Graphene flexes its muscle

Crumpling reduces rigidity in an otherwise stiff material, making it less prone to catastrophic failure.

Ultra-thin optical fibers offer new way to 3-D print microstructures

Novel approach lays groundwork for using 3-D printing to repair tissue in the body.

Wrinkled nanocoatings could save billions in shipping and aquaculture

Nano surfaces inspired by carnivorous plants delay degradation.

Using electricity to switch magnetism

A major step has been taken towards linking electrical and magnetic material properties, which is crucial for possible applications in electronics.

Solid and liquid at the same time

Microscopically small particles can spontaneously self-assemble into complex layered structures with remarkable properties.

New nanocatalyst for hydrogen production

Carbon-based nanocomposite with embedded metal ions yields impressive performance as catalyst for electrolysis of water to generate hydrogen.

Only an atom thick: Physicists measure mechanical properties of freestanding graphene

Physicists have for the first time succeeded in characterizing the mechanical properties of free-standing single-atom-thick membranes of graphene.

Ultrathin black phosphorus for solar-driven hydrogen economy

Researchers use sunlight to make hydrogen with a new nanostructured catalyst based on nanosheets of black phosphorus and bismuth vanadate.

Building molecular wires, one atom at a time

Researchers have found a simple way to create copper molecular wires of different lengths by adding or removing copper atoms one by one.