Researchers developed a new technique to manufacture microstructured surfaces with specific textures, exhibiting controllable mechanical stiffness and strength. The process involves self-assembly of carbon nanotubes and can be used to create large expanses of structures simultaneously.
A new study published in Nature Climate Change reveals that long-term warming has little effect on the storage of carbon in tropical forest soils. The research suggests that warmer temperatures stimulate an increase in leaf litter and underground sources of carbon, offsetting any potential losses in soil carbon.
Researchers at Rice University have found a way to unzip carbon nanotubes into graphene nanoribbons without using chemicals, by firing them at high speeds. The process works by hitting the nanotubes broadside or lengthwise, resulting in ribbons with ragged edges that can be used for strength and electrical properties.
Researchers from Russia, Belarus and Spain create a microscopic force sensor based on carbon nanotubes, allowing accurate control over coaxial cylinders in two-layer nanotubes. The device can measure forces as small as tenths of a nN, opening up potential applications beyond micro scales.
Researchers at USC Viterbi School of Engineering developed a hybrid circuit combining carbon nanotube thin film transistors with indium, gallium and zinc oxide (IGZO) thin film transistors. This energy-efficient hybrid circuit has the potential to replace silicon as the traditional transistor material used in electronic chips.
Researchers are developing new terahertz detectors based on carbon nanotubes that can detect light in the terahertz frequency range without cooling. This technology has promising applications in medicine, including cancer screening, and security screenings, as well as food inspection.
Researchers at Rice University have developed customized carbon nanotubes that can deliver chemotherapy agents to pancreatic cancer cells. The nanotubes are small enough to pass through the pores of cancer-related blood vessels, allowing them to target and infiltrate the nuclei of cancerous cells.
A Scripps Institution of Oceanography study finds that Alteromonas bacteria can consume as much dissolved organic carbon as diverse communities of organisms. This discovery sheds light on the complex mechanisms of ocean carbon cycling and highlights the importance of individual species in regulating atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Researchers at Monash University have modelled a carbon-based spaser that could enable the creation of ultra-thin mobile phones printed on clothing. The device offers advantages such as high temperatures resistance, eco-friendliness, and flexibility, paving the way for innovative applications in telecommunications.
Researchers created a new ultracapacitor by combining graphene flakes with single-walled carbon nanotubes, resulting in three times higher specific capacitance. The hybrid structure's low costs and small size make it suitable for portable electronics and hybrid electric vehicles.
Scientists at the University of Texas at Dallas are investigating the potential human health effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes, tiny structures used in various products. The researchers will use advanced microscopy techniques to track how these nanotubes interact with human cells and determine their impact on health.
Researchers used amino-functionalized carbon nanotubes to deliver nerve growth factor, improving complex dispersibility and reducing toxicity. This improved the promotion of cell differentiation in PC12 cells and chick embryo dorsal root ganglion.
A recent study by Rice University and colleagues analyzed the environmental fate of black carbon in deep ocean sediments. They found that more than half of black carbon never reaches the bottom, but instead stays dissolved in seawater or gets trapped in particles before sinking to the seafloor.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new hybrid material by combining carbon nanotubes with graphene, resulting in improved electrical and mechanical properties. The 'rebar graphene' technique enables large, flexible, conductive sheets of graphene to be manipulated more easily, making it a potential replacement for indium ti...
Researchers at Umeå University have developed a method to engineer carbon nanotube networks into complex architectures, significantly improving charge transport and reducing material costs. This breakthrough is expected to accelerate the development of flexible carbon-based solar cells.
Carbon nanotube-based fibers have been shown to carry electrical current up to four times that of copper wires of the same mass. The fibers' ability to transmit current makes them ideal for lightweight power transmission in aerospace applications, where weight is a significant factor.
Researchers found that water molecules in carbon nanotubes don't flow continuously but instead move intermittently, resulting in surprisingly high flow rates. This phenomenon resolves a long-standing issue in fluid dynamics and has potential industrial applications for desalination and other uses.
A new study has developed a scaffold of carbon nanotubes that allows for the safe growth of human stem cells in the laboratory. This breakthrough technology could pave the way for revolutionary treatments for diseases such as Parkinson's, diabetes, and heart disease.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab developed a process-friendly technique to cool microprocessor chips using carbon nanotubes, improving heat transport efficiency by six-fold. The method, suitable for manufacturing computer chips, reduces thermal interface resistance and enhances cooling performance.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab created highly sensitive tactile sensors using composite films of carbon nanotubes and silver nanoparticles, 10 times more sensitive than previous pressure sensors. These e-whiskers can be integrated into various systems to enable robots to 'see' and 'feel' their surroundings.
