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661 General — Nanotechnology Entries

General — Nanotechnology — February 17th, 2025

3D nanoprinting technique can transform ceramics for high-performance systems, from disease detection to space travel
The same material from which you drink your morning coffee could transform the way scientists detect disease, purify water, and insulate space shuttles thanks to an entirely new approach to ceramic manufacturing.
February 17, 2025Source

Breaking the pattern: How disorder toughens materials
Engineers tweak metamaterial geometry to increase toughness
February 17, 2025Source or Source

Data-driven approach accelerates single-atom catalyst development for water purification
All humans need clean water to live. However, purifying water can be energy-intensive, and therefore there is great interest in improving this process. Researchers at Tohoku University have recently reported a strategy using data-driven predictions coupled with precise synthesis to accelerate the development of single-atom catalysts (SACs) for more robust and efficient water purification.
February 17, 2025Source

Innovative epoxy resin combines fire safety, recyclability and high performance
Researchers at Sichuan University have developed a new type of epoxy resin that not only offers enhanced fire retardancy but is also recyclable and degradable, making it an ideal candidate for high-strength adhesives in various industries.
February 17, 2025Source

Laser processing turns ordinary marker ink into conductive graphene
Imagine drawing an electronic circuit with a marker pen, then transforming it into a functioning sensor with a laser. This capability, once considered impractical, has now been demonstrated through an innovative process developed by scientists at Graz University of Technology and Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna.
February 17, 2025Source

Novel catalyst development for sustainable ammonia synthesis
This study unveils Ba-Si orthosilicate oxynitride-hydride as a transition metal-free catalyst, paving the way for sustainable chemical innovation
February 17, 2025Source

Physicists model how amorphous solids lose their stability
Why do avalanches start to slide? And what happens inside the "pile of snow?" If you ask yourself these questions, you are very close to a physical problem. This phenomenon not only occurs on mountain peaks and in snow masses, where it is rather uncontrolled—it is also studied in the laboratory at the microscopic level in materials with a disordered particle structure, for example in glasses, granular materials or foams.
February 17, 2025Source

Transition metal-free catalyst promises greener, efficient ammonia synthesis
As the world moves toward sustainability, the demand for efficient alternatives across industries continues to grow. Ammonia, a key chemical used in fertilizers, explosives, and various other products, is primarily synthesized through the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process.
February 17, 2025Source

Using a data-driven approach to synthesize single-atom catalysts that can purify water
All humans need clean water to live. However, purifying water can be energy-intensive, so there is great interest in improving this process. Researchers at Tohoku University have reported a strategy using data-driven predictions coupled with precise synthesis to accelerate the development of single-atom catalysts (SACs) for more robust and efficient water purification.
February 17, 2025Source

General — Nanotechnology — February 14th, 2025

Atomic traffic control - researchers develop novel technology for even more precise quantum sensors
UNESCO's International Year of Quantum Science and Technology begins with a success for TU researchers at the Institute of Applied Physics: Physical Review Research ("Dichroic mirror pulses for optimized higher-order atomic Bragg diffraction") publishes results of their research on dichroic mirror pulses. These act like velocity-selective traffic controllers for atoms by directing the particles with correct velocity towards detection while letting run troublemakers into the void.
February 14, 2025Source or Source

Dance of magnetism and light: Study finds nonreciprocal second harmonic generation disappears in 2D material
A research group recently discovered the disappearance of nonreciprocal second harmonic generation (SHG) in MnPSe₃ when integrated into a two-dimensional (2D) antiferromagnetic MnPSe>3/graphene heterojunction.
February 14, 2025Source

Nanotechnology shows the way to future food crops
Nanoparticle technology could help fine-tune plant genes to increase crop yield and improve food quality.
February 14, 2025Source

New optical tech boosts gravitational-wave detection capabilities
In a paper published earlier this month in Physical Review Letters, a team of physicists led by Jonathan Richardson of the University of California, Riverside, showcases how new optical technology can extend the detection range of gravitational-wave observatories such as the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, or LIGO, and pave the way for future observatories.
February 14, 2025Source

General — Nanotechnology — February 10th, 2025

Nanoscale tin catalyst discovery paves the way for sustainable CO2 conversion
Researchers have developed a sustainable catalyst that increases its activity during use while converting carbon dioxide (CO2) into valuable products. This discovery offers a blueprint for designing next-generation electrocatalysts.
February 10, 2025Source or Source or Source

New nanomaterial enables more powerful quantum imaging systems
Quantum physics holds great promise for advancing imaging technology beyond what traditional optics can achieve. At its core, quantum imaging uses pairs of photons -- particles of light -- that share a special connection called entanglement. This quantum connection allows imaging techniques that surpass classical limits, offering better resolution and the ability to detect extremely faint objects.
February 10, 2025Source

Researchers achieve record quantum efficiency in next-generation LEDs
Research teams from Southeast University, led by Professors Zhenhua Ni and Junpeng Lv, in collaboration with Professor Hongwei Liu from Nanjing Normal University and Professor Peng Zhou from Fudan University, have achieved a breakthrough in van der Waals light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Their innovative approach combines two-dimensional perovskite materials with low-temperature van der Waals transfer technology, resulting in a remarkable quantum efficiency of over 10% at room temperature.
February 10, 2025Source

Room-temperature infrared detector matches performance of cryogenically-cooled devices
Research groups from Southeast University and Nanjing Normal University Achieve New Milestones in High-Performance Room Temperature Infrared Detection
February 10, 2025Source

Shaping the Future of Nanotechnology: CRAIC Technologies Circular Dichroism Microspectrometers Redefine Molecular Precision
In the dynamic realm of nanotechnology, Circular Dichroism (CD) Microspectroscopy has emerged as a groundbreaking analytical tool, enabling unparalleled insights into the molecular structures and interactions that drive innovation at the nanoscale. By fusing circular dichroism with advanced microspectroscopy, this cutting-edge technology is transforming the design and understanding of nanoscale materials and devices.
February 10, 2025Source

The ALPHA experiment moves towards the increasingly precise study of antihydrogen
Antimatter is a fascinating kind of matter made up of antiparticles, which have a mass equivalent to that of their normal matter counterparts, yet they exhibit an opposite charge and distinct quantum properties.
February 10, 2025Source

General — Nanotechnology — February 7th, 2025

Optimized nickel particles improve catalyst performance for hydrogenation reactions
A research team led by Wang Guozhong from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed a novel method to precisely control the size of nickel (Ni) particles in catalysts, improving their performance in hydrogenation reactions.
February 7, 2025Source

Simulating particle creation in an expanding universe using quantum computers
A new study published in Scientific Reports simulates particle creation in an expanding universe using IBM quantum computers, demonstrating the digital quantum simulation of quantum field theory for curved spacetime (QFTCS).
February 7, 2025Source

General — Nanotechnology — February 5th, 2025

Electric control tunes nanopore size for selective molecular transport
A gate that can be open or shut to allow or block the passing of species on one or both sides applies not only on the macroscale, for example a farm gate used to control stock movement, but also at the nanoscale, where a gate can control the translocation of single molecules.
February 5th, 2025Source

Nanogate uses voltage to control molecule passage through tiny pore
A collaboration led by researchers at Osaka University has developed a nanogate that can be open or shut by applying electricity. The nanogate shows various behaviors depending on the materials in the solutions on both sides of the gate and the applied voltage, making it attractive for different applications including sensing and controlled chemical reactions.
February 5th, 2025Source

Nanotechnology Offers Promising Solutions for Coastal Oil Spill Cleanup
A group of researchers from Concordia University explores how nanotechnology could offer faster, safer, and more effective solutions for coastal oil spill remediation. The study was published in the journal Environmental Science Nano.
February 5th, 2025Source

New spin on quantum liquids: Quasi-1D dynamics in molecular spin systems
Quantum spin liquids (QSLs) are fascinating and mysterious states of matter that have intrigued scientists for decades. First proposed by Nobel laureate Philip Anderson in the 1970s, these materials break the conventional rules of magnetism by never settling into a stable magnetic state, even at temperatures close to absolute zero. Instead, the spins of the atoms within them remain constantly fluctuating and entangled, creating a kind of magnetic "liquid."
February 5th, 2025Source

Newer Sony cameras can now upload images to Google Drive and Lightroom
Updates to Sony's Creators' Cloud platform let photographers send their images to other online storage solutions.
February 5th, 2025Source

Nikon P1100 versus Nikon P1000
Now we have created a different table where we have sorted out the major differences between the two. The thing that disappoints us, number one, is that there is no major upgrade we can find in the hardware zone of the camera. The sensor, the image processor, the lens, and even the battery—everything remains as it was in the predecessor of the camera. And the thing that disappointed us more is the drop in image stabilization support.
February 5th, 2025Source

Novel quantum-classical computing scheme for designing light-sensitive compounds could accelerate material discovery
Recently, a joint research team developed a novel quantum-classical computing scheme for designing photochromic materials—light-sensitive compounds—providing a powerful tool to accelerate the discovery of new materials. This research was published Dec. 20, 2024 in Intelligent Computing in an article titled "A Quantum-Classical Method Applied to Material Design: Photochromic Materials Optimization for Photopharmacology Applications."
February 5th, 2025Source

Scientists make progress in producing H2-rich syngas from biomass gasification
The production of hydrogen from biomass has garnered increasing attention, with thermochemical methods emerging as the most widely adopted approach. Among these, steam gasification stands out as a particularly promising technique for producing H2-rich syngas.
February 5th, 2025Source

Unlocking graphite's potential: Sliding layers for advanced material properties
Can copper be turned into gold? For centuries, alchemists pursued this dream, unaware that such a transformation requires a nuclear reaction. In contrast, graphite—the material found in pencil tips—and diamond are both composed entirely of carbon atoms; the key difference lies in how these atoms are arranged. Converting graphite into diamond requires extreme temperatures and pressures to break and reform chemical bonds, making the process impractical.
February 5th, 2025Source

General — Nanotechnology — February 3rd, 2025

Quantum light technique doubles spectroscopy sensitivity, revealing hidden signals
An international team of engineers and physicists have found a way to use quantum light to improve the performance of cutting-edge spectroscopy.
February 3rd, 2025Source

Scientists discover unexpected plasma formation when microwaving CO2-derived carbon nanotubes
A standard microwave oven sits on a laboratory bench. Inside, a small sample of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) erupts into brilliant yellow-white plasma, reaching temperatures over 800 °C. This intense plasma forms spontaneously within seconds and maintains itself until the power switches off.
February 3rd, 2025Source or Watch Video

Tiny copper 'flowers' bloom on artificial leaves for clean fuel production
Tiny copper 'nano-flowers' have been attached to an artificial leaf to produce clean fuels and chemicals that are the backbone of modern energy and manufacturing.
February 3rd, 2025Source

General — Nanotechnology — January 24th, 2025

A wrinkle for light
(Nanowerk News) Stretching or bending, which is better? A lucky discovery led researchers to a new understanding of how ultrathin materials absorb and reflect light. The new model — if confirmed — could change the way ultrathin materials are developed and used.
January 24th, 2025Source

Deep-ultraviolet laser microscope reveals diamond's nanoscale transport behaviors
Ultrawide-bandgap semiconductors—such as diamond—are promising for next-generation electronics due to a larger energy gap between the valence and conduction bands, allowing them to handle higher voltages, operate at higher frequencies, and provide greater efficiency compared to traditional materials like silicon.
January 24th, 2025Source

Engineering the first semimetallic Weyl quantum crystal
An international team of researchers led by the Strong Correlation Quantum Transport Laboratory of the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS) has demonstrated, in a world's first, an ideal Weyl semimetal, marking a breakthrough in a decade-old problem of quantum materials.
January 24th, 2025Source

Enhancing tornado damage surveys to reduce uncertainties in records
Tornadoes remain one of the most destructive natural hazards. Accurately recording tornado occurrences has been challenging, especially in areas where confirming their occurrence is challenging due to sparse populations or dense forests. A recent news and views article, led by researchers from the China Meteorological Administration Tornado Key Laboratory, Peking University, and the Foshan Tornado Research Center, summarizes methods that may reduce uncertainties in tornado records.
January 24th, 2025Source

Kirigami hydrogels rise from cellulose film
(Nanowerk News) Hydrogels have a network of water-attracting (hydrophilic) molecules, allowing their structure to swell substantially when exposed to water. Researchers Daisuke Nakagawa and Itsuo Hanasaki from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT) are looking into new options for making “kirigami hydrogels” that swell into complex 3D structures.
January 24th, 2025Source

Machine learning and 3D printing yield steel-strong, foam-light materials
Researchers at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering have used machine learning to design nano-architected materials that have the strength of carbon steel but the lightness of Styrofoam.
January 24th, 2025Source

Make it worth Weyl: engineering the first semimetallic Weyl quantum crystal
(Nanowerk News) An international team of researchers led by the Strong Correlation Quantum Transport Laboratory of the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS) has demonstrated, in a world’s first, an ideal Weyl semimetal, marking a breakthrough in a decade-old problem of quantum materials.
January 24th, 2025Source

Mechanochemical synthesis: New theory explains reaction rate acceleration
In contrast to conventional organic synthesis, mechanochemistry does not use solvents that eventually become industrial wastes. Thus, mechanochemistry is environmentally friendly and enables us to perform organic synthesis using reactants that poorly dissolve into common solvents.
January 24th, 2025Source

MXene-enhanced epoxy promises safer, more durable industrial applications
Two-component epoxies, which require mixing resin and curing agent before use, often suffer from issues such as mixing ratio errors, limited working times, and inconsistent curing. Additionally, they must be used immediately after mixing, leading to wasted residue.
January 24th, 2025Source

New atom-based thermometer measures temperature more accurately
(Nanowerk News) Scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have created a new thermometer using atoms boosted to such high energy levels that they are a thousand times larger than normal. By monitoring how these giant “Rydberg” atoms interact with heat in their environment, researchers can measure temperature with remarkable accuracy. The thermometer’s sensitivity could improve temperature measurements in fields ranging from quantum research to industrial manufacturing.
January 24th, 2025Source

New tool aids organizations in mapping carbon reduction strategies
A novel tool that can help organizations identify viable pathways to net zero emissions has been launched by Imperial College London.
January 24th, 2025Source

Physicists discover - and explain - unexpected magnetism in an atomically thin material
(Nanowerk News) MIT physicists have created a new ultrathin, two-dimensional material with unusual magnetic properties that initially surprised the researchers before they went on to solve the complicated puzzle behind those properties’ emergence. As a result, the work introduces a new platform for studying how materials behave at the most fundamental level — the world of quantum physics.
January 24th, 2025Source

Single-Photon Emission Achieved with Nanoribbons
Researchers at Montana State University, in collaboration with Columbia University and the Honda Research Institute, have demonstrated the emission of single photons from a new type of quantum material. This finding holds potential for developing controllable light sources in quantum technologies.
January 24th, 2025Source

Soap's maze-solving skills could unlock secrets of the human body
An international team of scientists have discovered that soap could be important to helping our understanding of complex systems in the human body, such as lungs, and improving therapies for conditions such as respiratory distress syndrome.
January 24th, 2025Source

Solar-Powered Fabric with Built-in Temperature Monitoring
Researchers at the University of Waterloo have developed a fabric that heats up under sunlight, utilizing nanoparticles embedded within the fibers. The study, published in the Journal of Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials, explores a sustainable approach to winter clothing that eliminates the need for external power sources.
January 24th, 2025Source

Strong as steel, light as foam: High-performance, nano-architected materials
Researchers have used machine learning to design nano-architected materials that have the strength of carbon steel but the lightness of Styrofoam. The team describes how they made nanomaterials with properties that offer a conflicting combination of exceptional strength, light weight and customizability. The approach could benefit a wide range of industries, from automotive to aerospace.
January 24th, 2025Source

Supranano engineering enhances strength and ductility of structural materials
Building on their work on the first-ever supranano magnesium alloy, a research team led by City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) has demonstrated how supranano engineering can lead to higher strength and higher ductility in bulk structural materials.
January 24th, 2025Source

General — Nanotechnology — January 22nd, 2025

Antimony's bonding characteristics offer insights into phase change materials
A new study that provides unprecedented insights into the chemical bonding of antimony could have a profound impact on materials research. The collaboration between scientists from Leipzig University, RWTH Aachen University and the DESY synchrotron in Hamburg combined experimental measurements with theoretical calculations.
January 22nd, 2025Source

From classical to quantum: Reimagining the Mpemba effect at the atomic scale
In a new Nature Communications study, scientists have demonstrated the quantum version of the strong Mpemba effect (sME) in a single trapped ion system.
January 22nd, 2025Source

High-Performance EMI Shielding Nanocomposite: FeNi3-NiFe2O4-SiO2/MWCNT
A study in Scientific Reports investigated the synthesis and characterization of a nanocomposite composed of FeNi₃-NiFe₂O₄-SiO₂ nanoparticles combined with multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). The research focused on evaluating the electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding properties of the composite, aiming to develop a lightweight, high-performance material for microwave technology applications.
January 22nd, 2025Source

Reimagining chain mail: 3D architected materials that adapt and protect
(Nanowerk News) Experiments from the Caltech lab of Chiara Daraio, G. Bradford Jones Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Physics and Heritage Medical Research Institute Investigator, have yielded a fascinating new type of matter, neither granular nor crystalline, that responds to some stresses as a fluid would and to others like a solid. The new material, known as PAM (for polycatenated architected materials) could have uses in areas ranging from helmets and other protective gear to biomedical devices and robotics.
January 22nd, 2025Source or Watch Video

Superalloys resist wear at nearly forge-level heat using new process
Finding lubricants that work at exceptionally high temperatures challenges researchers and industries alike. A Virginia Tech team may have uncovered a promising candidate by happenstance: transition metal spinel oxides formed on nickel-chromium-based superalloys.
January 22nd, 2025Source

General — Nanotechnology — January 20th, 2025

AI-powered data analysis uncovers issues in scientific publications
AI-powered data analysis tools have the potential to significantly improve the quality of scientific publications. A new study by Professor Mathias Christmann, a chemistry professor at Freie Universität Berlin, has uncovered shortcomings in chemical publications. Using a Python script developed with the help of modern AI language models, Christmann analyzed more than 3,000 scientific papers published in the organic chemistry journal Organic Letters over the past two years. The analysis revealed that only forty percent of the chemical research papers contained error-free mass measurements.
January 20th, 2025Source

Chemical research often contains inaccurate mass measurement data, according to AI analysis
Using a Python script developed with the help of modern AI language models, Christmann analyzed more than 3,000 scientific papers published in Organic Letters over the past two years. The analysis revealed that only 40% of the chemical research papers contained error-free mass measurements. The AI-based data analysis tool used for this purpose could be created without any prior programming knowledge.
January 20th, 2025Source

Imaging technique reveals first 2D chainmail-like material
An advanced imaging technique developed at Cornell has revealed the first two-dimensional, mechanically interlocked polymer—confirming a breakthrough in both material design and electron microscopy.
January 20th, 2025Source

More versatile shape-shifting materials offer new possibilities for soft robotics and wearable tech
Finding new angles on an old artform, McGill researchers have increased the number of stable shapes that kirigami-based engineered materials can take, opening the way to a range of new applications.
January 20th, 2025Source

Next-gen textile fibers sense light, pressure, smell and even taste
Professor Bonghoon Kim from the Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering at the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST) has successfully developed a groundbreaking multifunctional sensor that mimics the five human senses. This innovative achievement, a collaborative effort with Professor Sangwook Kim at KAIST, Professor Janghwan Kim at Ajou University, and Professor Jiwoong Kim at Soongsil University, is poised to advance state-of-the-art technologies, including wearables, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, electronic systems, and soft robotics.
January 20th, 2025Source

Quantum 'umbilical cord' links metal and insulator states in many materials, study shows
A kind of umbilical cord between different quantum states can be found in some materials. Researchers at TU Wien have now shown that this "umbilical cord" is generic to many materials.
January 20th, 2025Source

Using infrared heat transfer to modify chemical reactions
In a joint experimental-theoretical work, a team of researchers, including theorists from UC San Diego, have shown for the first time that heat transfer in the form of infrared radiation can influence chemical reactions more strongly than traditional convection and conduction methods.
January 20th, 2025Source

General — Nanotechnology — January 17th, 2025

Mechanisms of Epitaxial Growth of Hexagonal Boron Nitride
A recent article in Small presents a detailed investigation into the mechanisms behind the epitaxial growth of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) on Ru(0001). Using a combination of density functional theory (DFT) and microkinetic modeling, the researchers focused on the reaction pathways that drive the growth process, paying particular attention to the critical stages leading to hBN formation and the development of nanoporous intermediates.
January 17th, 2025Source

Metastable marvel: X-rays illuminate an exotic material transformation
A flash of light traps this material in an excited state indefinitely, and new experiments reveal how it happens.
January 17th, 2025Source

New 'twist' for future electronics
Imagine a future where your phone, computer or even a tiny wearable device can think and learn like the human brain -- processing information faster, smarter and using less energy.
January 17th, 2025Source

Nitrogen-doped porous carbon-supported catalysts boost conversion efficiency of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide
The ability to convert carbon dioxide into useful chemicals and fuels could help address rising atmospheric CO2 levels while simultaneously producing valuable industrial feedstocks. The electrochemical reduction of CO2 to carbon monoxide is particularly attractive, as CO serves as a key building block for producing various chemicals through established industrial processes like Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.
January 17th, 2025Source

General — Nanotechnology — January 13th, 2025

Fully recyclable carbon nanotube fibers have far-reaching implications for manufacturing across sectors
In a significant step toward creating a sustainable and circular economy, Rice University researchers have published a study in the journal Carbon demonstrating that carbon nanotube (CNT) fibers can be fully recycled without any loss in their structure or properties. This discovery positions CNT fibers as a sustainable alternative to traditional materials like metals, polymers and the much larger carbon fibers, which are notoriously difficult to recycle.
January 13th, 2025Source or Watch Video

Liquid crystal-powered metasurfaces enable switchable color displays and security features
The screens we use every day -- from smartphones to televisions -- work by either filtering white light or creating their own illumination. These approaches have served well but face inherent limitations in displaying rich, vivid colors while keeping power consumption low.
January 13th, 2025Source

Nano rainbows: Expanding the light spectrum at the smallest scale
Since the invention of the laser in 1960, nonlinear optics has aimed to broaden light's spectral range and create new frequency components. Among the various techniques, supercontinuum (SC) generation stands out for its ability to produce light across a wide portion of the visible and infrared spectrum.
January 13th, 2025Source

Nanothermometers enable real-time temperature monitoring at molecular scale
Technological advancements in the simultaneous observation of ultrafine structures and temperature changes in materials are paving the way for the development of advanced materials. This innovation is expected to facilitate the analysis of the correlation between specific structures and the thermodynamic properties of samples.
January 13th, 2025Source

New study unveils breakthrough in understanding cosmic particle accelerators
Scientists have come a step closer to understanding how collisionless shock waves -- found throughout the universe -- are able to accelerate particles to extreme speeds.
January 13th, 2025Source

Quantum computer helps to answer questions on lattice gauge theory
Science is always looking for more computing power and more efficient tools capable of answering its questions. Quantum computers are the new frontier in data processing, as they use the quantum properties of matter, such as the superposition of states and entanglement, to perform very complex operations.
January 13th, 2025Source

Versatile nanothermometer enables real-time material structure and temperature observation
Technological advancements in the simultaneous observation of ultrafine structures and temperature changes in materials are paving the way for the development of advanced materials. This innovation is expected to facilitate the analysis of the correlation between specific structures and the thermodynamic properties of samples.
January 13th, 2025Source

General — Nanotechnology — January 10th, 2025

Covalent organic frameworks demonstrate considerable potential for efficient energy transport
An interdisciplinary research team from LMU, the Technical University of Munich (TUM), and the University of Oxford has employed novel spectroscopic techniques to investigate the diffusion of excited states in covalent organic frameworks (COFs).
January 10th, 2025Source

Interfacial coupling alters optical properties in 2D magnetic/graphene devices
A research group led by Prof. SHENG Zhigao from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, recently discovered the disappearance of nonreciprocal second harmonic generation (SHG) in MnPSe3 when integrated into a two-dimensional (2D) antiferromagnetic MnPSe3/graphene heterojunction.
January 10th, 2025Source

Hidden transport pathways in graphene confirmed, paving the way for next-generation device design
Electron transport in bilayer graphene exhibits a pronounced dependence on edge states and a nonlocal transport mechanism, according to a study led by Professor Gil-Ho Lee and Ph.D. candidate Hyeon-Woo Jeong of POSTECH's Department of Physics, in collaboration with Dr. Kenji Watanabe and Dr. Takashi Taniguchi at Japan's National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS).
January 10th, 2025Source

Single-atom metal layer reveals unexpected spin-polarized current control with light
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have demonstrated that the direction of the spin-polarized current can be restricted to only one direction in a single-atom layer of a thallium-lead alloy when irradiated at room temperature. The discovery defies conventions: single-atom layers have been thought to be almost completely transparent, in other words, negligibly absorbing or interacting with light.
January 10th, 2025Source

Understanding Nonlocal Resistance in Bilayer Graphene
A recent study published in Nano Letters sheds new light on the intricate behavior of electron transport in bilayer graphene, highlighting the critical role of edge states and a unique nonlocal transport mechanism.
January 10th, 2025Source

Valence electrons' role in magnetism of molecular crystals explored
Molecular crystals with conductivity and magnetism, due to their low impurity concentrations, provide valuable insights into valence electrons. They have helped link charge ordering to superconductivity and to explore quantum spin liquids, where electron spins remain disordered even at extremely low temperatures.
January 10th, 2025Source

General — Nanotechnology — January 9th, 2025

Janus graphene nanoribbons poised to advance quantum technologies
Researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have recently achieved a significant breakthrough in the development of next-generation carbon-based quantum materials, opening new horizons for advancements in quantum electronics.
January 9th, 2025Source

Modeling the Growth of Hexagonal Boron Nitride for Next-Generation Applications
According to researchers from the University of Surrey, a breakthrough in understanding the growth process of the 2D material Hexagonal Boron Nitride (hBN) and its nanostructures on metal substrates may open the door to cleaner energy sources, more effective electronics, and environmentally friendly chemical manufacturing.
January 9th, 2025Source

Photoacoustic spectroscopy approach achieves real-time detection of low gas concentrations
Researchers have developed a new method for quickly detecting and identifying very low concentrations of gases. The new approach, called coherently controlled quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy, could form the basis for highly sensitive real-time sensors for applications such as environmental monitoring, breath analysis and chemical process control.
January 9th, 2025Source

