Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Gold nanotubes for theranostic applications

Researchers have exploited gold nanotubes with controlled length and tunable absorption in the near-infrared (NIR) region for applications as photothermal conversion agents and in vivo photoacoustic imaging contrast agents. They developed a length-controlled synthesis to fabricate gold nanotubes with well-defined shape, high crystallinity, and tunable NIR surface plasmon resonance.

New paper-like nanomaterial could boost electric vehicle batteries

Researchers create silicon nanofibers 100 times thinner than human hair for potential applications in batteries for electric cars and personal electronics.


How to make silver nanowires almost indestructible

Researchers found that silver nanowires can be made almost indestructible and highly bendable by covering the minuscule wire with silicon dioxide. The new material can be used for making next generation optical cables, which until now have been easily fractured if bent. The new material 'memorizes' its original position and regenerates when needed.


Extremely repellent surfaces

A computational technique reveals how tiny pillars affect the condensation of vapor onto a surface.


Discovery of a factor that determines the photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide

Researchers have discovered through the in situ observation of the behavior of photoexcited carriers on the surface of a titanium dioxide crystal used as a photocatalyst that the carrier (electron and positive hole) lifetime on the crystal surface is an important factor to determine the catalytic activity.


Three-dimensional opto-electric integration

Depositing different materials on top of bulk silicon wafers enables three-dimensional opto-electric integration.


Tuesday, February 17, 2015

New solder for semiconductors creates technological possibilities

Researchers worked out new chemistry for a broad class of compositions relevant to technologically important semiconductors.