Chemists characterize 3-D macroporous hydrogels

Chemists have developed two novel methods to characterize 3-dimensional macroporous hydrogels - materials that hold great promise for developing 'smart' responsive materials that can be used for catalysts, chemical detectors, tissue engineering scaffolds and absorbents for carbon capture.

Nonstick coating goes commercial in consumer goods packaging (w/video)

The days of wasting condiments - and other products - that stick stubbornly to the sides of their bottles may be gone, thanks to MIT spinout LiquiGlide, which has licensed its nonstick coating to a major consumer-goods company.

The secret of the tiny magnetic beads

Physicists were able to show how biological motors and molecules can be used to carry out precise measurements of magnetic materials.

Chitosan coated, chemotherapy packed nanoparticles may target cancer stem cells

Nanoparticles packed with a clinically used chemotherapy drug and coated with an oligosaccharide derived from the carapace of crustaceans might effectively target and kill cancer stem-like cells, according to a recent study.

Magnesium nanoparticles improve hydrogen storage

New study of hydrogen storage material magnesium hydride reveals path to better performance, possibly paving way toward better future fuel tank.

Biodegradable, flexible silicon transistors

Researchers have developed a new biodegradable silicon transistor based on a material derived from wood, opening the door for green, flexible, low-cost portable electronics in future.

Atomic force microscope advance leads to new breast cancer research

Researchers who developed a high-speed form of atomic force microscopy have shown how to image the physical properties of live breast cancer cells, for the first time revealing details about how deactivation of a key protein may lead to metastasis.

Graphene flexes its electronic muscles

Flexing graphene may be the most basic way to control its electrical properties, according to calculations by theoretical physicists.

Researchers map 3D distribution of carbon nanotubes in composite materials

Scientists have developed cutting-edge image gathering and processing techniques to map the nanoscale structure of carbon nanotubes inside a composite material in 3-D. Exactly how the nanotubes are distributed and arranged within the material plays an important role in its overall properties.

Physicists shatter stubborn mystery of how glass forms

Scientists have described how glasses form at the molecular level and provided a possible solution to a problem that has stumped scientists for decades. Their simple theory is expected to open up the study of glasses to non-experts and undergraduates as well as inspire breakthroughs in novel nanomaterials.

Nanogenerator harvests power from rolling tires

Engineers have developed a nanogenerator that harvests energy from a car's rolling tire friction.

Large-scale field-effect transistors based on solution-grown organic single crystals are fabricated

Scientists describe a simple solution processing method where well-aligned single-crystals of organic semiconductors throughout a 1cm × 2cm substrate can be grown from a droplet pinned by a metal needle. The well-controlled alignment of the crystals originates from the unidirectional receding of the pinned droplet regulated by the capillary force.

Making new materials with micro-explosions

Scientists have made exotic new materials by creating laser-induced micro-explosions in silicon, the common computer chip material.

X-Rays and electrons join forces to map catalytic reactions in real-time

New technique combines electron microscopy and synchrotron x-rays to track chemical reactions under real operating conditions.

Researchers introduce new layered semiconducting materials as silicon alternative

When the new iPhone came out, customers complained that it could be bent - but what if you could roll up your too big 6 Plus to actually fit in your pocket? That technology might be available sooner than you think.

Building a better semiconductor

In a new paper, scientists detail how they developed a method to change the electronic properties of materials in a way that will more easily allow an electrical current to pass through.

Swarms of tiny robots are joining forces to break through blocked arteries (w/video)

Swarms of microscopic, magnetic, robotic beads could be scrubbing in next to the world?s top vascular surgeons - all taking aim at blocked arteries.

University spinout signs deal to commercialize microchips that release therapeutics inside the body

An implantable, microchip-based device may soon replace the injections and pills now needed to treat chronic diseases: Earlier this month, MIT spinout Microchips Biotech partnered with a pharmaceutical giant to commercialize its wirelessly controlled, implantable, microchip-based devices that store and release drugs inside the body over many years.

Nanowaveguides open a new route to photonics

A new route to ultrahigh density, ultracompact integrated photonic circuitry has been discovered. Researchers have developed a technique for effectively controlling pulses of light in closely packed nanoscale waveguides, an essential requirement for high-performance optical communications and chip-scale quantum computing.

Mechanism of biological multi-fuel engine

Elucidating flagellar motor ion transfer process.

