A new model predicts squeezed nanocrystal shape when blanketed under graphene

In a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory and Northeastern University, scientists have developed a model for predicting the shape of metal nanocrystals or "islands" sandwiched between or below two-dimensional (2-D) materials such as graphene. The advance moves 2-D quantum materials a step closer to applications in electronics.