Nanostructure of the sea urchin spines inspires better cement

Based on the nanostructure of the sea urchin spines, researchers develop cement that is significantly more fracture-resistant.

'Swiss army knife' nanovaccine carries multiple weapons to battle tumors

Vaccine stimulates multi-pronged immune attack, inhibits tumor-induced immune suppression.

Surprisingly fast heat flow from graphene to its surrounding

Researchers have recently succeeded in observing and following, in real-time, the way in which heat transport occurs in van der Waals stacks, which consist of graphene encapsulated by the dielectric two-dimensional material hexagonal BN.

Magnetoelectric material shows promise as memory for electronics

In new research, scientists describe not only their unique process for making a high-quality magnetoelectric material, but exactly how and why it works.

Watching a quantum material lose its stripes

Study uses terahertz laser pulses to reveal ultrafast coupling of atomic-scale patterns.

Scientists make transparent materials absorb light

A group of physicists has demonstrated a highly unusual optical effect: They managed to 'virtually' absorb light using a material that has no light-absorbing capacity.

Mimicking reptiles and bug skin for industrial applications

Lizards and bark bugs are more similar than they may at first appear: both have unique ways of dealing with water, and this has caught scientists' eyes. The LiNaBioFluid project hopes to replicate both skin systems in organic and inorganic materials for a wide range of applications.

A transistor made of graphene nanoribbons

Researchers have succeeded in producing nanotransistors from graphene ribbons that are only a few atoms wide.

Researchers compare 'new' and 'aged' catalytic converter at the nanoscale level

Lower diesel emissions may be possible thanks to a catalyst that 'stays young'.

Piezoelectrics - Leaving lead behind

Thin films of a lead-free piezoelectric finally match the performance of the lead-bearing standard.

Revolutionary nanomapping microscope and labelling technique maps DNA mutations

A team of scientists has developed a new nanomapping microscope - powered by the laser and optics found in a typical DVD player.

A guidebook for exotic states

A theoretical model will allow systematic study of a promising class of peculiar quantum states.

Harnessing the rattling motion of oxygen ions to convert T-rays to visible light

A team of researchers has shown that terahertz rays can be converted to light visible to the human eye. The finding is a breakthrough for functional materials research and could lead to the development of a new kind of terahertz detector.

The ultimate defense against hackers may be just a few atoms thick

Researchers discover big cryptographic potential in nanomaterial.