Sea sponge anchors are natural models of strength

Life may seem precarious for the sea sponge known as Venus' flower basket. Tiny, hair-like appendages made essentially of glass are all that hold the creatures to their seafloor homes. But fear not for these creatures of the deep. Those tiny lifelines, called basalia spicules, are fine-tuned for strength.

'Explosive' atom movement is new window into growing metal nanostructures

Scientists observed lead atoms unexpectedly moving collectively on a lead-on-silicon surface to 'explosively' form metal nanostructures, all at low temperatures.

Researchers discover n-type polymer for fast organic battery

Researchers have reported developing an efficient conductive electron-transporting polymer, a long-missing puzzle piece that will allow ultrafast battery applications.

Using sound waves to detect rare cancer cells (w/video)

Acoustic device can rapidly isolate circulating tumor cells from patient blood samples.

Aluminum battery offers safe alternative to conventional batteries

Scientists have invented the first high-performance aluminum battery that's fast-charging, long-lasting and inexpensive. Researchers say the new technology offers a safe alternative to many commercial batteries in wide use today.

Micro-magnetometer

Magnetic-field detector is 1,000 times more efficient than its predecessors.

New nanofiber 3-D designs for neural tissue engineering

In a new article, several new designs for 3D tissue constructs are described for using stem cells grown on nanofiber scaffolding within a supportive hydrogel.