Three dimensions are not necessarily better than two. Not where ceria is concerned, in any case. Ceria is an important catalyst. Because of its outstanding ability to store oxygen and release it, ceria is primarily used in oxidation reactions. Christopher B. Murray and a team at the University of Pennsylvania have now developed a simple synthetic technique to produce ceria in the form of nanoplates.
Apr 27th, 2011
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What are the major technology challenges to future growth in the solar-cell industry? Where are the big-bang-for-the-buck R+D investment opportunities? These and other questions were put to a group of 72 internationally recognized experts in the field at a 2010 special workshop.
Apr 27th, 2011
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Researchers have used computer simulations to gain basic insights into a fundamental problem in material science related to glass-forming materials, offering a precise mathematical and physical description of the way temperature affects the rate of flow in this broad class of materials - a long-standing goal.
Apr 27th, 2011
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Researchers have shown that the electronic properties of two layers of graphene vary on the nanometer scale. The surprising new results reveal that not only does the difference in the strength of the electric charges between the two layers vary across the layers, but they also actually reverse in sign to create randomly distributed puddles of alternating positive and negative charges.
Apr 27th, 2011
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Magnetics researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) colored lots of eggs recently. Bunnies and children might find the eggs a bit small - in fact, too small to see without a microscope. But these "eggcentric" nanomagnets have another practical use, suggesting strategies for making future low-power computer memories.
Apr 27th, 2011
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Studies on the cellular uptake of nanoparticles that have been conducted with cells in the upright configuration may have given rise to erroneous and misleading data.
Apr 27th, 2011
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While the primary job of DNA in cells is to carry genetic information from one generation to the next, some scientists also see the highly stable and programmable molecule as an ideal building material for nanoscale structures that could be used to deliver drugs, act as biosensors, perform artificial photosynthesis and more.
Apr 27th, 2011
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A novel photochemical process allows catalytic and magnetic metals to be deposited onto semiconductor nanorods without effort.
Apr 27th, 2011
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The UK's Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued information for companies using nanomaterials covered by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulation. The information includes basic risk management and legal duties.
Apr 27th, 2011
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A gold plated window as the transparent electrode for organic solar cells is now a reality thanks to a team of researchers from the University of Warwick in the UK. The upshot of this development, apart from its innovation, is that it could be relatively cheap because the gold used is just 8 nanometers thick.
Apr 26th, 2011
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When it comes to dreaming about diamonds, energy efficiency and powerful information processing aren't normally the thoughts that spring to mind. Unless, of course, you are a quantum physicist looking to create the most secure and powerful networks around.
Apr 26th, 2011
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Researchers at Oregon State University have found a way to use magnetic "nanobeads" to help detect chemical and biological agents, with possible applications in everything from bioterrorism to medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring or even water and food safety.
Apr 26th, 2011
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Water molecules surround the genetic material DNA in a very specific way. Scientists at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) have discovered that, on the one hand, the texture of this hydration shell depends on the water content and, on the other hand, actually influences the structure of the genetic substance itself. These findings are not only important in understanding the biological function of DNA; they could also be used for the construction of new DNA-based materials.
Apr 26th, 2011
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Planes were grounded all over Europe when the Eyjafjallajokull volcano erupted in Iceland last year. But no one knew if the no fly zone was really necessary. And the only way to find out would have been to fly a plane through the ash cloud - a potentially fatal experiment. Now a team of researchers from the University of Copenhagen and the University of Iceland have developed a protocol for rapidly providing air traffic authorities with the data they need for deciding whether or not to ground planes next time ash threatens airspace safety.
Apr 26th, 2011
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University of Arizona engineers have patented a process that could lead to the next big leap in microelectronics, completely changing the way microchips are made.
Apr 26th, 2011
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New nano-systems developed in York may eventually help patients recover from surgery without the danger of allergic reactions to drugs.
Apr 26th, 2011
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