Researchers have developed porous carbon aerogels for electrodes in ultralow-temperature supercapacitors, reducing heating needs for future space and polar missions. The new technology could enable NASA's Mars rovers to operate without heaters, improving efficiency and extending their lifespan.
Researchers have developed a rapid, light-based detection system for deadly toxins using cutting-edge photovoltaic materials. The new sensing mechanism can detect a wide range of fumigants and chemical warfare agents, including teargas and mustard gas, with high sensitivity and speed.
Researchers have observed the moment of initial crystal nucleation, revealing a stochastic fluctuation between disordered and crystalline states. The team proposed a new thermodynamic theory to explain this phenomenon, suggesting that energy barriers increase as crystals grow.
Researchers have found that halide perovskite nanocrystals exhibit extraordinary energy transport properties, allowing them to travel longer distances than conventional nanostructures. This discovery has significant implications for the development of high-efficiency solar cells and light-emitting devices.
Researchers developed nanocrystals with a unique surface texture that increases mobility and generates reactive oxygen species lethal to bacteria. The system is effective in killing embedded bacteria resistant to antibiotics and can be easily controlled.
The University of Technology Sydney led collaboration created a nanocrystal growth method that produces programmable atomic thin layers, arbitrary barcoded nanorods with morphology uniformity. The result is millions of different kinds of nanobarcodes for future nanoscale sensing applications.
Researchers designed nanocrystal structures using platinum compounds to effectively encapsulate and transport hydrophobic drugs. The study achieved high encapsulation efficiency of up to 79% and shows potential for biomedicine applications.
Chinese researchers successfully integrated non-noble metal ions into semiconductor quantum dots, creating ultra-small nanocrystals with integrated light absorber, protecting layer and active site. The loading of metal ions enables the efficient evolution of hydrogen from water through photocatalysis.
Researchers developed a highly effective and safe nanocrystal to combat deadly radiation, increasing survival rates and reducing oxidative stress by five times compared to individual components.
Researchers from the ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science have developed a highly efficient and controllable method to assemble single nanoparticles directly into pre-patterned templates using electrophoretic deposition. The technique has been applied to various materials, including gold nanocrystals, semiconductor quantum dots,...
Researchers have developed a new methodology to resolve the 3D structure of individual nanoparticles with atomic-level resolution, six times smaller than the smallest atom. This breakthrough enables scientists to control nanoparticle properties and behavior in various environments.
Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a new QLED screen technology using ultra-thin nanoplatelets that emit light in one direction, increasing energy efficiency and reducing scattering losses. The technology produces high-intensity blue light with around two-fifths of the generated light reaching the observer's eye.
Scientists have successfully prepared high-quality ZnO quantum dots using a novel one-pot self-supporting organometallic procedure, offering promising prospects for biological applications. The new method yields stable and uniformly sized particles with unique physicochemical properties.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology developed a novel approach to improve perovskite nanocrystal durability by encasing them in a plastic and silica double-layer protection system. The new method enables high-quality, complex architecture perovskites with controlled dimensions and surface chemistry, unlocking potential for v...
Researchers have discovered that balancing elementary steps in alkaline hydrogen evolution reactions can improve electrocatalytic performance. By designing nanocrystals with tunable Ni/NiO heterosurfaces, the team found that a balanced composition ratio is crucial for promoting alkaline HER performance.
Researchers from FEFU and FEB RAS developed a nanoheterostructure consisting of magnetite film and silicon substrate, which can be used as a source of spin-polarized electrons. The new structure offers high spin polarization efficiency, enabling the creation of spin injectors for spintronic devices.
Researchers have discovered that tungsten trioxide can replace barium in X-ray exams and cancer treatments, offering a more effective and safer alternative. The compound's high absorptive capacity makes it suitable for creating a new class of contrast agents.
Scientists have developed a model for predicting nanocrystal shapes when sandwiched between graphene layers. The research uses scanning tunneling microscopy and theoretical modeling to explain the data, showing that the top layer of graphene resists upward pressure from growing metal islands, flattening them.
Plant cellulose-based aerogel implants have shown 33% more bone growth in rats at three weeks and 50% more at 12 weeks compared to controls. The innovation has the potential to fill a $2-billion market with economical raw materials and applications in dental and joint replacement surgeries.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a microfluidic system that can synthesize perovskite quantum dots across the entire spectrum of visible light. The system drastically reduces manufacturing costs and allows for real-time process monitoring to ensure quality control, enabling mass production of high-quality QDs.
