A new way to look at metal organic frameworks

An international collaboration of scientists has developed a technique they dubbed 'gas adsorption crystallography' that provides a new way to study the process by which metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are able to store immense volumes of gases such a carbon dioxide, hydrogen and methane. This new look at MOFs led to a discovery that holds promise for the improved design of MOFs tailored specifically for carbon capture, or for the use of hydrogen and natural gas fuels.

Nanobodies from camels enable the study of organ growth

Scientists have developed a new technique using nanobodies. Employing the so-called 'Morphotrap', the distribution of the morphogen Dpp, which plays an important role in wing development, could be selectively manipulated and analyzed for the first time in the fruit fly.

New technology colors in the infrared rainbow

Perfect absorbers capture specific wavelengths from the visible to the infrared spectrums.

Nanostructuring technology to simultaneously control heat and electricity

Researchers are proposing a unique nanostructure and established a methodology for the development of a material in which heat and electricity conductions can be controlled simultaneously.

Conducting gels - from waste to wealth

Researchers have demonstrated an innovative way of using a gel to extract precious metals such as silver and gold from waste and convert them into conducting nanoparticles to form a hybrid nanomaterial potentially suitable for a range of high-tech applications.

Using nanoparticles to boost the nutrient content and growth of tomato plants

Researchers are using nanoparticles to boost the nutrient content and growth of tomato plants. Taking a clue from their work with solar cells, the team found that by using zinc oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles, the tomato plants better absorbed light and minerals, and the fruit had higher antioxidant content.

A potential control over superconductivity

An applied potential can reversibly induce a superconducting-insulator transition in lithium titanate thin films.