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AI discovers new nanostructures

Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have successfully discovered new materials using artificial intelligence and self-assembly. The AI-driven technique led to the discovery of three new nanostructures, expanding the scope of self-assembly's applications in microelectronics and catalysis.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 13, 2023

Converting temperature fluctuations into clean energy with novel nanoparticles and heating strategy

A team at City University of Hong Kong has developed a novel approach to converting environmental temperature fluctuations into clean chemical energy using pyroelectric catalysis. By combining pyroelectric materials with localized plasmonic heat sources, the researchers achieved significantly faster and more efficient pyro-catalytic re...

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 11, 2023

Gold-based passive heating for eyewear

Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a gold-based transparent coating that absorbs infrared radiation selectively, heating up to 8 degrees Celsius. The coating is thinner, pliable, and more efficient than traditional antifogging methods, requiring minimal gold material costs.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 12, 2022

Magnetic material mops up microplastics in water

Researchers have developed an innovative magnetic adsorbent that can remove microplastics 1,000 times smaller than those detectable by existing wastewater treatment plants. The process takes just one hour, compared to days for current methods.

SourceRMIT University·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2022

New era of two-dimensional ferroelectrics

Researchers review emerging field of 2D ferroelectric materials with layered van-der-Waals crystal structures, offering new properties and functionalities not found in conventional materials. These materials show easily stackable nature, making them attractive as building blocks for post-Moore's law electronics.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies·JournalNature Reviews Materials·TypeLiterature review·DateOct 27, 2022

Newly achievements and expectations of layered double hydroxides toward efficient, stable, fast oxygen evolution reaction

Researchers focus on layered double hydroxides (LDHs) as catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), a crucial step in electrochemical water splitting. By summarizing four common strategies to improve OER performance, they aim to design more efficient electrocatalysts.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalEnergy Material Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 25, 2022

Discovery broadens scope of use of CRISPR gene editing

Researchers at Northwestern University developed a new CRISPR-based therapy platform that can deliver cargo to a broader range of tissue and cell types, increasing its potential for treating various diseases. The platform achieves this by transforming the Cas-9 protein into a spherical nucleic acid and loading it with critical components.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateOct 6, 2022

Researchers devise tunable conducting edge

Scientists have developed a magnetized state in monolayer tungsten ditelluride, allowing for controlled electron flow and potential applications in non-volatile memory chips. The discovery enables the creation of smaller, more energy-efficient devices that consume less power and dissipate less energy.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 6, 2022

Small molecules, giant (surface) potential

Scientists at Kyushu University have developed organic molecules that align in the same direction, creating a 'giant surface potential' when evaporated onto a surface. This alignment leads to a significant electric field, which can improve OLED efficiency and open new routes for realizing devices that convert vibrations into electricity.

SourceKyushu University·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 26, 2022

2D boundaries could create electricity

Researchers at Rice University have discovered piezoelectricity in two-dimensional materials across phase boundaries. The discovery enables the creation of ultra-sensitive temperature or pressure sensors and tiny actuators, revolutionizing electronic applications.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 16, 2022

Towards higher nanopatterning resolution with molecules that fill nanogaps better

A research group from Tokyo University of Science has discovered molecular features that govern the filling process at nanoscales, enabling finer resolutions in ultraviolet nanoimprint lithography. The findings provide valuable insights for guiding the selection and design of optimized resists for sub-10 nm resolution.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalNanomaterials·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 8, 2022

Manipulating interlayer magnetic coupling for future spintronics

The study observes electric gate-controlled exchange-bias effect in van der Waals heterostructures, enabling scalable energy-efficient spin-orbit logic. The team successfully tunes the blocking temperature of the EB effect via an electric gate, allowing for the EB field to be turned 'ON' and 'OFF'.