A palaeontologist is researching the evolution of a mineralised vertebrate skeleton, which led to an explosion in species diversity around 500 million years ago. The unique nanocrystal structure allows for flexibility and stability, enabling species to conquer new habitats and ecosystems.
Researchers at the University of the Basque Country have successfully encapsulated semiconductor nanocrystals into polymers, improving their optical properties and fluorescence control. The new method enables stable detection in biomedicine and detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with high sensitivity.
Matt Jones will use the grant to develop techniques in liquid cell transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to view chemical processes in real time at the atomic scale. He aims to capture video of nanocrystal synthesis, protein biofouling and catalysis itself.
Researchers from Wuhan University developed a new type of upconversion nanocrystal that can display full-color patterns and multiple encoding levels. The material has excellent upconversion fluorescence properties under near-infrared laser excitation, making it suitable for high-security anti-counterfeiting applications.
Physicist Boerge Hemmerling receives $1 million NSF grant to study nonlinear optical properties and novel quantum phases of polar molecules in optical lattices. The research aims to develop novel molecular materials with tunable parameters, enabling the control of complex quantum systems.
The team has generated rapid single-photon light pulses, which cannot be intercepted without disturbing them. This enables secure data transfer using light passed along fibre optic cables, making it ideal for environments where security is paramount.
Assistant professor Ming Lee Tang at UC Riverside has received a $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop hybrid organic-inorganic nanocrystal-based materials for biomedical imaging and solar energy applications.
Scientists calculate radiative recombination rates in silicon nanocrystals with phosphorus or lithium donor ions, finding accelerated transitions at higher temperatures. The introduction of donors opens channels for nonradiative de-excitation but can also lead to improved optical properties.
Researchers infuse cellulose nanocrystals into concrete to increase its strength and hydration, leading to faster setting times and potential sustainability benefits. The technology has real-world implications, including reducing carbon emissions from cement plants and making materials thinner and lighter.
The study provides a quantitative picture of how surface conditions control the growth of palladium nanocrystals. Researchers designed experiments to assess energy barriers on various facets, using seeds with different surface configurations chosen to have only one type of facet.
Felix Castellano and Cédric Mongin discovered a thermally activated delayed photoluminescence mechanism in CdSe quantum dots, which can be controlled by adjusting the size of the nanoparticle and temperature. This process enables unique photoluminescent properties and could be useful for optoelectronic applications.
Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have successfully amplified light using electrically excited films of quantum dots. The team developed a novel approach to eliminate heat loss and achieve optical gain, paving the way for highly flexible, electrically pumped lasers that can complement or displace existing laser diodes.
The study reveals how arrangement of atoms creates forces that pull crystals together and align them. Researchers found that manipulating attraction through ion type, concentration, and temperature can control crystallization.
Researchers create model to test existing theories on electron transport mechanism in nanomaterials, laying groundwork for AI-powered machine learning devices. They also explore neural networks inspired by the human brain and nervous system.
Ames Laboratory scientists are developing low-dimensional nanomaterials to enhance the performance of solar cells, TV displays, and computer technology. The goal is to broaden the science of these materials and explore their properties.
Researchers at University of Illinois create first significant examples of optical crystallography for nanomaterials, improving precision of nanocrystal engineering and understanding of reactions. The new technique uses absorption spectroscopy to identify crystal type in liquid-dispersed nanomaterials, offering simple, accurate analysis.
For the first time, researchers have measured the force that draws tiny crystals together and visualized how they swivel and align. The van der Waals forces provide insights into how crystals self-assemble in nature.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have solved the mystery of producing nanoplatelets, which are flat, uniform crystals with striking colors. The team developed a theoretical model and experimentally confirmed its predictions, paving the way for alternative materials to quantum dots in displays and solar cells.
Researchers are developing a space-based quantum-dot spectrometer that could miniaturize instruments, enabling higher-spectral resolution and more efficient data analysis. The technology uses quantum dots as filters to absorb different wavelengths of light, allowing for precise control over instrument calibration.
KAUST researchers develop a nanocrystalline material that rapidly converts blue light into white light, enabling data speeds of up to 2 GB/s. This innovation has the potential to replace traditional LEDs for energy-efficient lighting and enable new applications like VLC.
Researchers at Lomonosov Moscow State University develop nanoparticles that can efficiently penetrate into cancer cells, emitting light to aid in early diagnosis. The particles can also be used as targeted drug delivery systems, offering a promising approach for cancer treatment.