Helium 'balloons' offer new path to control complex materials

Researchers ave developed a new method to manipulate a wide range of materials and their behavior using only a handful of helium ions. The technique advances the understanding and use of complex oxide materials that boast unusual properties such as superconductivity and colossal magnetoresistance but are notoriously difficult to control.

Wearable wireless sensor work wins 'best paper' award

This research focuses on the current state of wearables in relation to environmental and physiological sensing.

Graphene-based magnetic sensor 100 times more sensitive than an equivalent silicon device

New research results show that the worst case graphene scenarios roughly match a silicon reference. In the best case scenario, the result is a huge improvement over silicon, with much lower source current and power requirements for a given Hall sensitivity.

High-performance microscope displays pores in the cell nucleus with greater precision

The transportation of certain molecules into and out of the cell nucleus takes place via nuclear pores. For some time, detailed research has been conducted into how these pores embedded in the nuclear envelope are structured. Now, for the first time, biochemists have succeeded in elucidating the structure of the transportation channel inside the nuclear pores in high resolution using high-performance electron microscopes.

The quantum spin Hall effect is also a fundamental property of light

In a paper that crystalizes knowledge from a variety of experiments and theoretical developments, scientists have demonstrated that the quantum spin Hall effect - an effect known to take place in solid state physics - is also an intrinsic property of light.

Interfering light waves produce unexpected forces

Two interfering planar waves of light can exert a surprising perpendicular force and torque on small particles.

Breakthrough graphene production could trigger revolution in artificial skin development

A pioneering new technique to produce high-quality, low cost graphene could pave the way for the development of the first truly flexible 'electronic skin', that could be used in robots.

Chemical sensing on the smartphone

Disposable lab-on-a-chip chemical assay unit with cell phone camera readout for autonomous use.

New conductive ink for electronic apparel

Researchers have developed a new ink that can be printed on textiles in a single step to form highly conductive and stretchable connections. This new functional ink will enable electronic apparel such as sportswear and underwear incorporating sensing devices for measuring a range of biological indicators such as heart rate and muscle contraction.

Crowdfunding science: Nanospies in cancer cells (w/video)

Like spies, these nanodiamonds will be on a mission to reveal the secrets of the cell.

Future antibiotics?

Engineered particles are capable of producing toxins that are deadly to targeted bacteria.

Dancing droplets (w/video)

Researchers have developed a system of using sound waves to move, merge or sort minuscule droplets with reagents or cells in a controlled manner.

Designing crack-resistant metals with nanoporous materials

The results of a new study to understand the interactions of various metal alloys at the nanometer and atomic scales are likely to aid advances in methods of preventing the failure of systems critical to public and industrial infrastructure.

3D plasmonic antenna capable of focusing light into few nanometers

Adopting the proximal focused-ion-beam milling technology, researchers developed a three dimensional 4 nanometer wide gap-plasmon antenna. By squeezing the photons into a three dimensional nano space, the researchers were able to increase the intensity of light 400,000 times stronger than that of the incident light.

New polymer-piezoelectric hybrid creates potential for 'materials that compute'

Moving closer to the possibility of 'materials that compute' and wearing your computer on your sleeve, researchers have designed a responsive hybrid material that is fueled by an oscillatory chemical reaction and can perform computations based on changes in the environment or movement, and potentially even respond to human vital signs.

Silica 'spiky screws' could enhance industrial coatings, additive manufacturing

A molecular process paves the way for improved silica structure design by introducing microscopic, segmented screw-like spikes that can more effectively bond materials for commercial use.

Interaction of tailored light with a single atom and individual nanostructures

By adapting a mode of the light field to a system under study, the interaction of light with matter can be optimized. In this context, the spatial distribution of the electric field of such a tailored mode plays an important role. Researchers use this approach to couple light to a single atom or individual nanoparticles.

Towards graphene biosensors

For the first time, a team of scientists has succeeded in precisely measuring and controlling the thickness of an organic compound that has been bound to a graphene layer. This might enable graphene to be used as a sensitive detector for biological molecules in the future.

Spintronics advance brings wafer-scale quantum devices closer to reality

Researchers have made a crucial step toward nuclear spintronic technologies. They have gotten nuclear spins to line themselves up in a consistent, controllable way, and they have done it using a high-performance material that is practical, convenient, and inexpensive.

Nanowires could be the LEDs of the future

LEDs made from nanowires will use less energy and provide better light. Researchers studied nanowires using X-ray microscopy and with this method they can pinpoint exactly how the nanowire should be designed to give the best properties.

