Nano Picture: 06/23/15

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Smart insulin patch could replace injections for diabetes

The patch - a thin square no bigger than a penny - is covered with more than one hundred tiny needles, each about the size of an eyelash. These microneedles are packed with microscopic storage units for insulin and glucose-sensing enzymes that rapidly release their cargo when blood sugar levels get too high.

Nanowire implants offer remote-controlled drug delivery

A team of researchers has created a new implantable drug-delivery system using nanowires that can be wirelessly controlled.

Nanobiosensor designed to detect herbicides can help diagnose multiple sclerosis

The early diagnosis of certain types of cancer and nervous system diseases may soon be facilitated by the use of a new detection device.

Robust new process forms 3-D shapes from flat sheets of graphene

Researchers have developed a new approach for forming 3D shapes from flat, 2D sheets of graphene, paving the way for future integrated systems of graphene-MEMS hybrid devices and flexible electronics.

Can heat be controlled as waves?

A progress article describes recent developments and predicts future advances in phonon wave interference and thermal bandgap materials.

New technique for 'seeing' ions at work in a supercapacitor

A new technique which enables researchers to visualise the activity of individual ions inside battery-like devices called supercapacitors, could enable greater control over their properties and improve their performance in high-power applications.

Single-nanocatalyst water splitter produces clean-burning hydrogen 24/7

Scientists have invented a low-cost water splitter that uses a single catalyst to produce both hydrogen and oxygen gas 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The device could provide a renewable source of clean-burning hydrogen fuel for transportation and industry.

Mirror-like display creates rich color pixels by harnessing ambient light

Using a simple structure comprising a mirror and an absorbing layer to take advantage of the wave properties of light, researchers have developed a display technology that harnesses natural ambient light to produce an unprecedented range of colors and superior viewing experience.

Revolutionary quantum technology research receives funding boost

Vastly improved medical imaging and guaranteed secure communications are a step closer following a funding boost of more than GBP700,000 in new quantum technology projects at Lancaster University.

2D titanium trisulfide's properties show promise

One completed a series of theoretical calculations to predict its properties with the help of a massive computing center. The other grew it in bulk before waxing its atom-thin whiskers with the assistance of adhesive tape.

Scientists present III-V epitaxy and integration to go below 14nm

Scientists have unveiled a breakthrough approach in two publications for growing and integrating nano-sized III-V semiconductor devices on silicon. Both papers offer the microelectronics industry a possible answer to the long term challenge of creating a new powerful and energy efficient, yet smaller transistor to pave path for technology scaling for advanced CMOS nodes.

Kirigami art could enable stretchable plasma screens

In the future, a little bend in your smartphone might be considered a feature rather than a defect. An important component of future electronics that can be rolled up, folded or embedded in flexible objects is the stretchable conductor, which would make up components like wires and electrodes.