From brittle to plastic in one breath
Theorists show environments can alter 2-D materials' basic properties.
May 4th, 2015
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Nanotechnology News – Latest Headlines
Researchers probe chemistry, topography and mechanics with one instrument
The probe of an atomic force microscope (AFM) scans a surface to reveal details at a resolution 1,000 times greater than that of an optical microscope. That makes AFM the premier tool for analyzing physical features, but it cannot tell scientists anything about chemistry. For that they turn to the mass spectrometer. Now, scientists have combined these cornerstone capabilities into one instrument that can probe a sample in three dimensions and overlay information about the topography of its surface, the atomic-scale mechanical behavior near the surface, and the chemistry at and under the surface.
May 2nd, 2015
Read moreEngineering a better solar cell: Research pinpoints defects in popular perovskites
A new study demonstrates that perovskite materials, generally believed to be uniform in composition, actually contain flaws that can be engineered to improve solar devices even further.
Apr 30th, 2015
Read moreQuantum-mechanical monopoles discovered
Researchers have observed a point-like monopole in a quantum field itself for the first time. This discovery connects to important characteristics of the elusive monopole magnet.
Apr 30th, 2015
Read moreFor batteries, one material does it all
Engineers have created a battery that is made entirely out of one material, which can both move electricity and store it.
Apr 30th, 2015
Read moreWhy, and how, computational research matters is changing materials science
To stay competitive, businesses and governments are constantly looking for materials that will open the door to new technologies or sources of energy. Materials that will make their products faster, lighter, stronger or more efficient. Whoever develops those materials first will have a significant edge over the competition.
Apr 30th, 2015
Read moreNo Hogwarts invitation required: Invisibility cloaks move into the real-life classroom
A new solid-state device can demonstrate the physical principles of invisibility cloaks without special equipment or magic spells.
Apr 30th, 2015
Read morePhotonic thermometers: Out of the lab, into a bucket of water
A new class of tiny chip-based thermometers has the potential to revolutionize the way temperature is gauged.
Apr 30th, 2015
Read moreDetecting effects of 3D shapes in nanoscale chip features
Researchers have determined that, at the ultra-small scale of the latest chip features, SEM measurements are strongly affected by variations in the gate's three-dimensional shape that can occur in the course of fabrication, including the line width and center position, the angle formed by a raised feature's sidewalls, the curvature radius of the top edge area, and the effect of adjacent structures.
Apr 30th, 2015
Read moreDesirable defects in liquid crystals
Introducing flaws into liquid crystals by inserting microspheres and then controlling them with electrical fields: that, in a nutshell, is the rationale behind a method that could be exploited for a new generation of advanced materials, potentially useful for optical technologies, electronic displays and e-readers.
Apr 30th, 2015
Read moreHarnessing sunlight more effectively with nanoparticles
Computer simulations reveal why semiconductor microspheres containing metal nanoparticles are so effective at harnessing sunlight to accelerate chemical reactions.
Apr 30th, 2015
Read moreMaking magnetic hot spots with pairs of silicon nanocylinders
Shining visible light on two tiny silicon cylinders, or a 'nanodimer', placed just 30 nanometers apart, produces resonant hot spots for both the electric and magnetic fields.
Apr 30th, 2015
Read moreChemists cook up three atom-thick electronic sheets
Making thin films out of semiconducting materials is analogous to how ice grows on a windowpane: When the conditions are just right, the semiconductor grows in flat crystals that slowly fuse together, eventually forming a continuous film.
Apr 29th, 2015
Read moreResearch seeks alternatives for reducing bacteria in fresh produce using nanoengineering
Researchers have been exploring natural, safe and alternative antimicrobials to reduce bacterial contamination. Plant essential oils such as those from thyme, oregano and clove are known to have a strong antimicrobial effect, but currently their use in food protection is limited due to their low solubility in water. The team explored ways to formulate oil nanoemulsions to increase the solubility and stability of essential oils, and consequently, enhance their antimicrobial activity.
Apr 29th, 2015
Read moreNew attachement turns smartphone into a DNA-scanning fluorescent microscope
New attachment turns a smartphone into a microscope that can image and size DNA molecules 50,000 times thinner than a human hair.
Apr 29th, 2015
Read moreArtificial photosynthesis could help make fuels, plastics and medicine
Researchers developed a novel system that converts light and carbon dioxide into building blocks for plastics, pharmaceuticals and fuels - all without electricity.
Apr 29th, 2015
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