New, highly stable catalyst may help turn water into fuel

Researchers report a new hydrogen-generating catalyst that clears many of the obstacles- abundance, stability in acid conditions and efficiency.

Machine learning helps improving photonic nanostructures

Nanostructures can increase the sensitivity of optical sensors enormously - provided that the geometry meets certain conditions and matches the wavelength of the incident light.

Composite significantly reduces electromagnetic pollution

Scientists have synthesized PANI/Zn ferrite composites which have shown excellent microwave absorption performance.

How swarms of nanomachines could improve the efficiency of any machine

Researchers are studying the thermodynamics of small nanomachines only consisting of a few atoms. They outline how these small machines behave in concert.

Polymer coating cools down buildings

Engineers make white paint whiter - and cooler - by removing white pigment and invent a polymer coating, with nano-to-microscale air voids, that acts as a spontaneous air cooler and can be fabricated, dyed, and applied like paint.

New method could show how aging affects nanomaterials' properties

A combination of gamma ray spectroscopy and 'center of gravity' allows researchers to assess the quality of iron oxide samples, potentially providing a way to understand their effects on patient safety.

Nanotechnology-enabled devices could soon tap their owners as a battery source

Scientists came up with an innovative solution for powering the next generation of electronic devices by using Triboelectric Nanogenerators (TENGs). Along with human movements, TENGs can capture energy from common energy sources such as wind, wave, and machine vibration.

Desiging a self-folding metamaterial

Physicists have designed a metamaterial structure that folds itself up in several steps.

A self-powered heart monitor taped to the skin

Scientists have developed a human-friendly, ultra-flexible organic sensor powered by sunlight, which acts as a self-powered heart monitor.

Spheres can make concrete leaner, greener

Scientists have developed micron-sized calcium silicate spheres that could lead to stronger and greener concrete, the world?s most-used synthetic material.

'Paintable' chemotherapy shrinks skin tumors in mice

Researchers have taken the first steps in developing a chemotherapy for melanoma that can be 'painted' directly on the skin, rather than injected or taken orally.

Oxygen vs. nanochip: Scientists show vulnerability of a promising 2D semiconductor to air

Researchers have managed to trace in details the structural changes of two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide under long-term environmental impact. The new data narrows the scope of its potential application in microelectronics and at the same time opens up new prospects for the use of two-dimensional materials as catalysts.

Study demonstrates new mechanism for developing electronic devices

Scientists have demonstrated a new mechanism that can potentially allow the control of electrons on the nanometer spatial scale and femtosecond temporal scales using light.

Multimodal imaging shows strain can drive chemistry in a photovoltaic material

A unique combination of imaging tools and atomic-level simulations has allowed researchers to solve a longstanding debate about the properties of a promising material that can harvest energy from light.

Chemical engineers functionalize boron nitride with other nanosystems

Researchers unlock potential for improving composite material.

Heterometallic copper-aluminum super atom discovered

On the outside, the cluster made of 55 copper and aluminum atoms looks like a crystal, but chemically it has the properties of an atom. The heterometallic superatom provides the prerequisites for developing new, more cost-effective catalysts.

A nanoglazed facade that is a power plant and a guarantee

A new building facade produces more energy than the unit needs over the course of the year.

Study of tiny vortices could lead to new self-healing materials, other advances

Scientists hope that tiny vortices, driven by various magnetic fields, will be able to move microscopic particles.

Oxide materials discovery may advance electronic device development

Materials scientists have made a breakthrough discovery in the study of oxide heterostructures, substances that have the potential to revolutionize advanced electronics, memory technologies and photovoltaics.

New study sheds light on - and through - 2D materials

High-performance computing helps to survey optical qualities of atom-thick materials for optoelectronics.

New insight into properties of polymer nanoparticles

Researchers have uncovered new insights about polymer nanoparticles including properties such as surface mobility, glass transition temperature and elastic modulus.

Robotic electronic skin made from spray-coated tactile sensor

A research team has reported a stretchable pressure insensitive strain sensor by using an all solution-based process.

Breakthrough in blending metals on the atomic scale

Precise control of multimetallic one-nanometer cluster formation achieved.

Reconstructing healthy liver cells using a nanomaterial-based matrix

A team of pharmaceutical scientists and clinicians have developed a nanomaterial-based hydrogel that encourages amniotic epithelial cells (a type of stem cell) to grow into mature liver cells.

'Pinning down' how salty droplets dry

Artificial control over drying pattern morphology for droplets of salt solutions on surfaces.

