Nanotechnology News – Latest Headlines

'Solid' light could compute previously unsolvable problems

Researchers have begun crystallizing light as part of an effort to answer fundamental questions about the physics of matter. As part of an effort to develop exotic materials such as room-temperature superconductors, the researchers have locked together photons, the basic element of light, so that they become fixed in place.

Sep 9th, 2014

Pesky insect inspires practical nanopatterning technology

Inspired by the compound eyes of common fly, researchers determine how to make miniature omnidirectional sources of light and optical sensors.

Sep 9th, 2014

Artificial membranes on silicon

Artificial membranes mimicking those found in living organisms have many potential applications ranging from detecting bacterial contaminants in food to toxic pollution in the environment to dangerous diseases in people. Now a group of scientists has developed a way to create these delicate, ultra-thin constructs through a 'dry' process, by evaporating two commercial, off-the-shelf chemicals onto silicon surfaces.

Sep 9th, 2014

X-ray imaging paves way for novel solar cell production

3D microscope investigates flexible polymer tandem solar cells.

Sep 9th, 2014

Buckyballs and diamondoids join forces in nanoelectronics

Researchers have married two unconventional forms of carbon to make a molecule that conducts electricity in only one direction. This tiny electronic component, known as a rectifier, could play a key role in shrinking chip components down to the size of molecules to enable faster, more powerful devices.

Sep 9th, 2014

A single molecule diode opens up a new era for sustainable and miniature electronics

Scientists have studied the electronic characteristics of a newly synthesized molecule, composed of two forms of carbon: a fullerene (C60) and a nano-aggregate of diamond. This study reveals exceptional electronic properties for this molecule, given it conducts electrical power into one direction but not into the opposite sense.

Sep 9th, 2014

The potential for laser nanosurgery of cancer

Nanotechnology researchers presented a new method to overcome limitations in the laser surgery of head and neck.

Sep 9th, 2014

Graphene detector to improve night-vision goggles, chemical analysis tools and airport body scanners

Researchers demonstrate how graphene can be used to build a detector of long wavelength (far infrared or terahertz) light that is as sensitive as any existing detector, but far smaller and more than a million times faster.

Sep 9th, 2014

Mass spectrometry in your hand

Electrospray arrays can dramatically downsize systems and costs for onsite chemical analysis - and many other applications.

Sep 9th, 2014

Genomic data-mining framework to aid nanoparticle manufacturers

A computer and data scientist has won a $250,000 National Science Foundation grant to develop a scalable data-mining framework that will help manufacturers quickly discover desired materials for building their products.

Sep 8th, 2014

Nanotechnology to provide cleaner diesel engines

Catalysts nanotechnology will significantly reduce the price and environmental impact of diesel engine catalysts.

Sep 8th, 2014

First-ever look inside a working lithium-ion battery (w/video)

In an unprecedented view inside a working lithium-ion battery, researchers used a neutron beam to 'see' lithium flow as the battery charged and discharged. The study could one day help explain why rechargeable batteries lose capacity over time, and sometimes even catch fire.

Sep 8th, 2014

A low-energy optical circuit for a new era of technology

Optical circuits use light instead of electricity, making them faster and more energy-efficient than electrical systems. Scientists have developed a first building-block for photonic 'transistors' that requires record-low energy to operate. The device is a big step forward in the development and implementation of optical circuits.

Sep 8th, 2014