Study resolves fine details of how microscopic machines can fail in the blink of an eye

Researchers ave developed a method for more quickly tracking microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) as they work and, just as importantly, as they stop working.

Brilliant iron molecule could provide cheaper solar energy

For the first time, researchers have succeeded in creating an iron molecule that can function both as a photocatalyst to produce fuel and in solar cells to produce electricity. The results indicate that the iron molecule could replace the more expensive and rarer metals used today.

X-rays reveal the workings of batteries

An X-ray analysis reveals the charging mechanism of a promising electrode material.

More sensitive MRI diagnostics thanks to innovative 'elastic' contrast media

Researchers have found a new method for obtaining high-quality images in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), that requires less contrast medium compared to current methods. It is made possible by using an "elastic" protein structure that can absorb dissolved xenon in a self-regulating way.

Surface of ultra-smooth nanomaterial steeper than Austrian Alps

Scientists have measured an ultrananocrystalline diamond coating, prized for its hard yet smooth properties, and showed that it is far rougher than previously believed.

Atomic nitrogen route to new 2D semiconductors

A technique for making ultrathin, two-dimensional films of tungsten disulfide could underpin next-generation electronic and optoelectronic technologies.

On the cusp of valleytronics

Emerging valleytronics technology using 2D materials promises smaller devices that chew up less energy and transmit data faster and more securely.

Probing structural changes in electroactive self-assembled monolayers

A powerful method is demonstrated for analyzing the electrochemically induced electronic-state and structural changes that occur in an iron-tipped self-assembled monolayer.

Light triggers gold nanoparticles in unexpected way

Researchers have discovered a fundamentally different form of light-matter interaction in their experiments with gold nanoparticles.

Quickly capture tiny particles reacting

New method takes a snapshot every millisecond of groups of light-scattering particles, showing what happens during industrially relevant reactions.

Bandage with wearable nanogenerator promotes powerful healing

A new, low-cost wound dressing could dramatically speed up healing in a surprising way. The method leverages energy generated from a patient's own body motions to apply gentle electrical pulses at the site of an injury.

Artificial magnetic field produces exotic behavior in graphene sheets

A new shows that the application of an electrical field to a bilayer graphene system produces an effect identical to that of an extremely intense magnetic field applied to two aligned graphene sheets.

Switching identities: Revolutionary insulator-like material also conducts electricity

Researchers have made a material that can transition from an electricity-transmitting metal to a nonconducting insulating material without changing its atomic structure.

With these nanoparticles, a simple urine test could diagnose bacterial pneumonia

Results could also indicate whether antibiotics have successfully treated the infection.

Potential nanocarrier arthritis treatment prevents cartilage breakdown

Injectable material made of nanoscale particles can deliver arthritis drugs throughout cartilage.

New gold nanoparticle catalyst produces cheap hydrogen

Chemists have discovered cheaper and more efficient materials for producing hydrogen for the storage of renewable energy that could replace current water-splitting catalysts.

Big results from small solutions: new method for analyzing metalloproteins

Metalloproteins (also known as metal-binding proteins) play vital roles in our bodies for oxygen transport and storage, electron transport, oxidation and reduction. A new method only needs a tiny liquid sample to analyze metalloproteins.

Adding graphene to jute fibres could give natural alternative to man-made materials

Scientists have combined graphene with the natural fibre, jute, to create a world?s first for graphene-strengthened natural jute fibre composites.

Researchers remove silicon contamination from graphene to double its performance

A new study identifies silicon contamination as the root cause of disappointing results and details how to produce higher performing, pure graphene.

New device widens light beams by 400 times

Scientists have now developed a highly efficient device that enlarges the diameter of a light beam by 400 times. Wider light beams have many applications, including boosting the speed and sensitivity of medical imaging and diagnostic procedures.

Flexible electronic skin aids human-machine interactions

Researchers report a new method that creates an ultrathin, stretchable electronic skin, which could be used for a variety of human-machine interactions.

Gold nanoparticle microsecond tracking with atomic-level localization precision

By using newly developed annular illumination total internal reflection dark-field microscopy, researchers have succeeded in achieving atomic-level, 1.3 angstrom localization precision with gold nanoparticles at 1 millisecond time resolution.

Nanoscale blood test technique set to springboard cancer discoveries

A technique to get more information from the blood of cancer patients than previously possible has been developed.

Interfacial electronic state improving hydrogen storage capacity in Pd-MOF materials

Discovery that the transfer of a charge equivalent to 0.4 electrons contributes to doubled hydrogen storage may expedite the development of new hybrid materials.

A golden age for particle analysis

Process engineers have developed a method which allows the size and shape of nanoparticles in dispersions to be determined considerably quicker than ever before.