Proximity effect: Method allows advanced materials to gain new property
Ferroelectrics are special materials with polarized positive and negative charges — like a magnet has north and south poles — that can be reversed when external electricity is applied. The materials will remain in these reversed states until more power is applied, making them useful for data storage and wireless communication applications.
January 9th, 2025Source

Software tool accelerates analysis of active sites in single atom catalysts
Catalysts can transform a starting material into a product or fuel with lower energy, like the yeast in bread making and human-made catalysts for converting raw materials into fuels more efficiently and sustainably. A promising class of these helpful substances, called single atom catalysts, has emerged, and researchers need new methods to better understand them.
January 9th, 2025Source

General — Nanotechnology — January 8th, 2025

Breakthrough in 2D material growth opens doors to cleaner energy and next-generation technology
A breakthrough in decoding the growth process of Hexagonal Boron Nitride (hBN), a 2D material, and its nanostructures on metal substrates could pave the way for more efficient electronics, cleaner energy solutions and greener chemical manufacturing, according to new research from the University of Surrey.
January 8th, 2025Source or Source

Eyepiece optics enabled by ultra-flat metasurfaces
(Nanowerk News) Alongside advances in artificial intelligence and widespread availability of digital content, demand for augmented / virtual reality (AR / VR) near-eye displays has surged. There is great commercial interest in developing such technologies for education, gaming, and social interactions, and there is perennial defense and national security interest for improved night vision and enhanced vision technologies.
January 8th, 2025Source

Focal volume optics for composite structuring in transparent solids
(Nanowerk News) For a long time, an ultrafast laser has been applied as a point-typed energy source to trigger various material modifications, and the profile of light intensity is mainly considered a Gaussian type. Therefore, the actual morphology and evolution of the light field in the focal volume have been overlooked.
January 8th, 2025Source

Moving in sync, slowly, in glassy liquids
(Nanowerk News) Glass might seem to be an ordinary material we encounter every day, but the physics at play inside are actually quite complex and still not completely understood by scientists. Some panes of glass, such as the stained-glass windows in many Medieval buildings, have remained rigid for centuries, as their constituent molecules are perpetually frozen in a state of disorder.
January 8th, 2025Source

Researchers image magnetic skyrmions at room temperature for the first time
An international research team, working with cutting-edge technology at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, has made a discovery that may dramatically expand the materials used in next-generation, energy-efficient memory and logic devices.
January 8th, 2025Source

Researchers tune active sites of bimetallic catalysts with atomic precision
(Nanowerk News) Bimetallic particles, composed of a noble metal and a base metal, exhibit unique catalytic properties in selective heterogeneous hydrogenations due to their distinct geometric and electronic structures. At the molecular level, effective and selective hydrogenation requires site-specific interactions where the active atoms on the catalyst particle selectively engage with the functional group targeted for transformation in the substrate.
January 8th, 2025Source

General — Nanotechnology — January 7th, 2025

Combining graphene and nanodiamonds for better microplasma devices
Microplasma devices are incredibly versatile tools for generating and sustaining plasmas on micro- and millimeter scales. The latest advances in nanotechnology now promise to expand their range of applications even further but, so far, this progress has been held back by the limited stability of some nanostructures at the extreme temperatures required to sustain many plasmas.
January 7th, 2025Source

How goji berries can be used to create silver nanoparticles
As the search for sustainability permeates all fields, researchers are turning to a unique organic source for creating antibacterial silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) -- the humble goji berry.
January 7th, 2025Source or Source

Liquid-like molecular dynamics explain solid-state battery material's superionic transport abilities
Researchers at Duke University have uncovered the molecular inner workings of a material that could underpin next-generation rechargeable batteries.
January 7th, 2025Source

Molecular sieve breaks chemical separation barrier using defect-free atomic structure
The petrochemical industry relies on separating chemicals that differ by just fractions of a nanometer in size. Methanol must be purified from similarly-sized molecules in the production of plastics, pharmaceuticals, and fuels. Currently, this separation requires heating massive quantities of liquid mixtures until they boil at slightly different temperatures - an energy-intensive process that consumes as much electricity as the entire continent of Africa.
January 7th, 2025Source

Novel photonic switch that overcomes this size-speed tradeoff
Every second, terabytes of data — the equivalent of downloading thousands upon thousands of movies at once — travel around the world as light in fiber-optic cables, like so many cars packed onto a super-fast highway. When that information reaches data centers, it needs a switching system, just as cars need traffic lights, to exit the highway in an orderly fashion.
January 7th, 2025Source

Quantum dots enhance spin chemistry in radical pairs
Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) constitute a platform to explore various quantum effects. Their size-dependent colors are essentially a naked-eye, ambient-condition visualization of the quantum confinement effect.
January 7th, 2025Source

Ring-shaped polymers solidify into glass, offering sustainable material potential
When a spider is spinning its web, its silk starts out as liquid and quickly turns into a solid that is, pound for pound, sturdier than steel. They manage to create these impressive materials at room temperature with biodegradable and environmentally friendly polymers. Materials scientists at Carnegie Mellon are studying these processes to better understand the ways biological systems manipulate polymers, and how we can borrow their techniques to improve industrial plastic processing.
January 7th, 2025Source

Silk-based nanofiltration membrane can purify water 10 times faster than commercial methods
A research team led by Professor Chuyang Tang, Chair Professor from the Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), has developed a novel nanofiltration membrane using natural silk that could transform the process of water purification and treatment.
January 7th, 2025Source

General — Nanotechnology — January 6th, 2025

Innovative doping technique boosts semiconductor nanocrystal performance
A research team has successfully developed a new technology to control doping at the nucleus (seed) phase to increase the performance of semiconductor nanocrystals. The study uncovered how the doping process and location differ depending on the type of doping element (dopant). The developed technology is expected to be widely utilized in advanced electronic devices, such as displays and transistors.
January 6th, 2025Source

Laser technique uncovers how titanium's electron behavior influences its physical properties
A research team at Yokohama National University has developed a way to study how the orientation and behavior of electrons in titanium influence its physical characteristics. Their findings, published in Communications Physics on December 18, 2024, could pave the way for the development of more advanced and efficient titanium alloys.
January 6th, 2025Source

Nanofluids and turbulators have potential to boost renewable energy and slash dependence on fossil fuels
Nanofluids and turbulators have enormous potential to boost thermal conductivity, increase heat transfer efficiency, cut energy costs, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, scientists say.
January 6th, 2025Source

New quantum sensing technology reveals sub-atomic signals
(Nanowerk News) Since the 1950s, scientists have used radio waves to uncover the molecular “fingerprints” of unknown materials, aiding in tasks as varied as scanning the human body with MRI machines and detecting explosives at airports.
January 6th, 2025Source or Source

General — Nanotechnology — January 3rd, 2025

Discovery of bistable nanocrystals promises faster, more energy-efficient optical computing
Scientists, including an Oregon State University chemistry researcher, have taken a key step toward faster, more energy-efficient artificial intelligence, and data processing in general, with the discovery of luminescent nanocrystals that can be quickly toggled from light to dark and back again.
January 3rd, 2025Source

General — Nanotechnology — January 2nd, 2025

Multiscale Force Sensing with Photon-Avalanching Nanocrystals
In a recent study published in the journal Nature, researchers from Columbia Engineering have developed new nanoscale force sensors. These sensors are luminescent nanocrystals that can change color and/or intensity when pushed or pulled. Since these "all-optical" nanosensors are only probed by light, they can be read out completely remotely without cables or other connections.
January 2nd, 2025Source

General — Nanotechnology — January 1st, 2025

A tour de force: Engineers discover new 'all-optical' nanoscale sensors of force
Photon-avalanching nanosensors access previously unreachable environments and could disrupt technologies from robotics to cellular biophysics and medicine to space travel
January 1st, 2025Source

New 'all-optical' nanoscale sensors of force access previously unreachable environments
Mechanical force is an essential feature for many physical and biological processes. Remote measurement of mechanical signals with high sensitivity and spatial resolution is needed for a wide range of applications, from robotics to cellular biophysics and medicine and even to space travel. Nanoscale luminescent force sensors excel at measuring piconewton forces, while larger sensors have proven powerful in probing micronewton forces.
January 1st, 2025Source or Source

General — Nanotechnology — December 30th, 2024

Engineers develop first deep-UV microLED display chips for maskless photolithography
In a breakthrough set to revolutionize the semiconductor industry, the School of Engineering of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has developed the world's first-of-its-kind deep-ultraviolet (UVC) microLED display array for lithography machines. This enhanced efficiency UVC microLED has showcased the viability of a lowered cost maskless photolithography through the provision of adequate light output power density, enabling exposure of photoresist films in a shorter time.
December 30th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — December 27th, 2024

Scientists use machine learning to develop an opener for a molecular can
In an era of medical care that is increasingly aiming at more targeted medication therapies, more individual therapies and more effective therapies, doctors and scientists want to be able to introduce molecules to the biological system to undertake specific actions.
December 27th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — December 26th, 2024

Integrating light-emitting molecules into carbon nanoparticles for random laser applications
Converting electrical energy into laser light has traditionally relied on precisely aligned optical components that direct light back and forth within a cavity. While these conventional laser systems are well-established and effective, their complexity has motivated research into alternative approaches that might offer simpler designs for specific applications.
December 26th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — December 25th, 2024

Polymer coating gives electron microscopes enhanced 3D vision
When scientists need to examine surface structures at the nanoscale, scanning electron microscopes offer one powerful approach among several advanced imaging technologies. These sophisticated instruments have transformed research in fields from microchip manufacturing to medical device development.
December 25th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — December 20th, 2024

New super-black material absorbs nearly all light using suspended nanoparticles
A black cotton T-shirt absorbs about 85% of visible light. The darkest paints can capture about 95%. But researchers have now created materials so black they absorb 99.7% of all light that hits them - making them appear as almost perfect voids to human eyes.
December 20th, 2024Source

Novel Method for Producing Superior Carbon Nanofibers via Additive Nanostructuring
Researchers recently introduced a new approach to fabricating high-performance carbon nanofibers (CNFs) in the journal Microsystems & Nanoengineering. The method combines additive nanostructuring with the carbonization of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) jetting fibers, addressing the limitations of traditional techniques to produce continuous, defect-free nanofibers with enhanced properties.
December 20th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — December 16th, 2024

Atomic-Level Engineering of Copper Nanoclusters Boosts CO2 Reduction
An international group of Scientists from Tohoku University, Tokyo University of Science, and the University of Adelaide have developed a novel technique to improve the sustainability and selectivity of electrochemical CO2 reduction processes.
December 16th, 2024Source

Color-changing sensor offers new way to track motion and stress
Wearable devices and smart sensors are transforming how we monitor health and activity, from tracking heartbeats to detecting body movements. However, traditional tools like stethoscopes and fitness trackers often face challenges. They require user training, struggle with accurately capturing subtle signals, and are limited in flexibility and ease of use.
December 16th, 2024Source

New Technique Yields Aligned Arrays of Tungsten Disulfide Nanotubes
In a study published in Nano Letters, Tokyo Metropolitan University researchers created the first tungsten disulfide nanotubes that point in the same direction upon formation.
December 16th, 2024Source

Scientists develop 3D concrete printing method that captures carbon dioxide
(Nanowerk News) Scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have developed a 3D concrete printing method that captures carbon, demonstrating a new pathway to reduce the environmental impact of the construction industry.
December 16th, 2024Source or Watch Video

Scientists learn how to make nanotubes that point in one direction
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have made tungsten disulfide nanotubes which point in the same direction when formed, for the first time. They used a sapphire surface under carefully controlled conditions to form arrayed tungsten disulfide nanotubes, each consisting of rolled nanosheets, using chemical vapor deposition.
December 16th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — December 13th, 2024

Metal scrap upcycled into high-value alloys with solid phase manufacturing
Metal scrap can be directly transformed and upgraded into high-performance, high-value alloys without the need for conventional melting processes, according to a new study from researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
December 13th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — December 10th, 2024

Advancing the synthesis of two-dimensional gold monolayers
Researchers have created nearly freestanding nanostructured two-dimensional (2D) gold monolayers, an impressive feat of nanomaterial engineering that could open up new avenues in catalysis, electronics, and energy conversion.
December 10th, 2024Source

Breakthrough in the precision engineering of four-stranded beta-sheets
A newly developed approach can precisely produce four-stranded &beta-sheets through metal--peptide coordination, report researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo. Their innovative methodology overcomes long-standing challenges in controlled &beta-sheet formation, including fibril aggregation and uncontrolled isomeric variation in the final product.
December 10th, 2024Source

New computational framework discovers experimental designs in microscopy 10,000 faster
For human researchers, it takes many years of work to discover new super-resolution microscopy techniques. The number of possible optical configurations of a microscope — for example, where to place mirrors or lenses — is enormous. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light (MPL) have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) framework which autonomously discovers new experimental designs in microscopy.
December 10th, 2024Source

Room-temperature nanodevice that generates structured light shows promise for secure communication and advanced optics
Researchers have developed a tiny, room-temperature device that creates a special type of structured light called radially polarized photons, which are highly useful for secure communication, advanced imaging, and precision optical tools.
December 10th, 2024Source

Scientists developed a nanolaser: Silver nanocubes enable light generation
Scientists have developed a unique nanolaser. Although the dimensions of this laser are so small that its structure can only be seen through a powerful microscope, its potential is vast. With applications in early medical diagnostics, data communication, and security technologies, this invention could also become a key tool for the study of light and matter interactions.
December 10th, 2024Source

Silver nanocubes enable nanolaser light generation
Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), Lithuania researchers, and scientists from Japan have developed a unique nanolaser. Although the dimensions of this laser are so small that its structure can only be seen through a powerful microscope, its potential is vast. With applications in early medical diagnostics, data communication, and security technologies, this invention could also become a key tool for the study of light and matter interactions.
December 10th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — December 6th, 2024

Experiment verifies a connection between quantum theory and information theory
Researchers from Linköping University together with colleagues from Poland and Chile have confirmed a theory that proposes a connection between the complementarity principle and entropic uncertainty. Their study is published in the journal Science Advances.
December 6th, 2024Source

Physicists propose a quantum--optomechanical solution to dark-matter detection
An interdisciplinary collaboration between condensed-matter, quantum-optics and particle physicists has the potential to crack the search for low-mass dark matter. The proposed quantum detector builds on EQUS studies of elementary excitations in superfluid helium and advances in opto-mechanics.
December 6th, 2024Source

Revealing elusive electron behavior in metal-organic framework photocatalysts
Transforming sunlight into chemical energy is one of nature's most elegant tricks. Scientists studying artificial versions of this process have long struggled to track the fleeting movements of electrons that occur when light strikes a catalyst - the material that speeds up chemical reactions. These rapid electronic transitions, happening in mere fractions of a second, are crucial to developing more efficient chemical manufacturing processes, yet they've remained largely invisible to conventional measurement techniques.
December 6th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — December 1st, 2024

3D-printed particles propel themselves across the surface of a fluid
A small team of physicists at the University of Amsterdam has demonstrated the ability of 3D-printed particles to propel themselves across the surface of a fluid, given the right fuel. The group has posted a paper describing their particles on the arXiv preprint server.
December 1st, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — November 29th, 2024

Physicists' breakthrough in fine-tuning electron behaviour in quantum materials could fast-track next generation of tech
Physicists at Loughborough University have made an exciting breakthrough in understanding how to fine-tune the behaviour of electrons in quantum materials poised to drive the next generation of advanced technologies.
November 29th, 2024Source

Water treatment: Catching steroid hormones with nanotubes
Steroid hormones are among the most widespread aquatic micropollutants. They are harmful to human health, and they cause ecological imbalances in aquatic environments.
November 29th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — November 27th, 2024

Atomic size differences guide nanoscale structural control of metal aerogels
Chemical reactions power everything from industrial manufacturing to clean energy production, but their efficiency depends critically on catalysts - materials that speed up reactions without being consumed. The key to a catalyst's performance lies in its microscopic architecture, which determines how easily molecules can reach active sites where reactions occur.
November 27th, 2024Source

Nanostructures pave the way for advanced robotics—and mini dinosaurs
Researchers at the University of Sydney Nano Institute have made a significant advance in the field of molecular robotics by developing custom-designed and programmable nanostructures using DNA origami.
November 27th, 2024Source

Shape-shifting antenna uses memory alloys to adapt to temperature change
By leveraging cutting-edge additive manufacturing techniques and shape memory alloys, researchers at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland, have created an antenna that can change its shape based on its temperature.
November 27th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — November 25th, 2024

Polymeric nanomaterials can detect harmful substances in extreme environments
Polymers have gained prominence in applications such as wearable electronics due to their flexibility and lightweight, but their low electrical conductivity has been a major drawback.
November 25th, 2024Source

Scalable production of high-quality organoids: Innovative platform utilizes 3D engineered nanofiber membrane
A research team has successfully developed a platform capable of scalable, uniform production of organoids that mimic biological functions. Their research has recently been published in the journal Nature Communications.
November 25th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — November 21st, 2024

A New Language for Nanopore Design
The lab of Ananth Govind Rajan, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), has developed a new language that encodes the structure and shape of nanopores as a series of characters, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
November 21st, 2024Source

Chemists create world's thinnest spaghetti
The world's thinnest spaghetti, about 200 times thinner than a human hair, has been created by a UCL-led research team. The spaghetti is not intended to be a new food but was created because of the wide-ranging uses that extremely thin strands of material, called nanofibers, have in medicine and industry.
November 21st, 2024Source

Electrochemistry unlocks unusual nanoparticle
(Nanowerk News) Palladium, a rare metal that physically resembles platinum, is a top-billing catalyst famous in the energy sector for hydrogen storage and catalytic converters.
November 21st, 2024Source

Graphene Goes Mainstream with the Launch of Levidian’s Second-Generation LOOP Decarbonization Technology
British climate technology firm Levidian has launched its second-generation LOOP technology, which will unlock industrial levels of production of high-quality graphene for the first time.
November 21st, 2024Source

Metal-organic frameworks: pioneering practical solutions for a greener, healthier future
(Nanowerk News) Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are materials composed of metal ions or clusters coordinated to organic molecules to form one, two, or three-dimensional structures. These highly porous structures possess large surface areas, making them extremely versatile for various applications. MOFs are a significant area of research in materials science and chemistry. The scientific and technological interest in this family of compounds continues to grow thanks to their large chemicl and structural diversity and their tremendous potential applications.
November 21st, 2024Source

Nanoink and printing technologies could enable electronics repairs, production in space
An Iowa State University engineer floats in the air while other researchers hang tight to a metal frame surrounding and supporting their special printer. It's not the usual photo you see in a research paper. Tests aboard microgravity flights aren't your typical materials experiments, either.
November 21st, 2024Source

Nanopasta: Electrospinning nanofibers of white flour
(Nanowerk News) The world’s thinnest spaghetti, about 200 times thinner than a human hair, has been created by a UCL-led research team.
November 21st, 2024Source

Novel framework allows for tunable ultrasound propagation in microscale metamaterials
Acoustic metamaterials—architected materials that have tailored geometries designed to control the propagation of acoustic or elastic waves through a medium—have been studied extensively through computational and theoretical methods. Physical realizations of these materials to date have been restricted to large sizes and low frequencies.
November 21st, 2024Source

Smart microcapsule arrays mark local stress variation in materials
Predicting material failure is a significant challenge in materials science, as stress history often leaves no visible signs. To address this, researchers at ETH Zurich's Laboratory for Soft Materials and Interfaces, Multi-Scale Robotics Lab, and Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences have developed a smart self-reporting material.
November 21st, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — November 18th, 2024

Cracking the code of performance degradation in solid oxide cells at the atomic level
(Nanowerk News) Dr. Hye Jung Chang and Dr. Kyung Joong Yoon of the Hydrogen Energy Materials Research Center at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) have announced that they have elucidated the mechanism of the initial degradation phenomenon that triggers the performance drop of high-temperature solid oxide electrolysis cell systems, using advanced transmission electron microscopy.
November 18th, 2024Source

New on-chip device uses exotic light rays in 2D material to detect molecules
(Nanowerk News) Researchers have developed a highly sensitive detector for identifying molecules via their infrared vibrational “fingerprint”. Published in Nature Communications ("On-chip phonon-enhanced IR near-field detection of molecular vibrations"), this innovative detector converts incident infrared light into ultra-confined "nanolight" in the form of phonon polaritons within the detector´s active area.
November 18th, 2024Source or Source

General — Nanotechnology — November 15th, 2024

AI Revolutionizes 2D Material Identification
Tohoku University researchers have created a deep learning-based method that significantly simplifies the precise identification and categorization of two-dimensional (2D) materials using Raman spectroscopy, according to a study published in Applied Materials Today.
November 15th, 2024Source

Argonne Researchers Create Nanoparticle Scintillators for Faster, More Precise Imaging
Scintillators are detectors that make high-energy X-rays or particles visible through flashes of light to form an image. Their many applications include particle physics, medical imaging, X-ray security and more.
November 15th, 2024Source

Automated Image Acquisition and Analysis of Graphene and Hexagonal Boron Nitride Structures
A recent article in Scientific Reports detailed the characterization of disordered structures in graphene and monolayer hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) induced by low-energy argon ion irradiation. The study employed automated scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) imaging coupled with convolutional neural network-based analysis to examine these structural changes.
November 15th, 2024Source

Comprehensive database released to advance data-driven research in the field of quasicrystals
Quasicrystals are materials with unique, non-periodic symmetry that distinguishes them from conventional crystals. Approximant crystals, often regarded as precursor materials closely related to quasicrystals, share similar compositional and structural features but retain periodic atomic arrangements.
November 15th, 2024Source

Mechanical metamaterial enables long-distance component interaction for unique stretching properties
Metamaterials are artificial materials that do not occur in nature. Their components function like atoms in conventional materials but have special optical, electrical and magnetic properties. Interaction between the components is crucial to a metamaterial's functionality.
November 15th, 2024Source

New route to quantum spin liquid materials discoveredA new route to materials with complex disordered magnetic properties at the quantum level has been produced by scientists for the first time. The material, based on a framework of ruthenium, fulfills the requirements of the Kitaev quantum spin liquid state—an elusive phenomenon that scientists have been trying to understand for decades.
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November 15th, 2024Source

Simple table salt enhances new adhesive polymer technology
Adhesives are everywhere, from the tape used in households to the bonding materials in vehicles and electronics. The search for stronger, more adaptable adhesives is ongoing and may come down to adding a dash of salt to two special polymer ingredients known as polyzwitterions, or PZIs.
November 15th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — November 12th, 2024

A New Understanding of Metal-Carbon Interactions
Researchers from the Vienna University of Technology have successfully measured and described the interaction between metal nanoparticles and a carbon substrate, according to a study published in ACS Catalysis.
November 12th, 2024Source

Adsorption of Pharmaceutical Contaminants Using Advanced Composite Materials
In a recent article published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers investigated the efficacy of two advanced composite materials—graphitic carbon nitride/graphene and MIL-101(Fe)/graphene—in adsorbing common pharmaceutical pollutants such as acetaminophen, caffeine, and sulfamethoxazole. The research employs molecular dynamics simulations to provide insights into the adsorption mechanisms and capacities of these materials, contributing to the development of effective water treatment solutions.
November 12th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — November 8th, 2024

Amino Acid-Functionalized Magnetite Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Therapeutic Potential
In a recent article published in Scientific Reports, researchers explored the synthesis and characterization of amino acid-functionalized magnetite nanoparticles and their potential applications in therapeutic fields, particularly in drug delivery and cancer treatment.
November 8th, 2024Source

Chemists showcase power of pathbreaking method to make complex molecules
Chemists have synthesized a highly complex natural molecule through a new strategy of functionalizing normally inert carbon-hydrogen (C-H). The journal Science has published the breakthrough. Led by chemists at Emory University and Caltech, the work is the most dramatic example yet of a sequence of C-H functionalization reactions selectively transforming low-cost materials into complex building blocks of organic chemistry.
November 8th, 2024Source

Engineering Graphene's Properties Through Physical Manipulation
A study published in Nano Letters by researchers from the Florida State University Department of Physics and FSU-headquartered National High Magnetic Field Laboratory explores how physical manipulations of graphene, such as layering and twisting, affect its optical properties and conductivity.
November 8th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — November 7th, 2024

New High-Energy X-Ray Imaging Technique for Nanomaterials
According to a study published in Science, researchers have created a new record-breaking 3D imaging tool. The tool employs high-energy X-rays to reveal or "visualize" the internal structure of nanomaterials.
November 7th, 2024Source

Quasiperiodicity changes the ground-state properties of 1D narrow-band moire systems, study demonstrates
Moire materials, such as twisted bilayer graphene, are materials generally formed by stacking two or more layers of 2D materials on top of each other with a small lattice mismatch. This slight mismatch creates a unique pattern known as the moire pattern, which is associated with desirable optical and electronic properties.
November 7th, 2024Source

Scientists capture images of a new quantum phase in electron molecular crystals
Electrons typically travel at high speeds, zipping through matter unbound. In the 1930s, physicist Eugene Wigner predicted that electrons could be coaxed into stillness at low densities and cold temperatures, forming an electron ice that would later be called the Wigner crystal.
November 7th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — November 5th, 2024

A human topological insulator: Researchers use choreographed dance to explain quantum materials
Science can be difficult to explain to the public. In fact, any subfield of science can be difficult to explain to another scientist who studies in a different area. Explaining a theoretical science concept to high school students requires a new way of thinking altogether.
November 5th, 2024Source

A single atom can change the directional profile of the light emitted in scanning tunneling microscopes
Researchers from Madrid explain a phenomenon that allows the direction of light emission to be controlled at the atomic scale. The paper provides a detailed explanation of how the profile of the light collected in a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) experiments changes when the tip is placed on an atomic step.
November 5th, 2024Source

Celastrol's druggability, molecular targets, and nanocarrier delivery against chronic diseases
Announcing a new publication for Acta Materia Medica journal. Celastrol is an active compound from the root of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F that shows great potential in the treatment of inflammation, cancer, neurodegeneration, diabetes, and obesity. However, the clinical application of celastrol has been hindered by its low bioavailability and severe systemic toxicity.
November 5th, 2024Source

Nano-optical sensors enable structural safety monitoring of buildings with color variations
As buildings age, the demand for effective monitoring of their structural integrity has grown significantly. A breakthrough in nano-optical sensor technology now enables precise, real-time measurement of structural deformation and stability.
November 5th, 2024Source or Source

