Researchers in Russia have advanced a mathematical framework for analyzing quantum effects in nanomaterials, challenging the idea that a precise evaluation of their properties is impossible. This development was reported by the press service of Moscow State University.
According to the team, a novel model based on the discrete source method enables the solution of a broad spectrum of problems, incorporating quantum phenomena observed in plasmonic nanostructures. A notable feature of this approach is its ability to quantify the error in computed solutions and to guarantee minimal error across results, providing a level of reliability that is valuable for theoretical and applied investigations alike. This claim was highlighted by the researchers involved in the project.
The model extends beyond conventional boundaries by incorporating tunneling effects and by treating the electron cloud as the boundary of the metal, rather than relying on rigid, fixed interfaces. This perspective allowed the researchers to uncover new relationships governing physical events in nanomaterials and to observe how surface quantum effects can diverge from non-local effects described by generalized hydrodynamic models like the Drude framework. The distinctions are especially pronounced in the region near the particle surface, where the interplay of quantum and electromagnetic phenomena becomes most intricate and consequential.
Nanomaterials refer to substances composed of nanoparticles or assembled through nanoscale engineering that exhibit properties not found in bulk materials. Examples include composites derived from graphene or carbon nanotubes, which have spurred a range of applications in electronics, sensing, and energy storage due to their distinctive electronic, optical, and mechanical characteristics.
In related observational science, a separate line of inquiry has reported an unusual behavioral pattern in female spiders, where feigned death appears to be a strategy to avoid aggression from male partners. This behavioral observation adds to the broader study of natural strategies that reduce predation risk and optimize reproductive success in diverse species. Such findings illustrate how researchers continually seek deeper understanding of instinctual actions across the animal kingdom (Source: Moscow State University press service).