Simulations may explain nanoparticles 'pinned' to graphene

Graphene has proven a difficult material for researchers to tame. Peter Feibelman 's computational simulation suggests an explanation for why iridium atoms (colored green) nest regularly atop a base of graphene (dark-colored atoms) grown over an iridium substrate. Peter’s image of the orderly nanoscopic metallic arrangement may provide insights to other scientists. His paper on the work was published last Thursday in Physical Review B online. (Photo by Randy Montoya)