Nanotechnology emerges as vital tool to combat global food security challenges
Agriculture faces unprecedented challenges as climate change threatens global food production and conventional farming methods reach their limits. Up to 90% of agricultural chemicals miss their targets, polluting the environment while failing to protect crops. Traditional pesticides harm beneficial organisms, fertilizers contaminate waterways, and food spoilage wastes nearly half of what farmers produce.
November 5th, 2024Source

Novel flame aerosol system excels at creating nanoparticles
Since prehistoric times, humans have used fire to transform raw materials into valuable goods. Examples include using flames to turn clay into pottery, and silica into glass.
November 5th, 2024Source

New flame aerosol system excels at creating nanoparticles
Since prehistoric times, humans have used fire to transform raw materials into valuable goods. Examples include using flames to turn clay into pottery, and silica into glass.
November 5th, 2024Source

Researchers reveal how a single atom controls light emission direction with STMs
Researchers from Madrid explain a phenomenon that allows the direction of light emission to be controlled at the atomic scale. The paper, published in Science Advances ("Directional picoantenna behavior of tunnel junctions formed by an atomic-scale surface defect"), provides a detailed explanation of how a single atom can change the directional profile of the light emitted in experiments with scanning tunnelling microscopes (STMs).
November 5th, 2024Source

Silica/Klucel Nanocomposite for Efficient Lead Removal from Wastewater
In a recent article published in Scientific Reports, researchers present the development and characterization of a novel silica/klucel nanocomposite for the efficient removal of lead ions from wastewater.
November 5th, 2024Source

UCD researcher wins European Research Council Synergy Grant for NanoX project
University College Dublin (UCD) researcher Dr. Nicola Fletcher has received a coveted European Research Council (ERC) Synergy Grant for her groundbreaking project NanoX.
November 5th, 2024Source

Understanding the Potential of Nanotechnology
A research team from Xi'an Jiaotong University, led by Xuesong Mei and Jianlei Cui, has made major strides in the field of nanotechnology, according to a recent study published in Engineering.
November 5th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — November 2nd, 2024

Pioneering scalable hole-spin qubits for quantum computing
A team led by UNSW Sydney, in collaboration with Australian start-up Diraq, opens in a new window, has reached a major milestone by demonstrating hole-spin qubits using industry standard silicon manufacturing processes.
November 2nd, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — November 1st, 2024

Advancing OER Efficiency with Iridium Single Atom Catalysts
A recent article in Nature Nanotechnology introduced a novel approach to enhance iridium catalyst performance by coordinating iridium single atoms (Ir1) with cobalt--iron hydroxides (Co,Fe)-OH and organic molecules. The study demonstrates how this catalyst design can improve oxygen evolution reaction (OER) efficiency while reducing the reliance on precious metals.
November 1st, 2024Source

Chiral molecular self-assemblies that absorb light boost singlet fission process, research demonstrates
In organic molecules, an exciton is a particle bound pair of an electron (negative charge) and its hole (positive charge). They are held together by Coulombic attraction and can move within molecular assemblies. Singlet fission (SF) is a process where an exciton is amplified, and two triplet excitons are generated from a singlet exciton.
November 1st, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — October 30th, 2024

Archer Improves the Functionality of Its 12CQ Quantum Project with International Partners
Archer Materials Limited ("Archer"), a semiconductor company advancing the quantum technology and medical diagnostics industries, has achieved some key milestones in its research undertaken in collaboration with two of its international research partners.
October 30th, 2024Source

Metallic luster material can change color from silver to gold under UV light
There have been many attempts to create monochromatic metallic materials, but few materials change luster color in response to external stimuli. In a recent breakthrough, researchers from Chiba University have prepared a diacetylene derivative-based metallic luster material that changes from silver to gold under UV irradiation.
October 30th, 2024Source

Precise layering in catalysts offers an improved way for building sustainable chemicals
Motivated to turn greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide into high value chemicals like methanol, EPFL chemical engineers have developed a new method to make catalysts. Catalysts are major tools in the chemical industry and are largely made to make petrochemicals.
October 30th, 2024Source

Stochastic thermodynamics may be key to understanding energy costs of computation
Two systems exist in thermal equilibrium if no heat passes between them. Computers, which consume energy and give off heat as they process information, operate far from thermal equilibrium. Were they to stop consuming energy—say you let your laptop discharge completely—they would stop functioning.
October 30th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — October 25th, 2024

A new spectroscopy reveals water's quantum secrets
Water is synonymous with life, but the dynamic, multifaceted interaction that brings H2O molecules together -- the hydrogen bond -- remains mysterious. Hydrogen bonds result when hydrogen and oxygen atoms between water molecules interact, sharing electronic charge in the process. This charge-sharing is a key feature of the three-dimensional 'H-bond' network that gives liquid water its unique properties, but quantum phenomena at the heart of such networks have thus far been understood only through theoretical simulations.
October 25th, 2024Source

Scientists discover molecules that store much of the carbon in space
A team led by researchers at MIT has discovered that a distant interstellar cloud contains an abundance of pyrene, a type of large, carbon-containing molecule known as a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH).
October 25th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — October 22nd, 2024

Breakthrough in synthesizing carbon nanotubes with precise chirality

Researchers have achieved a significant breakthrough in the synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by developing a novel catalyst that allows for precise control over their atomic arrangement, known as chirality. This advancement paves the way for the creation of innovative semiconductor devices, addressing a challenge that has remained unresolved for over 30 years.
October 23rd, 2024Source

Detector system integrated with 2D material enables spectral detection of polaritons

Polaritons are coupled excitations of electromagnetic waves with either charged particles or vibrations in the atomic lattice of a given material. They are widely used in nanophotonics because of their ability to confine light at extremely small volumes, on the order of nanometers, which is essential to enhance light-matter interactions.
October 23rd, 2024Source

Femtosecond-fieldoscopy accesses molecules fingerprints at near-infrared spectral range

In a breakthrough that could revolutionise biomarker detection, researchers at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light have developed a novel technique called 'femtosecond-fieldoscopy'. This method enables the precise measurement of minute liquid quantities, down to the micromolar level, with unmatched sensitivity in the near-infrared region.
October 23rd, 2024Source

Green Synthesis of Carbon Quantum Dots from Almond Resin for Biomedical Use

In a recent article published in Scientific Reports, researchers presented a comprehensive study on the synthesis and characterization of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) derived from almond resin, emphasizing their potential applications in biomedical fields, particularly in theranostics.
October 23rd, 2024Source

New fingerprint mass spectrometry method paves the way to solving the proteome

Caltech scientists have developed a method driven by machine learning that allows them to accurately measure the mass of individual particles and molecules using complex nanoscale devices. The new technique opens the possibility of using a variety of devices for the measurement of mass and, therefore, the identification of proteins, and could pave the way to determining the sequence of the complete proteome, the collection of all the proteins in an organism.
October 23rd, 2024Source

New Method for Creating Highly Luminescent Nanoparticles

The Chinese researchers, under the direction of Professor Yuqiang Jiang of the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, developed a simple photochemical process for creating highly luminescent gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) coated with 2-n-hexylthio-1,3,4-thiadiazole-5-thiol (L-AuNP@HTT). Their findings were published in Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials.
October 23rd, 2024Source

New US-made Precision Motion Stages for Semiconductor, Photonics, Life Science, Scanning, Measuring, Imaging, Alignment Applications

High performance, long service life, and global support from a global leading precision motion control organization.
October 23rd, 2024Source

Novel platform integrates 2D polaritons with detection system for miniaturized spectrometers

Polaritons are coupled excitations of electromagnetic waves with either charged particles or vibrations in the atomic lattice of a given material. They are widely used in nanophotonics because of their ability to confine light at extremely small volumes, on the order of nanometers, which is essential to enhance light-matter interactions.
October 23rd, 2024Source

Photochemical method enhances luminescence in gold nanoprobes for bio-imaging

Chinese scientists have recently developed a facile photochemical route for the preparation of gold nanoparticles with excellent luminescence properties.
October 23rd, 2024Source

Researchers succeed in taking 3D X-ray images of a skyrmion

A difficult-to-describe nanoscale object called the magnetic skyrmion might one day yield new microelectronic devices that can do much more—for example, massive data storage—all while consuming much less power.
October 23rd, 2024Source or Source

Researchers synthesize carbon nanotubes with precise chirality

Researchers have achieved a significant breakthrough in the synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by developing a novel catalyst that allows for precise control over their atomic arrangement, known as chirality. This advancement paves the way for the creation of innovative semiconductor devices, addressing a challenge that has remained unresolved for over 30 years.
October 23rd, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — October 18th, 2024

A Novel Approach to Producing High-Entropy Alloy Nanoparticles

A group of researchers from the Research Centre for Laser Extreme Manufacturing at the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, have created a laser solid-phase synthesis method to create graphene-shell encapsulated CrMnFeCoNi nanoparticles on a three-dimensional porous carbon support. This research was recently published in the journal Light: Science & Applications.
October 18th, 2024Source

Controlling sound waves with Klein tunneling improves acoustic signal filtration

In the context of sensory modalities, eyes work like tiny antennae, picking up light, electromagnetic waves traveling at blistering speeds. When humans look at the world, their eyes catch these waves and convert them into signals the brain reads as colors, shapes, and movement. It's a seamless process, that allows people to see details clearly even when there's a lot happening around them.
October 18th, 2024Source

Fast-responding colorimetric sensor for real-time monitoring has expanded color gamut

Colorimetric sensors detect environmental changes by intuitively shifting colors, easily visible to the naked eye without the need for additional equipment. Furthermore, they operate with zero power consumption. By shifting color visibly, without any need for additional equipment, these sensors have the potential to play critical roles in applications like food packaging and ancient artifact preservation, where optimal humidity is crucial for quality control.
October 18th, 2024Source

Granite-based, engineered motion systems provide easily configurable high-precision, multi-axis motion

PI's new X-417 Integrated Multi-Axis System (IMAS) provides machine builders and system integrators with a freely configurable solution, utilizing highly dynamic, precision XY linear stages as a base, with travel ranges from 4 to 16 inches (102 mm to 407 mm).
October 18th, 2024Source or Watch Video

Laser solid-phase synthesis of graphene shell-encapsulated high-entropy alloy nanoparticles

Rapid synthesis of high-entropy alloy nanoparticles (HEA NPs) offers a new opportunity to develop functional materials in various applications. Although some methods have successfully produced HEA NPs, these methods generally require rigorous conditions such as high pressure, high temperature, restricted atmosphere and limited substrates, which impede practical viability.
October 18th, 2024Source

Materials of the future can be extracted from wastewater

A group of researchers is on the way to revolutionizing what biomass from wastewater treatment plants can be used for. Biopolymers from bacteria can be a sustainable alternative to oil-based products, and phosphorus and other minerals can also be harvested from the wastewater. A new scientific article says that the research is now so far advanced that it is ready for industrial production and use in practice.
October 18th, 2024Source

New fabrication strategy enhances graphene aerogel sensitivity and durability for human-machine interfaces

In recent years, researchers have synthesized various new materials that could be used to develop more advanced robotic systems, devices and human-machine interfaces. These materials include graphene aerogels, ultralight, porous and graphene-based materials comprised of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a 2D honeycomb lattice.
October 18th, 2024Source

Scientists identify potential deep-ocean greenhouse gas storage solution

As the planet continues to warm and the ramifications of human-driven climate change continue to amplify, the need to find ways to mitigate climate change is growing. In Nature Communications, University of California, Irvine scientists describe a new technique that allows them to see how complex organic molecules made by marine bacteria can store climate-warming carbon in the deep ocean.
October 18th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — October 16th, 2024

A new approach to controlling heat flow in crystals
(Nanowerk News) Unwanted heating of electronic components hinders the performance of many devices. For example, the processing speed and memory available to silicon-based computer chips depend strongly on the ability to dissipate heat effectively. Unfortunately, despite high demand, thermal management remains challenging.
October 16th, 2024Source

Janus-like metasurface technology that acts according to the direction of light
(Nanowerk News) Metasurface technology is an advanced optical technology that is thinner, lighter, and capable of precisely controlling light through nanometer-sized artificial structures compared to conventional technologies. KAIST researchers have overcome the limitations of existing metasurface technologies and successfully designed a Janus metasurface capable of perfectly controlling asymmetric light transmission. By applying this technology, they also proposed an innovative method to significantly enhance security by only decoding information under specific conditions.
October 16th, 2024Source

New diamond bonding technique a breakthrough for quantum devices
(Nanowerk News) Synthetic diamond is durable, inert, rigid, thermally conductive and chemically well-behaved – an elite material for both quantum and conventional electronics. But there’s one problem. Diamond only likes diamond.
October 16th, 2024Source

Photoswitching molecules allow writing by irradiation or heat and erasing by visible light
In this age of cloud storage, few people are backing up data on CD-RWs. The technology to rewrite data on compact disks was made possible by phase-change materials altered by the light and heat of lasers, though this had a limit of 1,000 rewrites.
October 16th, 2024Source

Researchers use a microscopic ruler to measure one atom-wide distances between molecules
Advanced techniques can be applied to looking into the infinitely small world
October 16th, 2024Source

Silicon metasurfaces unlock broad-spectrum infrared imaging
Infrared imaging technology is crucial for advancing our understanding of the world, from exploring biological specimens to inspecting complex materials and detecting hidden patterns in physical systems. Infrared light can penetrate fog and smoke, making it invaluable for search and rescue, firefighting, and sensitive operations.
October 16th, 2024Source

The corners where atoms meet may provide a path to new materials for extreme conditions
How can we engineer materials that are stronger and lighter? What about new materials for extreme conditions, such as in jet engines and spacecraft? The answer, says Fadi Abdeljawad, an associate professor of materials science and engineering in Lehigh University's P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science, might be hidden in the infinitesimally tiny regions, or boundaries, where atoms in crystals come together.
October 16th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — October 11th, 2024

A new method makes high-resolution imaging more accessible
A classical way to image nanoscale structures in cells is with high-powered, expensive super-resolution microscopes. As an alternative, MIT researchers have developed a way to expand tissue before imaging it — a technique that allows them to achieve nanoscale resolution with a conventional light microscope.
October 11th, 2024Source

A quantum material could be the future of high-energy X-ray imaging and particle detection
Scintillators are detectors that make high-energy X-rays or particles visible through flashes of light to form an image. Their many applications include particle physics, medical imaging, X-ray security and more.
October 11th, 2024Source

Core-shell nanoparticles as game changer for high-resolution and ultrafast scintillator imaging
Scintillators are detectors that make high-energy X-rays or particles visible through flashes of light to form an image. Their many applications include particle physics, medical imaging, X-ray security and more.
October 11th, 2024Source

Expansion technique to image nanoscale structures inside cells makes high-resolution imaging more accessible
A classical way to image nanoscale structures in cells is with high-powered, expensive super-resolution microscopes. As an alternative, MIT researchers have developed a way to expand tissue before imaging it—a technique that allows them to achieve nanoscale resolution with a conventional light microscope.
October 11th, 2024Source

Finely regulated luminescent Ag-In-Ga-S quantum dots with green-red dual emission toward white LEDs
Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) materials have shown great potential for applications in lighting and display fields due to their wide color gamut, adjustable emission wavelength, high quantum efficiency, high color saturation, and low processing cost. For example, QD materials based on cadmium and perovskite have made remarkable progress, but the use of toxic Cd and Pb has limited their further application.
October 11th, 2024Source

Illuminating quantum magnets: light unveils magnetic domains
When something draws us in like a magnet, we take a closer look. When magnets draw in physicists, they take a quantum look.
October 11th, 2024Source

Intra-molecular distances in biomolecules measured optically with Angstrom precision
A team led by physicists Steffen Sahl and Stefan Hell at the Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Multidisciplinary Sciences in Göttingen and the MPI for Medical Research in Heidelberg has succeeded in measuring distances within biomolecules using a light microscope, down to 1 nanometer and with Ångström precision. The intra-molecular resolution achieved with MINFLUX microscopy makes it possible to optically record the spatial distances between subunits in macromolecules and thus to detect different conformations of individual proteins in the light microscope.
October 11th, 2024Source or Source

General — Nanotechnology — October 10th, 2024

A new visible light communication encryption technology using chiral nanoparticles
Seoul National University(SNU) College of Engineering announced that a joint research team led by Professor Ki Tae Nam from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at SNU and Professor Junil Choi from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has developed a novel visible light communication encryption technology with high security using chiral nanoparticles.
October 10th, 2024Source

How catalysts remove dangerous nitrogen oxides
Catalysts belonging to the zeolite family help to remove toxic nitrogen oxides from industrial emissions. Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have now discovered that their complex nanoporous structure is crucial. Specifically, individual iron atoms sitting in certain neighbouring pores communicate with each other, thereby driving the desired reaction.
October 10th, 2024Source

Innovative approach to catalytic alkane activation offers new chemical pathways
Researchers at Hokkaido University in Japan have made a significant breakthrough in organic chemistry by developing a novel method to activate alkanes, which are compounds that play a crucial role in the chemical industry.
October 10th, 2024Source

Motion-amplified piezo actuators and grippers provide precision, speed, and force
The piezoelectric effect directly converts electrical energy into mechanical motion. PI uses this effect for high precision, solid-state based actuators and grippers. Embedding a piezoceramic stack in a flexure-based arrangement can increase the motion range of the piezo actuator while providing protection, precision guidance, and a mounting interface at the same time.
October 10th, 2024Source

New technique could unlock potential of quantum materials
A research team led by the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory has devised a unique method to observe changes in materials at the atomic level. The technique opens new avenues for understanding and developing advanced materials for quantum computing and electronics.
October 10th, 2024Source

Novel visible light communication encryption technology uses chiral nanoparticles
A research team has developed a novel visible light communication encryption technology with high security using chiral nanoparticles.
October 10th, 2024Source

Spectroscopy study determines how catalysts remove dangerous nitrogen oxides
Catalysts belonging to the zeolite family help to remove toxic nitrogen oxides from industrial emissions. Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have now discovered that their complex nano porous structure is crucial. Specifically, individual iron atoms sitting in certain neighboring pores communicate with each other, thereby driving the desired reaction.
October 10th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — October 8th, 2024

AI speeds up the discovery of energy and quantum materials
Researchers from Tohoku University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have unveiled a new AI tool for high-quality optical spectra with the same accuracy as quantum simulations, but working a million times faster, potentially accelerating the development of photovoltaic and quantum materials.
October 8th, 2024Source

Bubble findings could unlock better electrode and electrolyzer designs
Industrial electrochemical processes that use electrodes to produce fuels and chemical products are hampered by the formation of bubbles that block parts of the electrode surface, reducing the area available for the active reaction. Such blockage reduces the performance of the electrodes by anywhere from 10 to 25 percent.
October 8th, 2024Source or Source

Custom Motion-Amplified Piezoelectric Actuators and Grippers for Precision Instrumentation and Automation
Lightweight and compact precision piezo actuators and grippers from PI USA provide high speed and nanometer resolution in a small package.
October 8th, 2024Source

Hidden structural states discovered in inorganic nanoclusters
Cornell researchers have uncovered hidden -- and perplexing -- states in a nanomaterial as it changes its atomic structure, a discovery that could advance materials with tailored properties for renewable energy and quantum computing, among other applications.
October 8th, 2024Source

Iron catalyst study provides insights into ammonia decomposition
Using ammonia is regarded as a promising method of transporting hydrogen. However, an efficient process is also needed to convert it back into hydrogen and nitrogen.
October 8th, 2024Source

Reducing energy loss in metal nanostructures by altering geometrical dimensions
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) have made a discovery that significantly reduces energy loss in metal nanostructures. By altering the geometrical dimensions of these structures, researchers have unlocked their full potential, paving the way for the development of more powerful and efficient nanoscale optical devices.
October 8th, 2024Source

Researchers Develop Cellulose-MXene Composites
Researchers from the University of Bayreuth and Nanjing Forestry University combine the remarkable properties of MXene, a family of two-dimensional transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides, with the abundant and renewable resource of cellulose to create Cellulose-MXene, a novel class of composites, according to a study published in the Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts.
October 8th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — October 7th, 2024

A novel method to produce hydrogen using facet-selective, 1nm cocatalysts
Scientists are urgently searching for clean fuel sources - such as hydrogen - to move towards carbon neutrality. A breakthrough for improving the efficiency of the photocatalytic reaction that splits water into hydrogen has been made by a team of researchers from Tohoku University, Tokyo University of Science and Mitsubishi Materials Corporation.
October 7th, 2024Source

Breakthrough research accelerates development of self-sensing planes, robots, more
A team of engineers led by researchers from the University of Glasgow have developed the first system capable of modelling the complex physics of 3D-printed composites capable of detecting strain, load, and damage using nothing more than a measure of electrical current.
October 7th, 2024Source

Chemists use light to replace an oxygen atom with a nitrogen atom in a molecule
A team of chemists at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology has succeeded in pulling an oxygen atom from a molecule and replacing it with a nitrogen atom. In their study, published in the journal Science, the group used photocatalysis to edit a furan in their lab.
October 7th, 2024Source

Hydrogen bonding discovery could transform the use of glowing properties in organic materials
New research from the University of St Andrews has uncovered how hydrogen bonds can enhance the phosphorescence efficiency and versatility of organic luminescent materials, potentially transforming fields such as imaging, anti-counterfeiting, and electronics.
October 7th, 2024Source

Modeling system could enable future generations of self-sensing materials
Research that eliminates the guesswork in developing advanced 3D printed materials could help accelerate the development of new forms of "self-sensing" airplanes, robots, bridges and more.
October 7th, 2024Source

Programmable materials decouple structure and property design
The materials we interact with every day—whether they are steel, glass, or rubber—have properties like strength, flexibility, or brittleness that stem from their chemical composition. Steel is strong because of how its molecules are arranged; rubber stretches because of its natural elasticity; and glass is brittle due to its rigid, tightly bonded molecular structure.
October 7th, 2024Source

Researchers develop new sustainable material: Cellulose-MXene composites
The quest for sustainable materials with advanced functionalities has led to the development of a novel class of composites known as Cellulose-MXene. This innovative material, developed by researchers at Nanjing Forestry University and the University of Bayreuth, combines the abundant and renewable resource of cellulose with the remarkable properties of MXene, a family of two-dimensional transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides.
October 7th, 2024Source

The quest for sustainable materials with advanced functionalities has led to the development of a novel class of composites known as Cellulose-MXene. This innovative material, developed by researchers at Nanjing Forestry University and the University of Bayreuth, combines the abundant and renewable resource of cellulose with the remarkable properties of MXene, a family of two-dimensional transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides.

October 7th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — October 6th, 2024

Paper-based sensor offers rapid cardiac diagnostics in 15 minutes
In a significant advancement for point-of-care medical diagnostics, a team of researchers from UCLA has introduced a deep learning-enhanced, paper-based vertical flow assay (VFA) capable of detecting cardiac troponin I (cTnI) with high sensitivity.
October 6th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — September 25th, 2024

Discovery of a stable single-electron covalent bond between two carbon atoms validates a century-old theoryCovalent bonds, in which two atoms are bound together by sharing a pair of electrons, form the scaffolding that underpins the majority of organic compounds. In 1931, the Nobel Laureate Linus Pauling suggested that covalent bonds made from just a single, unpaired electron could exist, but these single-electron bonds would likely be much weaker than a standard covalent bond involving a pair of electrons./span>

September 25th, 2024Source

Intrinsic magnetic structure observed for the first time in a kagome lattice
A joint research group from China recently achieved the first observation of intrinsic magnetic structures in a kagome lattice by using the highly sensitive magnetic force microscopy (MFM) system of the Steady High Magnetic Field Facility (SHMFF) as well as electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and micromagnetic simulations.
September 25th, 2024Source

Filtering with mussel power: Nanomembrane allows efficient sieving of ions from liquids
Everyone knows it from their childhood days in the sandpit: sand is filtered using a sieve. Larger stones get stuck, while fine sand can fall through the sieve. The same principle is used when making coffee: water and aromatic substances can pass through unhindered, while the fine-grained coffee powder sticks to the coffee filter.
September 25th, 2024Source or Source

New nanoparticle prevents mineral buildup in equipment handling water-oil mixturesIn the process of oil extraction, hard mineral buildup inside the pipes and equipment can cause serious operational damage, safety issues such as pipe explosion and significant economic losses. The current methods for descaling mineral buildup, however, can adversely impact the environment.

