Volker Blum
@aimsduke.bsky.social
Ab initio materials simulations at Duke University. Associate professor, Duke MEMS & Chemistry. https://aims.pratt.duke.edu/ . Opinions my own. Unlike the shirt on the right side of the profile image, which is not my own. The number on the shirt is 10.
Happy to be part of this new paper today, with a pretty cool effect ... at room temperature, if one excited this material with circularly polarized light, the electrons/holes in the material "remember" for quite some time, as seen in subsequent emission.
doi.org/10.1002/adfm...
doi.org/10.1002/adfm...
Thermally Activated Circularly Polarized Photoluminescence in a 2D Hybrid Perovskite with Giant Spin Splitting
We demonstrate large circularly polarized emission in polar achiral 2D halide perovskites excited with circular polarization. This thermally activated ‘spin memory’ reaches 19% polarization at 350 K,....
doi.org
November 14, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Happy to be part of this new paper today, with a pretty cool effect ... at room temperature, if one excited this material with circularly polarized light, the electrons/holes in the material "remember" for quite some time, as seen in subsequent emission.
doi.org/10.1002/adfm...
doi.org/10.1002/adfm...
And with some clouds …
November 12, 2025 at 2:21 AM
And with some clouds …
Aurora North Carolinensis tonight.
November 12, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Aurora North Carolinensis tonight.
The 2025 MDAnalysis User Group Meeting wrapped up. If you want to see what great talks and workshops we had, have a look at the UGM2025 repo github.com/MDAnalysis/U... . It was fantastic to have so many of you in Arizona and joining online! See you all again soon.
November 12, 2025 at 12:45 AM
I wonder if I should post more routinely that we do have monthly video meetings for anyone in the @fhi-aims.bsky.social community.
The next one is tomorrow, Nov 12, 8:30 am EST. Time and coordinates are routinely posted in the Slack workspace.
#compchemsky (in case any FHI-aims users are there)
The next one is tomorrow, Nov 12, 8:30 am EST. Time and coordinates are routinely posted in the Slack workspace.
#compchemsky (in case any FHI-aims users are there)
November 11, 2025 at 1:44 PM
I wonder if I should post more routinely that we do have monthly video meetings for anyone in the @fhi-aims.bsky.social community.
The next one is tomorrow, Nov 12, 8:30 am EST. Time and coordinates are routinely posted in the Slack workspace.
#compchemsky (in case any FHI-aims users are there)
The next one is tomorrow, Nov 12, 8:30 am EST. Time and coordinates are routinely posted in the Slack workspace.
#compchemsky (in case any FHI-aims users are there)
Reposted by Volker Blum
Tandem perovskite solar cells tested by the US DoD for resiliency against cyberattacks.
cleantechnica.com/2025/11/08/t...
#solar #perovskitesolar #perovskite #solarcells #pv #nationalguard #usmilitary #resiliency #startups #innovation #affordablesolar #dod #defense #renewableenergy #energy #energy
cleantechnica.com/2025/11/08/t...
#solar #perovskitesolar #perovskite #solarcells #pv #nationalguard #usmilitary #resiliency #startups #innovation #affordablesolar #dod #defense #renewableenergy #energy #energy
The Rise Of Perovskite Solar Cells, The Fall Of Fossil Fuels
The US DoD is testing tandem perovskite solar cells paired with silicon to improve efficiency, durability, and overall performance.
cleantechnica.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Tandem perovskite solar cells tested by the US DoD for resiliency against cyberattacks.
cleantechnica.com/2025/11/08/t...
#solar #perovskitesolar #perovskite #solarcells #pv #nationalguard #usmilitary #resiliency #startups #innovation #affordablesolar #dod #defense #renewableenergy #energy #energy
cleantechnica.com/2025/11/08/t...
#solar #perovskitesolar #perovskite #solarcells #pv #nationalguard #usmilitary #resiliency #startups #innovation #affordablesolar #dod #defense #renewableenergy #energy #energy
In other news, my (routine) eye exam improved my outlook so much, this evening. Rainbows everywhere. (Each light source. Aka dilated pupils, following the exam.) And happy to confirm that green light is only a single spectral line, white light a broad spectrum. No need for a prism tonight.
