Lights on for silicon photonics

The demonstration of electroluminescence at terahertz frequencies from a silicon-germanium device marks a key step towards the long-sought goal of a silicon-based laser.

Cheap, nontoxic carbon nanodots poised to be quantum dots of the future

A new study that uses ultrafast nanometric imaging found good and bad emitters among populations of carbon dots. This observation suggests that by selecting only super-emitters, carbon nanodots can be purified to replace toxic metal quantum dots in many applications, the researchers said.

Nanodiamonds prove an excellent material for accelerator components

Nitrogen-incorporated ultrananocrystalline diamond materials are promising candidates for photocathode applications due to their remarkable electron emission performance as well as the moderate vacuum requirement.

A drop of rubbing alcohol and office laminator provides manufacturability boost for graphene membranes

Engineers' simple experiment shows potential to advance manufacturing of atomically thin membranes for commercial uses.

Nanoenzymes designed with a unique combination of structure and functions

Scientists have designed minimalist biostructures that imitate natural enzymes, capable of carrying out two differentiated and reversibly regulated activities thanks to a unique combination of structural and functional properties. The strategy used opens the door to the creation of 'intelligent' nanomaterials with tailor-made combinations of catalytic functions.