Simulate 'sun and rain' detail how nanoparticles can escape from plastic coatings into the environment

Researchers describe how they subjected a commercial nanoparticle-infused coating to methods for accelerating the effects of weathering from ultraviolet radiation and simulated washings of rainwater. Their results indicate that humidity and exposure time are contributing factors for nanoparticle release, findings that may be useful in designing future studies to determine potential impacts.

Gentle sensors for diagnosing brain disorders

New sensor design paves the way for safer and more effective brain monitoring.

Motion-directed robots on a micro scale

Microswimmers capped with carbon on one side can be propelled and steered by light.

Proof that materials behave differently at the nanoscale

Scientists have long suspected that the way materials behave on the nanoscale is different from how they behave on any other scale. A new paper provides concrete proof that this is the case.

Fluorine offers solar power boost

Tweaking the chemical composition of polymer solar cells improves efficiency and voltage.

Nanosensors could help determine tumors' ability to remodel tissue

Measuring enzyme levels could help doctors select appropriate treatments.

Engineers create new devices that emulate human biological synapses

A team of engineers is developing a new type of nanodevice for computer microprocessors that can mimic the functioning of a biological synapse - the place where a signal passes from one nerve cell to another in the body.

Atom art: Beauty at the atomic scale

Nature makes some beautiful patterns with atoms.

Correlated magnets made out of single atoms

Scientists observe antiferromagnetic correlations in one-dimensional fermionic quantum many-body systems.

Nanotechnology for energy materials: Electrodes like leaf veins

Researchers have demonstrated that networks of metallic mesh possessing fractal-like nano-features surpass other metallic networks in utility.

It's delightful, it's dynamic, it's dewetting

How would you like a kitchen surface that cleans itself? Technological advances such as this could be one step closer after a breakthrough by researchers.

Mechanical behavior of tiny structures is affected by atomic defects

Scientists have measured the mechanics of tiny crystalline ceramics.

Travelling through the body with graphene

For the first time researchers succeeded to place a layer of graphene on top of a stable fatty lipid monolayer. Surrounded by a protective shell of lipids graphene could enter the body and function as a versatile sensor.

Scientists visualise quantum behaviour of hot electrons for first time

Scientists have, for the first time, identified a method of visualising the quantum behaviour of electrons on a surface. The findings present a promising step forward towards being able to manipulate and control the behaviour of high energy, or 'hot', electrons.

Researchers suggest nanoscale electronic motion sensor as DNA sequencer

Researchers have proposed a design for the first DNA sequencer based on an electronic nanosensor that can detect tiny motions as small as a single atom.

X-ray laser glimpses how electrons dance with atomic nuclei in materials (w/video)

Studies could help design and control materials with intriguing properties, including novel electronics, solar cells and superconductors.

The world's smallest artificial virus

Scientists have engineered an artificial virus able to encapsulate and safely transfer small and large genes into human cells.

Wearable microscope can measure fluorescent dyes through skin

Monitoring disease biomarkers could become easier and more cost-effective.

First quantum photonic circuit with an electrically driven light source

For the first time, scientists have succeeded in placing a complete quantum optical structure on a chip.

'Missing link' found in the development of bioelectronic medicines

New research has demonstrated that a nanoscale device, called a memristor, could be the 'missing link' in the development of implants that use electrical signals from the brain to help treat medical conditions.

Nanotechnology could give us safer, greener diapers and sanitary products

Nanofibers are more absorbent and better for the environment, say researchers.

Electrically accessing complex magnetism in rare earth atoms

A new way to electrically access the magnetic properties of rare earth atoms, which are of crucial importance in many modern technologies, has been revealed by a team of researchers.

Stacked perovskite/CIGS solar module achieves unprecedented efficiency at 17.8 percent

Scientists today announced that they have fabricated a thin-film solar module stack made up of perovskite and Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) with a conversion efficiency of 17.8 percent. For the first time, this tandem module surpasses the highest efficiencies of separate perovskite and CIGS modules.

Fundamental researchers offer new ways to sort molecules for clean energy and more

Chemical separation accounts for 10 to 15 percent of the nation's energy consumption. That energy use has environmental costs, including tons of carbon dioxide released each year. Researchers are tackling the energy demands of separation by focusing on the underlying science. They are answering questions about how and why the targeted materials behave.

German authorities update their joint research strategy 'Nanotechnology - health and environmental risks of nanomaterials'

The joint research strategy is part of the action plan Nanotechnology 2020 of the Federal Government passed by the Federal Cabinet on 14 September 2016. At the heart of the joint research strategy are testing methods and concepts for the characterisation and assessment of health and environmental risks which must be adapted and tested for new materials.

Bowl-to-bowl inversion: Key to understanding mechano-electronic switches

Scientists have identified the adlayer structure of the sumanene buckybowl on Au(111) and revealed its unique bowl inversion behavior.

Watching molecular machines at work

A new technology makes it possible to test how complex molecules function by manipulating them systematically. Add to this a new electron microscopy technique that brings resolution down to the atomic level - and indeed scientists are now able to directly look at these machines.

Mass producing graphene using microwaves

Scientists have discovered a simple new method for producing large quantities of the promising nanomaterial graphene.

Shape-programmable miniscule robots

Soft materials that can use magnetic fields to generate desired time-varying shapes could provide an engine for microswimmers.