Researchers create multi-walled carbon nanotube-based coating that reduces foam flammability by 35%, preventing melting and pooling of the foam. This innovation aims to reduce the fire threat associated with burning soft furniture in homes by about a third.
Symbiotic fungi in plant roots store and release carbon, with certain types leading to 70% more carbon storage. This discovery challenges current understanding of soil carbon pools and their impact on climate predictions.
A new study by Aarhus University reveals the optimal locations for carbon-stocking projects in Africa, prioritizing regions with high carbon potential, biodiversity conservation, and feasibility. The research identifies areas such as the Upper Guinean rainforests of West Africa and the Lower Guinean rainforests along the coast of Niger...
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a new form of 'zero-dimensional' carbon nanotube that could revolutionize the field of electronics. The shorter nanotubes are more dispersible and potentially easier to process for industrial and biomedical applications.
In a breakthrough discovery, Rice University researchers found that free electrons in metallic and doped carbon nanotubes create plasmons at terahertz frequencies, enabling the potential for advanced optoelectronic devices. This finding clarifies the origin of the previously observed terahertz peak in nanotubes.
Researchers created CNT structures with optimal blend of characteristics required in thermal stress junctures. Longer, less entangled CNTs showed best combination of flexibility, heat conductivity and strength.
Researchers at Florida State University have secured over $1.4 million in funding to develop a system for producing large quantities of buckypaper, a lightweight and high-performance material made from carbon nanotubes. The goal is to make the material more efficient and cost-effective for industries such as aviation and aerospace.
University of Illinois researchers have developed a way to heal gaps in wires using carbon nanotubes, which are heated to trigger a local chemical reaction depositing metal to 'solder' the junctions. This process improves device performance by an order of magnitude.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have developed tiny protein tubes called Janus nanotubes, which can accurately channel drugs into cells. These nanotubes have a tubular structure that allows small molecules and ions to pass through, making them promising for water purification and drug development.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have developed a technique to image individual carbon nanotubes, allowing for the characterization of their electronic and optical properties. This breakthrough enables the identification of specific species of nanotubes in functional devices, crucial for advancing nanotube technology.
Researchers from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and ETH Zurich develop a new method of using carbon nanotubes to detect molecules, enabling trace detection of biological threats, explosives and drugs. The use of metal-coated nanotubes creates a 'jungle canopy' that amplifies the detection capabilities in surface-enhanced Raman ...
Researchers at NJIT developed a flexible battery using carbon nanotubes that can be used to power flexible displays and devices. The battery's flexibility allows it to be used in various applications, including powering electric cars.
Researchers have developed nanotube-based sensors that can monitor nitric oxide levels in living animals for more than a year. The sensors, made of carbon nanotubes, can be implanted under the skin and used to monitor inflammation, potentially leading to new tools for cancer research and diabetes management.
UPV/EHU researchers have developed a new source of light emitter based on defective boron nitride nanotubes, which can emit light across the whole spectrum from infrared to far ultraviolet and control it in a simple way. The device functions on the basis of natural defects in the nanotube, enabling controlled emission.
Researchers at Imperial College London have developed a method to produce electronic inks using untangled carbon nanotubes, which are lightweight, strong and conduct electricity. The breakthrough enables the mass production of new applications using these 'wonder materials', including tablet computers and touchscreen phones.
A Princeton University study found that plants have prevented climate change by absorbing 186 billion to 192 billion tons of carbon from the atmosphere since the mid-20th century. This 'carbon sink' has kept global temperatures cooler by one-third of a degree Celsius, preventing catastrophic climate change.
New research reveals that waviness in vertically-aligned carbon nanotubes leads to reduced stiffness due to tiny kinkiness in their structure. This finding has potential applications in thermal interface materials and heat transfer, where the compliance of the nanotubes can help connect to silicon chips and copper heat spreaders.
Researchers have developed a process to transform non-biodegradable plastic grocery bags into carbon nanotube membranes, offering potential solutions for environmental pollution and producing high-added value products. The innovative method uses waste plastic as a carbon source, eliminating the need for complex processes and equipment.
A team of Stanford engineers has built a basic computer using carbon nanotubes, demonstrating their potential as a successor to silicon chips. The achievement showcases the efficiency and low-power switching capabilities of CNTs, which could lead to smaller, faster, and cheaper electronic devices.
