From cameras to computers, new material could change how we work and play

Serendipity has as much a place in sci­ence as in love. That's what physi­cists found during their four-??year project to modify graphene.

New insight on how crystals form may advance materials, health and basic science research

An international group of researchers has shown how nature uses a variety of pathways to grow crystals that go beyond the classical, one-atom-at-a-time route.

Magnetism at nanoscale

Physicists use N-V center optical magnetoscope to understand new magnetic nanomaterials.

Transparent, electrically conductive network of encapsulated silver nanowires

Researchers have developed a transparent electrode with high electrical conductivity for solar cells and other optoelectronic components - that uses minimal amounts of material. It consists of a random network of silver nanowires that is coated with aluminium-doped zinc oxide. The novel electrode requires about 70 times less silver than conventional silver grid electrodes, but possesses comparable electrical conductivity.

Self-assembling, biomimetic membranes may aid water filtration

A synthetic membrane that self assembles and is easily produced may lead to better gas separation, water purification, drug delivery and DNA recognition, according to an international team of researchers.

Self-building 3D printed bricks hint at future without assembly lines (w/video)

A new study has shown that high frequency vibrations can cause bricks to self-assemble into a larger 3D object, a finding that may one day help do away with the need for factory assembly lines.

Take a trip through the brain new imaging tool

A new imaging tool could do for the brain what the telescope did for space exploration. In the first demonstration of how the technology works, the researchers look inside the brain of an adult mouse at a scale previously unachievable, generating images at a nanoscale resolution.

Electron microscopy leads to discovery of new structural features of human hair

Scientists detect previously unobserved features of human hair by combining a submicron X-ray beam with cross-section geometry.

Light switches on a DVD

Since the electronic properties of an optical storage material change faster than its structure, it could serve new applications.

Gold-diamond nanodevice for hyperlocalised cancer therapy

Gold nanorods can be used as remote controlled nanoheaters delivering the right amount of thermal treatment to cancer cells, thanks to diamond nanocrystals used as temperature sensors.

Solid state physics: Quantum matter stuck in unrest

Using ultracold atoms trapped in light crystals, scientists observe a novel state of matter that never thermalizes.

Butterflies heat up the field of solar research

The humble butterfly could hold the key to unlocking new techniques to make solar energy cheaper and more efficient, pioneering new research has shown.

Heating and cooling with light leads to ultrafast DNA diagnostics

New technology developed by bioengineers promises to make a workhorse lab tool cheaper, more portable and many times faster by accelerating the heating and cooling of genetic samples with the switch of a light.

How to look for a few good catalysts

New research shows non-wetting surfaces promote chemical reaction rates.

Shaping the hilly landscapes of a semi-conductor nanoworld

A new study reveals how hexagonal-patterned, self-organised hill structures emerge in 2D at the nanoscale due to redeposition following semi-conductor bombardment with low-energy ions.

Plasmonic material could bring ultrafast all-optical communications

Researchers have created a new 'plasmonic oxide material' that could make possible devices for optical communications that are at least 10 times faster than conventional technologies.