Topic description and stories

Confocal microscopy image of a chiral semiconductor

Spinning, twisted light could power next-generation electronics

13 Mar 2025

Researchers have advanced a decades-old challenge in the field of organic semiconductors, opening new possibilities for the future of electronics.

Read more
Abstract colourful background

Lights could be the future of the internet and data transmission

25 Jul 2023

Fast data transmission could be delivered in homes and offices through light emitting diode (LED) bulbs, complementing existing communication...

Read more
Long exposure light painting

Smart lighting system based on quantum dots more accurately reproduces daylight

03 Aug 2022

Researchers have designed smart, colour-controllable white light devices from quantum dots – tiny semiconductors just a few billionths of a metre in...

Read more

Luminating composite glass

LEDs and smartphone screens could be made from next-generation glass

29 Oct 2021

Cracked and blurry phone screens could someday be a thing of the past, suggests a new study from the University of Cambridge and the University of...

Read more
Artist’s impression of glowing halide perovskite nanocrystals

Atom swapping could lead to ultra-bright, flexible next generation LEDs

07 Jun 2021

An international group of researchers has developed a new technique that could be used to make more efficient low-cost light-emitting materials that...

Read more
Artistic impression of the perovskite-polymer heterostructure used in LEDs

New efficiency record set for perovskite LEDs

05 Nov 2018

Researchers have set a new efficiency record for LEDs based on perovskite semiconductors, rivalling that of the best organic LEDs (OLEDs).

Read more

Microscope image of a quantum LED device showing bright quantum emitter generating a stream of single photons.

Ultra-thin quantum LEDs could accelerate development of quantum networks

07 Oct 2016

Researchers have developed all-electrical ultra-thin quantum LEDs, which have potential as on-chip photon sources in quantum information applications...

Read more
LEDs made from perovskite

LEDs made from ‘wonder material’ perovskite

05 Aug 2014

Colourful LEDs made from a material known as perovskite could lead to LED displays which are both cheaper and easier to manufacture in future.

Read more
Graphene

Pilot project for €1 billion research programme on graphene launched

05 May 2011

Cambridge is to lead the technology roadmap towards a €1 billion European programme to conduct research on graphene - a versatile substance, stronger...

Read more

Green LEDs

Lighting for the 21st century

01 Aug 2009

A remarkable light-emitting material, gallium nitride, could slash electricity consumption, purify water and kill superbugs.

Read more
Electronic reader

Plastic Logic: from innovation to impact

01 Aug 2009

The path from innovation to impact can be long and complex. Here we describe the fascinating story behind the development of a new type of electronic...

Read more