November 10, 2025 at 11:45 PM
In other news, my (routine) eye exam improved my outlook so much, this evening. Rainbows everywhere. (Each light source. Aka dilated pupils, following the exam.) And happy to confirm that green light is only a single spectral line, white light a broad spectrum. No need for a prism tonight.
Good reminder. Important in science.
Comparison is the thief of joy.
When you know who you are, what you value and work towards, you realize it is not necessary.
This mindset gives you the peace&space to sincerely cheer for other people. Because they are in their lane. Not yours.
#MondayMotivation
#mentalhealth
#chemsky #matsky
When you know who you are, what you value and work towards, you realize it is not necessary.
This mindset gives you the peace&space to sincerely cheer for other people. Because they are in their lane. Not yours.
#MondayMotivation
#mentalhealth
#chemsky #matsky
November 10, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Good reminder. Important in science.
Reposted by Volker Blum
Our MDAnalysis User Group Meeting 2025 is in full swing in sunny Arizona ! www.mdanalysis.org/pages/ugm2025/
November 10, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Our MDAnalysis User Group Meeting 2025 is in full swing in sunny Arizona ! www.mdanalysis.org/pages/ugm2025/
They did it! 🎉 Our Duke Pratt School of Engineering first-year engineers (and my 360 advisees - I'm just the advisor) successfully freed me from an elf-themed escape room with 15 minutes to spare. Amazing. (And future engineering is in good hands.)
November 9, 2025 at 6:52 PM
They did it! 🎉 Our Duke Pratt School of Engineering first-year engineers (and my 360 advisees - I'm just the advisor) successfully freed me from an elf-themed escape room with 15 minutes to spare. Amazing. (And future engineering is in good hands.)
Reposted by Volker Blum
November 8, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Congratulations to @wentao-zhang.bsky.social , who passed his prelim exam with flying colors. No picture (should have thought of that) but truly remarkable work!
November 6, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Congratulations to @wentao-zhang.bsky.social , who passed his prelim exam with flying colors. No picture (should have thought of that) but truly remarkable work!
I cannot write about this but the reposted post below concerns a deeply painful, awful legacy of my hometown. This is in German and the full story is also here:
www.ns-euthanasie-erlangen.de/de/geschicht...
Thank you to those at @fau.de and elsewhere for the difficult work of creating a memorial.
www.ns-euthanasie-erlangen.de/de/geschicht...
Thank you to those at @fau.de and elsewhere for the difficult work of creating a memorial.
October 16, 2025 at 1:33 PM
I cannot write about this but the reposted post below concerns a deeply painful, awful legacy of my hometown. This is in German and the full story is also here:
www.ns-euthanasie-erlangen.de/de/geschicht...
Thank you to those at @fau.de and elsewhere for the difficult work of creating a memorial.
www.ns-euthanasie-erlangen.de/de/geschicht...
Thank you to those at @fau.de and elsewhere for the difficult work of creating a memorial.
This find on BlueSky made me happy tonight!
At the Center for Computational and Digital Health Innovation, we’re advancing technology with purpose.
Proud to spotlight Cameron Kim, who’s shaping the future of ethical digital health innovation and preparing the next generation of leaders.
comphealth.duke.edu/featured-res...
Proud to spotlight Cameron Kim, who’s shaping the future of ethical digital health innovation and preparing the next generation of leaders.
comphealth.duke.edu/featured-res...
October 15, 2025 at 10:41 PM
This find on BlueSky made me happy tonight!
Reposted by Volker Blum
Are you an US-based undergraduate student interested in materials science?
I am thrilled to announce the 3rd edition of our #MateriAlZ Winter School held at Biosphere 2, Oracle, AZ (Jan 4-8, 2026). Free of charge!
Please apply by October 31st, 2025: bit.ly/materialz2026
I am thrilled to announce the 3rd edition of our #MateriAlZ Winter School held at Biosphere 2, Oracle, AZ (Jan 4-8, 2026). Free of charge!
Please apply by October 31st, 2025: bit.ly/materialz2026
October 15, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Are you an US-based undergraduate student interested in materials science?
I am thrilled to announce the 3rd edition of our #MateriAlZ Winter School held at Biosphere 2, Oracle, AZ (Jan 4-8, 2026). Free of charge!
