Magnetically driven metal-insulator transition in a correlated spin-orbit material

Using a combination of neutron and X-ray scattering techniques, researchers were able to solve the magnetic structure and measure the nature of the magnetic excitations in Cd2Os2O7.

Fantastic Voyage to the nanoverse one step closer

Robots so small they can enter the bloodstream and perform surgeries are one step closer.

Nanotechnology commercialisation calls for closer attention to safety and environmental considerations

The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and the Academy of Finland are hosting a panel discussion on questions of nanosafety in connection with the EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF) conference in Manchester in July.

Wireless, wearable toxic-gas detector made from carbon nanotubes

Inexpensive sensors could be worn by soldiers to detect hazardous chemical agents.

Neutron diffraction studies reveal origins of deterioration in lithium batteries

Researchers use diffraction data from pulsed high-intensity neutrons to understand the reactions that deteriorate lithium batteries during operation.

Researchers develop shape-changing 'smart' material

Researchers have developed a unique, multifunctional smart material that can change shape from heat or light and assemble and disassemble itself.

Modular construction on a molecular scale

Predictable assembly of protein building blocks result in a new class of porous materials, with potential uses ranging from efficient fuel storage to practical carbon capture and conversion.

Thousands on one chip: New method to study proteins

A new molecular method enables the investigation of the function for thousands of proteins in parallel. Applying this new method, an international team of researchers was able to identify hundreds of previously unknown interactions among proteins.

A drop of water as a model for the interplay of adhesion and stiction

Physicists have developed a system that enables them to switch back and forth the adhesion and stiction (static friction) of a water drop on a solid surface.

Surprising qualities of insulator ring surfaces

Surface phenomena in ring-shaped topological insulators are just as controllable as those in spheres made of the same material.

Atomic vibrations hurt solar cell efficiency

Theoretical modeling of energy loss in solar cells may lead to more efficient materials to convert sunlight to electricity.

Atomic-scale simulations predict how to use nanoparticles to increase hydrogen production

Towards eco-friendly industrial-scale hydrogen production.

NSF grant to advance research on molecular transformation, carbon recycling

Two chemists will combine their expertise in two distinct fields of chemistry - surface chemistry and metal-organic chemistry - to create new catalysts that guide molecular transformations.

Nano-Stiltskin: turning gold into... see-through rubber

New metal nanomesh leads to super stretchable and transparent gold electrodes that don't wear out.

New approach to room-temperature materials synthesis: Low cost, simple, and controlled composition

Templates allow for materials with deliberate sizes and shapes for solar cells and electricity generation from waste heat.

Simple preparation for affordable solar energy storage

Inexpensive method allows synthesis of a tiny solar cell that pumps out fuel.

Computer model fills fundamental knowledge gaps of perovskites

The neglect of fundamental research into perovskites in favor of close focus on its solar applications has left holes in basic knowledge about the material itself.

Can we beat Mother Nature at materials design?

Scientists review how we are matching - or exceeding - nature's ability to make strong, tough lightweight structural materials.

Charging ahead with nanowire magnesium batteries

Tired of running out of charge on your smartphone? The hunt is on for a longer-lasting battery.

Data storage - staying on track

A combination of advanced signal processing and magnetic layer stacking promises to increase hard drive capacity and reliability.

Understanding the properties of high-tech gels used in 3D printing

Gels made up of nanoparticles hold together due to their electrostatic interactions and collapse with agitation.

Graphene used as a frequency mixer

Scientists describe the ability to use graphene's tension as a sort of mediator between vibrational modes, allowing for direct energy transfer from one frequency to another.

Nano-sculptures for longer-lasting battery electrodes

Liquid metal transforms solid alloy into pore-filled structure that could be used in future batteries.

Tiniest imperfections make big impacts in nano-patterned materials

Researchers report surprising findings that could have significant impact for constructing nano-patterned materials in electronic, magnetic or optical devices.

Lotus leaf inspires scientists to create world's first self-cleaning metals

Using inspiration from nature, a team of European researchers have harnessed new photonics technology to develop the first fluid-repellent, antibacterial, metal surface taking us a step closer to self-cleaning saucepans, toilets, and dishwashers.

Synthesized microporous 3D graphene-like carbons

Researchers lowered the temperature required for the carbonization of zeolites by embedding lanthanum ions, a silvery-white metal element, in zeolite pores.

Trapped electrons to blame for lack of battery efficiency

New research has the potential to create more efficient batteries by shedding light on the cause of one of their biggest problems - a 'traffic jam' of ions that slows down their charging and discharging process.

New mid-infrared laser system could detect atmospheric chemicals

Laser pulses produce glowing plasma filaments in open air, could enable long-distance monitoring.

Nanotechnology-based solution to boost oil recovery

Nanofluid performance is comparable to more expensive methods.

