Chemists use DNA to build the world's tiniest thermometer

Researchers have created a programmable DNA thermometer that is 20,000x smaller than a human hair. This scientific advance may significantly aid our understanding of natural and human designed nanotechnologies by enabling to measure temperature at the nanoscale.

One minus 1 does not always equal 0 in chemistry

Scientists are first to prove 2 mirror-image molecules can be optically active.

Seeing atoms and molecules in action with an electron éye'

A unique rapid-fire electron source will help scientists study ultrafast chemical processes and changes in materials at the atomic scale.

Nanograft seeded with three cell types promotes blood vessel formation to speed wound healing

Large or slow-healing wounds that do not receive adequate blood flow could benefit from a novel approach that combines a nanoscale graft onto which three different cell types are layered.

It takes more than peer pressure to make large microgels fit in

Researchers believe they've solved the mystery of how oversized microgels shrink to fit colloidal crystals, and what they've learned could also have implications for biological systems made up of soft organic particles not unlike the polymer microgels.

Ingenious method enables sharper flat-panel displays at lower energy costs

An intriguing method uses super-thin layers of inexpensive electrochromic polymers to generate bright colors that, for the first time, can be rapidly altered.

Atomic magnets using hydrogen and graphene

Scientists have shown for the first time that the simple absorption of a hydrogen atom on a layer of graphene magnetises a large region of this material.

Civil society demands action, not words, on nanotechnology

NGOs, consumer groups and research organisations have expressed disappointment with the European Commission's continuing failure to propose adequate measures for the collection and publication of information about nanomaterials on the EU market after a Commission meeting with stakeholders in Brussels on Monday.

Observation of two different collective oscillations of electrons occurring on gold nanoparticles

This discovery is expected to be utilized in clarifying the design guideline of a high efficiency optical antenna and light energy conversion by visible / near-infrared light.

Researchers create artificial protein to control assembly of buckyballs

This is a proof-of-principle study demonstrating that proteins can be used as effective vehicles for organizing nanomaterials by design.

Flipping a chemical switch helps perovskite solar cells beat the heat

Researchers have shown a way of flipping a chemical switch that converts one type of perovskite into another - a type that has better thermal stability and is a better light absorber.

Carbon nanotube semiconductors are well-suited for photovoltaics

Researchers discovered single-walled carbon nanotube semiconductors could be favorable for photovoltaic systems because they can potentially convert sunlight to electricity or fuels without losing much energy.

Metal ions first sneak in, then bust through

Direct imaging of two chemical processes shows reason behind material's collapse.