 |
|
Full 3-D image of nanocrystals' interior created by shining X-rays through them
July 06, 2006A vital step towards the ultimate goal of being able to take 'photographs' of individual molecules in action has been achieved by an international team led by UCL (University College London) researchers at the London Centre for Nanotechnology.
They report in the journal Nature on a novel method of obtaining a full 3-D image of the interior of nanocrystals. Using a process known as coherent X-ray diffraction imaging, they were able to build a picture of the inside of nanocrystals by measuring and inverting diffraction patterns.
Ultimately, the technique will help in the development of X-ray free-electron lasers, which will allow single-molecule imaging. It will also allow researchers to more accurately assess the defects in any given material which gives them specific properties.
Professor Ian Robinson, of the UCL Department of Physics & Astronomy and the London Centre for Nanotechnology, who led the study, says: "This new imaging method shows that the interior structure of atomic displacements within single nanocrystals can be obtained by direct inversion of the diffraction pattern. We hope one day this will be applied to determine the structure of single protein molecules placed in the femtosecond beam of a free-electron laser.
"Coherent X-ray diffraction imaging emerged from the realisation that over-sampled diffraction patterns can be inverted to obtain real space images. It is an attractive alternative to electron microscopy because of the better penetration of the electromagnetic waves in materials of interest, which are often less damaging to the sample than electrons.\\\
University College London
Professor Ian Robinson, of the UCL Department of Physics & Astronomy and the London Centre for Nanotechnology, who led the study, says: "This new imaging method shows that the interior structure of atomic displacements within single nanocrystals can be obtained by direct inversion of the diffraction pattern. We hope one day this will be applied to determine the structure of single protein molecules placed in the femtosecond beam of a free-electron laser.
"Coherent X-ray diffraction imaging emerged from the realisation that over-sampled diffraction patterns can be inverted to obtain real space images. It is an attractive alternative to electron microscopy because of the better penetration of the electromagnetic waves in materials of interest, which are often less damaging to the sample than electrons.\\\
University College London
Nanocrystals News and Current Nanocrystals Events RSSMicrowave synthesis connects with the (quantum) dots
Materials researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a simplified, low-cost process for producing high-quality, water-soluble "quantum dots" for biological research.
Researchers demonstrate 'avalanche effect' in solar cells
Researchers at TU Delft and the FOM Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter have found irrefutable proof that the so-called avalanche effect by electrons occurs in specific, very small semiconducting crystals.
JILA solves problem of quantum dot 'blinking'
Quantum dots-tiny, intense, tunable sources of colorful light-are illuminating new opportunities in biomedical research, cryptography and other fields. But these semiconductor nanocrystals also have a secret problem, a kind of nervous tic. They mysteriously tend to "blink" on and off like Christmas tree lights, which can reduce their usefulness.
Argonne researcher studies what makes quantum dots blink
In order to learn more about the origins of quantum dot blinking, researchers from the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory, the University of Chicago and the California Institute of Technology have developed a method to characterize it on faster time scales than have previously been accessed.
Unique Quantum Effect Found in Silicon Nanocrystals
Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), collaborating with Innovalight, Inc., have shown that a new and important effect called Multiple Exciton Generation (MEG) occurs efficiently in silicon nanocrystals. MEG results in the formation of more than one electron per absorbed photon.
Nanoparticles unlock the future of superalloy metals
Sandia National Laboratories is pioneering the future of superalloy materials by advancing the science behind how those superalloys are made.
Platinum nanocrystals boost catalytic activity for fuel oxidation, hydrogen production
A research team composed of electrochemists and materials scientists from two continents has produced a new form of the industrially-important metal platinum: 24-facet nanocrystals whose catalytic activity per unit area can be as much as four times higher than existing commercial platinum catalysts.
Delft researchers predict 'nanobattery' performance
Researchers at Delft University of Technology can predict how nanostructuring - the extreme reduction of structure - will affect the performance of Li-ion batteries.
