Nanotechnology News – Latest Headlines

Understanding how glasses 'relax' provides some relief for manufacturers

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.

April 27, 2011 Read more

Two graphene layers may be better than one

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.

April 27, 2011 Read more

Good eggs - nanomagnets offer food for thought about computer memories

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.

April 27, 2011 Read more

An overlooked detail may invalidate the results of some prior experiments with nanoparticles

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.

April 27, 2011 Read more

DNA, folded into complex shapes, could have a big impact on nanotechnology

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.

April 27, 2011 Read more

Nanomaterials: Finding friends with a golden tip

A novel photochemical process allows catalytic and magnetic metals to be deposited onto semiconductor nanorods without effort.

April 27, 2011 Read more

UK health watchdog publishes risk management basics for occupational use of nanomaterials

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.

April 27, 2011 Read more

Gold(en) boost for organic solar cells

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.

April 26, 2011 Read more

Diamonds shine in quantum networks when their impurities are hitched onto nano-resonators

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.

April 26, 2011 Read more

New nanobead approach could revolutionize sensor technology

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.

April 26, 2011 Read more

Water molecules characterize the structure of DNA genetic material

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.

April 26, 2011 Read more

Nanotechnology aids in ash analysis for volcano no-fly zones

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.

April 26, 2011 Read more

Engineers win patent for protein-based electronic circuits

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.

April 26, 2011 Read more

Nanoscience may hold key to surgical recovery

New nano-systems developed in York may eventually help patients recover from surgery without the danger of allergic reactions to drugs.

April 26, 2011 Read more

Something big from something small - engineers and researchers explore possibilities on the nanoscale

Vanderbilt researchers working at the smallest scale celebrate a huge milestone this year. The Vanderbilt Institute of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (VINSE), seeded from a university-funded $16 million venture capital fund initiative, celebrates its 10th anniversary in December.

April 25, 2011 Read more

Conducting ferroelectrics may be key to new electronic memory

A new study reveals that contrary to previous assumptions, domain walls in ferroelectric materials act as dynamic conductors instead of static ones.

April 25, 2011 Read more