New, better way to build circuits for world's first useful quantum computers

Researchers have devised and demonstrated a new way to pack a lot more quantum computing power into a much smaller space and with much greater control than ever before.

Scientists explain unusual and effective features in perovskite

An international team of scientists have described how charge-carrying particles move in perovskite.

Scientists develop nanomachines to diagnose illness

Researchers designed a nanomachine capable of detecting a mockup of the Ebola virus.

Building a smart cardiac patch with nanoelectronic scaffolds and living cells

'Bionic' cardiac patch could one day monitor and respond to cardiac problems.

Nanoscopic watermark sorts fakes from genuines (w/video)

Products with this watermark, which is invisible to the naked eye and only shows up under ultraviolet light, are impossible to counterfeit.

Tough new hydrogel hybrid doesn't dry out (w/video)

Water-based material could be used to make artificial skin, longer-lasting contact lenses.

Low-current, highly integrable spintronics device developed

The new device was fabricated by combining a solid electrolyte with a magnetic material, and enabling insertion/removal of ions into/from the magnetic material through application of voltage.

Discovery of large thermoelectric effect in organic compound at near-zero temperature

Researchers experimentally discovered that an organic compound can exhibit the large thermoelectric effect when it becomes semiconducting materials at extremely low temperature.

This message will self-destruct

New electron-beam writing technique controls electronic properties for future on-demand re-configurable electronics.

A shampoo bottle that empties completely - every last drop (w/video)

Nanocoating to make soap pour cleanly out of plastic bottles, reduce waste and frustration.

Researchers devise new tool to measure polarization of light

Researchers have developed a new tool for detecting and measuring the polarization of light based on a single spatial sampling of the light, rather than the multiple samples required by previous technologies.

Natural photosynthesis with artificial molecules

Chemists have come one step closer to generating energy from sunlight: for the first time, they were able to reproduce one of the crucial phases of natural photosynthesis with artificial molecules.

Flower power: Photovoltaic cells replicate rose petals

With a surface resembling that of plants, solar cells improve light-harvesting and thus generate more power.

Saving precious water with nanoscale ingenuity

Biology has inspired new ways to harvest and collect water.

Winner announced for NNI's EnvisioNano nanotechnology image contest

The National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO) has announced the winners of the latest round of EnvisioNano, a nanotechnology image contest for students.

Ultrathin, flat lens resolves chirality and color

Multifunctional lens could replace bulky, expensive machines.

Nanotechnology and math deliver two-in-one punch for cancer therapy resistance

Math, biology and nanotechnology are becoming strange, yet effective bed-fellows in the fight against cancer treatment resistance. Researchers have engineered a revolutionary new approach to cancer treatment that pits a lethal combination of drugs together into a single nanoparticle.

The discovery power of the gene chip is coming to nanotechnology

Rapid discovery power is similar to what gene chips offer biology.

Pphysicists create a high-precision 'quantum ruler'

Physicists have devised a method for creating a special quantum entangled state. This state enables producing a high-precision ruler capable of measuring large distances to an accuracy of billionths of a metre.

Ultrasensitive nonlinear metamaterials for data transfer

Scientists demonstrated the effect of the all-optical switching between streams of photons using non-linear metamaterials.

Borophene: A prospective extraordinary sodium anode material

A research team from Hong Kong found that borophene is expected to be an excellent anode material for sodium-based batteries.

Remote control actuation goes down to the nanoscale

Researchers have devised and demonstrated a novel approach to nanoactuation that relies on magnetomechanics instead of the conventional electromechanics utilized in micro and nanoactuated mechanical systems.

Researchers discover new chemical sensing technique

Scientists have reported a new technique to determine the chemical composition of materials using near-infrared light.

3D Brain-on-a-chip

To study brain cell?s operation and test the effect of medication on individual cells, the conventional Petri dish with flat electrodes is not sufficient. For truly realistic studies, cells have to flourish within three-dimensional surroundings.

Next-generation fluorescent and LED lighting thanks to new phosphor?

Researchers have discovered a new phosphor that could make next-generation fluorescent and LED lighting even cheaper and more efficient. The team used highly luminescent clusters of silver atoms and the porous framework of minerals known as zeolites.

Nanomedizin gegen Krebs: EU fördert Folgeprojekt

Gemeinsam mit Wissenschaftlern von zehn Partnerinstitutionen aus 5 EU Laendern setzen Radiologen des Uniklinikums Jena ihre Forschungsarbeit an multifunktionellen magnetischen Nanopartikeln fort, die zur Detektion und Bekaempfung von Krebs eingesetzt werden sollen.

Graphene-based material illuminates bright new future for flexible lighting devices

Researchers have pioneered an innovative new technique to make flexible screens more effective and efficient.

New targeted drug effectively dissolves blood clots, has fewer side effects

Scientists have developed a magnetically controlled drug that can be condensed on a blood clot by means of a magnetic field.