Nanosheet growth technique could revolutionize nanomaterial production

After six years of painstaking effort, a group of materials scientists believe the tiny sheets of the semiconductor zinc oxide they're growing could have huge implications for the future of a host of electronic and biomedical devices.

Nanotechnology: the big picture (video)

Advancements in nanotechnology could fundamentally change global approaches to manufacturing, medicine, healthcare, and the environment. In this lecture Dr Eric Drexler, Senior Visiting Fellow, Oxford Martin School, will look at current advances in the field of advanced nanotechnology, and the impacts and potential applications of their widespread implementation, and Dr Sonia Trigueros, Co-Director of the Oxford Martin Programme on Nanotechnology, and Oxford Martin Senior Fellow, will consider how targeted nanomedicine could change how we treat disease in the future.

First self-assembled superconductor structure created

Building on nearly two decades' worth of research, a multidisciplinary team has blazed a new trail by creating a self-assembled, three-dimensional gyroidal superconductor.

Polar vortices observed in ferroelectric

New state of matter holds promise for ultracompact data storage and processing.

Energy-saving minicomputers for the Internet of Things

The new EU project Ions4Set aims to develop single electron transistor switches based on nanoplillars.

The strain allows to control the magnetic properties of individual iron atom

The iron Fe2+ atom embedded in a semiconductor exhibits a single non-degenerate ground state of zero magnetic moment. A team of scientistss has just shown that by using sufficiently large strain it is possible to tailor the energy spectrum of the iron atom to obtain doubly degenerate (magnetic) ground state.

Super-sharp images through thin optical fibres

Super-sharp images from within the human body made through tiny endoscopes have come a step closer to reality. An advanced wavefront shaping method combined with unique optical fibres make it possible to focus lensless light at an unparalleled resolution.

Silicon-based metamaterials could bring photonic circuits

New transparent metamaterials under development could make possible computer chips and interconnecting circuits that use light instead of electrons to process and transmit data, representing a potential leap in performance.

Are some people more likely to develop adverse reactions to nanoparticle-based medicines?

The complement system, the human body's first line of defense against blood-borne intruders, is blamed for infusion-related reactions to nanomedicines, but the conventional models used to predict the risk of cardiopulmonary side effects in response to nanopharmaceuticals might not well represent what actually occurs in humans, according to a new article.

Graphene shown to safely interact with neurons in the brain

Researchers have successfully demonstrated how it is possible to interface graphene with neurons, or nerve cells, while maintaining the integrity of these vital cells.

A better foundation for 3D memory

The discovery of metal-like domain walls in magnetic insulators may help realize energy-efficient memory devices with massive storage capacities.

Putting silicon 'sawdust' in a graphene cage boosts battery performance

Approach could remove major obstacles to increasing the capacity of lithium-ion batteries.

Too-few proteins prompt nanoparticles to clump

Blood serum proteins must find balance with therapeutic nanoparticles.

You'll never be-leaf what makes up this battery

Materials scientists bake oak leaf, add sodium to cook up new large-scale battery possibility.

Researchers develop completely new kind of polymer

Hybrid polymers could lead to new concepts in self-repairing materials, drug delivery and artificial muscles.

A novel and efficient fabrication technology for cross-shaped memristor

Among the candidates of next-generation memory devices, cross-bar-shaped non-volatile resistive memory (memristor) is one of the most attractive solutions for its non-volatility, faster access speed, ultra-high density and easier fabrication process.

Trapping microbubbles with lasers and sound

Researchers have developed an innovative system that can trap microbubbles. This enables scientists to study the bubbles' properties and develop safer, more effective medical products.

Breakthrough enables ultra fast transport of electrical charges in polymers

These pioneering results, which enhance charge transport in polymers by more than 1,000 times, have implications for organic opto-electronic devices.

For this nanocatalyst reaction, one atom makes a big difference

Combining experimental investigations and theoretical simulations, researchers have explained why platinum nanoclusters of a specific size range facilitate the hydrogenation reaction used to produce ethane from ethylene.

Organ-on-chip device mimics placental barrier

Researchers have fabricated a multi-layer microfluidic 'organ-on-chip' device that mimics the structure of the human placental barrier that supports blood flow and exchange of material between the mother and fetus.

Reconfigurable origami tubes could find antenna, microfluidic uses

Origami, the ancient art of paper folding, may soon provide a foundation for antennas that can reconfigure themselves to operate at different frequencies, microfluidic devices whose properties can change in operation - and even heating and air-conditioning ductwork that adjusts to demand.

Simplifying solar cells with a new mix of materials

An international research team has simplified the steps to create highly efficient silicon solar cells by applying a new mix of materials to a standard design. Arrays of solar cells are used in solar panels to convert sunlight to electricity.

Imaged 'jets' reveal cerium's post-shock inner strength

'Jets' formed after shock waves passed through cerium metal provided the yield stress of cerium in its post-shock state, indicating the stress that would cause it to become permanently deformed.

An alternative to platinum: iron-nitrogen compounds as catalysts in graphene

Researchers have produced a cost-effective catalyst material for fuel cells using a new preparation process which they analysed in detail. It consists of iron-nitrogen complexes embedded in tiny islands of graphene only a few nanometres in diameter.

What new wearable sensors can reveal from perspiration

A flexible sensor system can measure metabolites and electrolytes in sweat, calibrate the data based upon skin temperature and sync the results in real time to a smartphone.

Nano-coating makes coaxial cables lighter

Common coaxial cables could be made 50 percent lighter with a new nanotube-based outer conductor.

Scientists provide new guideline for synthesis of fullerene electron acceptors

A recent study reveals that the photovoltaic performance in organic solar cells can be influenced by fullerene stereomer, implies that the stereomeric effect should be envisaged if new fullerene derivative was designed as electron acceptor.

