Odd reaction when functionalizing nanotubes creates a stir in the lab

The stirrers that mix cream into your coffee probably don?t make much difference to the drink. But in a chemistry lab, it turns out using the wrong stirrer can skew the science.

Just add heat to open this tiny box: Nanocubes automatically connect, disassemble at different temperatures

Researchers have designed two types of nano-sized building blocks that can automatically connect into cubes and scramble back into individual components based on the temperature of their environment. This accomplishment is another step towards chemical systems that more realistically mimic life.

Quantum physics and origami for the ultimate get-well card

Scientists have combined the simplicity of paper with the complexity of quantum physics for point-of-care testing in low-resource environments.

Illuminating water filtration

Researchers using ultrabright x-rays reveal the molecular structure of membranes used to purify seawater into drinking water.

Tiny optical elements could one day replace traditional refractive lenses

A research team has developed tiny optical elements from metal nanoparticles and a polymer that one day could replace traditional refractive lenses to realize portable imaging systems and optoelectronic devices.

A nanomagnet compass pointing West

Scientists have discovered a special phenomenon in magnets. This phenomenon takes place at the nanoscale and enables magnets to be assembled in unusual configurations, which could also be useful for computer technology and data storage.

Ferromagnetic nanoparticle systems show promise for ultrahigh-speed spintronics

In the future, ultrahigh-speed spintronics will require ultrafast coherent magnetization reversal within a picosecond - one-trillionth of a second. Spintronics centers on an electron's spin and magnetic moment in solid-state devices.