September 25th, 2024Source or Source

Programmable Janus particles transform flexible materials into data processors and encryption systems
As technology advances toward flexible, adaptive devices, traditional electronics are hitting their limits due to rigidity and power demands. But what if materials themselves could compute, store, and encrypt data—without relying on circuits or chips?
September 25th, 2024Source

Ultra-high speed camera captures attosecond electron transfer in organic molecules
In nature, photosynthesis powers plants and bacteria; within solar panels, photovoltaics transform light into electric energy. These processes are driven by electronic motion and imply charge transfer at the molecular level. The redistribution of electronic density in molecules after they absorb light is an ultrafast phenomenon of great importance involving quantum effects and molecular dynamics.
September 25th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — September 23rd, 2024

Graphene at 20: Still no sign of the promised space elevator, but the material is quietly changing the world
Twenty years ago this October, two physicists at the University of Manchester, Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, published a groundbreaking paper on the "electric field effect in atomically thin carbon films." Their work described the extraordinary electronic properties of graphene, a crystalline form of carbon equivalent to a single layer of graphite, just one atom thick.
September 23rd, 2024Source

Novel computational method addresses obstacles in phonon-based heat simulation
As electronic devices become increasingly miniaturized, heat management at the nanoscale emerges as a challenge, especially for devices operating in sub-microns. Traditional heat conduction models fail to capture the complex behavior of thermal transfer at this scale, where phonons—vibrational energy carriers in the lattice structure—dominate.
September 23rd, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — September 19th, 2024

Advances in hydrogen research: More efficient isotope separation in sight
The lightest of all elements, hydrogen, is in great demand due to its promising role as a sustainable resource in the energy transition. A team from Leipzig University and TU Dresden, as part of the Hydrogen Isotopes 1,2,3H Research Training Group, has made an important breakthrough in the efficient and cost-effective provision of isotopes.
September 19th, 2024Source

Majorana fermion produced by quantum interference in a nanoscale circuit
Scientists have long known that electrons are indivisible fundamental particles. Yet surprising new research shows that a weird feature of quantum mechanics can be used to produce objects that behave like half of an electron. These 'split-electrons' might hold the key to unlocking the power of quantum computation.
September 19th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — September 16th, 2024

Controlling molecular arrangements using selenium doping
Physicists from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have achieved controlled conformational arrangements in nanostructures using a flexible precursor and selenium doping, enhancing material properties and structural homogeneity.
September 16th, 2024Source

Nanoscale Covalent Organic Frameworks for Enhanced Hydrogen Production
In a recent article in Nature Communications, researchers conducted a comprehensive study on nanoscale covalent organic frameworks (COFs), focusing on their enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production capabilities. The study aimed to clarify the relationship between the nanoscale dimensions of COFs and their photocatalytic performance, offering insights into the mechanisms that govern their efficiency.
September 16th, 2024Source

Physicists achieve high selectivity in nanostructures using selenium doping
Physicists from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have achieved controlled conformational arrangements in nanostructures using a flexible precursor and selenium doping, enhancing material properties and structural homogeneity.
September 16th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — September 13th, 2024

A hair-thin wire to simulate cosmic conditions
Extreme conditions prevail inside stars and planets. The pressure reaches millions of bars, and it can be several million degrees hot. Sophisticated methods make it possible to create such states of matter in the laboratory -- albeit only for the blink of an eye and in a tiny volume.
September 13th, 2024Source

Energy transmission in quantum field theory requires information: Research finds surprisingly simple relationship
An international team of researchers has found a surprisingly simple relationship between the rates of energy and information transmission across an interface connecting two quantum field theories.
September 13th, 2024Source

Erbium-doped electrocatalyst enhances oxygen evolution reactions in acidic environments
A group of researchers has developed an electrocatalyst that promises to significantly enhance the efficiency and stability of oxygen evolution reactions (OER) in acidic environments. By incorporating a rare earth element, erbium (Er), into the commonly studied cobalt oxide (Co3O4) catalyst, the team has demonstrated a new, cost-effective solution that surpasses the performance of many precious metal-free catalysts, offering an alternative to more expensive noble metal-based options.
September 13th, 2024Source

Making 'atomic lasagna': New method transforms 3D materials into stable layered thin films with promising properties
A research team discovered a method to transform materials with three-dimensional atomic structures into nearly two-dimensional structures—a promising advancement in controlling their properties for chemical, quantum, and semiconducting applications.
September 13th, 2024Source

New method to break down forever chemicals uses nanoparticles and ultrasound
What do firefighting foam, non-stick cookware, water-repellent textiles and pesticides all have in common? They all contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS—human-made chemicals that don't break down naturally.
September 13th, 2024Source

Pore-Free Graphene Oxide Offers Superior Protection
The research team at Kumamoto University, under the direction of Assistant Professor Kazuto Hatakeyama and Professor Shintaro Ida of the Institute of Industrial Nanomaterials, has reported a ground-breaking advancement in hydrogen ion barrier films utilizing graphene oxide (GO) without internal pores in a study that was published in Small.
September 13th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — September 10th, 2024

Atomic diffusion technique could lead to mass production of metal nanowires
A group from Nagoya University in Japan has created a new technique for growing the tiny metal nanowires (NWs) that are expected to be used in next-generation electronics. Their results suggest a way to mass produce pure metal NWs, which has until now limited their use.
September 10th, 2024Source

Mass production of metal nanowires possible by breakthrough technique
A group from Nagoya University in Japan has created a new technique for growing the tiny metal nanowires (NWs) that are expected to be used in next-generation electronics.
September 10th, 2024Source

Z-Tip-Tilt Nanopositioning Stage boasts 250mm Diameter, 60mm Height
PI, a global leader in motion control and nanopositioning systems, offers an ultra-low-profile Z-Tip-Tilt stage designed for demanding alignment applications in optics, semiconductors, precision assembly, and photonics.
September 10th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — September 9th, 2024

Atoms on the edge
Typically, electrons are free agents that can move through most metals in any direction. When they encounter an obstacle, the charged particles experience friction and scatter randomly like colliding billiard balls.
September 9th, 2024Source

Exploring chaos in quantum systems with simple diffusion models
Although systems consisting of many interacting small particles can be highly complex and chaotic, some can nonetheless be described using simple theories. Does this also pertain to the world of quantum physics?
September 9th, 2024Source

New mass spectrometry technology could transform tiny sample analysis
Mass spectrometry is a powerful technique that allows scientists to break down and identify the building blocks of just about anything by measuring the mass of the tiny particles of which something is comprised. It has a major limitation, however—about 99% of the sample being measured is typically lost before analysis even begins.
September 9th, 2024Source

Research team achieves high-resolution 2D imaging for graphene devices under high pressure
A research team led by Prof Zhang Zengming from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has combined nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond with a diamond anvil cell (DAC) to achieve non-invasive, high-resolution two-dimensional imaging of current density and pressure gradient for graphene devices under high pressure.
September 9th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — September 7th, 2024

Nanoscale silver exhibits intrinsic self-healing abilities without external intervention
As an innovative concept in materials science and engineering, the inspiration for self-healing materials comes from living organisms that have the innate ability to self-heal. Along this line, the search for self-healing materials has been generally focused on "soft" materials like polymers and hydrogels.
September 7th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — September 6th, 2024

New high-temperature adhesive mimics beetle adhesion for heat-sensitive applications
For industries that rely on precision and high performance, adhesives capable of withstanding extreme heat without weakening or leaving residues have been frustratingly out of reach. In electronics manufacturing, aerospace, and other high-tech fields, the lack of reliable high-temperature adhesives has forced engineers to work around this problem for years, limiting their ability to push materials to their full potential.
September 6th, 2024Source

Researchers create a one-dimensional gas out of light
Physicists at the University of Bonn and the University of Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU) have created a one-dimensional gas out of light. This has enabled them to test theoretical predictions about the transition into this exotic state of matter for the first time. The method used in the experiment by the researchers could be used for examining quantum effects.
September 6th, 2024Source

Unlocking the secrets of diamond: New insights into nitrogen-vacancy center formation
Research teams from Wuhan University and the China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) have revealed new insights into the formation mechanism of nitrogen-vacancies (NV) centers in type-Ib diamonds, a phenomenon critical to quantum sensing and computing advancements.
September 6th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — September 3rd, 2024

An Eco-Friendly Approach to Healthy Lighting
In a study published in Light Science & Applications, a team of scientists led by Professor Xingliang Dai and Professor Zhizhen Ye from the State Key Laboratory of Silicon and Advanced Semiconductor Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, China, created a copper iodide nanocluster using a one-step solution synthesis-deposition process.
September 3rd, 2024Source

Cold-atom simulator demonstrates quantum entanglement between electronic and motional states
Cold-atom simulator demonstrates quantum entanglement between electronic and motional states.
September 3rd, 2024Source

Enhancing Polymer Nanocomposites with Copper Nanoparticles via UV-Photopolymerization
A recent study published in Polymers detailed the development of polymer matrix nanocomposites incorporating copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) through UV-photopolymerization additive manufacturing. The research primarily focused on assessing the impact of Cu-NPs on the mechanical properties of these nanocomposites.
September 3rd, 2024Source

Harnessing Liquid Crystals for Advanced AR Display Materials
Researchers from Huazhong University of Science and Technology demonstrated a breakthrough in holographic polymer nanocomposites using the liquid crystal E6M. This method marks a major breakthrough in augmented reality technology by improving refractive index modulation while lowering haze and opening the door for more effective and portable AR systems.
September 3rd, 2024Source

High-refractive-index-modulation nanocomposites for augmented reality displays
Holographic optical elements (HOEs) are essential in augmented reality (AR) displays, providing benefits such as design flexibility and improved optical efficiency. However, current materials' limited refractive index modulation hampers performance, particularly in achieving a broader field of view and increased brightness.
September 3rd, 2024Source

Porous gas-adsorbing materials reveal hidden softness
A team of researchers has reshaped our understanding of developing gas storage materials known as porous coordination polymers (PCPs), which is also known as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs).
September 3rd, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — September 2nd, 2024

Creating an 'imprint' on a super photon
Thousands of light particles can merge into a type of "super photon" under certain conditions. Researchers at the University of Bonn have now been able to use "tiny nano molds" to influence the design of this so-called Bose-Einstein condensate.
September 2nd, 2024Source

Experiments demonstrates chiral quantum heating and cooling with an optically controlled ion
Heat engines, converting heat into useful work, are vital in modern society. With advances in nanotechnology, exploring quantum heat engines (QHEs) is crucial for designing efficient systems and understanding quantum thermodynamics.
September 2nd, 2024Source

Real-time control over a chemical reaction network by light
Self-assembled molecules are responsible for important cellular processes. Self-assembled structures such as microtubules or actin filaments are key to cell motility: change of shape, division or extension of membranes.
September 2nd, 2024Source

Researchers create an 'imprint' on a super photon
Thousands of light particles can merge into a type of "super photon" under certain conditions. Researchers at the University of Bonn have now been able to use "tiny nano molds" to influence the design of this so-called Bose-Einstein condensate.
September 2nd, 2024Source

Study predicts a new quantum anomalous crystal in fractionally filled moire superlattices
Moire superlattices, structures that arise when two layers of two-dimensional (2D) materials are overlaid with a small twist angle, have been the focus of numerous physics studies.
September 2nd, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — August 27th, 2024

Breakthrough in the process for mass fabricating an exotic quasi-one-dimensional material
Researchers have fabricated a quasi-one-dimensional van der Waals zirconium telluride thin film, which is a form of a substance that has long promised advances in quantum computing, nanoelectronics and other advanced technologies. Until now, it has stumped scientists who have tried to manufacture it in large-scale quantities.
August 27th, 2024Source

Harvesting Coherent Hypersound With Elliptical Micropillars
Scientists have harnessed elliptical micropillars to enhance the generation and detection of coherent acoustic phonons in the gigahertz range. This advancement represents a significant step forward in the development of more efficient nanoacoustic transducers.
August 27th, 2024Source

How much microplastic are you drinking? New tool can tell you in minutes
Micro- and nanoplastics are in our food, water and the air we breathe. They are showing up in our bodies, from testicles to brain matter. Now, University of British Columbia researchers have developed a low-cost, portable tool to accurately measure plastic released from everyday sources like disposable cups and water bottles.
August 27th, 2024Source

Insights into spinel cobalt oxides may lead to efficient ammonia synthesis
Researchers have made a significant breakthrough in the development of catalysts for the electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction to ammonia, a process that has broad implications for sustainable energy, agriculture, and industrial applications.
August 27th, 2024Source

New technique shows promise for mass fabricating an exotic quasi-1D material
Researchers have fabricated a quasi-one-dimensional van der Waals zirconium telluride thin film, which is a form of a substance that has long promised advances in quantum computing, nano-electronics and other advanced technologies. Until now, it has stumped scientists who have tried to manufacture it in large-scale quantities.
August 27th, 2024Source

New tool tells you how much micro- and nanoplastic you are drinking
Micro- and nanoplastics are in our food, water and the air we breathe. They are showing up in our bodies, from testicles to brain matter.
August 27th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — August 26th, 2024

3D-printed microstructures for precise, pump-free liquid flow in microfluidic systems
(Nanowerk Spotlight) The control of fluids at microscopic scales is fundamental to numerous technologies, from medical diagnostics to water purification. Traditionally, moving small volumes of liquid has relied on mechanical pumps or electrical fields, methods that add complexity, consume energy, and can interfere with sensitive samples.
August 26th, 2024Source

Manganese nanoparticles can more than double availability of world's potable water, say scientists
Manganese ferrite nanoparticles could lead to a substantial surge in the availability of drinking water globally when used to modify the filtering sheets currently used in water treatment plants, according to scientists.
August 26th, 2024Source

Manipulation of nanolight provides new insight for quantum computing and thermal management
(Nanowerk News) A recent study led by University of Minnesota Twin Cities researchers provides fundamental insight into how light, electrons, and crystal vibrations interact in materials. The research has implications for developing on-chip architectures for quantum information processing, significantly reducing fabrication constraints, and thermal management.
August 26th, 2024Source or Source

Researchers develop high-entropy non-covalent cyclic peptide glass for smart functional materials
Researchers from the Institute of Process Engineering (IPE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a sustainable, biodegradable, biorecyclable material: high-entropy non-covalent cyclic peptide (HECP) glass. This innovative glass features enhanced crystallization-resistance, improved mechanical properties, and increased enzyme tolerance, laying the foundation for its application in pharmaceutical formulations and smart functional materials.
August 26th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — August 24th, 2024

Using machine learning to speed up simulations of irregularly shaped particles
Simulating particles is a relatively simple task when those particles are spherical. In the real world, however, most particles are not perfect spheres but take on irregular and varying shapes and sizes. Simulating these particles becomes a much more challenging and time-consuming task.
August 24th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — August 22nd, 2024

A world first: Qubit coherence decay traced to thermal dissipation
Physicists from Aalto University in Finland, alongside an international team of collaborators, have theoretically and experimentally shown that superconducting qubit coherence loss can be directly measured as thermal dissipation in the electrical circuit holding the qubit.
August 22nd, 2024Source

Advancing nanoscale imaging capabilities
Dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) has revolutionized the field of nanoscale nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), making it possible to study a wider range of materials, biomolecules and complex dynamic processes such as how proteins fold and change shape inside a cell.
August 22nd, 2024Source Source

Cerium oxide nanoparticles: a double-edged sword for aquatic algal life
As nanotechnology progresses, the pervasive use of cerium oxide nanoparticles in various industrial applications has led to their frequent dispersal into aquatic environments.
August 22nd, 2024Source

High speed, large-area deposition nanofilm production possible with new technique
A Japanese research team led by Professor Minoru Osada from the Institute for Materials and Systems for Sustainability (IMaSS) at Nagoya University has pioneered a method for the high-speed, large-area deposition of two-dimensional (2D) materials, including oxides, graphene oxide, and boron nitride.
August 22nd, 2024Source

How particles of light may be producing drops of the perfect liquid
The world's largest and most powerful particle accelerator may be producing the world's tiniest droplets of liquid, right under scientists' noses. Researchers supported by the Department of Energy's Office of Science are digging into this subatomic enigma.
August 22nd, 2024Source

Hydrogel material shows unexpected learning abilities
In a study published in Cell Reports Physical Science ("Electro-Active Polymer Hydrogels Exhibit Emergent Memory When Embodied in a Simulated Game-Environment"), a team led by Dr Yoshikatsu Hayashi demonstrated that a simple hydrogel - a type of soft, flexible material - can learn to play the simple 1970s computer game 'Pong'.
August 22nd, 2024Source

Innovative new display technologies for ultrahigh-definition screens
A team led by Professor Ji-woong Yang of DGIST's Department of Energy Science and Engineering, in collaboration with Professor Moon-kee Choi of UNIST's Department of New Materials and Dr. Taeg-hwan Hyun of the IBS Nanoparticle Research Center, has developed a double-layer dry transfer printing technology that simultaneously transfers light-emitting and electron-transferring layers onto a substrate.
August 22nd, 2024Source

Innovative perovskite waveguides with edge lasing effect
Integrated photonic circuits operating at room temperature combined with optical nonlinear effects could revolutionize both classical and quantum signal processing. Scientists from the Faculty of Physics at the University of Warsaw, in collaboration with other institutions from Poland as well as Italy, Iceland, and Australia, have demonstrated the creation of perovskite crystals with predefined shapes that can serve in nonlinear photonics as waveguides, couplers, splitters, and modulators.
August 22nd, 2024Source

Micromachine twists 2D materials at will
Just a few years ago, researchers discovered that changing the angle between two layers of graphene, an atom-thick sheet of carbon, also changed the material's electronic and optical properties. They then learned that a "twist" of 1.1 degrees — dubbed the magic angle — could transform this metallic material into an insulator or a superconductor, a finding that ignited excitement about a possible pathway to new quantum technologies.
August 22nd, 2024Source

Nanocatalyst breakthrough revolutionizes wastewater treatment and pollutant degradation
The urgent need for advanced technologies that ensure both safe water supply and effective pollutant degradation has driven researchers to explore innovative solutions. A recent study, led by Assistant Professor Edison Ang Huixiang at the National Institute of Education/Nanyang Technological University, introduces a cutting-edge nanocatalyst designed to significantly enhance wastewater treatment processes.
August 22nd, 2024Source

World's first micromachine twists 2D materials at will
Just a few years ago, researchers discovered that changing the angle between two layers of graphene, an atom-thick sheet of carbon, also changed the material's electronic and optical properties. They then learned that a "twist" of 1.1 degrees—dubbed the "magic" angle—could transform this metallic material into an insulator or a superconductor, a finding that ignited excitement about a possible pathway to new quantum technologies.
August 22nd, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — August 21st, 2024

Advanced Simulation Tool Enhances Understanding of Polyoxometalate Chemistry
Researchers at the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ-CERCA) have developed a computational methodology that simulates complex processes involving various chemical species and conditions.
August 21st, 2024Source

First visualization of valence electrons reveals fundamental nature of chemical bonding
The distribution of outermost shell electrons, known as valence electrons, of organic molecules was experimentally observed for the first time by a team led by Nagoya University in Japan.
August 21st, 2024Source

Graphene-metal metastructures offer new possibilities for efficient micropropulsion systems
The concept of laser propulsion, introduced by Professor Arthur Kantrowitz in 1972, marked the beginning of a new era in space exploration technology. Since then, laser micropropulsion (LMP) has emerged as one of the most promising technologies for propelling miniature spacecraft, such as microthrusters, nanosatellites, and small unmanned aerial vehicles.
August 21st, 2024Source

Physicists develop new model that describes how filaments assemble into active foams
Many fundamental processes of life, and their synthetic counterparts in nanotechnology, are based on the autonomous assembly of individual particles into complex patterns. LMU physicist Professor Erwin Frey, Chair of Statistical and Biological Physics at LMU Munich and member of the ORIGINS Excellence Cluster, investigates the fundamental principles of this self-organization.
August 21st, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — August 16th, 2024

Nanoscale discovery enables unprecedented control in single-molecule photoswitching
Scientists from the Department of Physical Chemistry at the Fritz Haber Institute have made an innovative discovery in nanoscale optoelectronics, as detailed in their recent publication in Nature Communications ("Atomic-Precision Control of Plasmon-Induced Single-Molecule Switching in a Metal--Semiconductor Nanojunction").
August 16th, 2024Source

Nanoscale engineering advances fog harvesting efficiency for sustainable water collection
The global challenge of freshwater scarcity has spurred scientists to explore innovative solutions for sustainable water collection. Among these, fog harvesting has emerged as a promising technique, offering a way to capture water from the air without geographical or hydrological constraints.
August 16th, 2024Source

Unveiling the power of hot carriers in plasmonic nanostructures
A new scientific review explores the exciting potential of hot carriers, energetic electrons generated by light in plasmonic nanostructures. These tiny structures hold immense promise for future technologies due to their unique way of interacting with light and creating hot carriers.
August 16th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — August 14th, 2024

Innovative Microscopy Technique Enables Nanostructure Visualization
Researchers from the Department of Physical Chemistry at the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society have achieved a significant advancement in nanotechnology, as detailed in their latest study published in Advanced Materials.
August 14th, 2024Source

Park FX200: The most advanced AFM for 200 mm samples
Park Systems announce the launch of Park FX200, a state-of-the-art automated Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) designed for precision and ease of use tailored for 200 mm samples.
August 14th, 2024Source

Researchers create ultra-stable gas marbles coated with cinnamon particles
Bubbles, despite their apparent simplicity, are of significant scientific interest due to their ubiquity in nature and industry. From facilitating gas exchange in oceans to their role in mineral extraction, bubbles are crucial to many processes. However, their inherent instability has long challenged researchers seeking to harness their unique properties for practical applications.
August 14th, 2024Source

Scientists create material that can take the temperature of nanoscale objects
University of California, Irvine scientists recently discovered a one-dimensional nanoscale material whose color changes as temperature changes. The team's results appeared in Advanced Materials ("Sensitive Thermochromic Behavior of InSeI, a Highly Anisotropic and Tubular 1D van der Waals Crystal").
August 14th, 2024Source or Source

The mother of all motion sensors
Peel apart a smartphone, fitness tracker or virtual reality headset, and inside you'll find a tiny motion sensor tracking its position and movement. Bigger, more expensive versions of the same technology, about the size of a grapefruit and a thousand times more accurate, help navigate ships, airplanes and other vehicles with GPS assistance.
August 14th, 2024Source

Why carbon nanotubes fluoresce when they bind to certain molecules
Local solvation is decisive for fluorescence of biosensors, study finds
August 14th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — August 8th, 2024

New 2D quantum sensing chip detects temperature and magnetic fields
Researchers at TMOS, the ARC Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems, and their collaborators at RMIT University have developed a new 2D quantum sensing chip using hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) that can simultaneously detect temperature anomalies and magnetic field in any direction in a new, groundbreaking thin-film format.
August 8th, 2024Source

Precise stirring conditions key to optimizing nanostructure synthesis
Stirring allows for homogenization and efficient gas exchange -- this fact has been known for decades. Controlling the stirring rate during the nanocluster synthesis is pivotal in achieving nanostructures with well-defined sizes, structures, optical properties, and stability.
August 8th, 2024Source or Source

X-ray imagery of vibrating diamond opens avenues for quantum sensing
When it comes to materials for quantum sensors, diamond is the best game in town, says Cornell University professor Gregory Fuchs. Now he and a team of scientists have upped diamond's game by generating exquisite imagery of diamond undergoing microscopic vibrations.
August 8th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — August 6th, 2024

Chiral nanocomposite for highly selective dual-mode sensing and bioimaging of hydrogen sulfide
With the continuous development of nanotechnology, more artificial chiral nanomaterials have been constructed. As one of the most representative optical properties of these chiral nanomaterials, circular dichroism (CD) is a powerful sensing technology. Compared with other analytical methods, CD signal has higher sensitivity, but it cannot achieve in-situ imaging in vivo.
August 6th, 2024Source

Engineering Stable Chiral Nanocomposites for In Vivo Diagnosis
A team of scientists led by Professor Geyu Lu from Jilin University, China, developed a UCNPs/CuxOS@ZIF nanocomposite probe for dual-mode H2S sensing and in vivo imaging. Their study was recently published in Light: Science & Application.
August 6th, 2024Source

Molecules get a boost from metallic carbon nanotubes
A Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) team has found that pure metallic carbon nanotubes are best at transporting molecules.
August 6th, 2024Source

New X-ray world record: Looking inside a microchip with 4 nanometer precision
In a collaboration with EPFL Lausanne, ETH Zurich and the University of Southern California researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have used X-rays to look inside a microchip with higher precision than ever before. The image resolution of 4 nanometers marks a new world record. The high-resolution three-dimensional images of the type they produced will enable advances in both information technology and the life sciences.
August 6th, 2024Source

Researchers develop soft gold nanowires for neural interfaces
Gold does not readily lend itself to being turned into long, thin threads. But researchers at Linköping University in Sweden have now managed to create gold nanowires and develop soft electrodes that can be connected to the nervous system. The electrodes are soft as nerves, stretchable and electrically conductive, and are projected to last for a long time in the body.
August 6th, 2024Source

Scientists Introduce Novel Single-Atom Nanozymes
A research team led by Prof. Hui Wang of the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has developed an axial O atom-modulated Fe-N4 nanozyme. This nanoenzyme efficiently catalyzes the H2O2 Russell reaction to produce singlet oxygen (1O2) in a hypoxic environment without external stimulation.
August 6th, 2024Source

Stacking molecules like plates improves organic solar device performance
Harnessing the power of the sun is vital for a clean, green future. To do so, we need optoelectronic devices, like solar cells, that can convert light into electricity efficiently.
August 6th, 2024Source

Understanding the forces that regulate crystallization by particle attachment
A complex interplay of energetics and dynamics governs the behavior of nanocrystals in solution. These dynamics are usually interpreted in terms of the theory developed by Derjaguin, Landau, Verwey, and Overbeek (DVLO), and understanding these forces is particularly important for controlling oriented attachment (OA), where individual nanocrystals fuse together in specific alignments.
August 6th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — August 3rd, 2024

Engineers explore cellulose nanofibrils to enhance 3D-printed concrete
A research team led by engineers at the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science is the first to explore how an emerging plant-based material, cellulose nanofibrils, could amplify the benefits of 3D-printed concrete technology.
August 3rd, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — August 2nd, 2024

Concept for efficiency-enhanced noble-metal nanocatalysts
The production of more than 90 percent of all chemical products we use in our everyday lives relies on catalysts. Catalysts speed up chemical reactions, can reduce the energy required for these processes, and in some cases, reactions would not be possible at all without catalysts.
August 2nd, 2024Source

First 3D visualization of an aluminum nanocomposite for the auto industry
Manufacturing cars with strong, lightweight aluminum alloys rather than steel could improve fuel efficiency and extend electric vehicle range, but the material's instability at high temperatures has held the alloys back from widespread adoption.
August 2nd, 2024Source

Sizing up microplastics: nanofiltration uncovers environmental bioactivity
Microplastics are a significant pollutant present in ecosystems worldwide, including oceans, lakes, and rivers. These particles pose potential health risks due to their persistence and complex composition, which includes various toxic chemicals.
August 2nd, 2024Source or Source

Synergistic aerogel materials with high temperature resistance, mechanical strength and thermal insulation performance
A research group led by Prof. WANG Zhenyang and ZHANG Shudong from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, developed synergistic aerogel materials with high temperature resistance, mechanical strength and thermal insulation performance.
August 2nd, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — July 31st, 2024

A Sustainable and Versatile Alternative to Inorganic Catalysts
In a study published in Cell, researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign provide an overview of the present and anticipated future states of organic nanozymes.
July 31st, 2024Source

Nanoscale imaging provides insights into 2D and phase-change materials
Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley have developed cutting-edge nanoscale optical imaging techniques to provide unprecedented insights into the ultrafast carrier dynamics in advanced materials.
July 31st, 2024Source

Newly discovered sheets of nanoscale 'cubes' found to be efficient catalysts
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have created sheets of transition metal chalcogenide "cubes" connected by chlorine atoms. While sheets of atoms have been widely studied, e.g. graphene, the team's work breaks new ground by using clusters instead. The research is published in the journal Advanced Materials.
July 31st, 2024Source or Source

General — Nanotechnology — July 29th, 2024

New research on 3D-printed materials toward future generations of stronger, lighter plastics
A new analysis of the deformation mechanisms which cause 3D-printed materials to fail under strain could help create future generations of stronger, lighter plastics, unlocking transformative benefits for industry.
July 29th, 2024Source

Researchers realize multi-heterojunctioned plastics with high thermoelectric figure of merit
Organic thermoelectric materials hold great promise as flexible energy sources for the Internet of Things and wearable electronics. However, their relatively low dimensionless figure of merit (ZT) compared to traditional materials has been a major obstacle, limiting their use in thermoelectric power generation and solid-state cooling.
July 29th, 2024Source

