Monday, August 10, 2015

Researcher uses vibrations to identify materials' composition

Researchers have developed a new method for identifying materials' unique chemical 'fingerprints' and mapping their chemical properties at a much higher spatial resolution than ever before.

Scientists make tantalum oxide practical for high-density devices

Scientists have created a solid-state memory technology that allows for high-density storage with a minimum incidence of computer errors. The memories are based on tantalum oxide, a common insulator in electronics.

New hybrid atomic force microscope offers unparalleled capabilities

The Hybrid Photonic Mode-Synthesizing Atomic Force Microscope will allow scientists studying biological and synthetic materials to simultaneously observe chemical and physical properties on and beneath the surface.

Silicon nanodevice solves overheating problem in lab analysis technique

This silicon nano-device can funnel laser light to a tightly focused spot and probe biological molecules to explore their potential use as new drugs.

New mathematics advances the frontier of macromolecular imaging

To see proteins in their native environment, scientists can blast powerful X-rays at tiny volumes of proteins in solution. Resulting 'diffraction patterns' can then be interpreted to reconstruct information about the protein's molecular structure. An emerging technique called fluctuation X-ray scattering could provide more detail than traditional solution scattering.

A new look at superfluidity

Researchers create a superfluid in a record-high magnetic field.

Nanoparticle-mediated wound healing in diabetes

Researchers have developed antibacterial nanofibres of cellulose acetate loaded with silver that could be used in a new type of dressing to promote tissue repair.

New hydrogel stretches and contracts like a heat-driven muscle

Scientists have developed a new hydrogel that works like an artificial muscle - quickly stretching and contracting in response to changing temperature. They have also managed to use the polymer to build an L-shaped object that slowly walks forward as the temperature is repeatedly raised and lowered.

Super-small needle technology for the brain

Dissolvable material expands opportunities for flexible microneedles used for brain penetrations.

Camera for the nano-cosmos

Scientists have succeeded in combining two established measurement techniques for the first time: near-field optical microscopy and ultra-fast spectroscopy. Computer-assisted technology developed especially for this purpose combines the advantages of both methods and suppresses unwanted noise. This makes highly precise filming of dynamic processes at the nanometer scale possible.

Novel material design for undistorted light waves

Materials that locally amplify or absorb light allow surprising new kinds of light waves - this has now been shown by calculations.

A new strategy towards ultra-soft yet dry rubber

A team of polymer physicists and chemists has developed a way to create an ultra-soft dry silicone rubber. This new rubber features tunable softness to match a variety of biological tissues, opening new opportunities in biomedical research and engineering.