Decorative and flexible solar panels become part of interior design and the appearance of objects

A new mass production method based on printing technologies allows the manufacturing of decorative, organic solar panels. Design freedom improves the range of applications of the panels on the surfaces of interior and exterior building spaces.

A spoonful of sugar in silver nanoparticles to regulate their toxicity

The use of colloidal silver to treat illnesses has become more popular in recent years, but its ingestion, prohibited in countries like the U.S., can be harmful to health. Scientists have now confirmed that silver nanoparticles are significantly toxic when they penetrate cells, although the number of toxic radicals they generate can vary by coating them with carbohydrates.

Printable luminous nanoparticles enable cost-effective, large and curved luminous surfaces

A new method enables electroluminescence on large, curved surfaces in a cost-effective way: in this case, the light-emitting layer and all other components are produced by means of wet-chemical, printable methods.

Self-assembled nanotextures create antireflective surface on silicon solar cells

Nanostructured surface textures - with shapes inspired by the structure of moths' eyes - prevent the reflection of light off silicon, improving conversion of sunlight to electricity.

Watching protein crystal nucleation in real time

A major hurdle in structural biology and pharmacology is growing crystals to determine the structure of the biomolecules and pharmaceuticals under study. Researchers have now observed a key step in the nucleation and growth of some protein crystals.

Nano-beaker offers insight Into the condensation of atoms

An international team of physicists has succeeded in mapping the condensation of individual atoms, or rather their transition from a gaseous state to another state, using a new method.

Nanoplasmonics - making a tiny rainbow

By varying the size and spacing of aluminum nanodisks, researchers generate images that contain over 300 colors and are not much wider than a human hair.