Light perfects interfaces

Shining light on a growing semiconductor modifies its interface with the surface and could improve the optical properties of each.

The wet road to fast and stable batteries

An international team of scientists has discovered an anode battery material with superfast charging and stable operation over many thousands of cycles.

Stirring up a quantum spin liquid with disorder

New, unexpected paradigm discovered: Disorder may actually promote an exotic quantum state, with potential for ultrafast computing.

Gecko adhesion technology moves closer to industrial uses

Scientists are looking into how gecko adhesion technology could be applied in a high-precision industrial setting, such as in robot arms used in manufacturing computer chips.

Vehicles could get 'nerves' that sense damage with new research

Helicopters, tanks and other vehicles could someday be made of "smart material" that senses damage, similar to how nerves tell the body it has been injured.

New ultra-thin diamond membrane Is a radiobiologist's best friend

Researchers developed a diamond-based detector that can control the dose of radiation given to live cells down to a single particle.

Advance in light filtering technology has implications for LCD screens, lasers and beyond

An innovative new light polarizer has been designed that efficiently tailors polarized light for various optical applications.

Humans can feel molecular differences between nearly identical surfaces

New study on the sensitivity of human touch could pave the way for advanced haptic technologies.

Nanoelectromechanical switch improves cyber security in harsh environments

The researchers designed a physical unclonable function based on nano-electro mechanical switches (NEMs), which are often used in circuits and are known for their low power consumption.

Creating surfaces that repel water and control its flow

To prevent water and ice from making our shoes soggy, frosting our car windows and weighing down power lines with icicles, scientists have been exploring new coatings that can repel water. Now one team has developed a way to direct where the water goes when it's pushed away.

Bringing 'Avatar'-like glowing plants to the real world

Researchers report a way to infuse plants with the luminescence of fireflies.

Accelerating the self-assembly of nanoscale patterns for next-generation materials

Using polymer blends, scientists rapidly generated highly ordered patterns that could be used in the fabrication of microelectronics, antireflective surfaces, magnetic data storage systems, and fluid-flow devices.

Plasmonic biosensors enable development of new easy-to-use health tests

Researchers have developed a biosensor that enables creating a range of new easy-to-use health tests similar to home pregnancy tests. The plasmonic biosensor can detect diseased exosomes even by the naked eye.

Engineers create artificial graphene in a nanofabricated semiconductor structure

Researchers are the first to observe the electronic structure of graphene in an engineered semiconductor; finding could lead to progress in advanced optoelectronics and data processing .

Visualizing single molecules in whole cells with a new spin

A new imaging method could put super-resolution microscopy within reach of most biologists.

Scientists suggested a new technology for creating magnet micro-structures

Researchers synthesized thin crystal ferromagnetic films and developed a technology for their shaping. Processed films can be used in electronic and spintronic chips.

Perking up and crimping the 'bristles' of polyelectrolyte brushes

A new study reveals, in fine detail, things that make polyelectrolyte brushes collapse - and also recover. The research increases understanding of these chemical brushes that have many potential uses.

Faster, more accurate cancer detection using nanoparticles

Light-emitting nanoprobes can detect cancer early and track the spread of tiny tumors.

Scientists sug­gest ti­ta­ni­um nit­ri­de in­ste­ad of gold in op­to­e­lec­tro­nics

Scientists suggest replacing gold and silver, which are used in optoelectronic devices, with an inexpensive material of titanium nitride.

Nanotexturing creates bacteria-killing spikes on stainless steel surfaces

Process could improve medical implants, food processing.