Researchers report electric transport across molybdenum disulfide grain boundaries

Researchers have reported results correlating the flake merging angle with grain boundary (GBs) properties, and proven that increasing the merging angle of GBs drastically improves the flow of electrons.

Cellulose nanogenerators could one day power implanted biomedical devices

Scientists have built a flexible nanogenerator out of cellulose, an abundant natural material, that could potentially harvest energy from the body - its heartbeats, blood flow and other almost imperceptible but constant movements.

Fun with Lego (molecules)

Researchers report a simple system to make different nano-architectures with precision.

Novel nanotechnology technique makes table-top production of flat optics a reality

Researchers have developed a simplified approach to fabricating flat, ultra-thin optics. The new approach enables simple etching without the use of acids or hazardous chemical etching agents.

Sensing the future of molecule detection and bioproduction

Plant, yeast, even mammalian cells could be engineered into living detectors of virtually any molecule of interest to improve environmental monitoring, metabolic production of pharmaceuticals, and more.

Engineering nanodevices to aid the delivery of life-saving drug treatments

Development of effective new treatments for cancer, dementia, Parkinson's disease and other brain conditions is becoming possible from breakthrough discoveries being made in nanotechnology.

New record in nanoelectronics at ultralow temperatures

Researcher demonstrated the first ever measurement of the temperature of electrons in a nanoelectronic device a few thousandths of a degree above absolute zero.

Seamless union between metals and plastics

The firm and secure fusion of different materials poses a major challenge, and researchers are working on ways to improve joining techniques - for example by laser surface treatments.

All-new multi-purpose programmable optical chips

Researchers at the forefront of a revolution in microwave photonics are bringing us the first all-purpose programmable optical chips.

Exciting silicon nanoparticles

Separating the electric and magnetic components of light scattered by silicon nanoparticles enables more precise control of light.

Plasmonics - Left in the wake

Waves of charge scudding across gold surfaces are shown to create wakes that are readily manipulable.

A new magnetoresistance effect occurring in materials with strong spin-orbit coupling

Researchers show that by means of a novel magnetoresistive effect, it is now possible to study the spin transport properties in these materials without the need to fabricate complex devices and/or involve interfaces between different materials.

Designing a pop-up future

Simple origami fold may hold the key to designing pop-up furniture, medical devices and scientific tools.

Stable two-dimensional radioactive films: An atomic-scale picture

Two dimensional radioactive films are a new and exciting system to study nuclear decay at the atomic level with applications in a variety of fields ranging from medical imaging to cancer therapy. Before these films can be used in real-world application however, their behaviour and stability under ambient conditions has to be understood.

In plasmonics, 'optical losses' could bring practical gain

What researchers had thought of as a barrier to developing advanced technologies based on the emerging field of plasmonics is now seen as a potential pathway to practical applications in areas from cancer therapy to nanomanufacturing.

Solving hard quantum problems: Everything is connected

Researchers succeeded in calculating effects in ultra-cold atom clouds which can only be explained in terms of the quantum correlations between many atoms. Such atom clouds are known as Bose-Einstein condensates and are an active field of research.

Energy harvesting via smart materials

A group of researchers discovered a way to enhance smart materials known as 'electrostrictive polymers' to improve their mechanical energy harvesting performance.

Scientists build a neural network using plastic memristors

Scientists have created a neural network based on polymeric memristors - devices that can potentially be used to build fundamentally new computers.

Open-source laser fabrication lowers costs for cancer research

Bioengineers reprogram laser cutter to etch 50,000 microwells per hour.

New fluorescent nanomaterials take inspiration from plant antenna systems

Researchers have designed a set of fluorescent nanomaterials which have taken their inspiration from the antenna systems of plants.

Scientists synthesize nanoparticles that can deliver tumor suppressors to damaged livers

Chemists have successfully used synthetic nanoparticles to deliver tumor-suppressing therapies to diseased livers with cancer, an important hurdle scientists have been struggling to conquer.

New pen-sized microscope could ID cancer cells in doctor's offices and operating rooms

Mechanical engineers have developed a handheld microscope to help doctors and dentists distinguish between healthy and cancerous cells in an office setting or operating room.

Utilizing nanotechnology for nitric oxide delivery in combating catheter-related microbial biofilms

A team of researchers has demonstrated that the release of nitric-oxide through a nanoparticle delivery system can be utilized as a therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of catheter-associated C. albicans biofilms infections.

Increasing oil's performance with crumpled graphene balls

Additive reduces friction and protects engines better than commercial lubricants.

Acoustic tweezers provide much needed pluck for 3D bioprinting

Researchers have demonstrated that acoustic tweezers can be used to non-invasively move and manipulate single cells along three dimensions, providing a promising new method for 3D bioprinting.

A targeted photosensitizer for cell manipulation

Scientists have re-engineered a fluorescent probe into a powerful optogenetic photosensitizer that can be used to manipulate cells.

'Nanotechnology: Super Small Science' - a suite of education and outreach activities

The National Science Foundation (NSF), in partnership with NBC Learn, has launched 'Nanotechnology: Super Small Science', a series of videos for middle and high school students.

New patent on fast measurements in liquids

A new invention will open the doors for an entirely new way of measuring properties within liquids. The invention, a sol-gel matrix, will make it possible to perform measurements that are reliable, incredibly rapid and can be conducted over extended periods of time.

Flexible and transparent pressure sensor

Healthcare practitioners may one day be able to physically screen for breast cancer using pressure-sensitive rubber gloves to detect tumors, owing to a transparent, bendable and sensitive pressure sensor newly developed by Japanese and American teams.