New Link Found Between Ferroelectric Domain Walls and Superconductivity in 2D Materials
Scientists have discovered a unique link between ferroelectric domain walls and superconductivity in two-dimensional van der Waals materials. This breakthrough, credited to research by Gaurav Chaudhary from the University of Cambridge and Ivar Martin from Argonne National Laboratory, sheds light on how specific structural features in these materials enable strong electron interactions. The findings are expected to pave the way for new superconducting devices and innovative applications in the field of condensed matter physics.
Sliding Ferroelectricity and Polarisation Reversal
According to reports by phys.org, sliding ferroelectricity in certain 2D van der Waals materials, including boron nitride and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), facilitates polarisation reversal under moderate electric fields. This phenomenon allows for large-scale manipulation of layer stacking, significantly impacting the material’s electronic properties. Researchers noted that domain walls—boundaries separating regions with differing orientations of ferroelectric polarisation—exhibit unique characteristics that enhance electron-phonon coupling.
Superconductivity Observed at Domain Walls
The study revealed that in materials like molybdenum ditelluride (MoTe₂), superconductivity is transiently enhanced near ferroelectric reversal transitions. This enhancement occurs within hysteresis loops where domains of varying polarisation coexist. The dynamic fluctuations in domain walls were identified as the driving mechanism for the pairing interactions required for superconductivity. It was highlighted that these conditions are exclusive to 2D TMDs, which support interlayer ferroelectricity while remaining conductive within their planes.
Future Research and Applications
Chaudhary and Martin indicated to phys.org that their findings hold potential for developing highly controllable superconducting devices. Efforts are underway to explore the systematic design of new superconductors by layering polar materials and leveraging domain wall networks in moiré systems. They also emphasised the need for further investigations to validate their theoretical models using advanced microscopic simulations.
The study has generated interest among scientists aiming to uncover unconventional mechanisms of superconductivity, marking an important step forward in understanding and utilising the properties of 2D materials.
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A potential new solar sail-powered satellite mission is offering an extended early warning of extreme space weather events to safely shut down the most vulnerable pieces of our tech — without waiting for them to fail mid-activity and then figuring out why. Going far beyond Earth in the traditional sense of this type of satellite, the solar sail spacecraft would provide almost 20 more minutes of warning time (up to about 60 minutes total) before some very dangerous geomagnetic storms. These eruptions, called coronal mass ejections, cause space weather events that can disrupt satellites, damage power grids, and expose astronauts to cosmic radiation through the ability to ground high-altitude commercial flights. The better the predictions, the more time for critical systems to respond, so overall it is supposed to work out.
Solar Sail Mission SWIFT Aims to Boost Space Weather Forecasting from Beyond L1 Point
According to a report published by The Conversation and contributed to Space.com, the new SWIFT (Space Weather Investigation Frontier) mission will put a satellite with a lightweight solar sail on it out at 2.1 million kilometers from Earth, which is farther than the existing L1 Lagrange point where solar wind is monitored now. That might mean a longer warning — “lead” time, in space weather speak — which would give satellite operators more time to shield their satellites, prevent astronauts from being exposed to high radiation, and allow airlines to chart the safest ways for planes.
The new solar spacecraft, Solar Cruiser, stays in orbit by a balance created from the Sun’s gravity and solar photons bounced off a reflective sail. And far larger than previous sail missions like NASA’s NanoSail-D2 and JAXA’s IKAROS. This steers the satellite post-launch.
Solar Cruiser, part of the SWIFT constellation, will measure solar wind at several vantage points for better interplanetary space weather forecasting. Enquire for more economical on-ground space weather forecasts and missions such as SWIFT that help protect our planet from imploding due to solar emissions.
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The skyscraper size of methane ice might cover around 60% of the equatorial region of Pluto, a larger area than astronomers actually estimated. This study was published on July 5, 2025 in the Journal of Geophysical Reserach. It was based on the data from NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft which captured close images of it around 10 years ago on July 14, 2025. Amid that flyby, the spacecraft located spires of methane ice, each is about 1000 feet tall.
Pluto’s Methane Spires Span Vast Equatorial Zone with Uncertain Pattern
As per NASA’s data they are separated to 4.4 miles in a shape which is somewhat parallel rows and form a geological feature which is called bladed terrain. The features seems to be larger and more spaced out verison of the penitentes of Earth which is a structure of water ice that creates a maximum of 9 feet. Almost the same structure was observed on Jupiter’s moon named Europa and also might be there on Mars.
Additional data collected at infrared frequencies signaled that the dwarf planet’s most of the region was methane rich, which shows that the spires are too. The results show that the bladed terrain of methane ice spires exists in a band that spans about 60% of the circumference of the planet.
Future Missions Needed to Confirm Pluto’s Mysterious Methane Landscape
This is equal to five times the width of the United States continental part, majority spotted on non-encounter hemispheres. However, it is still nort sure if the band is patchy or even. The band spans between 30 degrees south and north of the equator of Pluto.
Bladed terrain formation relies on methane’s long term cycle condensation and sublimation. These are controlled by the season of Pluto and its orbital variations. Straight evidence would be required to confirm the recent observations by the scientists. The most certain way to confirm the extension of bladed terrain into the dark side of Pluto is the future spacecraft mission.
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