Nanotechnology Spotlight – Latest Articles

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Cotton, PLA-phytochemical encapsulated nanofiber-based face mask for combating the spread of COVID-19 infections

facemaskAn estimated 6.8 billion face masks are used around the world each day, which ultimately are incinerated, sent to landfills or simply dumped in the environment, providing a glimpse of a forthcoming severe global environmental crisis. Many of these synthetic face masks are non-biodegradable in nature. To address this issue, researchers have developed a 3-layered biodegradable, antibacterial, breathable, herbal-extract based, and needleless electrospun face mask.

Jan 6th, 2022

Exploring the optical behavior of highly dense and randomly distributed nanowire arrays

nanowire-arrayVertical semiconductor nanowire arrays are a promising material for retinal prostheses, which could help restore the eyesight of people suffering from severe retinal diseases. These nanowires could also be used to fabricate bio-inspired photoreceptors and lightweight, highly efficient photovoltaics. In new work, scientists present theoretical and experimental studies on the microscopic optical behavior of highly dense and randomly distributed nanowire arrays embedded in a transparent polymer.

Jun 18th, 2020

Nanowire meshes to improve electrochemical devices

nanomeshBy re-designing interconnected nanowire networks, researchers fabricated novel nanostructured current collectors, which are the first to combine very high surface area, high porosity, substantially large pores and mechanical flexibility. Thanks to its ordered microstructure, the material can uniquely combine high porosity of cellular metal foams with high surface area of state-of-the-art nanoporous dealloyed metals, which allowed it to surpass the electrochemical performance of up to 300-thicker commercial electrodes.

Jan 18th, 2019

Manufacturing open-mesoporous carbon nanofibers for flexible and wearable power sources

metal-air-batteryRecently, researchers have engineered a next-generation battery technology - known as metal-air batteries - which can be easily fabricated into flexible and wristband-like cells. Although metal-air batteries powered devices still are not ready yet for commercial applications, the current studies have established solid evidence that these devices have provided enormous opportunities to develop the next generation of flexible, wearable and bio-adaptable power sources. Researchers now report a solution to overcoming the current limitation on sluggish reaction kinetics of air cathodes in Mg-air batteries.

Nov 20th, 2018

Microfluidics meets silver nanowires: transparent and flexible circuits with ultra precise pattern control

nanowiresResearchers have developed a new process for completely transparent and flexible circuits of any patterns as one wishes. The circuit patterns are created via the well-developed microfluidic technology on transparent and flexible substrates. The conductors are generated by spin coating of silver nanowires along the patterns. The advance stimulates more implications in future electronics. The researchers have demonstrated a simple application of the circuits as a biosensor for glucose detection.

May 31st, 2018

Combining catalytic and electrical contact edge-effects to engineer the transport properties of nanocontacts to nanowires

nanowire_contactsElectrical contacts are essential components for any electrical device and when a lack of control over the final properties is present designing and optimising the system is impossible. The ability to define the contacts as Schottky or Ohmic with high or low resistance is complicated by the 2-D, 1-D or quasi 1-D nature of many nanomaterials. That's why researchers have developed a deep understanding of a unique effect at these length scales that occurs in nanowires and combines the synergistic relationship between metal nanocatalyst particles and nanowires.

Jan 5th, 2017

Towards green, lightweight and highly efficient silk nanofiber-based air filters

silkworm_cocoonThe serious threat of particulate matter (PM) air pollution to human health spurs development of advanced filter technologies. Particular efforts have been made in designing air filters with both high filtration efficiency and low airflow resistance by utilizing carbon nanotubes and electrospun polymer and inorganic nanofibers. In new work, scientists explored the performance of electrospun silk nanofiber membranes as air filters, which showed both of lightweight and high efficient features.

Jul 13th, 2016

Novel nanowire structures lead to white-light and AC-operated LEDs

nanowire_arrayCompared to the conventional inefficient incandescent and fluorescent lighting technologies, LED light bulbs can, in principle, operate at an efficiency level of 100%. The current LED lighting technology, however, is not even close to reaching this limit. This is due to several problems which, however, can be by and large solved by employing tunnel junction integration into current nanowire LED structures. Demonstrating this, researchers have developed tunnel junction nanowire LEDs that can eliminate the use of resistive p-GaN contact layers, leading to reduced voltage loss and enhanced hole injection.

Oct 15th, 2015