Please apply by October 31st, 2025: bit.ly/materialz2026
I am thrilled to announce the 3rd edition of our #MateriAlZ Winter School held at Biosphere 2, Oracle, AZ (Jan 4-8, 2026). Free of charge!
Please apply by October 31st, 2025: bit.ly/materialz2026
This is a pretty remarkable graph - especially it seems to match the value quoted to me in around 1985, when I was a teenager. My source then was a science book, by Isaac Asimov, who, yes, was a scientist. www.amazon.de/exakten-Gehe...
If anyone still has the book, would be interesting to check.
If anyone still has the book, would be interesting to check.
October 11, 2025 at 3:05 PM
This is a pretty remarkable graph - especially it seems to match the value quoted to me in around 1985, when I was a teenager. My source then was a science book, by Isaac Asimov, who, yes, was a scientist. www.amazon.de/exakten-Gehe...
If anyone still has the book, would be interesting to check.
If anyone still has the book, would be interesting to check.
For anyone near the Research Triangle (North Carolina): The groups of Yosuke Kanai and ours will be organizing a Theory Training Workshop - primarily intended for incoming graduate students or postdoc but open to anyone (subject to capacity):
hybrid3.duke.edu/workshops/20...
#chemsky #compchemsky
hybrid3.duke.edu/workshops/20...
#chemsky #compchemsky
2025 HybriD3 Materials Theory Training Workshop
The 2025 HybriD3 Theory Training Workshop will be held at Duke University on November 21 and 22, 2025. The workshop is aimed at graduate students and postdocs entering the field; senior undergraduate ...
hybrid3.duke.edu
October 4, 2025 at 1:46 PM
For anyone near the Research Triangle (North Carolina): The groups of Yosuke Kanai and ours will be organizing a Theory Training Workshop - primarily intended for incoming graduate students or postdoc but open to anyone (subject to capacity):
hybrid3.duke.edu/workshops/20...
#chemsky #compchemsky
hybrid3.duke.edu/workshops/20...
#chemsky #compchemsky
October 3, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Happy about this paper on standardizing descriptions of perovskites, where the real credit needs to go to the team of colleagues that made this possible! Hopefully this will be used and adopted.
doi.org/10.1038/s414...
doi.org/10.1038/s414...
Towards an interoperable perovskite description or how to keep track of 300 perovskite ions - Nature Communications
The diversity of perovskite compositions has led to ambiguity in their representation and impose challenges for data mining and machine learning applications. Here, the authors propose a set of guidelines and a JSON schema for standardized description and reporting of perovskite compositions.
doi.org
September 30, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Happy about this paper on standardizing descriptions of perovskites, where the real credit needs to go to the team of colleagues that made this possible! Hopefully this will be used and adopted.
doi.org/10.1038/s414...
doi.org/10.1038/s414...
#chemsky #compchemsky Happy Sunday. I wanted to make this case again for IPAM at UCLA.
www.ipam.ucla.edu/news/nsf-fun...
If you work in our field, chances are that an IPAM program contributed to the science you do at some point. AI/ML, molecular science, materials, ...
Consider supporting them.
www.ipam.ucla.edu/news/nsf-fun...
If you work in our field, chances are that an IPAM program contributed to the science you do at some point. AI/ML, molecular science, materials, ...
Consider supporting them.
IPAM NSF funding status - IPAM
Latest Updates: We have been notified that the suspension of our NSF grant DMS-1925919 has been lifted. However, at present NSF is not issuing new awards to UCLA. Frequently asked questions: 1. What i...
www.ipam.ucla.edu
September 28, 2025 at 2:33 PM
#chemsky #compchemsky Happy Sunday. I wanted to make this case again for IPAM at UCLA.
www.ipam.ucla.edu/news/nsf-fun...
If you work in our field, chances are that an IPAM program contributed to the science you do at some point. AI/ML, molecular science, materials, ...
Consider supporting them.
www.ipam.ucla.edu/news/nsf-fun...
If you work in our field, chances are that an IPAM program contributed to the science you do at some point. AI/ML, molecular science, materials, ...
Consider supporting them.
This article is an amazing find for the day. I read Payne-Gaposchkin's "Stars and Clusters" when I was a teenager and it may be one of the best books I ever read. Certainly in terms of how I remember it. With great depth, yet captivating and totally accessible for someone with no background.
Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin ✨ figured out what stars are made of ✨ when she was just 25. 🔭🧪
Her PhD thesis basically established the Harvard astro department — at a time when Harvard didn't officially allow woman students.
I wrote this little profile to mark the 100th anniversary of her thesis:
Her PhD thesis basically established the Harvard astro department — at a time when Harvard didn't officially allow woman students.
I wrote this little profile to mark the 100th anniversary of her thesis:
September 24, 2025 at 12:24 PM
This article is an amazing find for the day. I read Payne-Gaposchkin's "Stars and Clusters" when I was a teenager and it may be one of the best books I ever read. Certainly in terms of how I remember it. With great depth, yet captivating and totally accessible for someone with no background.
Reposted by Volker Blum
I'm recruiting PhD students (Imperial Chemistry), for a >Jan 2026 start.
1) Designing antimicrobial peptides with machine learning and computational chemistry approaches
2) Machine learning surrogate quantum mechanical models (particularly Tight-binding and PPP)
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
1) Designing antimicrobial peptides with machine learning and computational chemistry approaches
2) Machine learning surrogate quantum mechanical models (particularly Tight-binding and PPP)
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
2025-09_FrostGroupPhDAdverts
September 2025 Frost group PhD adverts Overview / TL;DR Introduction The Frost Research Group Motivation / Philosophy Eligibility Funding Notes How to apply Project 1: Machine learning and computati...
docs.google.com
September 22, 2025 at 1:51 PM
I'm recruiting PhD students (Imperial Chemistry), for a >Jan 2026 start.
1) Designing antimicrobial peptides with machine learning and computational chemistry approaches
2) Machine learning surrogate quantum mechanical models (particularly Tight-binding and PPP)
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
1) Designing antimicrobial peptides with machine learning and computational chemistry approaches
2) Machine learning surrogate quantum mechanical models (particularly Tight-binding and PPP)
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
This is a pretty interesting article ...
“Batteries push investment into flexibility, smooth demand peaks, and keep the grid stable at lower cost. They will be the foundation of a power system that can deliver abundant electricity, with reliability built in, rather than as an afterthought” #battchat
www.worksinprogress.news/p/the-beauty...
www.worksinprogress.news/p/the-beauty...
The beauty of batteries
Keeping the grid stable requires overbuilding generation, driving up costs. Batteries fix that.
www.worksinprogress.news
September 22, 2025 at 2:57 AM
This is a pretty interesting article ...
Reposted by Volker Blum
We are very sad to announce the death of Professor Sir Peter Hirsch, FRS.
Sir Peter was a great scientist, mentor, colleague and friend, and he will be much missed.
www.materials.ox.ac.uk/article/prof...
Sir Peter was a great scientist, mentor, colleague and friend, and he will be much missed.
www.materials.ox.ac.uk/article/prof...
Prof Sir Peter Hirsch: 1925-2025
www.materials.ox.ac.uk
September 17, 2025 at 3:26 PM
We are very sad to announce the death of Professor Sir Peter Hirsch, FRS.
Sir Peter was a great scientist, mentor, colleague and friend, and he will be much missed.
www.materials.ox.ac.uk/article/prof...
Sir Peter was a great scientist, mentor, colleague and friend, and he will be much missed.
www.materials.ox.ac.uk/article/prof...
I want to make a small comment on the recent H-1B proclamation (www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...).
I understand that this proclamation alleges abuse. I cannot speak to the examples listed there but wanted to clarify at the outset that I have never witnessed such abuse in my personal experience.
I understand that this proclamation alleges abuse. I cannot speak to the examples listed there but wanted to clarify at the outset that I have never witnessed such abuse in my personal experience.
Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION The H-1B nonimmigrant visa program was created to bring temporary workers into the United
www.whitehouse.gov
September 20, 2025 at 6:12 PM
I want to make a small comment on the recent H-1B proclamation (www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...).
I understand that this proclamation alleges abuse. I cannot speak to the examples listed there but wanted to clarify at the outset that I have never witnessed such abuse in my personal experience.
I understand that this proclamation alleges abuse. I cannot speak to the examples listed there but wanted to clarify at the outset that I have never witnessed such abuse in my personal experience.