Giving atoms their marching orders with nanotubes

Highly homogeneous nanotube enforces single-file flow of atoms in gas diffusion.

The world's first full-color, flexible skin-like display

Researchers developed an ultrathin nanostructured surface that can change color by applying voltage. The new method doesn't need its own light source. Rather, it reflects the ambient light around it.

Scientists highlight the importance of hybrid nanomaterials for non-invasive cancer diagnosis

Owing to recent spectacular advances in nanochemistry and nanomaterials sciences, substantial progress in the design and synthesis of synthetic nanoscale hybrid materials has been achieved with new or improved properties. This allows scientists to fabricate new hybrid materials that can be used in individual and multimodal imaging techniques simultaneously.

New device tracks chemical signals within cells

Biomedical engineers have invented a new device that more quickly and accurately 'listens in' on the chemical messages that tell our cells how to multiply. The tool improves our understanding of how cancerous growth begins, and could identify new targets for cancer medications.

Like cotton candy? You'll love electrospinning

Forget that old glucose test. In the future, suits of light and virus-filled fibers could detect trace amounts of biological molecules.

First report of detecting spin precession in silicon nanowires

Scientists have reported the first observation of spin precession of spin currents flowing in a silicon nanowire transport channel, and determined spin lifetimes and corresponding spin diffusion lengths in these nanoscale spintronic devices.

A novel scanning cavity microscope for nanosystems

Scientists can image the optical properties of individual nanoparticles with a novel microscope.

Researchers align atomic friction experiment

To study friction on the atomic scale, researchers have conducted the first atomic-scale experiments and simulations of friction at overlapping speeds.

Setting the standard for graphene

A recent estimate suggested there are more than 600 different types of graphene, commercial organisations looking to work with the material can struggle to know where to start. To address this problem, The University of Manchester and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) have joined forces by holding the Graphene UK Standardisation Workshop at the National Graphene Institute (NGI).

New technique to accurately detect the 'handedness' of molecules in a mixture

Scientists have demonstrated for the first time the ability to rapidly, reliably and simultaneously identify the 'handedness' of different molecules in a mixture.

Physicists fine-tune control of agile exotic materials

Tunable hybrid polaritons realized with graphene layer on hexagonal boron nitride.

Nanoparticle 'wrapper' delivers chemical that stops fatty buildup in rodent arteries

Experimental therapy restores normal fat metabolism in animals with atherosclerosis.

'Pick and mix' smart materials for robotics

Researchers have developed a simple 'recipe' for combining multiple materials with single functions into a single material with multiple functions: movement, recall of movement and sensing - similar to muscles in animals. The materials could be used to make robotics far more efficient by replacing bulky devices with a single, smarter, life-like material.

Biomanufacturing of CdS quantum dots

Engineers have demonstrated a bacterial method for the low-cost, environmentally friendly synthesis of aqueous soluble quantum dot nanocrystals at room temperature.

Using lasers to see the shape of molecules

Researchers have created a new technique for resolving the orbits of multiple molecular orbitals, a previously impossible feat.

Nanostructure design enables pixels to produce two different colors

A nanostructure design enables pixels to produce two different colors depending on the polarization of the incident light.

Artifical neuron mimicks function of human cells (w/video)

Scientists have managed to build a fully functional neuron by using organic bioelectronics. This artificial neuron contain no 'living' parts, but is capable of mimicking the function of a human nerve cell and communicate in the same way as our own neurons do.

Smart insulin patch could replace injections for diabetes

The patch - a thin square no bigger than a penny - is covered with more than one hundred tiny needles, each about the size of an eyelash. These microneedles are packed with microscopic storage units for insulin and glucose-sensing enzymes that rapidly release their cargo when blood sugar levels get too high.

Nanowire implants offer remote-controlled drug delivery

A team of researchers has created a new implantable drug-delivery system using nanowires that can be wirelessly controlled.

Nanobiosensor designed to detect herbicides can help diagnose multiple sclerosis

The early diagnosis of certain types of cancer and nervous system diseases may soon be facilitated by the use of a new detection device.

Robust new process forms 3-D shapes from flat sheets of graphene

Researchers have developed a new approach for forming 3D shapes from flat, 2D sheets of graphene, paving the way for future integrated systems of graphene-MEMS hybrid devices and flexible electronics.

Can heat be controlled as waves?

A progress article describes recent developments and predicts future advances in phonon wave interference and thermal bandgap materials.