New color technology can replace environmentally unfriendly paints and other coatings - also in art

Presenting the first two artworks ever made with viewing angle-independent structural colors.

Researchers weigh whole virus capsids and extend reach of mass spectrometry with nanomechanical sensors

Researchers have demonstrated a new mass-spectrometry technology based on nanomechanical resonators that measures the mass of particles previously beyond the reach of current commercial technology, and which they used to measure the mass of a whole bacteriophage virus capsid.

Using fine-tuning for record-breaking solar cell performance

Materials scientists have achieved a new record in the performance of organic non-fullerene based single-junction solar cells.

Disordered materials could be hardest, most heat-tolerant carbides

Computational simulations predict new class of carbides that could disrupt industries from machinery to aerospace.

Simulations suggest graphene can stretch to be a tunable ion filter

Researchers have conducted simulations suggesting that graphene, in addition to its many other useful features, can be modified with special pores to act as a tunable filter or strainer for ions (charged atoms) in a liquid.

Crystallinity reduces resistance in all-solid-state batteries

Scientists examined the mechanisms behind the resistance at the electrode-electrolyte interface of all-solid-state batteries. Their findings will aid in the development of much better Li-ion batteries with very fast charge/discharge rates.

Draw-your-own electrodes set to speed up development of micro detection devices

Miniature devices for sensing biological molecules could be developed quicker thanks to a rapid prototyping method.

Living electrodes with bacteria and organic electronics

Researchers developed a method that increases the signal strength from microbial electrochemical cells by up to twenty times. The secret is a film with an embedded bacterium: Shewanella oneidensis.

A starch and graphene hydrogel geared towards electrodes for brain implants

Researchers have created hydrogels with electrical and antibacterial properties suitable for neural interfaces.

Faster-charging, safer batteries

Imagine a world where cell phones and laptops can be charged in a matter of minutes instead of hours, rolled up and stored in your pocket, or dropped without sustaining any damage.

Laser-driven electron accelerator fits on a microchip

Electrical engineers have developed a design for a laser-driven electron accelerator so small it could be produced on a silicon chip.

Thermoelectric cooling gets fit for microtechnology

Scientists have significantly improved the processing of thermoelectric devices so that they become quicker, more reliably and suitable for integration in microchips. This represents a decisive step towards the broad application of thermoelectric components in microtechnology.

Racing electrons in graphene under control

Researchers have succeeded in using ultra-short laser impulses to precisely control electrons in graphene.

Environment turns molecule into a switch for spintronics

For the first time, physicists have successfully positioned an organic molecule on a substrate realizing two stable configurations. This may have application potential in molecular spintronics.

Molecules that self-assemble into monolayers for efficient perovskite solar cells

Scientists have discovered a new method for producing efficient contact layers in perovskite solar cells. It is based on molecules that organise themselves into a monolayer.

Building better batteries by borrowing from biology

Inspired by transport mechanisms found in living cells, researchers develop a novel crystalline material that rapidly conducts charged potassium ions, and may lead to cheaper and safer replacements for lithium-ion batteries in electronics and cars.

Gate switching of ultrafast upconverted photoluminescence from monolayer graphene

Scientists report the gate switching of ultrafast photoluminescence in monolayer graphene and analyzed its underlying mechanism both experimentally and theoretically.

Spotting nature's own evolution of quantum tricks could transform quantum technology

Physicists have developed a new test to spot where the ability to exploit the power of quantum mechanics has evolved in nature.

Topological insulating phase predicted in a new type of material

Calculations point to a new source of topological materials.

DNA Origami full of potent anticancer agents

A tailored DNA nanoplatform carries chemotherapeutic drugs and RNA interference toward multidrug-resistant tumors.

Scientists develop enzymes with remote control

Scientists developed a method to enhance the activity of enzymes by using radio frequency radiation. The method requires making a special complex consisting of enzymes and magnetic nanoparticles.

Alginate-graphene oxide hydrogels as smart biomedical materials

By combining seaweed-derived alginate with the nanomaterial graphene oxide, researchers have developed a new material that?s durable and can respond dynamically to its environment.

Physicists study the influence of magnetic field inhomogeneity on the properties of thin-film structures

Researchers have studied the influence of inhomogeneity of magnetic field applied during the fabrication process of thin-film structures made from nickel-iron and iridium-manganese alloys, on their properties.. These systems can be used in various types of magnetic field sensors.

2D-spectroscopy provides new insight into molecular processes

A research team has succeeded for the first time in applying 2D-spectroscopy to isolated molecular systems and thus in tracing the interactive processes at a molecular level more precisely.

Atom-by-atom construction of an artificial molecule

Using hydrogen lithography, researchers have constructed an artificial molecule that both meets the electronic structure definition and demonstrates a nontrivial geometry: a cyclic atomic configuration spanning three dimer rows.