Iron nanoparticles make immune cells attack cancer

Researchers accidentally discovered that iron nanoparticles invented for anemia treatment have another use: triggering the immune system's ability to destroy tumor cells.

Single photon light emitting diodes for on-chip integration

Researchers have used layered materials to create an all-electrical quantum light emitting diodes (LED) with single-photon emission. These LEDs have potential as on-chip photon sources in quantum information applications.

Edible nanocoating increases life of foods

In order to extend the life of fruits and vegetables and preserve them for longer refrigeration, researchers developed an edible coating with added functional ingredients applied to freshly cut foods.

Bending semiconductors generates electricity

The phenomenon, called flexoelectricity, arises from the redistribution of atoms and electrons in a material when it is bent. This redistribution of charges can be used to generate an electrical current. It was already known that insulating materials can be flexoelectric.

Scientists put a new twist on artificial muscles

Scientists describe the path to developing a new class of artificial muscles made from highly twisted fibers of various materials, ranging from exotic carbon nanotubes to ordinary nylon thread and polymer fishing line.

Ultrtasmall nanoparticles show ability to induce cell death in tumors

Ultrasmall nanoparticles have can kill cancer cells without attaching a cytotoxic drug.

Crystalline fault lines provide pathway for solar cell current (w/video)

New tomographic AFM imaging technique reveals that microstructural defects, generally thought to be detrimental, actually improve conductivity in cadmium telluride solar cells.

3D nanoprinting improves performance of atomic force microscopes

Tiny sensors made through nanoscale 3D printing may be the basis for the next generation of atomic force microscopes. These nanosensors can enhance the microscopes' sensitivity and detection speed by miniaturizing their detection component up to 100 times.

Scientists observe a surprising quantum effect when short light pulses interact with matter

Researchers have demonstrated how a train of attosecond pulses of polychromatic light could be used to excite a two-level system, which is a basic model system in quantum mechanics.

Controllable light-emitting materials to advance light sensing and nanomedicine

Luminous bismuth: controllable light-emitting materials having the potential to advance high-intensity, light sensing and nanomedicine.

Mysterious quantum properties in material crafted by scientists point to new applications in electronics

Researchers have created an exotic 3-D racetrack for electrons in ultrathin slices of a nanomaterial they fabricated. The international team of scientists observed, for the first time, a unique behavior in which electrons rotate around one surface, then through the bulk of the material to its opposite surface and back.

How to power up graphene implants without frying cells

New analysis finds way to safely conduct heat from graphene to biological tissues.

Tattoo therapy could ease chronic disease

A temporary tattoo to help control a chronic disease might someday be possible, according to scientists who tested antioxidant nanoparticles.

New multiferroic materials from building blocks

Scientists have successfully developed room temperature multiferroic materials by a layer-by-layer assembly of nanosheet building blocks. Multiferroic materials are expected to play a vital role in the development of next-generation multifunctional electronic devices.

Swarms of magnetic bacteria could be used to deliver drugs to tumors

Researchers have recently shown that magnetic bacteria are a promising vehicle for more efficiently delivering tumor-fighting drugs.

Fabricating palladium-ruthenium nanoparticles could lead to improved industrial processes

A new paper reviews the latest research into the fabrication of Pd-Ru bimetallic nanomaterials.

Biocompatible nanomaterial that can be controlled with light finds a use in gene delivery

Scientists have demonstrated biocompatible nanostructures for delivering siRNA and efficiently silencing genes.

Chains of nanogold forged with atomic precision

Researchers have succeeded in producing short chains and rings of gold nanoparticles with unprecedented precision. They used a special kind of nanoparticles with a well-defined structure and linked them together with molecular bridges.

Nanotechnology may revolutionize future engines (w/video)

Scientists are on the hunt for nanomaterials that could improve engine technology in a big way.

'Schroedinger's cat' molecules give rise to exquisitely detailed movies

Scientists exploit a famous bit of quantum weirdness to film a molecule's inner life.

Ahead of the 'curve' in magnetic study

When a baseball pitcher uncorks a nasty curveball, the spinning motion of the ball forces air to flow around it at different speeds, causing the ball to 'break' in one direction. The physics behind this kind of deflection also work at smaller scales.

A conscious coupling of magnetic and electric materials at the atomic scale

New multiferroic material is a big step in march toward ultra-low power electronics.

Reshaping the virus

Scientists have created a new method to help researchers discover how much the virus?s size matters. By mutating a single amino acid in a bacterial virus, the team drastically changed the size of its protein coating, or capsid.

Speedy bacteria nanosensor detector could help prevent foodborne illnesses

Researchers developed a hybrid nanosensor incorporating magnetic resonance and fluorescence. Lab testing of milk showed the detector could sense varying concentrations of a pathogenic strain of E. coli known as O157:H7 in less than an hour.

Detecting blood alcohol content with an electronic skin patch

To help imbibers easily and quickly know when they?ve had enough, scientists have developed a flexible, wearable patch that can detect a person's blood-alcohol level from his or her sweat.

The microdoctors in our bodies

Researchers are developing tiny, sophisticated technological and biological machines enabling non-invasive, selective therapies. Their creations include genetically modified cells that can be activated via brain waves, and swarms of microrobots that facilitate highly precise application of drugs.