Turning stem cells into bone with nanoclay-reinforced hydrogel

Scientists have developed a hydrogel that combines synthetic materials with living cells, and can turn stem cells into bone without adding external growth or differentiation factors.

Borophene advances as 2-D materials platform

Atom-thin sheets of boron containing large single crystals could provide foundation for fabricating next-generation electronics.

Targeting sepsis, the leading cause of ICU deaths, with a nanocarrier-delivered microRNA

Researchers report that miR-126, a microRNA that helps protect against sepsis, can be delivered successfully via a nanocarrier to improve survival in a preclinical model.

New quantum materials could take computing devices beyond the semiconductor era

Mutliferroics are promising candidates for new type of memory and logic circuits.

Colloidal quantum dots make LEDs shine bright in the infrared

Researchers have developed CQD infrared emitting LEDs, which have achieved unprecedented values in the infrared range, with an external quantum efficiency of 7.9% and a power conversion efficiency of 9.3%, a value never attained before with these type of devices.

Capturing the surprising flexibility of crystal surfaces

Real-time imaging has shown the surprising flexibility of a crystal surface upon guest molecule introduction, with implications for storage and sensing devices.

Nanoscale tweezers can perform single-molecule 'biopsies' on individual cells

Using electrical impulses, the tweezers can extract single DNA, proteins and organelles from living cells without destroying them.

Graphene unlocks new potential for 'smart textiles'

Researchers have pioneered a new technique to create fully electronic fibres that can be incorporated into the production of everyday clothing.

Inexpensive new nanomaterial has applications ranging from biomolecule detectors to solar energy conversion

The key to the material's remarkable performance is its nanostructure, which strongly interacts with visible and infrared light. This nanomaterial is easily coated onto other materials, including plastics, thus providing them with new functions.

The force of the vacuum

Scientists have shown through theoretical calculations and computer simulations that the force between electrons and lattice distortions in an atomically thin two-dimensional superconductor can be controlled with virtual photons. This could aid the development of new superconductors for energy-saving devices and many other technical applications.