UMass Amherst and Georgia Tech researchers 3D print first high-performance nanostructured alloy that’s both ultrastrong and ductile

Researchers created a dual-phase, nanostructured high-entropy alloy with unprecedented strength and ductility through 3D printing. The alloy's unique microstructure enables cooperative deformation of two phases, resulting in ultrahigh strength and enhanced ductility.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2022

Tetrahedrons assemble! Three-sided pyramids form 2D structures

Researchers at Rice University have created 2D chiral superstructures using three-sided pyramids, which could lead to breakthroughs in metamaterials. The structures, composed of ultrathin assemblies of particles, incorporate left-handed and right-handed domains and exhibit unique optical properties.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 25, 2022

CREATE CARES and NTU Singapore’s NTUitive launch the Accelerated, Manufacturing Platform for Engineered Nanomaterials (AMPLE)

The CREATE CARES and NTUitive initiative aims to accelerate the development of nanomaterials for various industries, reducing experimental workload and improving quality. The Accelerated Manufacturing Platform for Engineered Nanomaterials (AMPLE) project will utilize Industry 4.0 practices to scale up nanotechnology production.

Flashing creates hard-to-get 2D boron nitride

Rice chemists adapt flashing process to synthesize pure boron nitride and boron carbon nitride flakes with varying degrees of carbon. The flakes show promise as an effective anticorrosive coating, protecting copper surfaces up to 92% better than traditional compounds.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2022

New photocatalytic membrane that can be cleaned using light energy

A new nanosheet-laminated photocatalytic membrane has been successfully developed by Kobe University researchers, demonstrating excellent water permeance and photocatalytic activity. The membrane's photocatalytic properties make it easier to clean, reducing fouling and increasing its potential for tackling global environmental issues.

SourceKobe University·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 4, 2022

Tiny lab on a chip

Researchers at Osaka University have created a microfluidic system that can detect minute changes in the concentration of trace amounts of ethanol, glucose, or minerals in water using terahertz radiation. The device achieved sensitivity levels an order of magnitude better than existing microfluidic chips.

SourceOsaka University·JournalJournal of Physics Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 27, 2022

Rice ‘metalens’ could disrupt vacuum UV market

Researchers at Rice University have created a 'metalens' that transforms long-wave UV-A into a focused output of vacuum UV radiation. The technology uses nanophotonics to impart a phase shift on incoming light, redirecting it and generating VUV without the need for specialized equipment.

SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 5, 2022

One step synthesis of efficient red emissive carbon dots and their bovine serum albumin composites with enhanced multi-photon fluorescence for in vivo bioimaging

Researchers developed efficient red emissive carbon dots (CDs) through a facile one-step solvothermal synthesis, enabling high-quality imaging in the red to NIR range. The CDs exhibited high photoluminescence quantum yield and enhanced multi-photon fluorescence when combined with bovine serum albumin.

Researchers shed light on why a certain plant virus is so powerful at fighting cancer

A team of researchers has discovered that cowpea mosaic virus, when injected into a tumor, triggers a powerful immune response, preventing cancer recurrence. The unique protein shell and RNA structure of the virus activate toll-like receptors, leading to increased cytokine production and a prolonged anti-cancer response.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalMolecular Pharmaceutics·DateApr 27, 2022

Stanford engineers develop new kind of 3D printing

Researchers have developed a way to print 3D objects within a stationary volume of resin, removing the need for support structures. This technique uses triplet fusion upconversion nanocapsules to create blue light, enabling the printing of complex designs with improved efficiency and reduced material usage.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature·DateApr 20, 2022

Can nanotechnology help fight viruses?

Recent advances in nanomaterial-based antiviral strategies have generated promising results, including antiviral nanodrugs, drug nanocarriers, and nanovaccines. These nano-sized particles can be useful for targeted delivery of antiviral treatments, leading to improved efficacy and reduced systemic toxicity.

SourceWiley·JournalSmall Structures·DateApr 18, 2022

On the edge

Researchers at Hebrew University have discovered a new magnetic phenomenon called edge magnetism, where materials only retain magnetism on their edge. This discovery could revolutionize the production of spintronics devices, enabling the creation of ultra-thin wire magnets with curved shapes.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalNano Letters·TypeObservational study·DateApr 12, 2022