Gold 'necklaces' add sparkle to information processing

Researchers realize highly confined transport of light energy over long distances using networks of gold nanoparticles.

Nanotechnology improves methods for detecting polluting emissions

Researchers used a copper oxide nanowire decorated with palladium nanoparticles to detect carbon monoxide, a common industrial pollutant. The sensor was tested in conditions similar to ambient air since future devices developed from this method will need to operate in these conditions.

Artificial photosynthesis: New, stable photocathode with great potential

Researchers have developed a new composite photocathode for generating hydrogen using sunlight. The photocathode consists of a thin film of chalcopyrite coated with a newly developed thin film of titanium dioxide containing platinum nanoparticles.

Researchers theoretically demonstrate detection of spin of atoms at room temperature

For the first time, a researcher has theoretically demonstrated that it is possible to detect a single nuclear spin at room temperature, which could pave the way for new approaches to medical diagnostics.

siRNA-toting nanoparticles inhibit breast cancer metastasis

Researchers combined finely crafted nanoparticles with one of nature's potent disrupters to prevent the spread of triple-negative breast cancer in mouse models.

IEEE International Electron Devices Meeting issues a Call for Papers

The 2015 IEDM is seeking increased participation in the areas of 'Beyond CMOS' devices, flexible devices, neuromorphic computing, power devices, sensors for the Internet of Things (IoT) and variation/reliability.

Quantum 'gruyeres' for spintronics of the future

They are 'strange' materials, insulators on the inside and conductors on the surface. They also have properties that make them excellent candidates for the development of spintronics and more in general quantum computing. However, they are also elusive as their properties are extremely difficult to observe. Now a study proposes a new family of materials whose topological state can be directly observed experimentally, thus simplifying things for researchers.

E-skin and pocket-sized diagnostic machines give patients the power back

Wearable E-skin can measure heart rate and blood pressure, and paper diagnostic machines the size of a credit card can give instant readings on blood and saliva samples.

A novel organic device for obtaining hydrogen from water and sunlight

Currently, organic materials used in these devices offer greater versatility and efficiency at a lower cost than the available inorganic ones, but they show stability problems when in contact with an aqueous medium. Researchers have now achieved an exceptional stability in these devices, which represents an important step in obtaining solar fuels from organic materials.

Better microfluidics

Device can measure the distribution of tiny particles as they flow through a microfluidic channel.

Researchers create first whispering gallery for graphene electrons

An international research group has developed a technique for creating nanoscale whispering galleries for electrons in graphene. The development opens the way to building devices that focus and amplify electrons just as lenses focus light and resonators (like the body of a guitar) amplify sound.

An important step in artificial intelligence with metal-oxide memristors

In what marks a significant step forward for artificial intelligence, researchers have demonstrated the functionality of a simple artificial neural circuit. For the first time, a circuit of about 100 artificial synapses was proved to perform a simple version of a typical human task: image classification.

Nano memory cell can mimic the brain?s long-term memory

Researchers have built the one of the world's first electronic multi-state memory cell which mirrors the brain?s ability to simultaneously process and store multiple strands of information.