Scientists have discovered a metal oxide with the catchy name SrFe 0.5 Co 0.5 O 2.5 (or SFCO for short) that can 'breathe', taking in oxygen atoms and releasing them again at relatively low temperatures without breaking.

What makes that so important is that these materials, known as transition metal oxides, can essentially be reprogrammed with oxygen atoms. As atoms are added or removed, the material's properties – including magnetism and conductivity – can be changed.

This proof-of-concept potentially provides a new degree of control over behavior of materials commonly used in electronics, clean energy systems , and buildings, via oxygen in the surrounding gas.

SFCO is made up of strontium, iron, and cobalt , but only the cobalt atoms were changed by the 'breathing'. That

See Full Page