Nanotechnology News – Latest Headlines

Nano shake-up: Routine handling can affect nanoscale drug carriers

A common assumption is that once a nanocarrier is created, it maintains its size and shape on the shelf as well as in the body. However, recent work has shown that routine procedures in handling and processing nanocarrier solutions can have a significant influence on the size and shape of these miniscule structures.

Apr 14th, 2014

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Piezotronics and piezo-phototronics leading to unprecedented active electronics and optoelectronics

Strain-induced polarization charges in piezoelectric semiconductors can effectively modulate the electronic and optoelectronic processes of charge carriers at the metal-semiconductor interface and p-n junction, which has resulted in both novel fundamental phenomenon and unprecedented device applications. The increasing research interests in the emerging field of piezotronics and piezo-phototronics has opened up opportunities for implementing novel applications such as adaptive human-electronics interfacing, active flexible/stretchable electronics, sensing, energy harvesting, biomedical treatments and optical MEMS.

Apr 14th, 2014

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Shiny quantum dots brighten future of solar cells

A house window that doubles as a solar panel could be on the horizon, thanks to recent quantum-dot work. The project demonstrates that superior light-emitting properties of quantum dots can be applied in solar energy by helping more efficiently harvest sunlight.

Apr 14th, 2014

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Device turns flat surface into spherical antenna

By depositing an array of tiny, metallic, U-shaped structures onto a dielectric material, a team of researchers has created a new artificial surface that can bend and focus electromagnetic waves the same way an antenna does.

Apr 14th, 2014

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Combs of light accelerate communication

Miniaturized optical frequency comb sources allow for transmission of data streams of several terabits per second over hundreds of kilometers - this has now been demonstrated by researchers in a recent experiment.

Apr 14th, 2014

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New technique takes cues from astronomy and ophthalmology to sharpen microscope images

The complexity of biology can befuddle even the most sophisticated light microscopes. Biological samples bend light in unpredictable ways, returning difficult-to-interpret information to the microscope and distorting the resulting image. New imaging technology rapidly corrects for these distortions and sharpens high-resolution images over large volumes of tissue.

Apr 13th, 2014

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Smartphone-readable particles could help crack down on counterfeiting

Researchers have invented a new type of tiny, smartphone-readable particle that they believe could be deployed to help authenticate currency, electronic parts, and luxury goods, among other products. The particles, which are invisible to the naked eye, contain colored stripes of nanocrystals that glow brightly when lit up with near-infrared light.

Apr 13th, 2014

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The ATM strikes back - with nanoparticles

Hot foam may soon send criminals running if they damage ATM. Researchers have developed a special film that triggers an intense reaction when destroyed. The idea originates from a beetle that uses a gas explosion to fend off attackers.

Apr 11th, 2014

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Tuning a single nanowire improves solar cells and LEDs

Changes at the atom level in nanowires offer vast possibilities for improvement of solar cells and LED light. Researchers have discovered that by tuning a small strain on single nanowires they can become more effective in LEDs and solar cells.

Apr 11th, 2014

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Catching the (invisible) wave

Researchers create a unique semiconductor of near perfect quality with embedded nanostructures that can manipulate infrared and terahertz light.

Apr 11th, 2014

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