2D material cannibalizes itself for atomic building blocks

Scientists induced a two-dimensional material to cannibalize itself for atomic 'building blocks' from which stable structures formed.

Watching atoms and electrons at work

Layered crystals are used worldwide as a basis for exploring the nano-cosmos.

Dual-layer solar cell developed at UCLA sets record for efficiently generating power

Materials scientists have developed a highly efficient thin-film solar cell that generates more energy from sunlight than typical solar panels, thanks to its double-layer design.

Sampling for nanomaterial workplace exposure in the air and on surfaces

A new reports provides an assessment of methods of sampling and characterizing engineered nanomaterials in the air and on surfaces in the workplace.

Introducing high-performance non-fullerene organic solar cells

Researchers have introduced a novel method that can solve issues associated with the thickness of the photoactive layers in organic solar cells.

3D-printing colloidal crystals

Engineers have united the principles of self-assembly and 3-D printing using a new technique.

Boron nitride separation process could facilitate higher efficiency solar cells

A team of semiconductor researchers has used a boron nitride separation layer to grow indium gallium nitride (InGaN) solar cells that were then lifted off their original sapphire substrate and placed onto a glass substrate.

Charged polymer nanoballs attack tumors directly, without drugs

By using nanosized charged polymer balls to attack tumors directly rather than carry drugs, researchers have found a way to overcome drug resistance.

Tuning into the potential of phosphorene

Better understanding of the wetting characteristics of phosphorene could pave the way for new applications in biological engineering.

Building miniature lasers using nanowire

Researchers have built a miniature laser in the form of a nanowire. It's the uniformity of the superlattice of the nanowire that makes this miniature laser exceptional.

International nanotechnology authorities dialogue

At this recent meeting, environmental, health and workers protection authorities as well as industry, science and civil society organisations discussed current topics in the area of nano governance.

Friction loss at first contact: The material does not forgive

The exact cause of wear is still unclear. Scientists recently proved that the effect occurs at the first contact already and always takes place at the same point of the material. Their findings help develop optimized materials and reduce consumption of energy and raw materials.

Environmentally friendly photoluminescent nanoparticles for more vivid display colors

Researchers created a new type of light-emitting nanoparticle that is made of ternary non-toxic semiconductors to help create displays and LED lighting with better colors that are more environmentally friendly.

Watching 2D materials grow

Atomically thin crystals will play an ever greater role in future -- but how can their crystallisation process be controlled? A new method is now opening up new possibilities.

Science behind world's lightest graphene watch revealed

The RM 50-03 watch was made using a unique composite incorporating graphene to manufacture a strong but lightweight new case to house the watch mechanism which weighed just 40 grams in total, including the strap.

All that is (nano)gold is not biochemically stable

Researchers stumble upon the lesson that typically stable gold nanoparticles can't always be trusted.

Electric polarization in the macroscopic world and electrons moving at atomic scales

Femtosecond x-ray experiments in combination with a new theoretical approach establish a direct connection between electric properties in the macroscopic world and electron motions on the time and length scale of atoms. The results open a new route for understanding and tailoring the properties of ferroelectric materials.

Nanocrystals pave the way for new design of digital devices

Researchers have developed a tiny electrical circuit that may enable an entirely new design of digital devices.

Researchers reveal the growth of graphene near polycrystalline substrate grain boundaries

Scientists have shown how the morphological structure of a catalytic substrate influences the growth of graphene on it. This provides more guidance on the synthesis of high-quality graphene with less domain boundaries.

Researchers develop a method for cloaking nano-sensors for optics and biomedicine

Researchers have developed a model of a new metamaterial, which will improve the accuracy of nano-sensors in optics and biomedicine by cloaking them from external radiation.

FeCo-selenide -- Next-generation material in energy storage devices?

Researchers have fabricated an asymmetric supercapacitor based on FeCo-selenide nanosheet arrays as positive electrode and Fe2O3 nanorod arrays as negative electrode.

All wired up: New molecular wires for single-molecule electronic devices

Scientists have designed a new type of molecular wire doped with organometallic ruthenium to achieve unprecedentedly higher conductance than earlier molecular wires.

A novel DNA-nanoparticle actuator system

Researchers have developed a novel nanoactuator system, where conformation of biomolecule can be tuned by electric field and probed using optical properties of gold nanoparticle.

Carbon in color: First-ever colored thin films of nanotubes created

A novel method can produce large quantities of pristine single-walled carbon nanotubes in select shades of the rainbow. The secret is a fine-tuned fabrication process - and a small dose of carbon dioxide.

Levitating 2D semiconductor for better performance

Scientists have suspended a 2D semiconductor on a dome-shaped nanostructure to produce a highly efficient semiconductor at a low cost.

