Nanotechnology News – Latest Headlines

'Quantum tuning forks' demonstrate directly coupling of vibrating ions

Physicists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have for the first time coaxed two atoms in separate locations to take turns jiggling back and forth while swapping the smallest measurable units of energy. The technique directly links the motions of two physically separated atoms and might simplify information processing in future quantum computers and simulations.

Mar 2nd, 2011

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'A little off the top' helps map cells with submicrometer resolution

To determine if a tissue biopsy reveals the presence of cancer, a histologist often screens for cells with an abnormal appearance or a specific visible trait such as a larger-than-usual nucleus. However, by the time a cancer is physically noticeable, the disease may be in its later stages and more difficult to treat. In an effort to identify the earlier-onset, more subtle chemical changes occurring in a cell heading toward malignancy, researchers have developed a technique that slices off the top of a cell and makes the structures accessible to spectroscopic examination of their chemical "signature."

Mar 2nd, 2011

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Relaxation leads to lower elasticity

Together with the crosslinking molecule fascin, actin filaments build an interconnected network whose elasticity decreases with increasing age. Deploying a wide-ranging combination of experimental techniques, researchers have now managed to cast light on the source of these changes.

Mar 2nd, 2011

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Stronger than steel, novel metals are moldable as plastic

Some recently developed bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) - metal alloys that have randomly arranged atoms as opposed to the orderly, crystalline structure found in ordinary metals - can be blow molded like plastics into complex shapes that can't be achieved using regular metal, yet without sacrificing the strength or durability that metal affords.

Mar 1st, 2011

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Carbon nanotube aerogel may improve robotic surgery, energy storage

University of Central Florida Associate Professor Lei Zhai and postdoctoral associate Jianhua Zou have engineered the world's lightest carbon material in such a way that it could be used to detect pollutants and toxic substances, improve robotic surgery techniques and store energy more efficiently.

Mar 1st, 2011

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