Synthesized magnetic nanoparticles that could offer alternative to rare Earth magnets

Scientists have synthesized a powerful new magnetic material that could reduce the dependence of the United States and other nations on rare earth elements produced by China.

Physicists map electron structure of superconductivity's 'doppelgaenger'

Physicists have painted an in-depth portrait of charge ordering - an electron self-organization regime in high-temperature superconductors that may be intrinsically intertwined with superconductivity itself.

Robotic synthesizing machines create custom nanoscale structures

There is an urgent demand for new antimicrobial compounds that are effective against constantly emerging drug-resistant bacteria. Two robotic chemical-synthesizing machines, named Symphony X and Overture, have joined the search. Their specialty is creating custom nanoscale structures that mimic nature's proven designs.

Light-powered healing of a wearable electrical conductor

Light-powered delivery of silver nanowires by photofluidic movement can offer rapid, noninvasive, repetitive, and on-demand healing of electrical conductors.

A new tool measures the distance between phonon collisions

Tabletop setup provides more nuanced picture of heat production in microelectronics.

Graphene oxide biodegrades with help of human enzymes

Researchers show how graphene oxide suspended in water biodegrades in a reaction catalysed by a human enzyme, with the effectiveness of the breakdown dependent on the colloidal stability of the suspension. The study should guide the development of graphene-based biomedical applications.

Stacking semiconductors for artificial photosynthesis

Nanowire-based design incorporates two semiconductors to enhance absorption of light.

All-star nanocrystals

Tiny semiconducting crystals show promise for solar cell architectures and light-emitting devices.

One nanocrystal, many faces

Imaging of cerium oxide nanocrystals provides new insights into the different behaviors of catalyst for emission control, other uses.

Staying close and keeping cool

Hot nanostructures cool faster when they are physically close together.

Can small go big? Microfluidics aid quest for artificial photosynthesis

Small-scale device provides easy 'plug-and-play' testing of molecules and materials for artificial photosynthesis and fuel cell technologies.

New anotechnology promises to make surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy simpler

The photonics advancement aims to improve our ability to detect trace amounts of molecules in diseases, chemical warfare agents, fraudulent paintings, environmental contaminants and more.

Entangled photons unlock new super-sensitive characterisation of quantum technology

A new protocol for estimating unknown optical processes, called unitary operations, with precision enhanced by the unique properties of quantum mechanics has been demonstrated by scientists and engineers. The work could lead to both dramatically better sensors for medical research and new approaches to benchmark the performance of ultra-powerful quantum computers.

DNA scaffolds and glue: New tools for nanotechnology engineering

You're probably familiar with the role of DNA as the blueprint for making every protein on the planet and passing genetic information from one generation to the next. But researchers have shown that the twisted ladder molecule made of complementary matching strands can also perform a number of decidedly non-biological construction jobs: serving as a scaffold and programmable 'glue' for linking up nanoparticles.

Graphene coating on condensers could make power plants more efficient

Graphene layer one atom thick could quadruple rate of condensation heat transfer in generating plants.

Nanoengineers win grant to make smart clothes for personalized cooling and heating

Imagine a fabric that will keep your body at a comfortable temperature?regardless of how hot or cold it actually is. Wearing this smart fabric could potentially reduce heating and air conditioning bills for buildings and homes.

Novel X-ray lens sharpens view into the nano world

Scientists designed, fabricated and successfully tested a novel X-ray lens that produces sharper and brighter images of the nano world. The lens employs an innovative concept to redirect X-rays over a wide range of angles, making a high convergence power.