Plant-inspired polymers for water purification
Clean drinking water is a basic demand for our health and wellbeing. However, as the global population grows, achieving this for all communities worldwide becomes more challenging.
July 29th, 2024Source

Researchers create ADP- or ATP-containing molecules with improved yield and consistency
Adenosine diphosphate (ADP) or adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-containing important biological molecules can modify macromolecules like proteins and nucleic acids to alter their function in the cell. Synthesizing ADP- and ATP-containing molecules using traditional methods is challenging, however.
July 29th, 2024Source

Shape-shifting 'transformer bots' inspired by origami
Inspired by the paper-folding art of origami, North Carolina State University engineers have discovered a way to make a single plastic cubed structure transform into more than 1,000 configurations using only three active motors.
July 29th, 2024Source

Twisted Carbon Nanotubes Offer Safe, Lightweight Energy Solution
An international team of scientists from the Center for Advanced Sensor Technology demonstrated the ability of twisted carbon nanotubes to store three times more energy per unit mass than sophisticated lithium-ion batteries.
July 29th, 2024Source

When copper becomes transparent - creating exotic matter with x-ray lasers
Exploring the extreme conditions reached in the interior of planets, including Earth, or during a fusion reaction, is a major challenge. By focusing the extremely powerful X-ray laser of European XFEL on a copper foil, researchers have created and investigated a state of matter very far from equilibrium, coined warm dense matter (WDM), that resembles such exotic environments.
July 29th, 2024Source

When copper becomes transparent: European XFEL creates exotic matter
Experiments at European XFEL generate states of matter that are close to what occurs in the interior of planets or in the imploding capsule of an inertial fusion reactor. At the same time, they open up a way to measure ultra-short phenomena.
July 29th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — July 27th, 2024

Atomic 'GPS' elucidates movement during ultrafast material transitions
Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory have created the first-ever atomic movies showing how atoms rearrange locally within a quantum material as it transitions from an insulator to a metal. With the help of these movies, the researchers discovered a new material phase that settles a yearslong scientific debate and could facilitate the design of new transitioning materials with commercial applications.
July 27th, 2024Source

Discovery sheds light on the origins of matter in the early universe
The early universe was 250,000 times hotter than the core of our sun. That's far too hot to form the protons and neutrons that make up everyday matter. Scientists recreate the conditions of the early universe in particle accelerators by smashing atoms together at nearly the speed of light.
July 27th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — July 26th, 2024

Atomic 'GPS' elucidates movement during ultrafast material transitions
Scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory have created the first-ever atomic movies showing how atoms rearrange locally within a quantum material as it transitions from an insulator to a metal.
July 26th, 2024Source

Building blocks for the future: Rhodium-catalyzed [2+2+1] cycloaddition achieves high enantioselectivity
Cycloaddition reactions are an efficient strategy for constructing cyclic compounds that are important building blocks for other chemicals. In these processes, π-electrons from different unsaturated molecules, such as alkenes, alkynes, or dienes accommodate to form new cyclic structures in a single step. π-electrons are those responsible for the π-bonds in double and triple bonds. In a double bond, one of the C-C bonds is a π-bond, while in a triple bond, two of the C-C bonds are π-bonds.
July 26th, 2024Source

Graphene-quantum dot hybrid enables compact multispectral light detection
Light detection across multiple wavelengths underpins numerous technological applications, from environmental monitoring to medical diagnostics.
July 26th, 2024Source

Negative-Stiffness Vibration Isolation, Enables Research into Sub-Micron Technology
The need for nano-precision has become increasingly important in many fields of research and manufacturing, such as microelectronics fabrication, laser/optical system applications, life sciences, materials, aerospace and biological research.
July 26th, 2024Source or Source

Novel tunable ultrasonic liquid crystal light diffuser paves the way for next-gen indoor lighting
It is no mystery that light is essential to human life. Since the discovery of fire, humans have developed various artificial light sources, such as incandescent lamps, gaslights, discharge lamps, and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The distribution and intensity of artificial lights indoors are important factors that affect our ability to study and work effectively and influence our physical and mental health.
July 26th, 2024Source

Shining light on similar crystals reveals photoreactions can differ
A rose by any other name is a rose, but what of a crystal? Osaka Metropolitan University-led researchers have found that single crystals of four anthracene derivatives with different substituents react differently when irradiated with light, perhaps holding clues to how we can use such materials in functional ways.
July 26th, 2024Source

Spin qubits go trampolining
Researchers at QuTech developed somersaulting spin qubits for universal quantum logic. This achievement may enable efficient control of large semiconductor qubit arrays. The research group published their demonstration of hopping spins in Nature Communications and their work on somersaulting spins in Science.
July 26th, 2024Source

Towards next-gen indoor lighting: novel tunable ultrasonic liquid crystal light diffuser
It is no mystery that light is essential to human life. Since the discovery of fire, humans have developed various artificial light sources, such as incandescent lamps, gaslights, discharge lamps, and light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
July 26th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — July 24th, 2024

A brittle interface with low modulus to improve the mechanical properties of multiphase ceramics
Barium strontium aluminum silicate ceramics possess both phase stability and resistance to water vapor corrosion, making them ideal materials for radome technology and electronic packaging. To address the low tolerance of BSAS ceramics to damage and defects, the introduction of nano-reinforcements is an effective approach to enhance their strength and toughness.
July 24th, 2024Source

A laser-based method for measuring particle size distribution during the grinding process
How pharmaceuticals act, how efficient catalysts are and how effective and accurate printing inks function all depend on the size of the nanoparticles they contain. However, there are as of yet no methods for monitoring the particle size distribution during grinding processes.
July 24th, 2024Source

Foam-based pneumatic circuits enable new capabilities in soft robotics and wearable devices
Soft robotics is designed to create flexible, adaptable devices capable of safe interaction with humans and delicate objects. This field has captivated researchers and engineers for its potential to revolutionize everything from manufacturing to healthcare. However, a persistent challenge has been developing suitable control systems for these pliable machines.
July 24th, 2024Source

Measuring particle size distribution during the grinding process
Particles on a nanometer (nm) scale make all the difference in inkjet printing, vehicle catalytic converters and pharmaceutical production.
July 24th, 2024Source

Nanoparticle-coated catalyst boosts sustainable acetate production
Acetic acid, also known as acetate, and other products that can be developed from acetic acid are used in a variety of industries, from food production to medicine to agriculture. Currently, acetate production uses a significant amount of energy and results in harmful waste products.
July 24th, 2024Source

Reducing carbon dioxide to acetate with a polyaniline catalyst coated in cobalt oxide nanoparticles
Acetic acid, also known as acetate, and other products that can be developed from acetic acid are used in a variety of industries, from food production to medicine to agriculture. Currently, acetate production uses a significant amount of energy and results in harmful waste products. The efficient and sustainable production of acetate is an important target for researchers interested in improving industrial sustainability.
July 24th, 2024Source

Tunable metasurface can control optical light in space and time, offering path to wireless communication channels
It is a scene many of us are familiar with: You're working on your laptop at the local coffee shop with maybe a half dozen other laptop users—each of you is trying to load websites or stream high-definition videos, and all are craving more bandwidth.
July 24th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — July 22nd, 2024

3D Printing of light-activated hydrogel actuators
An international team of researchers has embedded gold nanorods in hydrogels that can be processed through 3D printing to create structures that contract when exposed to light -- and expand again when the light is removed. Because this expansion and contraction can be performed repeatedly, the 3D-printed structures can serve as remotely controlled actuators.
July 22nd, 2024Source

A new use for shellfish waste: Extending the shelf life of produce
Crab shells might just have another role besides fodder for the compost bin. University of Maryland researchers have engineered a seafood-waste material that removes chemical pesticides and herbicides from produce and extends shelf life, a discovery that could have widespread applications in preserving agricultural harvests.
July 22nd, 2024Source

Nanoscale Titania Coatings for Coastal Corrosion Protection
In a recent article published in Polymers, researchers from China detailed the development and application of a waterborne coating containing modified nanoscale titania to protect steel structures in coastal power plants under subtropical marine climates. The aim is to enhance the coating's anticorrosion properties and evaluate its performance in extreme environmental conditions.
July 22nd, 2024Source

New method achieves controllable tuning, assesses instability in 2D materials for engineering applications
Two-dimensional (2D) materials have atomic-level thickness and excellent mechanical and physical properties, with broad application prospects in fields such as semiconductors, flexible devices, and composite materials.
July 22nd, 2024Source or Source

New method allows 3D printing of light-responsive hydrogel structures
An international team of researchers has embedded gold nanorods in hydrogels that can be processed through 3D printing to create structures that contract when exposed to light—and expand again when the light is removed. Because this expansion and contraction can be performed repeatedly, the 3D-printed structures can serve as remotely controlled actuators.
July 22nd, 2024Source

Organic polymer blend microspheres exhibit ultra-low threshold lasing with highest reported quality factor
Researchers at IMDEA Nanociencia have fabricated high quality microspheres from conjugated organic polymer blends with excellent lasing properties. The laser emission of the microspheres has the highest quality factor reported to date, Q>18,000.
July 22nd, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — July 19th, 2024

Electrified membranes with carbon nanotubes offer faster nitrate removal in drinking water
Nitrate contamination in water has long presented threats to the environment and human health. Now, Yale researchers have developed an efficient and effective way to remove it.
July 19th, 2024Source

Nitrate contamination in water has long presented threats to the environment and human health. Now, Yale researchers have developed an efficient and effective way to remove it.

July 19th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — July 18th, 2024

AI method radically speeds predictions of materials' thermal properties
It is estimated that about 70 percent of the energy generated worldwide ends up as waste heat.
July 18th, 2024Source

Material with molecular trapdoor holds promise for highly selective gas adsorption
An international team led by scientists at City University of Hong Kong has found a flexible metal-organic framework (MOF) with one-dimensional channels that acts as a "molecular trapdoor" to selectively adsorb gases, such as carbon dioxide, in response to temperature and pressure changes.
July 18th, 2024Source

Nanofiber Dressings Tackle Inflammation and Infection in Diabetic Wounds
In an innovative study, scientists at Mudanjiang Medical University improved a poly (L-lactic acid) (PLLA) nanofibrous membrane with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and curcumin to promote the healing of diabetic wounds.
July 18th, 2024Source

Scientists integrate solid-state spin qubits with nanomechanical resonators
In a new Physical Review Letters study, scientists propose a new method for combining solid-state spin qubits with nanomechanical resonators for scalable and programmable quantum systems.
July 18th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — July 9th, 2024

EV Group Tops Customer Rankings With 12th Consecutive Triple Crown Win in TechInsights 2024 Customer Satisfaction Survey
EVG achieves RANKED 1st status across all participating award categories, including first-place finishes in "10 BEST" and "THE BEST" suppliers segments as well as lithography equipment for the first time.
July 9th, 2024Source

How lasers and 2D materials could solve the world's plastic problem
A global research team led by Texas Engineers has developed a way to blast the molecules in plastics and other materials with a laser to break them down into their smallest parts for future reuse.
July 9th, 2024Source

Laser and 2D materials enable novel plastic breakdown for recycling
A global research team led by Texas Engineers has developed a way to blast the molecules in plastics and other materials with a laser to break them down into their smallest parts for future reuse.
July 9th, 2024Source

Luminescent carbon dots versus quantum dots and gold nanoclusters as sensors
The ultra-small nanoparticles, including quantum dots, gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) and carbon dots (CDs), have emerged as a promising class of fluorescent material because of their molecular like properties and widespread applications in sensing and imaging. However, the fluorescence properties of ultra-small gold nanoparticles (i.e., AuNCs) and CDs are more complicated and well distinguished from conventional quantum dots or organic dye molecules.
July 9th, 2024Source

Micro-oscillator symphony: stochastic resonance in nanotech
Rapid and reliable molecular detection is now within reach, thanks to micro- and nano-electro-mechanical systems, essential for disease diagnostics. Yet, the presence of stochastic noise and nonlinear behaviors pose challenges that hinder optimization. Addressing these issues, there's a pressing demand for sophisticated modeling to forecast system dynamics accurately.
July 9th, 2024Source

Moving from the visible to the infrared: Developing high quality nanocrystals
Awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, quantum dots have a wide variety of applications ranging from displays and LED lights to chemical reaction catalysis and bioimaging. These semiconductor nanocrystals are so small -- on the order of nanometers -- that their properties, such as color, are size dependent, and they start to exhibit quantum properties.
July 9th, 2024Source or Source

New method for determining the exchange energy of 2D materials
Ferromagnetism is an important physical phenomenon that plays a key role in many technologies. It is well-known that metals such as iron, cobalt and nickel are magnetic at room temperature because their electron spins are aligned in parallel — and it is only at very high temperatures that these materials lose their magnetic properties.
July 9th, 2024Source

Researchers aim for smaller chip features using new materials and advanced modeling
Researchers at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) are applying their expertise in physics, chemistry and computer modeling to create the next generation of computer chips, aiming for processes and materials that will produce chips with smaller features.
July 9th, 2024Source

Study reveals surprisingly simple method for determining exchange energy in 2D materials
Researchers from the University of Basel have looked at how the ferromagnetic properties of electrons in the two-dimensional semiconductor molybdenum disulfide can be better understood. They revealed a surprisingly simple way of measuring the energy needed to flip an electron spin.
July 9th, 2024Source

The art of molecular self-assembly: crafting 2D nanostructures for advanced materials
Creating periodic nanostructures is vital for progress in material science and nanotechnology. Traditional methods often struggle with complexity and scalability. Integrating bottom-up self-assembly of block molecules with top-down lithography offers a solution, enabling the formation of sophisticated nanostructures. These challenges necessitate innovative approaches to fabricate advanced nanostructures.
July 9th, 2024Source or Source

General — Nanotechnology — July 6th, 2024

AMD partners with Rice University for US Army Radar program
Advanced Material Development (AMD) has signed a collaboration with Rice University as it ramps up plans for a Texas based Defense and Security business. A US Army program, managed by AMD's Chief Science Advisor, Professor Alan Dalton will now have a significant portion of the project developed at Rice University's world-renowned Materials Science and Nano Engineering Department which is Chaired by world-leading material scientist Professor Pulickel Ajayan.
July 6th, 2024Source

Graphene Composites USA (GC USA) Selected to Develop Next Gen US Military Footwear
GC USA has been selected to participate in research and development program between DEVCOM Soldier Center, Natick MA and UMass Lowell to develop materials for the next generation of U.S. military footwear.
July 6th, 2024Source

Nano Dimension to acquire Desktop Metal, as both target mass AM production
Additive manufacturing companies Nano Dimension and Desktop Metal have entered into a definitive agreement under which Nano Dimension will acquire all outstanding shares of Desktop Metal in an all-cash transaction valued at $135m.
July 6th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — July 4th, 2024

Graphene oxide films show tunable properties for integrated photonics applications
The field of integrated photonics has seen remarkable progress in recent years, driven by the demand for faster, more efficient, and compact optical devices.
July 4th, 2024Source

KIMM Introduces Revolutionary Nano Transparent Screen for Wide-ranging Applications
A groundbreaking 100-inch or larger super-sized Nano Transparent Screen(NTS) has been developed and commercialized for the first time in the world. This innovative screen can adjust its transparency according to the environment and can be produced at a low cost, paving the way for the widespread adoption of large transparent screens, which until now have been prohibitively expensive.
July 4th, 2024Source

Single atoms show their true color
One of the challenges of cramming smarter and more powerful electronics into ever-shrinking devices is developing the tools and techniques to analyze the materials that make them up with increasingly intimate precision.
July 4th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — July 2nd, 2024

An inexpensive, easy-to-use method to create solid-state nanopores
SMU and the University of Rhode Island have patented an inexpensive, easy-to-use method to create solid-state nanopores (SSNs), while also making it possible to self-clean blocked nanopores.
July 2nd, 2024Source

Quantum Magnifying Glass Revolutionizes Nanoscale Structure Manipulation
In a recent article published in Nature Communications, researchers introduced a novel approach to exploring chemical reactions at the nanoscale using a "quantum magnifying glass." Nanoscopic systems exhibit diverse molecular substructures that play crucial roles in specific functions.
July 2nd, 2024Source

The demonstration of vacuum levitation and motion control on an optical-electrostatic chip
The levitation of microscopic objects in vacuum and the control of their movements while they are suspended was first demonstrated several decades ago. Since then, various research groups have been working on new approaches to control levitated objects in vacuum with greater degrees of freedom.
July 2nd, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — June 28th, 2024

A possible world record: Studying thin films under extreme temperatures with reflectometry
A team of researchers from ANSTO and University of Technology Sydney have set a record by conducting thin film experiments at 1,100 degrees Celsius, using the Spatz reflectometer equipped with a vacuum furnace.
June 28th, 2024Source

Deep learning model overcomes the challenge of real-world measurements of isotope production target cooling systems
When a particle beam hits a target in an isotope production facility, it generates heat that is removed by water channels. The transfer of heat between the target and the flowing water produces subcooled flow boiling. This is a situation where evaporation and condensation occur simultaneously. Without sufficient cooling, temperatures can reach a critical point, melting and destroying the target.
June 28th, 2024Source

New method developed for measuring thermal expansion in atomically thin materials
Advanced materials, including two-dimensional or atomically thin materials just a few atoms thick, are essential for the future of microelectronics technology. Now a team at Los Alamos National Laboratory has developed a way to directly measure such materials' thermal expansion coefficient, the rate at which the material expands as it heats. That insight can help address heat-related performance issues of materials incorporated into microelectronics, such as computer chips.
June 28th, 2024Source

Researchers develop novel atom-thin material heat test
Advanced materials, including two-dimensional or "atomically thin" materials just a few atoms thick, are essential for the future of microelectronics technology. Now a team at Los Alamos National Laboratory has developed a way to directly measure such materials' thermal expansion coefficient, the rate at which the material expands as it heats.
June 28th, 2024Source

Studying thin films under extreme temperatures with reflectometry
A team of researchers from ANSTO and University of Technology Sydney have set a record by conducting thin film experiments at 1100 °C, using the Spatz reflectometer equipped with a vacuum furnace.
June 28th, 2024Source

Understanding the Mechanical Weakness in Twisted Carbon Nanotube Yarns
Researchers at the SourceTokyo Institute of Technology have identified that the poor mechanical performance of carbon nanotube (CNT) bundles and yarns is likely due to localized rearrangements of the CNTs during twisting. Through molecular dynamics simulations, they discovered that twisting CNT bundles creates disclination lines, which negatively impact the overall tensile properties. Their findings are published in the journal Carbon.
June 28th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — June 26th, 2024

New insights into mechanical weakness of twisted carbon nanotube yarns
Aside from being an essential building block for life, carbon is being actively researched due to its versatility as an engineering material. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), in particular, have demonstrated tremendous potential for aerospace, semiconductor, and medical applications, mostly owing to their high strength and low weight.
June 26th, 2024Source

Nfinite Nanotech closes USD 6.5M SEED financing
Nfinite Nanotech closes USD 6.5M SEED financing
June 26th, 2024Source

Scientists unveil vacancy-assisted fatigue damage mechanism at small scales
Classical theories of fatigue damage in bulk metals have been extensively studied, but little is known about the fundamental fatigue mechanisms at submicron and nanometer scales, where dislocation pattern formation is completely inhibited.
June 26th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — June 24th, 2024

iCOMAT raise £17.5m in funding to deliver lighter transport solutions faster and at a lower cost.
University of Bristol spinout company iCOMAT has closed secured more than £17.5m in funding to deliver lighter transport solutions faster and at a lower cost. Founded by Dr Evangelos Zympeloudis, iCOMAT is one of the leading manufacturers of advanced composite structures for the aerospace and automotive industries.
June 24th, 2024Source

Issue 79: Nano Energetics
Feature article: Nanotechnology and nanomaterials applications in the market for high-performance energetic materials. The incorporation of nanotechnology & nanomaterials in energetic materials has led to significant advancements in performance, safety, and functionality. advancements in performance, safety, and functionality.
June 24th, 2024Source

Researchers develop tuneable anticounterfeiting material
Counterfeiters are getting increasingly more sophisticated in forging everything from diplomas and currency, to medications and artwork. While protective measures such as luminescent markings (which glow under ultraviolet light) have been around for a while, forgers have figured out how to exploit the weaknesses in these techniques.
June 24th, 2024Source

HORIBA Launches New Compact Hematology Analyzers with Combined ESR and CBC/DIFF
HORIBA, a global leader in analytical and measurement technology, has expanded its award-winning compact hematology instrument range with the launch of new models with Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) on board.
June 24th, 2024Source

Novel application of optical tweezers: colorfully showing molecular energy transfer
A novel technique with potential applications for fields such as droplet chemistry and photochemistry has been demonstrated by an Osaka Metropolitan University-led research group.
June 24th, 2024Source

Study explores high-performance copper/graphene composite conductor for motors
A study, led by Tingting Zuo, was based on the idea of in-situ growth, and a series of Cu/Gr composites with improved interfaces were prepared by vacuum hot press sintering. Combined with cold-drawing and heat-treatment processes, composite wires with extremely high strength and electrical conductivity at both room and elevated temperatures were obtained.
June 24th, 2024Source

Tiny Graphene Membrane Holds Promise for Fighting Climate Change
Researchers at ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) have developed advanced atom-thin graphene membranes with pyridinic-nitrogen at pore edges, showing unprecedented performance in CO2 capture. This research represents a major step toward more efficient carbon capture technologies.
June 24th, 2024Source

UK graphene start-up iGii raises £8.8 million in new funding
iGii, formerly Integrated Graphene, has announced it has raised £8.8 million (over USD$11.7 million) in new funding to accelerate growth. iGii will use the funds to accelerate customer projects, increase its manufacturing capacity, and deepen its research and development to explore further applications of its patented Gii material.
June 24th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — June 20th, 2024

An efficient protein delivery system with spider minor ampullate silk protein nanoparticles
In a study published in the journal MedComm, researchers have developed an efficient protein delivery carrier based on spider silk proteins (spidroins), derived from Araneus ventricosus minor ampullate silk protein (MiSp). The MiSp-based nanoparticles are able to serve as an effective delivery system with high loading efficiency and a sustained release profile at physiological pH.
June 20th, 2024Source

Mini liver model innovations promise more effective drug testing
A laboratory-grown mini liver model uniquely created with liver cells and a synthetic nanoscaffold has shown to be effective in mimicking the liver, promising a new and more effective testing method for medicines that is more ethical than animal testing.
June 20th, 2024Source

Nanodroplets Deliver Drugs on Demand with Ultrasound
US scientists from the University of Utah have developed a safe and efficient method for targeted drug delivery, which could soon be tested in humans. The study has been published in Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences.
June 20th, 2024Source

Sweat health monitor measures levels of disease markers
A wearable health monitor developed by Washington State University researchers can reliably measure levels of important biochemicals in sweat during physical exercise.
June 20th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — June 17th, 2024

Apple's iOS 18 Lets You Open Third-Party Camera Apps From Lock Screen
Apple's iOS 18 will allow users to launch a third-party camera app directly from the lock screen.
June 17th, 2024Source

Interlocked Molecules Boost Graphene Film Strength and Elasticity
Researchers from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, under the direction of Xuzhou Yan, developed a supermaterial by arranging carbon atom layers in a honeycomb structure. Due to its high conductivity and advantageous mechanical qualities, this supermaterial could advance the creation of bendable electronics, new batteries, and cutting-edge composite materials for space travel and aviation.
June 17th, 2024Source

MXenes for energy storage: Chemical imaging more than just surface deep
A new method in spectromicroscopy significantly improves the study of chemical reactions at the nanoscale, both on surfaces and inside layered materials. Scanning X-ray microscopy (SXM) at MAXYMUS beamline of BESSY II enables the investigation of chemical species adsorbed on the top layer (surface) or intercalated within the MXene electrode (bulk) with high chemical sensitivity.
June 17th, 2024Source

Researchers distill the facts of a chemical separation process and upend a decades-old theory
Since it was developed a few decades ago, the chemical separation process of organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN), has drawn attention for its potential to revolutionize vital industries, including those in fuel, food, and pharmaceuticals.
June 17th, 2024Source

Researchers present new method to fine-tune properties of layered transition metal dichalcogenide crystals
A research group led by Prof. Cao Liang from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, together with collaborators, has introduced an additional translational degree of freedom in layered transition metal dichalcogenide crystals, enabling fine-tuning of their physical properties.
June 17th, 2024Source

Physicists discover a new optical property that measures the twist in tiny helices
A new nonlinear optical property of tiny particles has been discovered by an international team of scientists led by physicists at the University of Bath, with important implications for researchers working in fields as diverse as display technology, chemical catalysis and medicine.
June 17th, 2024Source

The nanotechnological revolution requires standardized 'screws' - here is a way to measure them
A new nonlinear optical property of tiny particles has been discovered by an international team of scientists led by physicists at the University of Bath, with important implications for researchers working in fields as diverse as display technology, chemical catalysis and medicine.
June 17th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — June 14th, 2024

Bladeless wind turbine nanogenerator harvests gusts for structural monitoring
In the pursuit of sustainable and renewable energy sources, wind energy has emerged as a key player. Traditional wind turbines, with their iconic spinning blades, have become a symbol of this green energy revolution. However, these turbines face limitations when it comes to harvesting energy from irregular, low-frequency wind gusts common in our environment.
June 14th, 2024Source

New method links graphene nanolayers for tougher, elastic films
Layers of carbon atoms in a honeycomb array are a true supermaterial: their unusually high conductivity and favorable mechanical properties could further the development of bendable electronics, new batteries, and innovative composite materials for aeronautics and space flight. However, the development of elastic and tough films remains a challenge.
June 14th, 2024Source

Self-assembling and disassembling swarm molecular robots via DNA molecular controller
Researchers from Tohoku University and Kyoto University have successfully developed a DNA-based molecular controller that autonomously directs the assembly and disassembly of molecular robots. This pioneering technology marks a significant step towards advanced autonomous molecular systems with potential applications in medicine and nanotechnology.
June 14th, 2024Source

Strong coupling and catenary field enhancement in the hybrid plasmonic metamaterial cavity and TMDC monolayers
Researchers in the field of nanophotonics have spent significant time in recent years investigating fascinating concepts known as polaritons and/or plexcitons. These ideas revolve around the strong coupling of light photons and/or plasmons to excitons in semiconductor materials.
June 14th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — June 12th, 2024

Dark excitons shed new light on matter
A team of Monash researchers have uncovered for the first time the full effects of interactions between exciton-polaritons and their associated dark excitonic reservoir. The study was published in Physical Review B ("Polaronic polariton quasiparticles in a dark excitonic medium").
June 12th, 2024Source

