In the realm of energy materials research, a team of scientists from Rutgers University, led by Jeongsoo Park, Sang-Wook Cheong, and Xianghan Xu, has made a notable discovery that could have implications for the energy sector. Their work focuses on a material called Mo3Al2C, which exhibits unique electrical properties that could be harnessed for innovative energy applications.
The researchers investigated a phenomenon known as nonreciprocal transport in Mo3Al2C, a material that possesses crystallographic chirality, a polar charge-density-wave instability, and a superconducting transition near 8 Kelvin. Using AC transport measurements, they analyzed the first-harmonic and second-harmonic resistance responses. They observed a distinct nonreciprocal second-harmonic signal that is significantly enhanced near the boundary of the normal and superconducting phases. This response arises from the direction-dependent coupling between the external magnetic field and the current-induced intrinsic magnetization within the chiral lattice.
One of the key findings is the persistent nonreciprocal response observed under perpendicular magnetic fields, which suggests a toroidal-induced effect linked to the electric polarization emerging from the charge-density-wave phase. This interplay of chirality, polarity, and superconductivity in Mo3Al2C makes it an intrinsic platform for tunable nonreciprocal transport.
For the energy industry, these findings could pave the way for developing advanced materials with tunable electrical properties. Nonreciprocal transport could be exploited to create more efficient energy conversion and storage systems. For instance, materials like Mo3Al2C could be used in superconducting devices that require precise control of electrical currents and magnetic fields. Additionally, the unique properties of Mo3Al2C could lead to innovations in energy harvesting and sensor technologies, where directional dependence of electrical responses is crucial.
The research was published in the journal Nature Communications, a reputable source for cutting-edge scientific discoveries. While the practical applications are still in the exploratory phase, the fundamental understanding gained from this study could drive future advancements in energy materials and technologies.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.