Sol-gel capacitor dielectric offers record-high energy storage

Using a hybrid silica sol-gel material and self-assembled monolayers of a common fatty acid, researchers have developed a new capacitor dielectric material that provides an electrical energy storage capacity rivaling certain batteries, with both a high energy density and high power density.

A cost-effective solution to tuned graphene production

Researchers report that they have developed a simple electrochemical approach which allows defects to intentionally be created in the graphene, altering its electrical and mechanical properties.

Intracellular microlasers could allow precise labeling of a trillion individual cells

Scientists have induced structures incorporated within individual cells to produce laser light. The wavelengths of light emitted by these intracellular microlasers differ based on factors such as the size, shape and composition of each microlaser, allowing precise labeling of individual cells.

Like paper, graphene twists, folds into nanoscale machines

The art of kirigami involves cutting paper into intricate designs, like snowflakes. Physicists are kirigami artists, too, but their paper is only an atom thick, and could become some of the smallest machines the world has ever known.

Meet the high-performance single-molecule diode

Researchers have created the world's highest-performance single-molecule diode. Development of a functional single-molecule diode is a major pursuit of the electronics industry.

New theoretical model explains the origins of self-replicating molecules (w/video)

Researchers developed a model that explains how monomers could very rapidly make the jump to more complex polymers. And what their model points to could have intriguing implications for engineering artificial self-assembly at the nanoscale.

The second Nano Research Award has been presented

Paul Alivisatos of the University of California Berkeley receives the honor for outstanding contributions in nanoscience.

Researchers demonstrate the world's first white lasers

More luminous and energy efficient than LEDs, white lasers look to be the future in lighting and Li-Fi, or light-based wireless communication.

Nanogold imaging probe yields double insight

A probe enables tumors to be investigated using complementary imaging techniques.

Making the new silicon

Gallium nitride electronics could drastically cut energy usage in data centers, consumer devices.

Graphene supercurrents go ballistic

Researchers have demonstrated superconducting electric currents in the two-dimensional material graphene that bounce between sheet edges without scattering.

Controlling phase changes in solids

A recent study demonstrates the rapid control of phase-changes in resonantly bonded materials.