Scientists manipulate magnets at the atomic scale

Fast and energy-efficient future data processing technologies are on the horizon after an international team of scientists successfully manipulated magnets at the atomic level.

Producing more sustainable hydrogen with composite polymer nanoparticles

Hydrogen for energy use can be extracted in an environmentally friendly way from water and sunlight, using photocatalytic composite polymer nanoparticles. In laboratory tests, these 'polymer dots' showed promising performance and stability alike.

Detecting single molecules and diagnosing diseases with a smartphone

Researchers show that the light emitted by a single molecule can be detected with a low-cost optical setup. Their prototype could facilitate medical diagnostics.

Electron refrigerator: Ultrafast cooling mechanism discovered in novel plasma

Researchers have created a completely new type of plasma by combining state-of-the-art technologies using ultrashort laser pulses and ultracold atomic gases.

The light side of the Force: Creating a metal with laser light

Scientists have found out that semiconductors can be converted to metals and back more easily and more quickly than previously thought. This discovery may increase the processing speed and simplify the design of many common technological devices.

Researchers watch nanomaterials growing in real time

For the first time, a team of scientists has succeeded in capturing in real time the first few milliseconds in the life of a gold coating as it forms on a polymer.

Nanospheres measure the forces of cell motors

Special probes, germanium nanospheres, enable a higher resolution of displacements and forces that motor proteins generate.