Slip sliding away: Graphene and diamonds prove a slippery combination

Scientists have found a way to use tiny diamonds and graphene to give friction the slip, creating a new material combination that demonstrates the rare phenomenon of 'superlubricity'.

Fine-tuned molecular orientation is key to more efficient solar cells

Polymer solar cells are a hot area of research due to both their strong future potential and the significant challenges they pose. Using carefully designed materials and an 'inverted' architecture, a team of scientists has achieved efficiency of 10 percent, bringing these cells close to the threshold of commercial viability.

One step closer to a single-molecule device

Researchers first to create a single-molecule diode - the ultimate in miniaturization for electronic devices - with potential for real-world applications.

DNA double helix does double duty in assembling arrays of nanoparticles

Synthetic pieces of biological molecule form framework and glue for making nanoparticle clusters and arrays.

Engineering phase changes in nanoparticle arrays

Scientists alter attractive and repulsive forces between DNA-linked particles to make dynamic, phase-shifting forms of nanomaterials.

Table-top extreme UV laser system heralds imaging at the nanoscale

Researchers have developed a cost-effective alternative for generating bright beams of extreme UV radiation suitable for nanoscale imaging.