Enzymes Unlock a New Era of Customizable Nanoparticles
In a study recently published in the journal Nanoscale Horizons, scientists from Hokkaido University, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Melbourne, have developed a more flexible technique for producing nanoparticles with precise size control. Their "bio-catalytic nanoparticle shaping" (BNS) process is expected to significantly advance the synthesis of various nanoparticles for applications in technology and medicine.
June 12th, 2024Source

Flexible and stretchable microfluidic devices created by direct printing of silicone 3D microchannel networks
The transition from traditional 2D to 3D microfluidic structures is a significant advancement in microfluidics, offering benefits in scientific and industrial applications.
June 12th, 2024Source

Quantum dot based metasurface enables two objects to exist in the same space
In relationships, sharing closer spaces naturally deepens the connection as bonds form and strengthen through increasing shared memories. This principle applies not only to human interactions but also to engineering. Recently, an intriguing study was published demonstrating the use of quantum dots to create metasurfaces, enabling two objects to exist in the same space.
June 12th, 2024Source

Silicon carbide/carbon microspheres maintain performance in harsh environments
With the rapid development of electronic information technology, electromagnetic wave absorption materials play a crucial role in military applications such as electromagnetic protection and stealth devices, as well as in the defense industry.
June 12th, 2024Source

Transparent organic--inorganic hybrid photoresist enables precision machining of optical microstructures
Researchers at Beijing University of Chemical Technology (BUCT) and BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd. (BOE) have developed a novel type of transparent organic--inorganic hybrid photoresist with highly tunable refractive index.
June 12th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — June 10th, 2024

Novel 3D light field enables nanometric sensing and rapid microstructure fabrication
The ability to precisely measure and manipulate matter at the nanoscale has emerged as a frontier of paramount importance. From unraveling the fundamental physics of quantum systems to engineering the next generation of ultrahigh density microchips, the capacity to interact with the world at its most minute scales underpins some of the most transformative breakthroughs of our era.
June 10th, 2024Source

Researchers demonstrate new way to 'squeeze' infrared light
Researchers have for the first time demonstrated that a specific class of oxide membranes can confine, or "squeeze," infrared light—a finding that holds promise for next generation infrared imaging technologies. The thin-film membranes confine infrared light far better than bulk crystals, which are the established technology for infrared light confinement.
June 10th, 2024Source

Scientists break limits of optical measurement using quantum entanglement
The Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) has developed a novel quantum sensor technology that allows the measurement of perturbations in the infrared region with visible light by leveraging the phenomenon of quantum entanglement.
June 10th, 2024Source

The impact of carbon impurities on the quality of gallium nitride crystals
The wide availability of light-emitting devices (LEDs) for consumer use has led to a dramatic decrease in the cost of lighting our homes and other buildings. This is owing to the much higher efficiency of LEDs in converting electrical energy into light when compared with incandescent or even fluorescent bulbs.
June 10th, 2024Source

The Strategic Roadmap for Industrializing 2D Materials
A recent review paper from the "Shuang-Qing Forum" thoroughly analyzes the accomplishments and strategic plan for two-dimensional (2D) materials, marking a significant step forward for the semiconductor industry.
June 10th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — June 7th, 2024

Engineering a novel approach for controlling thermal emission
The University of Manchester's National Graphene Institute has spearheaded an international team to engineer a novel approach for controlling thermal emission, detailed in a paper published in Science ("Localized thermal emission from topological interfaces"). This breakthrough offers new design strategies beyond conventional materials, with promising implications for thermal management and camouflage technologies.
June 7th, 2024Source

New light-activated electron pathway found in nanotubes
Research groups led by the University of Tsukuba and the University of Rennes have unveiled a unique phenomenon where, upon exposure to light, a nested structure of carbon nanotubes enveloped in boron nitride nanotubes allows for a peculiar electron escape route. This discovery opens up exciting possibilities for various applications, including creating high-speed optical devices, fast control of electrons and other particles generated by exposure to light, and effective heat dissipation from devices.
June 7th, 2024Source

New tech could give individuals increased control over their own exposure to harmful gases
In an increasingly health-conscious society, data is a hot commodity. Tracking step counts with an old-school pedometer has turned into monitoring heart rates, sleep cycles and blood oxygen levels with wearable fitness trackers, a market that has exploded in recent years. But one critical aspect of health monitoring has yet to become mainstream, because continuous air quality data is currently tied to spaces and not people.
June 7th, 2024Source

Researchers develop a roadmap for the development of information technology based on 2D materials
In a significant stride forward for the semiconductor industry, a new review paper from the "Shuang-Qing Forum" offers a comprehensive overview of the advancements and strategic roadmap for two-dimensional (2D) materials.
June 7th, 2024Source

Researchers engineer new approach for controlling thermal emission
The University of Manchester's National Graphene Institute has spearheaded an international team to engineer a novel approach for controlling thermal emission, detailed in a paper published in Science. This breakthrough offers new design strategies beyond conventional materials, with promising implications for thermal management and camouflage technologies.
June 7th, 2024Source

Unveiling novel energy phenomena from light exposure on layered materials
Research groups from the University of Tsukuba and the University of Rennes have discovered a novel phenomenon in which a nested structure of carbon nanotubes enveloped in boron nitride nanotubes facilitates a unique electron escape route when exposed to light.
June 7th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — June 6th, 2024

3D printing revolutionizes rapid prototyping of high-precision optical lenses
Optical lenses play a crucial role in a vast array of applications, from microscopy and astronomy to photography, medical devices, and machine vision systems. Traditionally, the fabrication of these lenses has relied on a complex, multi-step process involving grinding, polishing, molding, and coating. Each step is essential in achieving the desired optical properties and quality, but the process is time-consuming, often requires specialized equipment, and can be cost-prohibitive for low-volume, customized lenses.
June 6th, 2024Source

Machine learning revolutionizes simulation of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)
Hydrogen storage, heat conduction, gas storage, CO2 and water sequestration -- metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have extraordinary properties due to their unique structure in the form of microporous crystals, which have a very large surface area despite their small size. This makes them extremely interesting for research and practical applications.
June 6th, 2024Source

Plasmonic Helicoid Nanoparticles for Highly Chiral Light Emission
Researchers from the Institute for Molecular Science and Seoul National University have found that the visible luminescence from chiral gold nanoparticles, when exposed to near-infrared femtosecond pulses, depends on the nanoparticles' chirality. This process achieves high selectivity for either left- or right-handed circularly polarized light.
June 6th, 2024Source

Unlocking the transformative potential of 2D materials to advance next-generation electronics
Van der Waals (vdW) dielectrics are widely used in nanoelectronics to preserve the intrinsic properties of two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors. However, achieving aligned growth of 2D semiconductors and their direct utilization on original vdWs epitaxial dielectrics to avoid disorders poses significant challenges.
June 6th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — May 31st, 2024

Novel neural network framework advances large-scale simulations of zeolites
The Nanomaterials Modeling group of Dr. Grajciar and Dr. Heard from the Faculty of Science, Charles University develops and applies a range of computational methods to study materials with significant industrial potential as well as existing industrially exploited materials with the aim of their optimization.
May 31st, 2024Source

Tunable color hydrogel enables multistage encryption
Self-assembly, the spontaneous organization of molecules into ordered structures, has long captivated scientists with its elegance and potential. By harnessing the same principles that shape cellular membranes and crystalline materials, researchers aspire to craft advanced functional materials from the bottom up.
May 31st, 2024Source

Wafer Stages for Thin Film Metrology and Glass Substrate Inspection
Configurable, granite-based wafer-stage sub-system, new from PI.
May 31st, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — May 30th, 2024

Advancements in Nanomaterial-Based Systems for Extraterrestrial Applications
Exploration of extraterrestrial environments presents unique challenges that require innovative solutions. Nanomaterials, due to their exceptional properties and versatility, have emerged as a promising solution to these challenges.
May 30th, 2024Source

Molybdenum boride ceramics developed for harsh environment SERS detection
A research team has successfully synthesized three different crystalline phases of molybdenum boride with a strong Raman signal enhancement performance.
May 30th, 2024Source

Nanoscale engineering brings light-twisting materials to more extreme settings
Imaging the hot turbulence of aircraft propulsion systems may now be possible with sturdy sheets of composite materials that twist light beams, according to research led by the University of Michigan and Air Force Research Laboratory.
May 30th, 2024Source or Source

Oxygen-Free Process Paves the Way for High-Quality Graphene Production
In a recent paper published in Nature, engineers at Columbia University, along with collaborators at the University of Montreal and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, discovered an oxygen-free chemical vapor deposition (OF-CVD) technique.
May 30th, 2024Source

Scientists create the thinnest lens on Earth, enabled by excitons
Lenses are used to bend and focus light. Normal lenses rely on their curved shape to achieve this effect, but physicists from the University of Amsterdam and Stanford University have made a flat lens of only three atoms thick that relies on quantum effects. This type of lens could be used in future augmented reality glasses.
May 30th, 2024Source

The thinnest lens on Earth is only three atoms thick
Lenses are used to bend and focus light. Normal lenses rely on their curved shape to achieve this effect, but physicists from the University of Amsterdam and Stanford University have made a flat lens of only three atoms thick which relies on quantum effects.
May 30th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — May 29th, 2024

Engineers link oxygen to graphene quality and develop new techniques to reproducibly make the material at scale
Graphene has been called "the wonder material of the 21st century." Since its discovery in 2004, the material—a single layer of carbon atoms—has been touted for its host of unique properties, which include ultra-high electrical conductivity and remarkable tensile strength. It has the potential to transform electronics, energy storage, sensors, biomedical devices, and more. But graphene has had a dirty little secret: it's dirty.
May 29th, 2024Source

Graphene gets cleaned up
Since its discovery in 2004, graphene has been touted for its host of unique properties, which include ultra-high electrical conductivity and remarkable tensile strength. It has the potential to transform electronics, energy storage, sensors, biomedical devices, and more.
May 29th, 2024Source

Green Chemistry Unlocks Diverse Gold Nanoparticles
Researchers from Flinders University's Nanotechnology Department collaborated with international scientists to develop the size and shape of gold nanoparticles from different VFD processing parameters and concentrations of gold chloride solution, as published in a recent article in Small Science.
May 29th, 2024Source

New device precisely controls photon emission for more efficient portable screens
Recently, a team of chemists, mathematicians, physicists and nano-engineers at the University of Twente in the Netherlands developed a device to control the emission of photons with unprecedented precision. This technology could lead to more efficient miniature light sources, sensitive sensors, and stable quantum bits for quantum computing.
May 29th, 2024Source

New Method Creates n-Type CNT Yarns for Energy Harvesting
Researchers from Okayama University, led by Research Associate Professor Hiroo Suzuki, investigated the use of carbon nanotube (CNT) yarns in thermoelectric conversion. They addressed the shortage of high-performance n-type CNT yarns (which have an excess of electrons) for converting low-grade waste heat, as opposed to the more common p-type CNT yarns (which have an excess of positive charge carriers). This study was published in the journal Small Methods.
May 29th, 2024Source

New study is step towards energy-efficient quantum computing in magnets
Researchers from Lancaster University and Radboud University Nijmegen have managed to generate propagating spin waves at the nanoscale and discovered a novel pathway to modulate and amplify them.
May 29th, 2024Source

Researchers create materials with unique combination of stiffness, thermal insulation
Researchers have demonstrated the ability to engineer materials that are both stiff and capable of insulating against heat. This combination of properties is extremely unusual and holds promise for a range of applications, such as the development of new thermal insulation coatings for electronic devices.
May 29th, 2024Source

World record reduction in photon emission
A team of chemists, mathematicians, physicists and nano-engineers at the University of Twente in the Netherlands developed the ultimate device to control the emission of photons with unprecedented precision. This technology could lead to more efficient miniature light sources, sensitive sensors, and stable quantum bits for quantum computing.
May 29th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — May 28th, 2024

Producing gold nano-particles (and hydrogen) in water without the need for toxic chemicals
In a surprise discovery, Flinders University nanotechnology researchers have produced a range of different types of gold nanoparticles by adjusting water flow in the novel vortex fluidic device—without the need for toxic chemicals. The article, "Nanogold Foundry Involving High-Shear-Mediated Photocontact Electrification in Water," has been published in Small Science.
May 28th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — May 24th, 2024

First topological quantum simulator device in strong light-matter interaction regime to operate at room temperatures
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have fabricated a device no wider than a human hair that will help physicists investigate the fundamental nature of matter and light.
May 24th, 2024Source

Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals in Ferroelectric Polymer Composites
Ferroelectric materials are crucial in various technological applications, including transduction, data storage, and nonlinear optics. The integration of halide perovskite nanocrystals with polymers presents an intriguing opportunity to enhance the properties and functionalities of ferroelectric materials.
May 24th, 2024Source

How a tiny device could lead to big physics discoveries and better lasers
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have fabricated a device no wider than a human hair that will help physicists investigate the fundamental nature of matter and light. Their findings, published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology ("Topological valley Hall polariton condensation"), could also support the development of more efficient lasers, which are used in fields ranging from medicine to manufacturing.
May 24th, 2024Source

Imperceptible sensors made from 'electronic spider silk' can be printed directly on human skin
Researchers have developed a method to make adaptive and eco-friendly sensors that can be directly and imperceptibly printed onto a wide range of biological surfaces, whether that's a finger or a flower petal.
May 24th, 2024Source

Innovative polymer metamaterial enhances indoor climate and self-cleans
Researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) introduce a polymer-based material with unique properties in the latest issue of the journal Nature Communications ("Radiative cooling and indoor light management enabled by a transparent and self-cleaning polymer-based metamaterial"). This material allows sunlight to enter, maintains a more comfortable indoor climate without additional energy, and cleans itself like a lotus leaf.
May 24th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — May 21st, 2024

Blueprints of self-assembly: New design technique advances nanotechnology
Many biological structures of impressive beauty and sophistication arise through processes of self-assembly. Indeed, the natural world is teeming with intricate and useful forms that come together from many constituent parts, taking advantage of the built-in features of molecules.
May 21st, 2024Source

How Calcium Impacts Graphene's Superconducting Potential
In a recent study, a group of Japanese scientists from the Tokyo Institute of Technology examined the effects of introducing high-density Ca experimentally to C6CaC6 to increase superconductivity in graphene. The study was published online in ACS Nano.
May 21st, 2024Source

Metamaterials achieve control of polarized light for molecular identification
Polarized light waves spin clockwise or counterclockwise as they travel, with one direction behaving differently than the other as it interacts with molecules.
May 21st, 2024Source

Powering wearable devices with high-performing carbon nanotube yarns
With the growth of the Internet of Things, sustainable solutions for powering wireless sensors and devices are considered important. Thermoelectric generators, for example, which have the ability to convert waste heat into electricity, can offer a sustainable solution. Researchers around the world have been working on such solutions.
May 21st, 2024Source

Pt-Ni Perovskite Nanofibers for Improved CO Oxidation
In the quest for more efficient and sustainable heterogeneous catalysis, the integration of bimetallic nanoparticles has emerged as a promising strategy.
May 21st, 2024Source

Shining a light on molecules: L-shaped metamaterials can control light direction
Polarized light waves spin clockwise or counterclockwise as they travel, with one direction behaving differently than the other as it interacts with molecules. This directionality, called chirality or handedness, could provide a way to identify and sort specific molecules for use in biomedicine applications, but researchers have had limited control over the direction of the waves—until now.
May 21st, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — May 18th, 2024

Ion irradiation offers promise for 2D material probing
Two-dimensional materials such as graphene promise to form the basis of incredibly small and fast technologies, but this requires a detailed understanding of their electronic properties. New research demonstrates that fast electronic processes can be probed by irradiating the materials with ions first.
May 18th, 2024Source

Physicists propose path to faster, more flexible robots
In a paper released in the journal Physical Review Letters ("Diffusiophoretic Fast Swelling of Chemically Responsive Hydrogels"), Virginia Tech physicists revealed a microscopic phenomenon that could greatly improve the performance of soft devices, such as agile flexible robots or microscopic capsules for drug delivery.
May 18th, 2024Source

Researchers develop world's smallest quantum light detector on a silicon chip
Researchers at the University of Bristol have made an important breakthrough in scaling quantum technology by integrating the world's tiniest quantum light detector onto a silicon chip.
May 18th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — May 17th, 2024

Ion irradiation offers promise for 2D material probing
Two-dimensional materials such as graphene promise to form the basis of incredibly small and fast technologies, but this requires a detailed understanding of their electronic properties. New research demonstrates that fast electronic processes can be probed by irradiating the materials with ions first.
May 17th, 2024Source

Nano-Water Droplets on Silica Glass: Microscopic Insights
Silica glass is a commonly used material for studying wetting behavior, and it exhibits complex interactions with water molecules. While traditional methods suggest uniform adsorption of water molecules on hydrophilic surfaces, recent advancements in interface-focused measurement techniques have revealed heterogeneous wetting behavior.
May 17th, 2024Source

Room-temperature method transforms liquid crystal 'fabric' into soft robotic actuators
Soft robotics has emerged as a promising field, with the potential to revolutionize areas such as prosthetics, wearable devices, and human-machine interaction. Unlike traditional rigid robots, soft robots are made from highly compliant materials that can safely interact with delicate objects and adapt to complex environments.
May 17th, 2024Source

Study shows optical excitation of hot carriers enables ultrafast dynamic control of nanoscale plasmons
Photonic computing, storage, and communication are the foundation for future photonic chips and all-optical neural networks. Nanoscale plasmons, with their ultrafast response speed and ultrasmall mode volume, play an important role in the integration of photonic chips. However, due to the limitations of materials and fundamental principles in many previous systems, they are often incompatible with existing optoelectronics, and their stability and operability are greatly compromised.
May 17th, 2024Source

XEI Scientific Celebrates the 5000th Evactron Plasma Cleaner Sales Milestone
Join us in celebrating the sale of the 5000th Evactron plasma cleaner, marking 25 years of continuing progress in fighting hydrocarbon contamination.
May 17th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — May 14th, 2024

New optical tweezers can trap large and irregularly shaped particles
Researchers have developed new optical tweezers that can stably trap particles that are large—about 0.1 mm—and irregularly shaped. While conventional optical tweezers use highly focused laser beams to trap micro- or nano-scale rod shaped or spherical particles, the advance could expand light-based trapping to a wider range of objects such as groups of cells, bacteria and microplastics.
May 14th, 2024Source

QDUKI Welcomes Molecular Vista Nano-IR Microscopes
Quantum Design UK and Ireland is excited to add Molecular Vista to its product portfolio. Offering the highest resolution nanoscale chemical analysis instruments available, the range of Nano-IR microscopes features photo‑induced force microscopy (PiFM) and photo‑induced force IR spectroscopy (PiF‑IR).
May 14th, 2024Source

Synthesis of Transparent Polyimide Nanocomposites with Organoclay Fillers
The development of advanced materials with sophisticated patterning and excellent physical and chemical properties is crucial for various applications. In a recent article published in Scientific Reports, researchers from South Korea synthesized a colorless and transparent polyimide (CPI) hybrid film using new monomers and organically modified clays.
May 14th, 2024Source

Uneven strain distribution induces detwinning in penta-twinned nanoparticles
Twinned nanoparticles have regions of clear symmetry that share the same crystal lattice, separated by a clear boundary. Changing the twin structure can affect the properties of the nanoparticles, which makes controlling twinning to create tailored nanomaterials an active area of research.
May 14th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — May 13th, 2024

Electron vortices in graphene detected
Researchers at ETH Zurich have, for the first time, made visible how electrons form vortices in a material at room temperature. Their experiment used a quantum sensing microscope with an extremely high resolution.
May 13th, 2024Source or Source

New toolkit makes molecular dynamics simulations more accessible
PaCS-Toolkit—a recently developed software package that will make it straightforward for researchers to run parallel cascade selection molecular dynamics (PaCS-MD) simulations, report scientists at Tokyo Tech. This versatile software, coded with Python, helps with the setup, optimization, and running of PaCS-MD simulations in various computing environments.
May 13th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — May 10th, 2024

Evolutionary algorithm generates tailored 'molecular fingerprints'
A team led by Prof Frank Glorius from the Institute of Organic Chemistry at the University of Münster has developed an evolutionary algorithm that identifies the structures in a molecule that are particularly relevant for a respective question and uses them to encode the properties of the molecules for various machine-learning models.
May 8th, 2024Source

Designer peptoids mimic nature's helices
Nature is filled with extraordinarily precise molecular shapes that fit together like a hand in glove. Proteins, for example, can assemble into a wide variety of well-defined shapes that grant them their function.
May 8th, 2024Source or Source

Manganese sprinkled with iridium: a quantum leap in green hydrogen production
As the world is transitioning from a fossil fuel-based energy economy, many are betting on hydrogen to become the dominant energy currency. But producing "green" hydrogen without using fossil fuels is not yet possible on the scale we need because it requires iridium, a metal that is extremely rare.
May 8th, 2024Source

New Nanocomposite Recipe for High-Performance Metasurfaces
A recent study by researchers at Pohang University of Science and Technology represents a significant stride in advancing novel nanocomposites and defining an optimal criterion for crafting metaholograms tailored to the ultraviolet spectrum rather than the visible.
May 8th, 2024Source

Thermal welding of liquids using nanoparticle surfactants
The ability to mold and weld materials into desired shapes and structures is a fundamental manufacturing capability that enables the creation of countless products we rely on every day. For centuries, this process has been limited to solid materials like metals, plastics, and ceramics.
May 8th, 2024Source

Visual observation of photonic Floquet-Bloch oscillations
Recent studies on Bloch oscillations (BOs) in periodically driven quantum systems, also known as "Floquet systems," have attracted considerable interest due to their unique characteristics, which are distinctly different from those in static systems.
May 8th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — May 8th, 2024

Atomic-scale telegraphy with light
In the 1880s Heinrich Hertz discovered that a spark jumping between two pieces of metal emits a flash of light -- rapidly oscillating electromagnetic waves -- which can be picked up by an antenna. To honour his groundbreaking work, the unit of frequency was named "Hertz" in 1930.
May 8th, 2024Source

Development of ultra-high-efficiency pure red light-emitting devices with enhanced color representation
DGIST Professor Jiwoong Yang's team in the Energy Science and Engineering Department has successfully manufactured high-performance, skin-attachable perovskite pure red light-emitting devices to create various forms of wearable displays.
May 8th, 2024Source

Oxford Instruments wins King's Award for Enterprise
Oxford Instruments has been awarded the King's Award for Enterprise for Innovation for the Symmetry detector. Symmetry enables a deeper understanding of a material's structure down to the nanoscale level. Symmetry radically increased the speed with which such in-depth analyses can be performed, resulting in the technique being much more widely adopted.
May 8th, 2024Source

Researchers can now accurately measure the emergence and damping of a plasmonic field
An international research team led by Universität Hamburg, DESY, and Stanford University has developed a new approach to characterize the electric field of arbitrary plasmonic samples, like e.g. gold nanoparticles.
May 8th, 2024Source or Source

Scientists observe and analyze a phenomenon that combines optical-electrical-mechanical properties in a 2D atomic layer
The results of observation and analysis of a phenomenon that combines optical, electrical, and mechanical properties in a two-dimensional atomic layer were revealed by a joint Korean-American research team and published in Nano Letters ("Optically Triggered Emergent Mesostructures in Monolayer WS2").
May 8th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — May 7th, 2024

Bio-inspired materials' potential for efficient mass transfer boosted by a new twist on a century-old theory
The natural vein structure found within leaves—which has inspired the structural design of porous materials that can maximize mass transfer—could unlock improvements in energy storage, catalysis, and sensing thanks to a new twist on a century-old biophysical law.
May 7th, 2024Source

High-Throughput Apparatus Speeds Up Eco-Friendly Nanomaterial Synthesis
A University of Birmingham researcher developed a new high-throughput device that uses mechanochemical synthesis to create libraries of nanomaterials faster and more sustainably.
May 7th, 2024Source

Research team discovers new property of light
A research team headed by chemists at the University of California, Irvine has discovered a previously unknown way in which light interacts with matter, a finding that could lead to improved solar power systems, light-emitting diodes, semiconductor lasers and other technological advancements.
May 7th, 2024Source

Researchers 'unzip' 2D materials with lasers
In a new paper published on May 1 in the journal Science Advances, researchers at Columbia Engineering used commercially available tabletop lasers to create tiny, atomically sharp nanostructures, or nanopatterns, in samples of a layered 2D material called hexagonal boron nitride (hBN).
May 7th, 2024Source

Smart labs for bespoke synthesis of nanomaterials are emerging
In the early 20th century, the development of a catalyst for ammonia synthesis by the Haber-Bosch method took more than 10,000 experiments before it was successful. The development of new materials is a time-consuming and costly process from design to commercialization.
May 7th, 2024Source

Tiny displacements, giant changes in optical properties
While we usually think of disorder as a bad thing, a team of materials science researchers led by Rohan Mishra, from Washington University in St. Louis, and Jayakanth Ravichandran, from the University of Southern California, have revealed that -- when it comes to certain crystals -- a little structural disorder might have big impacts on useful optical properties.
May 7th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — May 3rd, 2024

Physicists pioneer new quantum sensing platform
Quantum sensors detect the smallest of environmental changes—for example, an atom reacting to a magnetic field. As these sensors "read" the unique behaviors of subatomic particles, they also dramatically improve scientists' ability to measure and detect changes in our wider environment.
May 3rd, 2024Source

Nanostructured copper surface shows potential for transparent, antimicrobial surfaces in touch displays
The interest in antimicrobial solutions for personal and multi-user touch screens, such as tablets and mobile devices, has grown in recent years. Traditional methods like sprayable alcohols or wipes are not ideal for these delicate displays. Antimicrobial coatings applied directly to the glass are a promising alternative, but only if they are transparent and long-lasting.
May 3rd, 2024Source

Tweaking isotopes sheds light on promising approach to engineer semiconductors
Research led by scientists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory has demonstrated that small changes in the isotopic content of thin semiconductor materials can influence their optical and electronic properties, possibly opening the way to new and advanced designs with the semiconductors.
May 3rd, 2024Source or Source

General — Nanotechnology — May 1st, 2024

Light-directed invisible ink unlocks unbreakable anti-forgery protection
Counterfeiting of important documents like passports poses a serious and growing global security threat. Despite the use of various anti-counterfeiting technologies such as specialized inks, holograms and watermarks, the increasing sophistication of counterfeiters means that forgery remains an ongoing risk.
May 1st, 2024Source