Researchers from Hebrew University of Jerusalem developed an efficient and compact single photon source that can operate on a chip at ambient temperatures. The device enhances the collection efficiency of single photons by more than a factor of 10 compared to a single nanocrystal without the antenna.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have created the first transistors made entirely of nanocrystal 'inks', opening up new possibilities for flexible and wearable electronics. The new process, which uses lower-temperature equipment, can be applied to larger areas and is compatible with a wide range of materials.
Researchers have developed a method to observe nanocrystal self-assembly in real-time, shedding light on the complex structures' formation. The technique uses synchrotron X-ray scattering and imaging, allowing for the direct manipulation of superlattices.
Researchers at Kyoto University have discovered a method to replace surface ions of copper oxide nanocrystals with sodium sulfide, transforming them into hollow copper sulfide nanocages. This process allows for the creation of cadmium sulfide and zinc sulfide nanocages through subsequent chemical conversions.
Researchers developed a versatile platform for nanoscale thermal measurements using magnetic resonance, optical, and atomic force microscopy. The technique provides nanometer-resolved thermal conductivity maps and can be used to investigate heat flow in nanostructures and catalytic exothermal reactions.
Researchers demonstrated triplet exciton energy transfer from semiconductor nanocrystals to surface-bound molecular acceptors, extending the original excited state lifetime. This finding has implications for fields like solar energy conversion and optoelectronics.
A novel combination of techniques is used to create a biocompatible nanodevice that can deliver localized heating to cancer cells while accurately sensing temperature with diamond nanocrystals. This allows for precise targeting of biological molecules and effective thermal cancer therapy.
Researchers have developed a new fabrication technique to produce ultra-thin hollow nanocages with platinum walls, which can increase the utilization efficiency of the metal by up to seven times. The new structures can use smaller amounts of platinum, making fuel cells more economically viable.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed smart window materials that can control light and energy efficiency, allowing for precise indoor climate control. The new materials enable 90% NIR and 80% visible light blocking, reducing energy costs for cooling buildings and homes.
Researchers developed a new technique to visualize and track molecules in real-time, revealing their dynamic behavior in living cells. This provides a more realistic picture of how molecules move within cells, shedding light on previously hidden factors involved in nanocrystal assembly.
A comprehensive assessment of cellulose nanocrystal environmental toxicity is crucial for their industrial applications. The latest evidence highlights potential adverse health effects through various types of exposure.
Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a physical model explaining electron transport in nanocrystal solar cells, which could lead to improved efficiency. The model reveals that nanocrystal size can be controlled to optimize absorption of sunlight, enabling the creation of flexible and thin solar cells with higher performance.
Researchers have developed a new type of nanowire crystal that combines semiconducting and metallic materials, exhibiting superconducting properties at low temperatures. The breakthrough could play a central role in the development of future electronics, including chips with billions of identical semiconductor-metal nanowire hybrids.
Researchers used a scanning tunneling microscope to create atomic-scale maps of quantum dot surface structures, pinpointing defect locations that limit device performance. This breakthrough should help manufacturers tweak synthesis processes to produce higher-quality nanomaterials for photovoltaics and other applications.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have observed the direct formation of facets on platinum nanocubes, revealing that a long-held scientific principle breaks down at the nanoscale. This breakthrough enables the control of a nanocrystal's geometric shape and its subsequent chemical and electronic properties.
Berkeley Lab researchers found that hydroxyl groups from water bind to the surface of colloidal lead sulfide nanoparticles, explaining how they achieve balance of positive and negative ions. This discovery sheds light on the surface chemistry of nanocrystals and has implications for nanoparticle synthesis.
Researchers have successfully applied tunable luminescent nanocrystals to high-speed scanning technology, detecting multiple viruses within minutes. The technology enables screens that identify thousands of different target molecules simultaneously, saving time for future patients and potentially life-saving treatment.
Researchers have demonstrated that the distribution of dopants in semiconductor nanocrystals is crucial for controlling optical properties. By probing electron distribution using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, they found that surface-doped samples exhibit reduced activation of dopants and symmetric plasmon resonances.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have discovered new rules for creating ultra-bright light-emitting crystals less than 10 nanometers in diameter, which should be a big asset for biological imaging. The discovery shows that factors known to increase brightness in bulk experiments lose importance at higher excitation powers.