Physics Archives – Physics World

Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis is a method to split water into its components, hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂), using electricity typically sourced from renewables. It is one method for producing so-called green hydrogen. Key benefits are that it can easily start and stop, fitting well with fluctuating renewable energy sources; it produces high purity hydrogen suit...

In 2‑dimensional physics, atomically thin materials (e.g. MoS₂, WS₂, WSe₂) are useful for next‑generation electronics such as flexible devices. Using these materials, scientists can create van der Waals heterostructures, where different 2D materials are stacked in layers and held together by weak intermolecular forces called van der Waals forces. Heterostructures combine diff...

Topological features are important because they give rise to states that cannot easily be destroyed. These robust states give materials special behaviours that enable new kinds of electronics and photonics. Some topological systems can even host exotic quasiparticles such as Majorana modes, which are their own antiparticles and are promising building blocks for quantum comput...

Here’s how the game works:

Spain’s transition to a low‑carbon economy requires expanding renewable technologies such as wind, solar, and electric vehicles. These technologies depend on specific materials, and demand for materials, such as cobalt, lithium, and nickel, already represents a significant share of Spain’s total use.

The researchers analysed how much materials Spain would need up to 20...