Sub-5 nanometer gaps provide a golden opportunity

Frequency conversion of light on a tiny scale is now possible thanks to a gold nanostructure containing miniscule gaps.

Holography: Nanoscale sieves snare would-be thieves

Bio-inspired algorithms enable a pattern of thousands of nanoscale holes into metal films for high-tech optical security.

Researchers theorize defects could improve solar cells

Scientists are studying what may seem paradoxical - certain defects in silicon solar cells may actually improve their performance.

Converting solar energy into electric power via photobioelectrochemical cells

The design of photo-bioelectrochemical cells based on native photosynthetic reaction is attracting substantial recent interest as a means for the conversion of solar light energy into electrical power.

Bismuth-based nanoribbons show topological transport, potential for new technologies

Researchers have created nanoribbons of an emerging class of materials called topological insulators and used a magnetic field to control their semiconductor properties, a step toward harnessing the technology to study exotic physics and building new spintronic devices or quantum computers.

Mechanical quanta see the light

Researchers have realized a nanomechanical device that converts individual particles of light, known as photons, into quantum-mechanical vibrations, known as phonons, and then back again.

Watching electrons cool in 30 quadrillionths of a second

Technique developed by researchers could have applications in visual displays, solar cells and photodetectors.