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Physicists name and codify new field in nanotechnology: 'electron quantum metamaterials'

Researchers Nathaniel Gabor and Justin C. W. Song propose a new field of study, electron quantum metamaterials, which involves manipulating electrons in subwavelength structures to exhibit unusual behavior. This field has the potential to produce radically new phenomena, such as superconductivity in twisted bilayer graphene.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateNov 5, 2018

How to code a functional molecular machine?

A team of researchers has developed a model that simulates protein evolution, revealing how evolving protein components can give rise to dynamic and efficient molecular machines. The model shows that flexibility allows proteins to bind effectively to other molecules.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 29, 2018

Sensing interactions between molecules

Physicists and chemists at the University of Münster have developed a microscopic method to image organic molecules with exceptional resolution. The technique uses an atomically defined probe tip that greatly increases imaging resolution by reducing undesired interaction between atoms.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateApr 11, 2018

'Gyroscope' molecules form crystal that's both solid and full of motion

Researchers at UCLA have successfully formed a crystalline solid with moving parts, dubbed 'amphidynamic', which could have wide-ranging applications in technology and science. The creation of BODCA-MOF, a metallo-organic framework containing spherical molecules, demonstrates the potential for rapid motion inside a solid crystal.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 9, 2018

Graphene forged into three-dimensional shapes

Researchers from Finland and Taiwan have successfully fabricated three-dimensional graphene structures using optical forging, a technique that utilizes laser light to shape the material. The resulting graphene objects exhibit unique electronic and optical properties, opening up new possibilities for graphene-based devices.

SourceAcademy of Finland·JournalNano Letters·DateSep 26, 2017

Switchable DNA mini-machines store information

Researchers have built simple machines out of DNA consisting of arrays whose units switch reversibly between two different shapes. The arrays' properties shed light on how to build structures with more complex, dynamic behaviors. By harnessing these DNA mini-machines, scientists may be able to create nanotech sensors and amplifiers.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalScience·DateJun 22, 2017

The first nanometrically-sized superelastic alloy

Researchers have created a new alloy that exhibits superelastic behavior at the nanoscale, requiring much higher stress to deform than larger materials. This discovery opens up new channels for developing flexible microsystems and electromechanical nanosystems, including implantable devices with potential applications in smart healthcare.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJun 9, 2017

Locked movement in molecular motor and rotor

Researchers at University of Groningen create light-driven rotary motor with locked movement, where naphthalene rotor synchronizes with motor rotation. This breakthrough demonstrates synchronization of movement in artificial systems, a fundamental step towards molecular machine development.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalScience·DateJun 1, 2017

Draw out of the predicted interatomic force

Scientists from Hiroshima University have observed an unusual dispersion of the acoustic mode in liquid Bi using inelastic x-ray scattering (IXS). The results resolve previous disagreements and suggest a possible mechanism involving a long-range interatomic force, which is related to local structures.

SourceHiroshima University·JournalPhysical Review B·DateAug 28, 2015

Quantum diffraction at a breath of nothing

Researchers successfully fabricated stable and large gratings in single layer graphene, enabling the study of massive objects' quantum mechanical nature. The team's achievement reduces material thickness to the ultimate limit, increasing interaction time between molecules and masks.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateAug 25, 2015

The rub with friction

Researchers at Brandeis University have discovered that friction forces are nearly 1,000 times greater than previously thought at the microscopic level. This breakthrough understanding of friction is an important step toward designing next-generation microscopic and nanotechnologies.

SourceBrandeis University·JournalNature Materials·DateMar 2, 2015

Nanoscale velcro used for molecule transport

Scientists at the University of Basel have discovered that proteins within nuclear pores function like a 'velcro', enabling controlled and selective transport of particles. This discovery has potential applications in lab-on-a-chip technology, where it could be used to miniaturize complex pump and valve systems.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJun 25, 2014

Brain process takes paper shape

A paper-based device replicating human brain's electrochemical signalling has been created by Chinese researchers. The thin-film transistor (TFT) can mimic the biological synapse and could be used to build lightweight and biologically friendly artificial neural networks.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNanotechnology·DateFeb 12, 2014