Nanotechnology News – Latest Headlines

Smart microrobots learn how to swim and navigate with artificial intelligence

Researchers have been able to successfully teach microrobots how to swim via deep reinforcement learning, marking a substantial leap in the progression of microswimming capability.

August 5, 2022 Read more

Microbatteries much smaller than a grain of rice for a smart dust future

One of the challenges of realizing smart dust concepts, as well as nano- and microrobotics in general, is a lack of equally small on-chip power sources for ubiquitous anytime anywhere operation. Now, researchers have created an on-chip micro-Swiss-roll battery by using a self-assembly process known as micro-origami. The batteries are 3 mm in length and about 178 micros in diameter and the self-assembly mechanism allows for the parallel fabrication of multiple micro-Swiss rolls on the wafer in a single run.

August 5, 2022 Read more

Sponge-like electrodes inspired by sugar cubes could improve medical monitoring

Researchers have developed a low-cost, spongy electrode version with improved signal detection that's made with a surprising template - a sugar cube.

August 4, 2022 Read more

Researchers create flow-driven rotors at the nanoscale

Inspired by iconic Dutch windmills and biological motor proteins, researchers created a self-configuring flow-driven rotor from DNA that converts energy from an electrical or salt gradient into useful mechanical work. The results open new perspectives for engineering active robotics at the nanoscale.

August 4, 2022 Read more

Researchers studying materials whose traits resemble those of the human brain

Humanity is far from having artificial computers that can match the human brain's capabilities. So, will we ever capture the brain's magic?

August 3, 2022 Read more

2D materials with diversely behaving layers in a single bulk material

Scientists have developed a novel yet simple method for producing vertical stacks of alternating superconductor and insulator layers of tantalum disulphide.

August 3, 2022 Read more

Researchers 3D print high-performance nanostructured alloy that's both ultrastrong and ductile

Researchers have 3D printed a dual-phase, nanostructured high-entropy alloy that exceeds the strength and ductility of other state-of-the-art additively manufactured materials, which could lead to higher-performance components for applications in aerospace, medicine, energy and transportation.

August 3, 2022 Read more

Enhancing solar efficiency with upconversion

Researchers have developed a novel wafer bonding technology using an optical upconversion material that transforms sunlight to shorter-wavelengths. This new semiconductor process utilizes the interface's optical function for bond formation.

August 3, 2022 Read more

Ditching the toothbrush for hydrogels to get whiter teeth, fewer cavities (w/video)

Toothpastes only remove surface stains, and whitening treatments can harm enamel, leading to cavities and discoloration. Now, researchers report a new hydrogel treatment that breaks apart cavity-forming biofilms and whitens teeth without damaging them.

August 3, 2022 Read more

Graphene/COF nano-sponges with potential for rapid wastewater treatment

Composite material of COF and graphene shows high and rapid adsorption capacity for organic pollutants.

August 3, 2022 Read more

Smart lighting system based on quantum dots more accurately reproduces daylight

Researchers have designed smart, colour-controllable white light devices from quantum dots, which are more efficient and have better colour saturation than standard LEDs, and can dynamically reproduce daylight conditions in a single light.

August 3, 2022 Read more

Understanding a critical defect affecting silicon wafers in many solar cells

Researchers have identified a precursor to a critical defect that affects silicon wafers used in any p-type solar cells. According to the team, these defects are known as the 'boron-oxygen complex' and are formed in places where electrons get 'trapped' within a semiconductor.

August 3, 2022 Read more