A group of Nagoya University researchers in Japan has synthesized 4- and 5-layered versions of the important electrical material perovskite. Analyzing the mechanism of ferroelectricity in the material, they found it has a unique function: the material switches its ferroelectric mechanisms depending on whether the number of layers is odd or even. Researchers expect that these diverse properties will greatly expand the development of new electronic devices. The Journal of the American Chemical Society published the study.