Scientists just turned light into a remote control for crystals

Scientists just turned light into a remote control for crystals

NYU researchers have found a way to use light to control how microscopic particles assemble into crystals, effectively turning illumination into a tool for shaping matter. By adding light-sensitive molecules to a liquid filled with tiny particles, they can adjust how strongly the particles attract or repel one another simply by changing the light’s intensity or pattern. This allows them to trigger crystals to form, dissolve, or even be reshaped in real time.

Scientists discover the genetic switch that keeps your organs healthy

Scientists discover the genetic switch that keeps your organs healthy

Scientists have uncovered a powerful genetic switch that helps some of the body’s most important immune cells grow up properly and keep our organs healthy. The switch, called MafB, guides immature precursor cells as they develop into macrophages, the body’s clean-up and repair crew that removes pathogens, clears debris, recycles iron, and supports tissue function. When MafB is missing, these cells remain stuck in an underdeveloped state and cannot fully carry out their protective roles.

New crystal seeding method boosts perovskite solar cell efficiency to 23%

New crystal seeding method boosts perovskite solar cell efficiency to 23%

Inverted perovskite solar cells offer strong potential for scalable, low-cost solar power, but a hidden interface inside the device has limited their performance and durability. Researchers have now introduced crystal-solvate nanoseeds that guide crystal growth and release solvent in a controlled way during heating, improving film quality at this buried layer. The result is smoother, denser material with better electronic properties and stability. A large mini-module achieved 23.15% efficiency with minimal scaling losses.