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.