Fourth NANoREG newsletter now available as free download

NANoREG is the first FP7 project to deliver the answers needed by regulators and legislators on EHS by linking them to a scientific evaluation of data and test methods.

Faster, finer filtration

The right blend of polymers enables rapid and molecule-selective filtering of tiny particles from water.

New ceramic firefighting foam becomes stronger when temperature increases

Chemists have developed a novel type of firefighting foam based on inorganic silica nanoparticles. The new foam beats existing analogues in fire extinguishing capacity, thermal and mechanical stability and biocompatibility.

New industrial possibilities for nanoporous thin films

Metal-organic frameworks are a new type of materials with nanoscale pores. Bioscience engineers have developed an alternative method that produces these materials in the form of very thin films, so that they can easily be used for high-tech applications such as microchips.

Spintronics, low-energy electricity take a step closer

Scientists have identified a new class of topological insulators, and have discovered its first representative material, which could propel topological insulators into applications.

Designer crystals for next-gen electronics

A new process that uses vapour - rather than liquid - to grow designer crystals could lead to a new breed of faster, more powerful electronic devices.

Hybrid material presents potential for 4-D-printed adaptive devices

Combining photo-responsive fibers with thermo-responsive gels, researchers have modeled a new hybrid material that could reconfigure itself multiple times into different shapes when exposed to light and heat, allowing for the creation of devices that not only adapt to their environment, but also display distinctly different behavior in the presence of different stimuli.

Transparent metal films for smartphone, tablet and TV displays

A new material that is both highly transparent and electrically conductive could make large screen displays, smart windows and even touch screens and solar cells more affordable and efficient, according to materials scientists and engineers who have discovered just such a material.

How nanoparticles give electrons away

Researchers gain new insights into the electrical charge of platinum particles.

Isolating water's impact on vibrations within DNA

To isolate the contribution of water to the vibrational fluctuations that occur between DNA, bulk water, and the charged biomolecular interface between the two, researchers have performed two-dimensional spectroscopic analyses on double-stranded DNA helices at different hydration levels.

New microscope creates near-real-time videos of nanoscale processes (w/video)

Engineers have designed an atomic force microscope that scans images 2,000 times faster than existing commercial models. With this new high-speed instrument, the team produced images of chemical processes taking place at the nanoscale, at a rate that is close to real-time video.

Doped organic semiconductors explored

Until now, little was known about how the doping molecules are integrated into the chemical structure of organic semiconductors. New research has found that they consist of a matrix of undoped crystallites in which such 'mixed crystallites' are embedded. It is this very species that takes over the role as the actually doping molecule.

Nanoscale one-way street for light

An optical device at nanoscale which allows light to pass in only one direction has been developed by researchers. It consists of alkali atoms which are coupled to ultrathin glass fibres.