FOM Institute AMOLF

Self Learning Robots go Full Steam Ahead

Researchers have shown that a group of small autonomous, self-learning robots can adapt easily to changing circumstances. They connected these simple robots in a line, after which each individual robot taught itself to move forward as quickly as possible.

Painting with Semiconductors

Researchers have developed a reactive ink that can be painted on an equally reactive canvas. The ink reacts with the material on the canvas to become a semiconductor that emits colored light, an essential part of electronic components such as LEDs. Consequently, a new way of producing these electronic components is now within reach.

Watching atoms move in hybrid perovskite crystals

A team of researchers has for the first time observed nanoscale changes deep inside hybrid perovskite crystals that could offer new insights into developing low-cost, high-efficiency solar cells.

Bouncing gel balls for energy and robotics

Water droplets float in a hot pan because of the so-called Leidenfrost effect. Physicists have discovered a variation: the so-called Elastic Leidenfrost effect.

New metamaterials could improve energy absorption and harvesting

The team is looking forward to leveraging these topological mechanical metamaterials for various applications, optimizing them, and carving devices out of them for applications in soft robotics, prosthetics and energy harvesting.

Flexible building blocks of the future

New mechanical "metamaterial" may revolutionize prosthetics and wearable technologies.

Solar cell material can recycle light to boost efficiency

Perovskite materials can recycle light particles - a finding which could lead to a new generation of affordable, high-performance solar cells.