Scientists show that there is indeed an 'entropy' of quantum entanglement
Bartosz Regula from the RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing and Ludovico Lami from the University of Amsterdam have shown, through probabilistic calculations, that there is indeed, as had been hypothesized, a rule of "entropy" for the phenomenon of quantum entanglement. This finding could help drive a better understanding of quantum entanglement, which is a key resource that underlies much of the power of future quantum computers.
May 1st, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — April 30th, 2024

First high-resolution 3D nanoscale chemical imaging achieved with multi-modal tomography
By exploiting a smart learning algorithm that fuses two microscopy signals, University of Michigan researchers have accomplished high-resolution, efficient 3D chemical imaging for the first time at the one-nanometer scale. For context, a nanometer is one-millionth of a millimeter, or one-hundred-thousandth the width of a human hair.
April 30th, 2024Source

Lead-vacancy centers in diamond as building blocks for large-scale quantum networks
A lead-vacancy (PbV) center in diamond has been developed as a quantum emitter for large-scale quantum networks by researchers from Tokyo Tech. This innovative color center exhibits a sharp zero-phonon-line and emits photons with specific frequencies. The PbV color center stands out among other diamond color centers due to its ability to maintain optical properties at relatively high temperatures of 16 K. This makes it well-suited for transferring quantum information in large-scale quantum networks.
April 30th, 2024Source

Nature-inspired geometric designs for economical self-assembling materials
A team of researchers led by the University of Massachusetts Amherst has drawn inspiration from a wide variety of natural geometric motifs -- including those of 12-sided dice and potato chips -- in order to extend a set of well-known design principles to an entirely new class of spongy materials that can self-assemble into precisely controllable structures.
April 30th, 2024Source

New class of spongy materials can self-assemble into precisely controllable structures
A team of researchers led by the University of Massachusetts Amherst has drawn inspiration from a wide variety of natural geometric motifs—including those of 12-sided dice and potato chips—in order to extend a set of well-known design principles to an entirely new class of spongy materials that can self-assemble into precisely controllable structures.
April 30th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — April 29th, 2024

Atomic nucleus excited with laser: a breakthrough after decades
Physicists have been hoping for this moment for a long time: for many years, scientists all around the world have been searching for a very specific state of thorium atomic nuclei that promises revolutionary technological applications. It could be used, for example, to build an nuclear clock that could measure time more precisely than the best atomic clocks available today.
April 29th, 2024Source

Graphene-infused glass fiber fabric bridges conductivity with electromagnetic transparency
The rapid integration of high-density multifunctional systems and modules in modern electronics has brought the issue of electromagnetic compatibility to the forefront. Conventional conductive materials like metals are crucial components in electronic instruments, but their inherent impedance mismatch with air causes strong reflection of incident electromagnetic waves.
April 29th, 2024Source

Scientists construct sophisticated synthetic system using self-replicating nanostructures
A research team led by the late Professor Liang Haojun from the Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) has developed a facile enthalpy-mediated strategy to precisely control the replication and catalytic assembly of DNA-functionalized colloids in a time-dependent manner, facilitating the creation of large-scale ordered nanomaterials.
April 29th, 2024Source

Switching a 2D metal-organic framework from an insulator to a metal
An study has found unusual insulating behaviour in a new atomically-thin material -- and the ability to switch it on and off.
April 29th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — April 26th, 2024

Comptek Solutions Secures €8 Million in Series A Funding to Drive Growth in Customized Passivation
Comptek Solutions is delighted to announce the successful closure of its Series A funding round. The round consists of an eight-million-euro equity investment with the participation of a key strategic partner in the consumer electronics industry, the Horizon Europe EIC Fund and LIFTT S.p.A., a leading Italian venture capital firm focused on early-stage investments in startups and SMEs with high growth impact and ESG.
April 26th, 2024Source

Enhancing memory technology: Multiferroic nanodots for low-power magnetic storage
Traditional memory devices are volatile and the current non-volatile ones rely on either ferromagnetic or ferroelectric materials for data storage. In ferromagnetic devices, data is written or stored by aligning magnetic moments, while in ferroelectric devices, data storage relies on the alignment of electric dipoles.
April 26th, 2024Source

From disorder to order: flocking birds and 'spinning' particles
Researchers Kazuaki Takasan and Kyogo Kawaguchi of the University of Tokyo with Kyosuke Adachi of RIKEN, Japan's largest comprehensive research institution, have demonstrated that ferromagnetism, an ordered state of atoms, can be induced by increasing particle motility and that repulsive forces between atoms are sufficient to maintain it.
April 26th, 2024Source

Unlocking the functional potential of mesoporous materials through modular nanocrystal assembly
Mesoporous materials have emerged as a frontier of materials science, thanks to their unique combination of high surface area, tunable pore sizes, and ability to host functional components. These properties make them exceptionally promising for applications like catalysis, energy storage, chemical separations, and drug delivery, where performance depends on intimate interactions between guest molecules and pore surfaces.
April 26th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — April 24th, 2024

Holographic displays offer a glimpse into an immersive future
Setting the stage for a new era of immersive displays, researchers are one step closer to mixing the real and virtual worlds in an ordinary pair of eyeglasses using high-definition 3D holographic images, according to a study led by Princeton University researchers.
April 24th, 2024Source

How light can vaporize water without the need for heat
It's the most fundamental of processes — the evaporation of water from the surfaces of oceans and lakes, the burning off of fog in the morning sun, and the drying of briny ponds that leaves solid salt behind. Evaporation is all around us, and humans have been observing it and making use of it for as long as we have existed.
April 24th, 2024Source

Making light 'feel' a magnetic field like an electron would
Unlike electrons, particles of light are uncharged, so they do not respond to magnetic fields. Despite this, researchers have now experimentally made light effectively "feel" a magnetic field within a complicated structure called a photonic crystal, which is made of silicon and glass.
April 24th, 2024Source

Nanofibers rid water of hazardous dyes: Researchers develop efficient filters based on cellulose waste
Using waste to purify water may sound counterintuitive. But at TU Wien, this is exactly what has now been achieved. Researchers have developed a special nanostructure to filter a widespread class of harmful dyes from water.
April 24th, 2024Source

New model extends theory of pattern formation to the nano-cosmos
A new model developed by scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization (MPI-DS) extends the theory of elastic phase separation towards nanoscopic structures. Such patterns are frequent in biological systems and also used in nano-engineering to create structural color.
April 24th, 2024Source or Source

Research combines DNA origami and photolithography to move one step closer to molecular computers
Molecular computer components could represent a new IT revolution and help us create cheaper, faster, smaller, and more powerful computers. Yet researchers struggle to find ways to assemble them more reliably and efficiently.
April 24th, 2024Source

Scientists reveal working mechanism of multilayer MoS₂ photodetector with broad spectral range and multiband response
As a typical two-dimensional material, MoS2 exhibits unique optical and electrical properties due to its atomic thickness in the vertical dimension, making it a research hotspot in the field of optoelectronic detection.
April 24th, 2024Source

Scientists tune the entanglement structure in an array of qubits
Entanglement is a form of correlation between quantum objects, such as particles at the atomic scale. This uniquely quantum phenomenon cannot be explained by the laws of classical physics, yet it is one of the properties that explains the macroscopic behavior of quantum systems.
April 24th, 2024Source

Ultrasensitive photonic crystal detects single particles down to 50 nanometers
Using an ultrasensitive photonic crystal, TU/e researchers were able to detect single particles down to 50 nanometers in diameter. The new research has just been published in the journal Optica.
April 24th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — April 22nd, 2024

Ion thermoelectric conversion devices for near room temperature
Researcher Wei Zeng of the Institute of Chemical Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with Associate Professor Dongyu Zhu of Guangdong University of Technology, has designed and prepared a brand-new thermoelectric conversion device, which dramatically improves the performance of thermoelectric conversion through the organic combination of thermal diffusion effect and redox reaction on the electrode.
April 22th, 2024Source

Magnetic with a pinch of hydrogen
Magnetic two-dimensional materials consisting of one or a few atomic layers have only recently become known and promise interesting applications, for example for the electronics of the future. So far, however, it has not been possible to control the magnetic states of these materials well enough.
April 22th, 2024Source

Magnetic with a pinch of hydrogen: Research team develops new idea to improve the properties of ultra-thin materials
Magnetic two-dimensional materials consisting of one or a few atomic layers have only recently become known and promise interesting applications, for example for the electronics of the future. So far, however, it has not been possible to control the magnetic states of these materials well enough.
April 22th, 2024Source

This alloy is kinky
A metal alloy composed of niobium, tantalum, titanium, and hafnium has shocked materials scientists with its impressive strength and toughness at both extremely hot and cold temperatures, a combination of properties that seemed so far to be nearly impossible to achieve. In this context, strength is defined as how much force a material can withstand before it is permanently deformed from its original shape, and toughness is its resistance to fracturing (cracking).
April 22th, 2024Source

Tiny crystals with a big impact on technology innovation
In modern technology, the manipulation of various types of waves—including light, sound, electronic, and magnetic waves—is fundamental to advancing a wide range of applications.
April 22th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — April 19th, 2024

Accelerating the discovery of new materials via the ion-exchange method
Tohoku University researchers have unveiled a new means of predicting how to synthesize new materials via the ion-exchange. Based on computer simulations, the method significantly reduces the time and energy required to explore for inorganic materials.
April 19th, 2024Source

Comprehensive model unravels quantum-mechanical effects behind photoluminescence in thin gold films
EPFL researchers have developed the first comprehensive model of the quantum-mechanical effects behind photoluminescence in thin gold films; a discovery that could drive the development of solar fuels and batteries.
April 19th, 2024Source

Cost-effective nanorod electrodes for molecular hydrogen production
SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology Dr. Iulian Gherasoiu and peers have published research in the Journal of Applied Electrochemistry titled "MoVN-coated MoNi4-MoO2 nanorods as a bifunctional electrode for electrochemical water splitting."
April 19th, 2024Source

European XFEL elicits secrets from an important nanogel
An international team at the world's largest X-ray laser European XFEL at Schenefeld near Hamburg has scrutinized the properties of an important nanogel that is often used in medicine to release drugs in a targeted and controlled manner at the desired location in a patient's body. The team has now published the results in the journal Science Advances.
April 19th, 2024Source

New nondestructive technique for analyzing single-atom-thick materials
Imagine a material 100,000 times thinner than a sheet of paper, yet stronger than steel, more conductive than copper, and with the potential to revolutionize everything from electronics to energy. This is the field of two-dimensional (2D) materials -- a fascinating world where ordinary rules of physics and chemistry are rewritten at the atomic scale.
April 19th, 2024Source

Scientists experimentally observe current-driven antiskyrmion sliding
Prof. ZHANG Ying's group from the Institute of Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), in collaboration with domestic universities and the Los Alamos National Laboratory in the United States, has experimentally observed current-driven antiskyrmion sliding.
April 19th, 2024Source

X-ray laser study elicits secrets from an important nanogel
An international team led by Felix Lehmkühler from Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY in Hamburg has investigated the temperature induced swelling and collapsing of the polymer poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAm) at European XFEL at Schenefeld near Hamburg.
April 19th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — April 17th, 2024

A better view with new mid-infrared nanoscopy
A team at the University of Tokyo have constructed an improved mid-infrared microscope, enabling them to see the structures inside living bacteria at the nanometer scale.
April 17th, 2024Source

A new spin on materials analysis
Researchers Koichiro Yaji and Shunsuke Tsuda at the National Institute for Materials Science in Japan have developed an improved type of microscope that can visualize key aspects of electron spin states in materials.
April 17th, 2024Source

From defects to order: Spontaneously emerging crystal arrangements in perovskite halides
Perovskites are among the most extensively studied materials in modern materials science. Their often unique and exotic properties, which stem from perovskite's peculiar crystal structure, could find revolutionary applications in various cutting-edge fields. One intriguing way of realizing such properties is through the precise ordering of a perovskite's defects, such as vacancies or substitutions.
April 17th, 2024Source

Novel Approach to Produce Multi-Color Phosphorescent Carbon Dots
Recently, the research team led by Jiang Changlong at the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, which is part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, developed a novel method for preparing carbonized polymer nanodots. These nanodots are capable of emitting multicolored, ultra-long, room-temperature phosphorescence ranging from blue to green.
April 17th, 2024Source

Study finds iron-rich enamel protects, but doesn't color, rodents' orange-brown incisors
Chattering squirrels, charming coypus, and tail-slapping beavers—along with some other rodents—have orange-brown front teeth. Researchers have published high-resolution images of rodent incisors in ACS Nano, providing an atomic-level view of the teeth's ingenious enamel and its coating.
April 17th, 2024Source

Unlocking multi-color ultra-long phosphorescence with carbonized polymer nanodots
A research team led by JIANG Changlong from Hefei Institutes of Physical Science devised a novel method to prepare carbonized polymer nanodots capable of emitting multi-color ultra-long room-temperature phosphorescent (RTP) from blue to green.
April 17th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — April 15th, 2024

A magnetic butterfly poised to advance quantum technologies
Researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have developed a new design concept for creating next-generation carbon-based nanomaterials, in the form of a tiny magnetic nanographene with a unique butterfly-shape hosting highly correlated spins.
April 15th, 2024Source or Source or Source

Minus K Congratulates to the following winners of Minus K's 2023/2024 Educational Giveaway
With over thirty years in business, Minus K Technology has to-date granted over $75,000 of its superior performing patented Negative-Stiffness low-frequency sub-hertz vibration isolators through their U.S. Educational Giveaway.
April 15th, 2024Source

Palladium nanocluster catalyst supports highly efficient and regioselective hydrogenation of epoxides
Alcohols are widely applied in life sciences and the chemical industry. Selective hydrogenation of epoxides using hydrogen molecules as a reductant is considered to be one of the most facile and atom-economical strategies for alcohol synthesis. However, controlling the regioselective ring opening of epoxides remains a challenge.
April 15th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — April 12th, 2024

Recent advances in fluorescence and afterglow of CDs in matrices
Carbon dots (CDs) are novel nanomaterials with dimensions less than 10 nm that have attracted much attention due to their outstanding optical properties. However, the development of solid-state fluorescence and afterglow methods has been relatively slow, although the properties of these materials under liquid conditions have been extensively studied.
April 12th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — April 11th, 2024

A molecular moonlander: insight into molecular motion on surfaces at the nanoscale
For years, scientists have been intrigued by how molecules move across surfaces. The process is critical to numerous applications, including catalysis and the manufacturing of nanoscale devices.
April 11th, 2024Source or Source

Bioinspired MXene-cellulose nanofiber actuator design mimics plant movement
In a significant breakthrough, a team of researchers from China and Singapore has developed a bioinspired dynamic matrix of soft actuators that integrates sensing and actuation functions in a single material system. Drawing inspiration from the intelligent sensing and movement of plants like mimosa, the researchers combined the unique properties of MXene and cellulose nanofibers (CNF) to create a soft actuator that can detect touch and rapidly respond with localized movement.
April 11th, 2024Source

Economical Fast Focus Scanning Systems for Microscopy and Metrology Applications
Packages with controller, software, and nano-focus scanner offer an excellent price-performance ratio - new from PI.
April 11th, 2024Source

Kirigami hydrogels rise from nanocellulose film
New options for making finely structured soft, flexible and expandable materials called hydrogels have been developed by researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT). Their work extends the emerging field of 'kirigami hydrogels', in which patterns are cut into a thin film allowing it to later swell into complex hydrogel structures.
April 11th, 2024Source

Laser-patterned thin films that swell into kirigami-like structures offer new opportunities in hydrogel technology
New options for making finely structured soft, flexible and expandable materials called hydrogels have been developed by researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT).
April 11th, 2024Source

Nanoscale movies shed light on one barrier to a clean energy future
Left unchecked, corrosion can rust out cars and pipes, take down buildings and bridges, and eat away at our monuments. Corrosion can also damage devices that could be key to a clean energy future. And now, Duke University researchers have captured extreme close-ups of that process in action.
April 11th, 2024Source or Source

Nothing is everything: How hidden emptiness can define the usefulness of filtration materials
Voids, or empty spaces, exist within matter at all scales, from the astronomical to the microscopic. In a new study (Nature Communications, "Beyond nothingness in the formation and functional relevance of voids in polymer films"), researchers used high-powered microscopy and mathematical theory to unveil nanoscale voids in three dimensions.
April 11th, 2024Source or Source

Unraveling the behavior of nanoconfined water and ice in extreme conditions
Understanding water behavior in nanopores is crucial for both science and practical applications. Scientists from City University of Hong Kong (CityU) have revealed the remarkable behavior of water and ice under high pressure and temperature, and strong confinement.
April 11th, 2024Source or Source

General — Nanotechnology — April 10th, 2024

Building block for magnetoelectric spin-orbit logic opens new avenue for low-power beyond-CMOS technologies
In an article published in Nature Communications, an international team led by researchers from the Nanodevices group at CIC nanoGUNE succeeded in voltage-based magnetization switching and reading of magnetoelectric spin-orbit nanodevices. This study constitutes a proof of principle of these nanodevices, which are the building blocks for magnetoelectric spin-orbit (MESO) logic, opening a new avenue for low-power beyond-CMOS technologies.
April 10th, 2024Source

New method of measuring qubits promises ease of scalability in a microscopic package
The path to quantum supremacy is made challenging by the issues associated with scaling up the number of qubits. One key problem is the way that qubits are measured. A research group introduces a new approach that tackles these challenges head-on using nanobolometers instead of traditional, bulky parametric amplifiers.
April 10th, 2024Source or Source

Physicists discover a novel quantum state in an elemental solid
Physicists have observed a novel quantum effect termed "hybrid topology" in a crystalline material. This finding opens up a new range of possibilities for the development of efficient materials and technologies for next-generation quantum science and engineering.
April 10th, 2024Source

Quantum crystal of frozen electrons - the Wigner crystal - is visualized for the first time
Electrons -- these infinitesimally small particles that are known to zip around atoms -- continue to amaze scientists despite the more than a century that scientists have studied them. Now, physicists at Princeton University have pushed the boundaries of our understanding of these minute particles by visualizing, for the first time, direct evidence for what is known as the Wigner crystal -- a strange kind of matter that is made entirely of electrons.
April 10th, 2024Source

The building block for magnetoelectric spin-orbit logic
In a recent article published in Nature Communications ("Voltage-based magnetization switching and reading in magnetoelectric spin-orbit nanodevices"), an international team, led by researchers from the Nanodevices group at CIC nanoGUNE, suceeded in voltage-based magnetization switching and reading of magnetoelectric spin-orbit nanodevices.
April 10th, 2024Source

Ultrasensitive 3D plasmonic web can detect molecules at the yoctomolar level
The field of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has long held the promise of single-molecule detection, but achieving this level of sensitivity in a reliable and reproducible manner has proven challenging.
April 10th, 2024Source

Waterproof 'e-glove' could help scuba divers communicate
When scuba divers need to say "I'm okay" or "Shark!" to their dive partners, they use hand signals to communicate visually. But sometimes these movements are difficult to see. Now, researchers reporting in ACS Nano ("Underwater Gesture Recognition Meta-Gloves for Marine Immersive Communication") have constructed a waterproof "e-glove" that wirelessly transmits hand gestures made underwater to a computer that translates them into messages. The new technology could someday help divers communicate better with each other and with boat crews on the surface.
April 10th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — April 6th, 2024

Flexible polymer nanostructures with unmatched surface area and strength
In the quest to create materials that are both lightweight and strong, scientists have long been inspired by the intricate structures found in nature. From the lattice-like bones of birds to the porous, yet sturdy stems of plants, evolution has optimized these biological materials to achieve remarkable properties.
April 6th, 2024Source

LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA Collaboration detected a remarkable gravitational-wave signal
In May 2023, shortly after the start of the fourth LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA observing run, the LIGO Livingston detector observed a gravitational-wave signal from the collision of what is most likely a neutron star with a compact object that is 2.5 to 4.5 times the mass of our Sun.
April 6th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — April 5th, 2024

FabricNano's cell-free biotech could make microplastics a thing of the past
The UK startup is immobilising proteins for everything from detergent to carbon capture
April 5th, 2024Source

Nanodevices can produce energy from evaporating tap or seawater
Evaporation is a natural process so ubiquitous that most of us take it for granted. In fact, roughly half of the solar energy that reaches the earth drives evaporative processes. Since 2017, researchers have been working to harness the energy potential of evaporation via the hydrovoltaic (HV) effect, which allows electricity to be harvested when fluid is passed over the charged surface of a nanoscale device.
April 5th, 2024Source

Scientists develop novel method to control the geometry of chiral gold nanoparticles using copper ions
Noble metal nanoparticles like gold and silver have been extensively studied for their optical, electronic, and catalytic properties, which can be finely tuned by controlling their size, shape, and composition. However, creating nanoparticles with specific geometries and desired properties has remained a significant challenge, limiting their practical applications.
April 5th, 2024Source

Simulating magnetization in a Heisenberg quantum spin chain
The rapid progress of quantum simulators is now enabling them to study problems that before have been limited to the domain of theoretical physics and numerical simulation. A team of researchers at Google Quantum AI and their collaborators showed this novel capability by studying dynamics in 1D quantum magnets, specifically chains of spin-1⁄2 particles.
April 5th, 2024Source

Using ultrasound to probe antiferromagnets
RIKEN physicists have used ultrasonic waves to measure a magnetic material known as an antiferromagnet (Physical Review Letters, "Acoustically driven magnon-phonon coupling in a layered antiferromagnet"). This advance will make it much easier to probe its properties, boding well for the development of new devices based on antiferromagnets.
April 5th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — April 4th, 2024

Click chemistry: Research team creates 150 new compounds
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) chemists have created a new collection of molecular compounds and begun testing them as potential leads in the search for new drugs. Among these molecules, they found several that show promise for development as antibiotics and cancer therapies. Sounds like a eureka moment? Well, sort of. But it's more a case of hard chemistry made simple.
April 4th, 2024Source

Improving infectious disease testing with gold nanoparticles
By harnessing the power of composite polymer particles adorned with gold nanoparticles, a group of researchers have delivered a more accurate means of testing for infectious diseases. Details of their research are published in the journal Langmuir.
April 4th, 2024Source

Laser-guided self-assembly enables precise fabrication of micro-rolls for advanced applications
The quest to create intricate three-dimensional microstructures has long captivated scientists and engineers, driven by the immense potential these tiny constructs hold for revolutionizing fields such as electronics, photonics, and biomedicine. However, the journey from concept to reality has been fraught with challenges.
April 4th, 2024Source

Scalable Technique Enables Mass Production of TMT Nanosheets
Transition metal telluride nanosheets hold tremendous potential for various fields, yet mass production has remained unattainable, relegating the material to a laboratory novelty rather than an industrial asset.
April 4th, 2024Source

Unlocking exotic physics: Exploring graphene's topological bands in super-moire structures
In a new study, scientists from Singapore and Spain have presented a new avenue for exploring exotic physics in graphene. They focus on electronic interactions in graphene when it is sandwiched in a three-layer structure which provides a platform to exploit unique electronic band configurations.
April 4th, 2024Source

Utilizing HEA Nanoparticles as Catalysts for Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes
The exceptional properties of high entropy alloys (HEAs), including high strength and hardness, as well as high thermal and chemical stabilities, have garnered considerable interest across various industries.
April 4th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — April 2nd, 2024

Chiroptically Active Quantum Nanonails
In recent years, extensive research efforts have been dedicated to the investigation of CdSe/CdS-based quantum-confined nanostructures, driven by their distinctive properties. The morphologies of these nanostructures have been shown to directly affect their properties, an area which has proven to be an important field of study.
April 2nd, 2024Source

Novel method uses nanomechanics and machine learning for rapid bacterial viability detection
Prof. Guo Shifeng's team at the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has proposed a novel method that fills the gap between physical measurement and artificial intelligence in bacterial viability detection. The study was published in Cell Reports Physical Science.
April 2nd, 2024Source

Researchers discover dual topological phases in an intrinsic monolayer crystal
Dual topological phases have been discovered in an intrinsic monolayer crystal, a finding that reveals new and unique rule-bending properties in a quantum material, an international team of scientists led by Boston College physicists reported recently in the journal Nature.
April 2nd, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — March 29th, 2024

An ultrafast method for producing large, uniform graphene glass in open air
Graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a two-dimensional honeycomb lattice, has captivated researchers since its discovery due to its extraordinary properties. However, the path to realizing graphene's full potential has been hindered by the challenges associated with producing large, high-quality graphene films in a cost-effective and scalable manner.
March 29th, 2024Source

Nano-oscillator hits record quality factor
In their latest study, a team led by Tracy Northup at the Department of Experimental Physics unveils the successful creation of a levitated nanomechanical oscillator with an ultra-high quality factor, significantly surpassing previous experimental achievements.
March 29th, 2024Source or Source

New carbon nanotube transistor enhances sensitivity and resolution of molecule glasses
Researchers have developed a carbon nanotube (CNT) transistor for molecule glasses that facilitates detailed examination of molecular interactions. This innovative technology is poised to open a fresh research direction in nanotechnology and molecular biology.
March 29th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — March 28th, 2024

Automated calculation of surface properties in crystals
The surface properties of complex crystalline materials can be calculated reliably and automatically using only the fundamental laws of physics, thanks to a new computer-based method. The method could speed up the search for new materials for important technologies such as photovoltaics, batteries or data transmission.
March 28th, 2024Source

Revolutionary biomimetic olfactory chips to enable advanced gas sensing and odor detection
A research team has addressed the long-standing challenge of creating artificial olfactory sensors with arrays of diverse high-performance gas sensors.
March 28th, 2024Source

Scientists suggest new methods to expedite the commercialization of metalens technology
Metalenses, nano-artificial structures capable of manipulating light, offer a technology that can significantly reduce the size and thickness of traditional optical components. Particularly effective in the near-infrared region, this technology holds great promise for various applications such as LiDAR which is called the "eyes of the self-driving car," miniature drones, and blood vessel detectors.
March 28th, 2024Source

Study unlocks the power of visible light for sustainable chemistry
A breakthrough in sustainable molecular transformations has been announced by researchers at the University of Helsinki. Led by Professor Pedro Camargo, the team has developed an important way to harness the power of visible light to drive chemical processes with greater efficiencies, offering a greener alternative to traditional methods.
March 28th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — March 27th, 2024

A new fullertube molecule is found
For years, C130 fullertubes—molecules made up of 130 carbon atoms—have existed only in theory. Now, leading an international team of scientists, a UdeM doctoral student in physics has successfully shown them in real life—and even managed to capture some in a photograph.
March 27th, 2024Source

