New approach captures the energy of slow motion

A new concept in energy harvesting could capture energy currently wasted due to its characteristic low frequency and use it to power next-generation electronic devices, according to a team of materials scientists and electrical engineers.

Ultra-small nanocavity advances technology for secure quantum-based data encryption

Silver-coated nanocavity could help create brighter single-photon light sources.

Materials: when defects turn into qualities

An inventory of research on hybrid organic-inorganic materials to date has revealed surprising new properties for these materials. The more their crystalline structure has defects, the greater their performance.

Nanoparticle tattoos mark the spot - for surgery - then disappear

Researchers report a new nanoparticle ink that glows only under certain light conditions and can disappear altogether after a period of time.

Nanoscale ultrasound technique is first to image inside live cells

Scientists have developed a break-through technique that uses sound rather than light to see inside live cells, with potential application in stem-cell transplants and cancer diagnosis.

How to tell when a nanoparticle is out of shape

New method ensures that measurements are well-rounded.

Nanoarray sniffs out and distinguishes multiple diseases

Researchers report that they have identified a unique 'breathprint' for each disease. Using this information, they have designed a device that screens breath samples to classify and diagnose several types of diseases.

New material with ferroelectricity and ferromagnetism may lead to better computer memory

Multiferroic materials exhibit both ferromagnetism and ferroelectricity. These are expected to be used as multiple-state memory devices. Furthermore, if the two orders are strongly coupled and the magnetization can be reversed by applying an external electric field, the material should work as a form of low power consumption magnetic memory.

Graphene able to transport huge currents on the nanoscale

New experiments have shown that it is possible for extremely high currents to pass through graphene, a form of carbon. This allows imbalances in electric charge to be rapidly rectified.