Spray-on antennas could unlock potential of smart, connected technology

Researchers develop antennas made from mxene 'spray paint'.

New nanotherapy offers hope in treating drug-resistant renal cell carcinoma

Scientists have developed a nanoplatform technology that works in combination with existing chemotherapeutic drugs that may reverse drug-resistance in renal cell carcinoma.

Viral RNA sensing

Optical detection of picomolar concentrations of RNA using switches in plasmonic chirality.

'Papertronics' could fold, biodegrade and be the basis for the next generation of devices

Instead of adding more trash to the ever-growing piles of electroic waste, researchers are looking to the emerging field of paper-based electronics - known as papertronics. They?re flexible - even foldable - sustainable, friendly to the environment and low-cost.

Ultrathin organic photodetectors put wearable diagnostics at one?s fingertips

A polymer that maintains its light-sensing capabilities while wrapped around a fingertip could be used in low-cost diagnostic devices that are comfortable to wear.

Two-dimensional multibit optoelectronic memory

Scientists have developed multibit optoelectronic memory using a heterostructure made of two-dimensional (2D) materials for next generation devices.

Graphene bilayer provides efficient transport and control of spins

Physicists have have built an optimized bilayer graphene device which displays both long spin lifetimes and electrically controllable spin-lifetime anisotropy. It has the potential for practical applications such as spin-based logic devices.

Quick and not-so-dirty: A rapid nano-filter for clean water

Liquid metal-based innovation can clean dirty water over 100 times faster than current technology.

Scientists develop 2D materials capable of having magnetism

An international team of physicists and chemists have been able to create materials similar to graphene from a molecular synthesis. These are MUV-1, robust materials with great chemical versatility that are capable of having different physical properties such as magnetism.

New nanoparticle superstructures made from pyramid-shaped building blocks

Researchers have assembled complex macroscale superstructures from pyramid-shaped nanoparticle building blocks. This research demonstrates a promising new way to bring the useful properties of nanoparticles to macroscale materials and devices.

How long does a quantum jump take?

With the help of sophisticated experiments and calculations, it has now become possible to measure the duration of the famous photoelectric effect.

Interfacial engineering core@shell nanoparticles for active and selective direct H2O2 generation

In a review article, scientists present the latest advances in direct H2O2 generation.

Origami inspires highly efficient solar steam generator

Inspired by origami, researchers have devised a solar steam generator that approaches 100 percent efficiency for the production of clean water.

Nanocomposite fiber optic sensor measures tiny magnetic fields

New technology is sensitive enough to detect magnetic fields from the brain and heart.

Engineers develop method for controlling nanomotors (w/video)

Breakthrough for nanotechnology as engineers develop first method for switching the mechanical motion of nanomotors.

Diatom microbubble scrubber destroys dangerous biofilms (w/video)

Researchers have developed a system that harnesses the power of bubbles to propel tiny particles through the surfaces of these tough films and deliver an antiseptic deathblow to the microbes living inside.

Snooker in the live cell

Multi-directional activity control of cellular processes as a new tool.

Graphene tunnelling junctions: beyond the breaking point

Scientists tudied the charge transport in a novel system, the 'graphene mechanical break junction' ,which for the first time allowed direct experimental observation of quantum interference effects in bilayer graphene as a function of nanometer-displacements.

Nucleation a boon to sustainable nanomanufacturing

Engineers have used a unique set of state-of-the-art imaging techniques to discover how calcium carbonate nanoparticles nucleate, which is important for those manufacturing the carbonate nanomaterials and controlling metal carbonation during CO2 sequestration.

Commercially relevant bismuth-based thin film processing

Researchers demonstrate a photoresponsive film processing technique that balances morphological properties with electronic performance.

Light provides spin

Scientists decipher the dynamics of electrons in perovskite crystals.

Two quantum dots are better than one: Using one dot to sense changes in another

Researchers fabricate the first nanoelectronic device that can detect single-electron events in a target quantum dot using a second dot as a sensor.

Using donut-shaped lithium sulfide for higher performing batteries

Researchers have developed a lithium-sulfur battery with a doughnut-shaped active material structure showing a record lifecycle of over 600 cycles.

Device uses graphene plasmons to convert mid-infrared light to electrical signals

A team of researchers has developed a device that uses the material graphene to detect mid-infrared light and efficiently convert it to electrical signal at room temperature. It?s a breakthrough that could lead to better communications systems, thermal imagers and other technologies.

Scientists use artificial neural networks to predict new stable materials

Predicting the stability of materials is a central problem in materials science, physics and chemistry. Now, researchers are training artificial neural networks to predict new stable materials.