A tiny spot leads to a large advancement in nano-processing
Focusing a tailored laser beam through transparent glass can create a tiny spot inside the material. Researchers at Tohoku University have reported on a way to use this small spot to improve laser material processing, boosting processing resolution.
March 27th, 2024Source

Atomic-scale semiconductor process technology and clean hydrogen technology join hands
Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) are widely used for energy storage, transportation, and various applications, employing solid electrolytes such as ceramics. The efficiency of these cells relies on the performance and stability of their electrodes.
March 27th, 2024Source

Unveiling the future of nanostructures with soft matter magic
As traditional top-down approaches like photolithography reach their limitations in creating nanostructures, scientists are shifting their focus toward bottom-up strategies. Central to this paradigm shift is the self-assembly of homogeneous soft matter, a burgeoning technique with the potential to produce complex nano-patterns on a vast scale.
March 27th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — March 25th, 2024

2D 'Antenna' Helps Generate Light in Carbon Nanotubes
Carbon nanotubes can glow brilliantly when light is absorbed by a flat sheet of atoms acting as an antenna to direct that energy into the tubes. This breakthrough might help create future tiny light-emitting devices that make use of quantum phenomena.
March 25th, 2024Source

A more effective particle conversion surfaces for space instruments
Southwest Research Institute is investing internal funding to develop more effective conversion surfaces to allow future spacecraft instruments to collect and analyze low-energy particles. Conversion surfaces are ultra-smooth, ultra-thin surfaces covering a silicon wafer that convert neutral atoms into ions to more effectively detect particles from outer space.
March 25th, 2024Source

A self-cleaning wall paint made with nanoparticles
Typically, beautiful white wall paint does not stay beautiful and white forever. Often, various substances from the air accumulate on its surface. This can be a desired effect because it makes the air cleaner for a while -- but over time, the colour changes and needs to be renewed.
March 25th, 2024Source

Catalysis breakthrough yields self-cleaning wall paint that breaks down air pollutants when exposed to sunlight
Typically, beautiful white wall paint does not stay beautiful and white forever. Often, substances from the air accumulate on its surface. This can be a desired effect because it makes the air cleaner for a while—but over time, the color changes and needs to be renewed.
March 25th, 2024Source

Elusive 3D printed nanoparticles could lead to new shapeshifting materials
In nanomaterials, shape is destiny. That is, the geometry of the particle in the material defines the physical characteristics of the resulting material.
March 25th, 2024Source or Source

The world is one step closer to secure quantum communication on a global scale
Researchers at the University of Waterloo's Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) have brought together two Nobel prize-winning research concepts to advance the field of quantum communication.
March 25th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — March 22nd, 2024

A 2D 'antenna' boosts light emission from carbon nanotubes
A flat sheet of atoms can act as a kind of antenna that absorbs light and funnels its energy into carbon nanotubes, making them glow brightly. This advance could aid the development of tiny future light-emitting devices that will exploit quantum effects.
March 22nd, 2024Source or Source

B-site rock-salt-ordered Cu-based double perovskite realizes high efficiency and stable CO2 electroreduction
Carbon dioxide electroreduction (CO2RR) into high-value chemical feedstocks and fuels is a potential way to realize the carbon-neutral cycle. Cu-oxide-based catalysts are promising for CO2 electroreduction, but suffer from inevitable reduction and structural collapse, leading to unstable electrocatalytic properties.
March 22nd, 2024Source

Insect-inspired antennal sensory system excels in tactile and magnetic perception
Insect antennae have long fascinated scientists with their remarkable ability to detect an array of environmental stimuli, from vibrations and surface textures to magnetic fields. These diminutive sensory organs display a level of perceptual acuity that often surpasses that of human skin, enabling insects to navigate complex environments and make sophisticated decisions.
March 22nd, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — March 20th, 2024

Efficient and durable water splitting in acidic media
Recent research published in National Science Review by a team led by Dr. Rong Cao and Dr. Minna Cao from the Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Dr. Dongshuang Wu from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, has demonstrated the successful design and synthesis of a series of sub-10 nm core-shell nanocatalysts consisting of an Au core and an AuxIr1-x alloy shell.
March 20th, 2024Source

Safer quantum dots in medicine and water purification
The 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was focused on quantum dots — objects so tiny, they're controlled by the strange and complex rules of quantum physics. Many quantum dots used in electronics are made from toxic substances, but their nontoxic counterparts are now being developed and explored for uses in medicine and in the environment.
March 20th, 2024Source or Watch Video

General — Nanotechnology — March 18th, 2024

A simple, scalable method using light to 3D print helical nanostructures
A new fabrication process for helical metal nanoparticles provides a simpler, cheaper way to rapidly produce a material essential for biomedical and optical devices, according to a study by University of Michigan researchers.
March 18th, 2024Source

Alkali metal insertion in graphene observed at atomic level
Researchers at AIST, in collaboration with Osaka University, Tokyo Polytechnic University, Kyushu University, and National Tsing Hua University, have developed a technique to insert alkali metals into the interlayers of graphene.
March 18th, 2024Source

Backyard insect inspires invisibility devices, next gen tech
Leafhoppers, a common backyard insect, secrete and coat themselves in tiny mysterious particles that could provide both the inspiration and the instructions for next-generation technology, according to a new study led by Penn State researchers.
March 18th, 2024Source

Eyes on the impossible: First near-field, subwavelength thermal radiation measurement
Nanodevices change the way we diagnose disease, process food and water, and store renewable energy. But to keep up with next-generation technology, researchers need to understand the fundamental principles that prompt their functionality.
March 18th, 2024Source

Recycling carbon nanotube sheets with full property retention
Researchers from IMDEA Materials Institute have published groundbreaking work demonstrating, for the first time, the ability to recycle high-performance carbon nanotube (CNT) sheets while preserving their shape, structural alignment, mechanical and electrical properties, and intrinsic flexibility.
March 18th, 2024Source

Researchers achieve low-energy synthesis of bulk van der Waals materials
Researchers have synthesized bulk van der Waals (vdW) materials at near-room temperature (ranging from room temperature to 60°C), significantly reducing the energy consumption required for their fabrication by at least one order of magnitude.
March 18th, 2024Source

Researchers achieve >99% photoluminescence quantum yield in metal nanoclusters
Professor Zhou Meng's team from the University of Science and Technology of China, in collaboration with Professor Wang Quanming's group from Tsinghua University, has made significant progress in the field of photoluminescence. Their research, published in Science ("Near-unity NIR phosphorescent quantum yield from a room-temperature solvated metal nanocluster"), details how they achieved a photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) greater than 99% at room temperature in near-infrared emission of metal nanoclusters in solution.
March 18th, 2024Source or Source

Researchers demonstrate breakthrough recyclability of carbon nanotube sheets
Researchers at IMDEA Materials Institute have demonstrated for the first time the recyclability of high-performance carbon nanotube (CNT) sheets while maintaining their essential mechanical and electrical properties.
March 18th, 2024Source

Researchers develop novel 'super-tetragonal' sacrificial layer for freestanding oxide membranes
Researchers have developed a new water-soluble sacrificial layer, "super-tectragonal" Sr4Al2O7 (SAOT), with broad tunability in lattice constants, which can be used to prepare high-quality freestanding oxide membrane. Their work is published in Science.
March 18th, 2024Source

Researchers discover tightest arrangement of bilayer alkali metals between graphene layers
Researchers at AIST, in collaboration with Osaka University, Tokyo Polytechnic University, Kyushu University, and National Tsing Hua University, have developed a technique to insert alkali metals into the interlayers of graphene, which is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. They have succeeded in directly observing the atomic arrangement of the inserted alkali metal atoms which is a hexagonal close packed bilayer structure.
March 18th, 2024Source

Resonance-Based Calibration Technique Improves Fluidic Force Microscopy Measurements
Fluidic force microscopy (FluidFM) combines the sensitivity of atomic force microscopy with microfluidics' capabilities, necessitating precise calibration of its cantilevers for reliable data. Traditional methods, however, struggle with the unique internal structure of FluidFM cantilevers, leading to inaccuracies.
March 18th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — March 15th, 2024

A new world of 2D material is opening up
Since the discovery of graphene, the field of research in extremely thin materials, so-called 2D materials, has increased exponentially. The reason is that 2D materials have a large surface area in relation to their volume or weight. This gives rise to a range of physical phenomena and distinctive properties, such as good conductivity, high strength or heat resistance, making 2D materials of interest both within fundamental research and applications.
March 14th, 2024Source

Advancing force microscopy with a novel calibration method for FluidFM micropipette cantilevers
A study introduces a novel method for calibrating the spring constant of FluidFM micropipette cantilevers, crucial for the accurate measurement of forces in microfluidic environments. This method addresses the limitations of current calibration techniques, offering a significant advancement in the field of force microscopy.
March 14th, 2024Source

Boosted exciton mobility approaching the Mott-Ioffe-Regel limit in a 2D Ruddlesden-Popper perovskite
A study, published in Nature Communications and led by Prof. Liu Xinfeng from the National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), recently reported an enhancement in exciton mobility in a two-dimensional (2D) Ruddlesden-Popper perovskite (RPP).
March 14th, 2024Source

Comprehensive model predicts complex dynamics in free-radical photopolymerization
The ability to rapidly transform liquid monomers into solid polymers using light has been a transformative technology for over half a century. This process, known as photopolymerization, enables the fast fabrication of coatings, adhesives, dental fillings, and intricate 3D printed structures on demand.
March 14th, 2024Source

Driving photochemistry with sub-molecular precision
Absorption of light initiates many natural and artificial chemical processes, for example, photosynthesis in plants, human vision, or even 3D printing. Until now, it seemed impossible to control a light-driven chemical reaction at the atomic scale, where only a specific part of one molecule is addressed.
March 14th, 2024Source

Integrated light as a key to future computers
While computer chips are getting smaller and faster every year, one challenge remains unsolved: combining electronics and photonics on a single chip. Although components such as micro LEDs are available as individual chips and waveguides as tiny fibre optic cables, the materials required are too different for a harmonised chip.
March 14th, 2024Source

New electron microscopy technique for thermal diffusion measurements
A NIMS research team has developed a technique that enables the nanoscale observation of heat propagation paths and behavior within material specimens. This was achieved using a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) capable of emitting a pulsed electron beam and a nanosized thermocouple—a high-precision temperature measurement device developed by NIMS. The research is published in Science Advances.
March 14th, 2024Source

New research suggests that our universe has no dark matter
The current theoretical model for the composition of the universe is that it's made of 'normal matter,' 'dark energy' and 'dark matter.' A new uOttawa study challenges this.
March 14th, 2024Source

New technique in tiny tool tuning: Making microscopic measurements more accurate
Fluidic force microscopy (FluidFM) combines the sensitivity of atomic force microscopy with microfluidics' capabilities, necessitating precise calibration of its cantilevers for reliable data. Traditional methods, however, struggle with the unique internal structure of FluidFM cantilevers, leading to inaccuracies.
March 14th, 2024Source

Not just a lodger: Novel host-guest assembly provides enhanced reactivity
By design, synthetic molecules typically have specific jobs to prevent or accelerate reactions between other molecules. To help control more complicated reactions, researchers may harness spare space in one molecule to synthesize another chemical structure. The host-guest assembly can better induce the specific desired reaction than either component individually—if the scientists designing the assembly get it right.
March 14th, 2024Source

Printed polymer allows researchers to explore chirality and spin interactions at room temperature
A printable organic polymer that assembles into chiral structures when printed has enabled researchers to reliably measure the amount of charge produced in spin-to-charge conversion within a spintronic material at room temperature. The polymer's tunable qualities and versatility make it desirable not only for less expensive, environmentally friendly, printable electronic applications, but also for use in understanding chirality and spin interactions more generally.
March 14th, 2024Source or Source

Probing Nanomaterial Dynamics With X-Ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy
Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform technologies as diverse as solar panels, in-body medical sensors and self-driving vehicles. But these applications are already pushing today's computers to their limits when it comes to speed, memory size and energy use.
March 14th, 2024Source

Reliability effects of lateral filament confinement by nano-scaling the oxide in memristive devices
Write-variability and resistance instability are major reliability concerns impeding implementation of oxide-based memristive devices in neuromorphic systems. The root cause of the reliability issues is the stochastic nature of conductive filament formation and dissolution, whose impact is particularly critical in the high resistive state (HRS).
March 14th, 2024Source

Scientists develop a new system to record 2D crystal synthesis in real time
Two-dimensional materials such as graphene and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) exhibit unique properties that hold immense promise for applications in electronics, sensors, energy storage, biomedicine and more. However, their complex growth mechanisms — inconsistent correlations exist between how the conditions for growth affect the shapes of crystals — have posed a significant challenge for researchers.
March 14th, 2024Source

Scientists develop new system to record 2D crystal synthesis in real time
Materials scientists at Rice University are shedding light on the intricate growth processes of 2D crystals, paving the way for controlled synthesis of these materials with unprecedented precision.
March 14th, 2024Source

Speaking without vocal cords, thanks to a new AI-assisted wearable device
People with voice disorders, including those with pathological vocal cord conditions or who are recovering from laryngeal cancer surgeries, can often find it difficult or impossible to speak. That may soon change.
March 14th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — March 11th, 2024

A simple and robust method to add functional molecules to peptides
Peptides are short strands of amino acids that are increasingly used therapeutically, as biomaterials and as chemical and biological probes. The capacity to isolate, manipulate and label peptides and larger proteins is limited, however, by the ability to reliably attach functional molecules, such as fluorescent compounds, to peptides in locations that won't affect the three-dimensional structure and function of the short amino acid strand.
March 11th, 2024Source

Combined Microscopy for Light-Driven Polymer Observations
Expanding our understanding of a particular process, material, or mechanism usually requires taking a close look at what is going on. Researchers in Japan have now observed the nanoscale behavior of azo-polymer films when triggered with laser light.
March 11th, 2024Source or Source or Source

Design rules and synthesis of quantum memory candidates
In the quest to develop quantum computers and networks, there are many components that are fundamentally different than those used today. Like a modern computer, each of these components has different constraints.
March 11th, 2024Source

MoS2 2D materials induce spinal cord neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity affecting locomotor performance in zebrafish
MoS2 nanosheets belong to an emerging family of nanomaterials named bidimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (2D TMDCs). The use of such promising materials, featuring outstanding chemical and physical properties, is expected to increase in several fields of science and technology, with an enhanced risk of environmental dispersion and associated wildlife and human exposures.
March 11th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — March 8th, 2024

2D bimetallic MOF-derived selenium electrocatalysts for water splitting
Transition metal selenides have been considered to be a good choice for electrocatalytic water splitting. In addition, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been used to make catalysts with good electrocatalytic capabilities. Traditionally, the MOF-derived selenides are produced via the self-sacrificing MOF template methods.
March 8th, 2024Source

Deciphering catalysts: Unveiling structure-activity correlations
In a new step towards combating climate change and transitioning to sustainable solutions, a group of researchers has developed a research paradigm that makes it easier to decipher the relationship between catalyst structures and their reactions.
March 8th, 2024Source

Nano Microscope Offers Simultaneous Measurement of Properties
A team of researchers from the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) has created a hybrid nano-microscope that can measure a variety of nano-material properties simultaneously.
March 8th, 2024Source

Researchers use 2D bimetallic MOFs to create Se-containing electrocatalysts for overall water splitting
Transition metal selenides have been considered to be a good choice for electrocatalytic water splitting. In addition, Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been used to make catalysts with good electrocatalytic capabilities. Traditionally, the MOF-derived selenides are produced via the self-sacrificing MOF template methods. However, this strategy is high-energy consuming, and it is difficult to precisely control the structure and component homogeneity of the product during pyrolysis.
March 8th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — March 6th, 2024

CRAIC Technologies Launches LightBlades™ Spectrometers: Redefining Spectral Measurement Performance and Precision for Microspectroscopy
CRAIC Technologies, a leading innovator in spectroscopic instrumentation, proudly announces the release of Lightblades™ Spectrometers, a new generation of high-performance spectrometry solutions designed to set a new standard in spectral measurement accuracy, sensitivity, and versatility.
March 6th, 2024Source

Completely recycled viscose for the first time
At present, viscose textiles are made of biomass from the forest, and there is no such thing as fully recycled viscose. Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have now succeeded in making new viscose -- from worn-out cotton sheets.
March 6th, 2024Source or Watch Video

Enhancing covalent organic framework diversity through isomerism
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology for the first time discovered the selective generation of three types of structural isomers (a set of different nanostructures with an identical chemical composition) of three-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (3D-COFs), emerging nanoporous solids proposed for many applications, creating new freedom for structural and property controls of 3D-COFs.
March 6th, 2024Source

Graphjet Technology Accelerates Production Timeline at State-of-the-Art Manufacturing Plant in Malaysia
Graphjet Technology ("Graphjet" or "the Company"), a leading developer of patented technologies to produce graphite and graphene directly from agricultural waste, today announced it has accelerated the timeline for its planned manufacturing plant in Malaysia.
March 6th, 2024Source

Making quantum bits fly
Quantum computers are considered the next big evolutionary step in information technology. They are expected to solve computing problems that today's computers simply cannot solve -- or would take ages to do so. Research groups around the world are working on making the quantum computer a reality. This is anything but easy, because the basic components of such a computer, the quantum bits or qubits, are extremely fragile.
March 6th, 2024Source

Nanodevices can produce energy from evaporating tap or seawater
Evaporation is a natural process so ubiquitous that most of us take it for granted. In fact, roughly half of the solar energy that reaches the Earth drives evaporative processes. Since 2017, researchers have been working to harness the energy potential of evaporation via the hydrovoltaic (HV) effect, which allows electricity to be harvested when fluid is passed over the charged surface of a nanoscale device.
March 6th, 2024Source

New nano-microscope enables simultaneous measurement of nano-composite material properties
The Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) has developed a hybrid nano-microscope capable of simultaneously measuring various nano-material properties. This nano-microscope is essential for researching the properties of nano-composite materials and is also suitable for commercialization. It is expected to promote the development of industries for related materials and equipment.
March 6th, 2024Source or Source

'Ruler for light' could enable detailed measurement in personal devices
Stanford researchers have unveiled a new type of frequency comb, a high-precision measurement device, that is innovatively small, ultra-energy efficient, and exceptionally accurate. With continued development, this breakthrough "microcomb" -- which is detailed in a study published in Nature ("Integrated frequency-modulated optical parametric oscillator") -- could be the basis for mass-market adoption of the devices in everyday electronics.
March 6th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — March 4th, 2024

Correlation spectroscopy research shows network of quantum sensors boosts precision
Quantum sensor technology promises even more precise measurements of physical quantities. A team led by Christian Roos at the University of Innsbruck has now compared the signals of up to 91 quantum sensors with one another and thus successfully eliminated the noise caused by interactions with the environment.
March 4th, 2024Source

Hyper-spectral-resolution stimulated Raman spectroscopy with amplified fs pulse bursts
Stimulated Raman scattering, observed first in 1962, has become a versatile tool in diverse fields such as biological imaging, environmental gas sensing, materials characterization, and molecular dynamics tracking. The choice of laser sources for exciting molecules or materials is critical, as it determines spectral resolution and the approach to obtain the Raman spectrum.
March 4th, 2024Source

Innovative nanosheet method revolutionizes brain imaging for multi-scale and long-term studies
The human brain has billions of neurons. Working together, they enable higher-order brain functions such as cognition and complex behaviors. To study these higher-order brain functions, it is important to understand how neural activity is coordinated across various brain regions.
March 4th, 2024Source

Micro mirage: Researchers fabricate the world's smallest QR code using infrared information carrier
Credit cards embedded chips, national mints printed watermarks, and high-profile locations installed retina scanners all for the same reason—to protect information. As attackers grow smarter, so must defense.
March 4th, 2024Source

Multiparticle nanostructures for building better quantum technologies
In Nature Physics, the LSU Quantum Photonics Group offers fresh insights into the fundamental traits of surface plasmons, challenging the existing understanding. Based on experimental and theoretical investigations conducted in Associate Professor Omar Magaña-Loaiza's laboratory, these novel findings mark a significant advancement in quantum plasmonics, possibly the most noteworthy in the past decade.
March 4th, 2024Source

Nano-thin printing of electronics hardware could slash costs
Engineering researchers have developed a 2D printing process using liquid metals that they say could create new ways of creating more advanced and energy efficient computing hardware that is manufactured at the nanoscale.
March 4th, 2024Source

Nanoscale topcoat can turbocharge supported gold nanoparticle catalysts
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have developed a way to add single nanosheets of mixed metal oxide to gold nanoparticles supported on silica to enhance their catalytic activity.
March 4th, 2024Source

Network of quantum sensors boosts precision
Quantum sensor technology promises even more precise measurements of physical quantities. A team led by Christian Roos at the University of Innsbruck has now compared the signals of up to 91 quantum sensors with each other and thus successfully eliminated the noise caused by interactions with the environment. Correlation spectroscopy can be used to increase the precision of sensor networks.
March 4th, 2024Source

Novel nanosheet method revolutionizes brain imaging for multi-scale and long-term studies
The human brain has billions of neurons. Working together, they enable higher-order brain functions such as cognition and complex behaviors. To study these higher-order brain functions, it is important to understand how neural activity is coordinated across various brain regions.
March 4th, 2024Source

Novel nanocomposites proposed for highly efficient removal of hexavalent chromium in complex environments
Nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) is often used to remove chromium (VI), a heavy metal contaminant, because of its large specific surface area and high reducing activity. However, its effectiveness in removing trace heavy metals appears to be modest and sensitive to environmental pH.
March 4th, 2024Source

Scientists reveal role of neighboring adsorbates and quantum tunneling in surface diffusion of hydrogen atoms
A research group led by Prof. Yang Yong from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has revealed the role of neighboring adsorbate and quantum tunneling in the diffusion of hydrogen on a graphene surface, which opens a possible way for ultrahigh precision measurement based on atomic systems, in particular, exploring the existence of a minimum length.
March 4th, 2024Source

Spontaneous curvature the key to shape-shifting nanomaterials, finds study
Inspired by nature, nanotechnology researchers have identified 'spontaneous curvature' as the key factor determining how ultra-thin, artificial materials can transform into useful tubes, twists and helices.
March 4th, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — March 2nd, 2024

Nanoscale topcoat can turbocharge supported gold nanoparticle catalysts
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have developed a way to add single nanosheets of mixed metal oxide to gold nanoparticles supported on silica to enhance their catalytic activity.
March 2nd, 2024Source

General — Nanotechnology — March 1st, 2024

AI-enabled atomic robotic probe to advance quantum material manufacturing
Scientists from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have pioneered a new methodology of fabricating carbon-based quantum materials at the atomic scale by integrating scanning probe microscopy techniques and deep neural networks.
March 1st, 2024Source

High-tech fab in Dresden receives state-of-the-art electron-beam lithography system
Investment in new production tool for the semiconductor equipment industry - Jenoptik is investing a low double-digit million-euro amount in a state-of-the-art system for the high-tech fab currently under construction in Dresden.
March 1st, 2024Source

It's not only opposites that attract: New study shows like-charged particles can come together
"Opposites charges attract; like charges repel" is a fundamental principle of basic physics. But a new study from Oxford University, published today in Nature Nanotechnology, has demonstrated that similarly charged particles in solution can in fact attract each other over long distances.
March 1st, 2024Source

New class of 2D material displays stable charge density wave at room temperature
Quantum materials have generated considerable interest for computing applications in the past several decades, but non-trivial quantum properties—like superconductivity or magnetic spin—remain in fragile states.
March 1st, 2024Source

Producing quantum materials with precision, with the help of AI
A team of NUS researchers led by Associate Professor Lu Jiong from the Department of Chemistry and Institute for Functional Intelligent Materials, together with their international collaborators, have developed a novel concept of a chemist-intuited atomic robotic probe (CARP).
March 1st, 2024Source

Scientists make nanoparticles dance to unravel quantum limits
The question of where the boundary between classical and quantum physics lies is one of the longest-standing pursuits of modern scientific research and in new research, scientists demonstrate a novel platform that could help us find an answer.
March 1st, 2024Source

Sustainable aerogels transform food and electronic waste into pure gold
Electronic waste poses one of the fastest growing waste challenges worldwide, with over 50 million tons generated annually. Yet hidden in obsolete devices lies substantial amounts of precious gold used in electronics manufacturing. Recovering these scarce and valuable metals in a scalable, eco-friendly manner remains an enduring technical hurdle.
March 1st, 2024Source

Synergy palladium single atoms and twinned nanoparticles for efficient CO2 photoreduction
The challenge of regulating the electronic structures of metal single-atoms (M-SAs) with metal nanoparticles (M-NPs) lies in the synthesis of a definite architecture. Such a structure has strong electronic metal-support interactions and maintains electron transport channels to facilitate carbon dioxide photoreduction (CO2PR).
March 1st, 2024Source

Umbrella for atoms: The first protective layer for 2D quantum materials
As silicon-based computer chips approach their physical limitations in the quest for faster and smaller designs, the search for alternative materials that remain functional at atomic scales is one of science's biggest challenges.
March 1st, 2024Source

Nanotechnology — Resources — Resources

Accelrys
world-class employees help you to accelerate design, discovery, and development of pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and materials by providing and integrating products and services in informatics and computation.
Provides InformationSource

Asylum Research
Advanced tools for nanoscale science and technology.
Provides ProductsSource

AZoNano.com
The aim of AZoNano.com is to become the primary Nanotechnology information source for the science, engineering and design community worldwide.
Provides InformationSource

Nanogen — Making the revolutionary routine™
Nanogen's mission is to become a leading supplier of molecular diagnostic tests to the medical community and to clinical researchers.
Provides ProductsSource

NanoMarkets Market Research Reports on Nanotechnology, Nanostorage and Nanoelectronics
NanoMarkets' mission is to measure the impact of nanotechnology on the communications, information technology and computing industries and provide both qualitative and quantitative assessments of the opportunities available to companies operating within these markets as well as the component, semiconductor, materials and manufacturing companies that supply them.
Provides a ServiceSource

Nanomix sensors
operate at the intersection between the molecular and macroscopic worlds. the central element, carbon nanotubes, are individual molecules to which electrical leads can be attached.
Provides ProductsSource

Nanophase Technologies
is an industry-leading nanocrystalline materials innovator and manufacturer with an integrated family of nanomaterial technologies.
Provides ProductsSource

QuantumSphere
manufactures leading metallic nanopowders for breakthrough propellants, munitions and other energetic applications in the aerospace, defense, automotive, energy and other markets demanding advanced material applications.
Provides a ServiceSource

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