At last: Non-toxic and cheap thin-film solar cells for zero-energy buildings

World's highest efficiency rating achieved for CZTS thin-film solar cells.

Important effect observed in development of quantum storage

Rare-earth materials are prime candidates for storing quantum information, because the undesirable interaction with their environment is extremely weak. Consequently however, this lack of interaction implies a very small response to light, making it hard to read and write data. Physicists have now observed a record-high Purcell effect, which enhances the material's interaction with light.

A tiny switch for a few particles of light

A single molecule allows a beam of light with a few photons to be controlled - a step towards the photonic computer.

Tunable thermal-sensitive polymer-graphene oxide composite for blood biopsy

A new device could provide a non-invasive way to monitor the progress of an advanced cancer treatment. It can pick cancer cells out of a blood sample and let them go later, enabling further tests that can show whether the therapy is successfully ridding the patient of the most dangerous cancer cells.

Detecting minute nano amounts in environmental samples

Scientists have developed a method that is capable of identifying even minute amounts of nanomaterials in environmental samples.

Nanoparticles hold promise as double-edged sword against genital herpes

An effective vaccine against the virus that causes genital herpes has evaded researchers for decades. But now, researchers have shown that zinc-oxide nanoparticles shaped like jacks can prevent the virus from entering cells, and help natural immunity to develop.