Researchers at TUM have developed a new family of electronic devices using carbon nanotubes, enabling rapid gas detection and low power consumption. These sensors can be integrated into food packaging to gauge freshness or built into electronic skin for robotic applications.
A new nanotube surface could improve the success rate of dental implants by reducing infection and promoting bone growth. The technology, developed by Michigan Technological University researchers, uses titanium dioxide nanotubes to create a surface that can combat bacterial infections and promote healing.
Researchers from Cambridge University have devised a simple technique to grow carbon nanotubes at five times higher density than previous methods, enabling the potential replacement of metal electronic components in devices such as batteries and spacecraft.
Physicist Eden Steven found that coating spider silk with carbon nanotubes creates a humidity sensor, strain sensor, actuator, and electrical wire. This sustainable material has potential to replace toxic elements in electronic devices.
Researchers found that molecules of precise size can zip through nanotubes five times faster than those of a different size. This discovery could be used to design better membranes for desalination and develop sensors capable of detecting specific contaminants in water.
Scientists at Queen Mary University of London discovered a novel nanoparticle with magnetic properties, revealing potential applications in battery technology and cancer therapies. The sea urchin-shaped nanoparticles consist of iron-filled nanotubes with unique properties that can be manipulated for various uses.
Rice University scientists have developed bismuth-filled nanotubes as a contrast agent for CT scans, producing brighter images than common iodine-based agents. The nanotube capsules are small enough to diffuse into cells and aggregate to produce high-contrast images.
Researchers have developed a nanobiocomposite material by combining the natural properties of Morpho butterfly wings with carbon nanotubes, showing promise for wearable electronic devices and sustainable energy applications. The new hybrid material exhibits high electrical conductivity and self-cleaning capabilities.
Researchers at USC have developed a breakthrough method to control the atomic structure of carbon nanotubes, enabling the growth of nanotubes with specific attributes. The study's findings have significant implications for the development of next-generation materials and computers.
Researchers at MIT have developed nanosensors that can detect variations in binding strength of antibody drugs, enabling more efficient production. The sensors also measure weak interactions with sugar chains, which are essential for drug effectiveness.
A new study reveals that Australian soils are losing significant amounts of carbon to wind erosion, with an estimated 1.6 million tonnes lost annually. This loss affects not only agricultural productivity but also the country's carbon accounts and climate change projections.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have created a new flexible nano-scaffold using aligned carbon nanotubes to improve the stability of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The design shows promise in increasing battery capacity and reducing pulverization, a significant challenge in using silicon as an electrode material.
A NASA team has successfully grown uniform layers of carbon nanotubes using atomic layer deposition, enabling the growth of these forests on three-dimensional components like baffles and tubes. This innovation promises to make spacecraft instruments more sensitive without enlarging their size.
Rice University and Sandia National Laboratories have created a solid-state electronic device that detects polarized light across the visible and infrared spectrum. The new photodetector uses aligned carbon nanotubes to provide intrinsic polarization sensing, unlike traditional methods which rely on filters or gratings.
Researchers at Boston College and Nagoya University have synthesized the first example of a new form of carbon, grossly warped graphene, which alters its physical, optical and electronic properties. The new material consists of multiple identical pieces of warped graphene with exactly 80 carbon atoms joined together in a network of 26 ...
Neuroscientists have developed a carbon nanotube probe that captures individual brain-cell signals, improving upon metal and glass electrodes. The new probe allows for more precise recordings of electrical signals from single neurons, enabling better understanding of the computational complexity of the brain.
Scientists at ICFO have developed a method to measure weak forces with sensitivity 50 times higher than previous methods, enabling magnetic resonance imaging of individual molecules. This breakthrough could lead to significant advances in medical imaging and diagnostics.
Scientists at Rice University and Honda Research Institute have created a hybrid material that combines diamonds, nanotubes, and graphene for superior thermal management. The researchers successfully grew vertically aligned carbon nanotubes on diamond using graphene as a middleman, demonstrating its potential as a heat sink.
Researchers have found a way to modify the optical transparency of single-walled carbon nanotube films in a controlled pattern by adding an ionic liquid, enabling applications such as Smart Windows and more efficient electronics.
A national study on nanomaterial toxicity has provided comparable health risk data, enabling regulators to develop policies to protect workers and consumers. The researchers found that carbon nanotubes caused inflammation in the lower regions of the lung, but made them less hazardous by modifying their structure.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a way to create liquid crystals from negatively charged carbon nanotubes, allowing for easier functionalization and potentially leading to stronger, more conductive fibers. This breakthrough could significantly improve the creation of macro materials out of microscopic nanotubes.