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Vienna University of Technology


The art of making tiny holes

Researchers have created a method to selectively process surfaces on an atomic scale, leaving one layer intact while perforating another. By utilizing highly charged ions, they can anchor metals on ultra-thin layers, enabling the creation of new materials with promising properties.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalACS Nano·DateAug 3, 2020

How to gently caress atoms

Researchers at TU Wien develop a method to study metal oxide surfaces using a single oxygen atom attached to an atomic force microscope tip, allowing for gentle examination of surface structures without altering the atoms. The technique reveals different ways oxygen molecules attach to titanium atoms on the surface.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 8, 2020

Taking a deep look into animals

A new method dubbed 'DEEP-Clear' allows researchers to visualize individual cells and their extensions in complex tissues like the brain. This approach enables scientists to capture 3D images of cells and tissues without sectioning, opening up new avenues for studying neural stem cell biology.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 29, 2020

Novel electric impulses relieve the pain

Researchers at TU Wien and MedUni Vienna have developed a novel method for electric stimulation of the vagus nerve in the ear. A microanatomical study revealed the optimal placement of tiny electrodes to stimulate the nerve, resulting in effective pain relief. The triphasic signal pattern was found to be particularly effective.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalFrontiers in Neuroanatomy·DateMay 26, 2020

How to put neurons into cages

Researchers at TU Wien and Stanford University have created tiny neuronal networks by printing 3D cages with microscale openings using two-photon polymerization and acoustic bioprinting. This allows for the growth of multicellular nerve tissue and the creation of connections between neurons, enabling targeted study of neural networks.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalBiofabrication·DateMay 4, 2020

How nature tells us its formulas

A team of researchers has found a way to derive quantum field theoretical descriptions for many-particle systems directly from experimental measurements. This breakthrough could simplify the study of complex quantum systems and provide new insights into fundamental questions in physics.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review X·DateFeb 3, 2020

How to take a picture of a light pulse

A team from TU Wien, MPI Garching, and LMU Munich has developed a new method to measure the shape of light pulses using tiny silicon oxide crystals. This allows for precise information about the interaction of light and matter, enabling applications such as characterizing novel materials and detecting diseases.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 27, 2020

Record-breaking terahertz laser beam

Scientists at TU Wien have created a record-breaking terahertz laser beam that produces extremely efficient and high-intensity terahertz radiation. The technology generates a broad spectrum of terahertz radiation, enabling the creation of short pulses with extremely high radiation intensity.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 20, 2020

A remote control for everything small

Researchers at TU Wien have created a calculation method to determine the perfect wave form for manipulating small particles in complex environments. This allows for precise control over particles without direct physical contact, opening up new possibilities for biological research and applications.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Photonics·DateNov 19, 2019

Bioprinting: Living cells in a 3D printer

Researchers at TU Wien have developed a new bioprinting process that integrates living cells into fine structures created in a 3D printer, achieving high resolution and speed. This technique allows for the control of cell behavior and growth, enabling studies on tissue development and disease spread.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·DateOct 21, 2019

Quantum vacuum: Less than zero energy

A research team investigated the possibility of negative energy in quantum physics, finding that while energy can be less than zero under certain conditions, it must be paid back. The study placed tight bounds on negative energy and connected it to quintessential properties of quantum mechanics.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 2, 2019

Single atoms as catalysts

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have successfully incorporated individual metal atoms into a surface, enabling precise control over their chemical behavior. This breakthrough enables the creation of more efficient catalysts for environmentally friendly processes.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateSep 2, 2019

Slow electrons to combat cancer

Ion beams use ions to create complex atomic effects, releasing slow electrons that destroy DNA of cancer cells. Researchers at TU Wien discovered interatomic Coulombic decay, a previously little-observed effect, plays a pivotal role in this context.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateAug 22, 2019

Measuring the laws of nature

Scientists have re-measured a crucial physical constant with unprecedented accuracy, setting a new benchmark for physics research. The result could help explain nuclear fusion in the sun, understand element formation after the Big Bang, and improve particle collisions at CERN.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 2, 2019

How to bend waves to arrive at the right place

Researchers at TU Wien have developed a method to manipulate the 'branched flow' of waves, which can be exploited to send waves along specific paths. The technique uses numerical simulations to calculate the optimal wave shape and can be applied to various types of waves, including light, sound, and sonar waves.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 24, 2019

Evolution in the gut

A large-scale study has investigated the composition of microorganisms in the digestive tract of animals, revealing evolutionary relationships between host species and their gut microbiomes. The study found that closely related species share similar microbial communities, while diet also plays a significant role in shaping the gut micr...

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 16, 2019

The random anti-laser

Researchers have developed a method to build an anti-laser based on random scattering, which can absorb light of a specific color and dissipate energy. The new approach has been confirmed by experiments in cooperation with the University of Nice and opens up possibilities for various scientific and engineering applications.

How to freeze heat conduction

Physicists have discovered a new effect, known as Kondo-like phonon scattering, which explains the low thermal conductivity of certain materials. This discovery paves the way for creating excellent thermal insulators that conduct electricity, enabling the conversion of waste heat into electrical energy.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 21, 2019

Superconductors: Resistance is futile

Researchers have discovered that immobile charge carriers play a crucial role in superconductivity, acting as a 'glue' to pair mobile charge carriers and enable zero resistance. The study reveals the delicate balance between mobile and immobile charge carriers is key to understanding high-temperature superconductivity.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 29, 2019

Transparent fruit flies

Scientists have made fruit flies transparent using a new clearing method, allowing for high-resolution imaging of complex neural networks. This breakthrough enables the study of the connectome and behavior of Drosophila melanogaster, with potential applications in understanding neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 22, 2018

Biomimetics: The chemical tricks of our blood

Researchers have created phthalocyanines with a ring structure resembling that of hemoglobin or chlorophyll, which can be switched into different states with green light, affecting their chemical behavior. This discovery opens up new avenues for biomimetics and the development of novel molecules optimized for nature-specific applications.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 8, 2018