What Has Been Achieved: It is highly unusual for a material to undergo a pronounced change in oxidation state while maintaining essentially the same overall structure and composition, in response to only a change in deposition temperature. This discovery promises a new degree and method of control over the electronic and magnetic properties of materials.
Importance of the Achievement: This discovery provides an intriguing example of how high-entropy environments can stabilize oxidation states through novel mechanisms that may relate to the degree and kind of local order around the cobalt cations.
Unique Feature(s) of the MRSEC/PREM that Enabled this Achievement: A highly collaborative environment enabled the IRG to comprehensively and convincingly establish this otherwise surprising and striking result.