Through the nanoscale looking glass - determining boson peak frequency in ultra-thin alumina

'Mysterious' vibrational properties of nanoscale glasses have been studied by subjecting novel (and slightly explosive) particles of aluminium wrapped in a thin alumina skin to neutron spectroscopy measurement.

Physicists take stop-action images of light-driven molecular reaction

Physicists have taken extremely fast snapshots of light-induced molecular ring-opening reactions -- similar to those that help a human body produce vitamin D from sunlight.

Oil and water almost mix in novel neuromorphic computing components

Lipid-based devices mimic brain-like processing.

Scientists strengthen quantum building blocks in milestone critical for scale-up

Researchers have significantly increased the coherence time of a spin-orbit qubit in silicon, allowing them to preserve quantum information for longer. These results open up a new pathway to scale silicon quantum computers.

How to cut atom-sized 2D materials

A team of researchers has developed a high-precision technology to carve tiny patterns into atomically thin particles for potential applications in manufacturing electronic and photonic nanodevices.

How to teach gold nanoclusters to tell left from right

Some molecules exist in two different configurations, one being the mirror image of the other, with right and left side reversed. Normally, it is extremely difficult to produce only one of these two variants. Specially treated gold clusters are now supposed to help.

Researchers discover fundamental new chemistry of MXenes

A new finding about the fundamental chemistry of two-dimensional materials called MXenes will change the way researchers work with them, and open up new areas of applications.

Battery breakthrough gives boost to electric flight and long-range electric cars

Researchers have developed a new battery material that could enable long-range electric vehicles that can drive for hundreds of miles on a single charge, and electric planes called eVTOLs for fast, environmentally friendly commutes.

High-performance large area electrode system developed for artificial photosynthesis

Coral-type, high-efficiency, silver nano catalyst electrode developed for large areas; basis established for the commercialization of an electrochemical carbon dioxide conversion system that uses carbon dioxide in a gaseous state.

Stimulating neurons with magnetic nanodiscs

Magnetic nanodiscs can be activated by an external magnetic field, providing a research tool for studying neural responses.

How smart, ultrathin nanosheets go fishing for proteins

Faster and simpler production of high-resolution, three-dimensional electron microscopy images of biomolecules .

A novel method for heavy metal sensing with graphene oxide

The proposed heavy metal sensor is based on graphene oxide functionalized micro-tapered long-period fiber grating where light-matter interaction is enhanced.

Shells and grapefruits inspire first manufactured non-cuttable material

This new material, which could be used in the security and health and safety industries, can turn back the force of a cutting tool upon itself.

Single, twisted nanoparticles could pave the way for medicines on demand

For the first time, a single, twisted nanoparticle has been accurately measured and characterised in a lab, taking scientists one vital step closer to a time when medicines will be produced and blended on a microscopic scale.