Chemists cook up three atom-thick electronic sheets

Making thin films out of semiconducting materials is analogous to how ice grows on a windowpane: When the conditions are just right, the semiconductor grows in flat crystals that slowly fuse together, eventually forming a continuous film.

Research seeks alternatives for reducing bacteria in fresh produce using nanoengineering

Researchers have been exploring natural, safe and alternative antimicrobials to reduce bacterial contamination. Plant essential oils such as those from thyme, oregano and clove are known to have a strong antimicrobial effect, but currently their use in food protection is limited due to their low solubility in water. The team explored ways to formulate oil nanoemulsions to increase the solubility and stability of essential oils, and consequently, enhance their antimicrobial activity.

New attachement turns smartphone into a DNA-scanning fluorescent microscope

New attachment turns a smartphone into a microscope that can image and size DNA molecules 50,000 times thinner than a human hair.

Carbo nanotube films could make robots more human

Most people are naturally adept at reading facial expressions - from smiling and frowning to brow-furrowing and eye-rolling - to tell what others are feeling. Now scientists have developed ultra-sensitive, wearable sensors that can do the same thing.

Artificial photosynthesis could help make fuels, plastics and medicine

Researchers developed a novel system that converts light and carbon dioxide into building blocks for plastics, pharmaceuticals and fuels - all without electricity.

IBM scientists achieve critical steps to building first practical quantum computer

IBM scientists today unveiled two critical advances towards the realization of a practical quantum computer. For the first time, they showed the ability to detect and measure both kinds of quantum errors simultaneously, as well as demonstrated a new, square quantum bit circuit design that is the only physical architecture that could successfully scale to larger dimensions.

Physics of heavy ion induced damage in nanotwinned metals revealed

Scientists have investigated defect dynamics in heavy ion (Krypton) irradiated nanotwinned silver and revealed twin boundary-defect clusters interactions via in situ radiation.

How to grow nanostructures in a controlled manner on a variety of metals

Such controlled nanostructures provide the possibility of advanced electrodes that produce sustainable fuel using solar energy.

Developing portable, highly sensitive gold detection down to nanoparticles

Researchers are developing a portable, highly sensitive method for gold detection that would allow mineral exploration companies to test for gold on-site at the drilling rig.