Reducing friction with an onion-like carbon material

Researchers developed a new self-generating lubricant with great potential for industrial applications.

Medical nanorobot enters Guinness World Records

A 120 nanometer long robot is now world record holder in the Guinness World Records for creating the Smallest Medical Robot.

A novel graphene quantum dot structure takes the cake

In a marriage of quantum science and solid-state physics, researchers have used magnetic fields to confine groups of electrons to a series of concentric rings within graphene, a single layer of tightly packed carbon atoms.

Water vapor annealing technique on diamond surfaces for next-generation power devices

The existing surface termination technique using hydrogen to stabilize the diamond's structure for application in electronic power devices results in two-dimensional hole gas layers (2DHG). Attempting to remove these layers using oxygen-termination roughens the diamond surface and leads to degradation of the device performance. To overcome this, researchers have removed 2DHG from diamond using water vapor annealing and maintained an atomically flat surface.

Improved efficiency and stability of quantum dot solar cells using an organic thin film

Researchers have achieved highly stable and efficient colloidal quantum dot-based solar cells by using an amorphous organic layer to block oxygen and water permeation.

Nanotubes change the shape of water

Engineers show how water molecules square up in nanotubes.

Getting a charge out of MOFs

Researchers develop a modular metal-organic framework with highest electron charge mobilities ever observed.

Producing hydrogen from splitting water without splitting hairs

New model explains interactions between small copper clusters used as low-cost catalysts in the production of hydrogen by breaking down water molecules.

Genetically engineered virus spins gold into beads

The discovery could make production of some electronic components cheaper, easier, and faster.

High performance graphene-based catalysts

Scientists have developed design guidelines that increase the catalytic effectiveness of graphene-based solid state catalysts for potential industry applications.

A human enzyme can biodegrade graphene

Researchers discovered that a natural human enzyme can biodegrade graphene. These findings could have great implications in the development of graphene-based biomedical devices.

Nanotechnology against viruses - flexible nanogels exhibit broad-spectrum antiviral activity

An international interdisciplinary team of virologists and biochemists has developed low-cost and 'cell-friendly' nanogels that can efficiently prevent viral infections.

Nanoscale polymer antibodies efficiently target and eliminate cancer cells

Scientists have demonstrated the possibility of developing a new type of anti-neoplastic drugs based on nanoMIPs, or 'plastic antibodies'. NanoMIPs are synthetic polymers that can function as antibodies, selectively binding to target proteins on the surface of cancer cells.

Large scale preparation method of high quality SWNT sponges

Researchers have developed a simple flame burning method to prepare single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) sponges on a large scale. The SWNT sponge has multifunctional properties and can be used in the fields of cleaning-up, sensing and energy storage.

Researchers develop novel process to 3D-print graphene

Because of its strength, 3D-printed graphene objects would be highly coveted in certain industries, including batteries, aerospace, separation, heat management, sensors, and catalysis.

Added disorder drives transition to photonic topological insulator

Researchers have experimentally demonstrated that a messy topological insulator can be restored in its properties by inducing random disorder.

Breaking down band structures

System could help researchers design new materials with specific properties.

Reimagining MRI contrast: Iron nanoparticles outperform gadolinium

Nanoscientists have demonstrated a method for loading iron inside nanoparticles to create MRI contrast agents that outperform gadolinium chelates, the mainstay contrast agent that is facing increased scrutiny due to potential safety concerns.

Connecting the (nano) dots: How big-picture thinking can advance nanoparticle manufacturing

Nanoparticle researchers, manufacturers and administrators should 'connect the dots' by considering their shared challenges broadly and tackling them collectively rather than individually. This includes transferring knowledge across disciplines, coordinating actions between organizations and sharing resources to facilitate solutions.

New topological insulator could improve efficiency of computer processing and memory

In this study, researchers started with bismuth selenide. They then used a thin film deposition technique called sputtering, which is driven by the momentum exchange between the ions and atoms in the target materials due to collisions.

Graphene laminated pipes could reduce corrosion in the oil and gas industry

Researchers have found a way of incorporating graphene into a polymer liner used in pipes that transport crude oil and gas from the sea floor.

Nanoparticle targets kidney disease for drug delivery

Researchers have engineered peptide nanoparticles to outsmart the biological system and target the kidney cells. The innovation may prove critical to addressing chronic kidney disease.

Quantum simulation reveals mobility edge in a low-dimensional disordered landscape

Scientists using an innovative quantum simulation technique have made one of the first observations of a mobility edge in a low-dimensional system.

Nanoparticles in the environment can be more hamful than we think

Researchers warn that a combination of nanoparticles and contaminants may form a cocktail that is harmful to our cells.

Nanobot pumps destroy nerve agents

Researchers have made nanobot pumps that destroy nerve agents, while simultaneously administering an antidote.