it relates to societal and economic development; enable them to broaden their networks; and facilitate a successful transition into the workforce.

The IRG has developed a new material, GaAs1-y-zPyBiz, as an alternative to the nitride–based bismide materials, specifically GaAs1-y-zBiyNz. Alloying in both Bi and N complicates growth, since both elements are sparingly soluble in GaAs. GaAs1-yPy,

The industrial consortium coordinated by the Wisconsin MRSEC has grown to 20 to 25 members. The Wisconsin MRSEC has now partnered with the University of Wisconsin business school to develop strategies to expand further our impact on Wisconsin and regional industry. The business school study was conducted by three MBA students, all with industry experience. The MBA students interviewed

Research Triangle MRSEC investigators have  numerous ( >30) international research collaborations with scientists in Europe, Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, China and Korea.  Most prominent among these interactions is

A Harvard MRSEC team led by Clarke, Mooney, Parker, Suo, and Vlassak has developed new hydrogels that are both electrically responsive and mechanically tough. Poly(acrylic acid) hydrogels can be made to be macroporous and therefore capable of rapid