New metal crystals, formed on a cotton assembly line
Appropriating cellulose fibers from cotton and crystallizing them, scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have grown never-before-seen configurations of metal crystals that show promise as components in biosensors, biological imaging, drug delivery and catalytic converters.
Finding by Rice University chemists could aid development of new nanodevices
Rice University chemists have discovered that tiny building blocks known as gold nanorods spontaneously assemble themselves into ring-like superstructures.
More Nanocrystals News Articles
 | Semiconductor Nanocrystal Quantum Dots: Synthesis, Assembly, Spectroscopy and Applications This is the first book to specifically focus on semiconductor nanocrystals and address their synthesis and assembly, optical properties and spectroscopy, and potential areas of nanocrystal-based devices including applications in biology and medicine. Nanoscience will transfer into new products and processes in the next two decades. One emerging area where this challenge will be successfully met... |
 | Optical Properties of Semiconductor Nanocrystals (Cambridge Studies in Modern Optics) by S. V. Gaponenko Low-dimensional semiconductor structures, often referred to as nanocrystals or quantum dots, exhibit fascinating behavior and have a multitude of potential applications, especially in the field of communications. This book examines in detail the optical properties of these structures, gives full coverage of theoretical and experimental results, and discusses their technological applications. The... |
 | Light Alloys, Fourth Edition: From Traditional Alloys to Nanocrystals by Ian Polmear The definitive overview of the science and metallurgy of aluminum, magnesium, titanium and beryllium alloys, this is the only book available covering the background materials science, properties, manufacturing processes and applications of these key engineering metals in a single accessible volume. Use of these metals is now more widespread than ever, and they are routinely found in motor... |
 | Semiconductor and Metal Nanocrystals: Synthesis and Electronic and Optical Properties (Optical Engineering) Semiconductor and Metal Nanocrystals addresses topics impacting the field including synthesis and assembly of nanocrystals, theory and spectroscopy of interband and intraband optical transitions, single-nanocrystal optical and tunneling spectroscopies, electrical transport in nanocrystal assemblies, and physical and engineering aspects of nanocrystal-based devices. Written by experts, this... |
 | Nanocrystals Forming Mesoscopic Structures Focusing on both academic questions and applications of self-assembly of this extremely important class of compounds, this book discusses not only the self-organization of inorganic and magnetic nanocrystals, but also their collective optical and magnetic properties, as well as the in-situ fabrication of metal nanoparticles in solid matrices. Professor Marie-Paule Pileni, a distinguished... |
 | Semiconductor Nanocrystals: From Basic Principles to Applications (Nanostructure Science and Technology) A physics book that covers the optical properties of quantum-confined semiconductor nanostructures from both the theoretical and experimental points of view together with technological applications. Topics to be reviewed include quantum confinement effects in semiconductors, optical adsorption and emission properties of group IV, III-V, II-VI semiconductors, deep-etched and self assembled quantum... |
| Metal Nanocrystals Play Role in Next-Gen Flash Memory.: An article from: Nanoparticle News This digital document is an article from Nanoparticle News, published by Business Communications Company, Inc. on February 1, 2004. The length of the article is 1838 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web... | |
| Nanocrystal devices take the lead in memory race. (Commentary).: An article from: Nanoparticle News by Mindy N. Rittner This digital document is an article from Nanoparticle News, published by Business Communications Company, Inc. on April 1, 2003. The length of the article is 717 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.Citation... | |
| Creating Nanocrystals Nature's Way.: An article from: High Tech Ceramics News This digital document is an article from High Tech Ceramics News, published by Business Communications Company, Inc. on September 1, 2003. The length of the article is 964 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web... | |
| ENERGY Mixed Semiconductor Nanocrystal Solar Cell Breakthrough.: An article from: Nanoparticle News This digital document is an article from Nanoparticle News, published by Thomson Gale on November 1, 2005. The length of the article is 565 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.Citation DetailsTitle: ENERGY... |
| © 2008 BrightSurf.com |