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Enantioresolution turns bright but racemic gold-silver clusters into circularly polarized emitters

Researchers successfully created circularly polarized emitters from racemic gold-silver clusters by separating them into mirror-image forms using chiral oxygen-donor ligands. The phosphate-protected enantiomer pair exhibited high photoluminescence quantum yields and luminescence dissymmetry factors.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2026

Gold nanoclusters help in identifying diseases?

Researchers from the University of Jyväskylä predicted that gold nanoclusters can selectively recognize chiral biomolecules, which could aid in detecting diseases directly from a blood sample. The study used computational simulations to examine nearly 300 cluster-biomolecule combinations and found clear differences in their interactions.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalACS Nano·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 16, 2026

Simulations and experiments meet: Machine learning predicts the structures of gold nanoclusters

Researchers used machine learning to simulate gold nanoclusters' behavior under realistic conditions, revealing structural changes and polymer-like chain formation. The study demonstrates the accuracy of the machine learning potential in understanding nanomaterials' properties.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalNature Communications·TypeImaging analysis·DateFeb 4, 2026

Growing a new, pencil-shaped structure of gold named “quantum needles”

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have successfully grown a novel pencil-shaped structure of gold nanoclusters, dubbed 'gold quantum needles'. These structures show responsiveness to near-infrared light, enabling higher-resolution biomedical imaging and more efficient light-energy conversion. The breakthrough could lead to targete...

SourceSchool of Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 5, 2025

Scientists unlock clues to new treatments for muscular dystrophy

Researchers at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences have made a breakthrough discovery about how tiny protein clusters form in cells. These nanoclusters play a crucial role in mechanotransduction, a process that fails in people with Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy, leading to muscle weakness and heart problems.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalPhysical Review Research·TypeImaging analysis·DateMar 5, 2025

First set of rational design principles for chaotropic membrane transporters

Researchers from CiQUS have established the first set of rational design principles for chaotropic membrane transporters, governed by cluster size and polarizability. The study investigates the modulation of chaotropic transport by decoupling halogen composition from boron core size, revealing a window of carrier utility.

Development of nanoparticle-based drug delivery system for inflammation treatment and diagnosis

Researchers have designed a nanoparticle-based drug delivery system to target inflammation, addressing issues with conventional anti-inflammatory drugs. The system utilizes targeting moieties to enrich nanoparticles in inflamed tissues, achieving enhanced efficacy.

SourceSichuan International Medical Exchange and Promotion Association·JournalMedComm – Biomaterials and Applications·TypeLiterature review·DateDec 12, 2023

New study reveals design clues for silver-based superatomic molecules

Researchers from Japan have synthesized two di-superatomic molecules composed of Ag and evaluated the factors involved in their formation. The study found that a twist between the two icosahedral structures stabilizes the nanocluster by shortening the distance between them. Additionally, the presence of Pd and Pt central atoms was foun...

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalCommunications Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 6, 2023

A new nanomaterial for precision medicine and the green transition

Researchers at Politecnico di Milano developed a new nanomaterial with a superfluorinated gold cluster, exhibiting unique optical and catalytic properties. The findings have potential applications in precision medicine and the green transition, including diagnostic and therapeutic applications and efficient production of green hydrogen.

SourcePolitecnico di Milano·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 15, 2022

Going for gold to reduce antibiotic resistance

Research identifies way of using nanoparticles to target and disrupt bacterial cells, making them more susceptible to standard antibiotic treatments. Laboratory studies show a strong effect in killing a range of bacteria, including some linked to hospital-acquired infections.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalChemical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 9, 2021

Nanocluster discovery will protect precious metals

Researchers from the University of Nottingham have developed a novel catalyst that combines homogeneous and heterogeneous features, defying traditional categorization. The discovery holds promise for increasing the active surface area available for catalysis, leading to more efficient and sustainable production of molecules.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 17, 2021

Tuning gold nanoclusters for targeted gastric cancer therapy

Gold nanoclusters have emerged as a promising material for cancer nanomedicine due to their excellent biocompatibility and efficient renal clearance. The researchers designed multifunctional AuNCs with a therapeutic component and targeting action, demonstrating the potential for targeted gastric cancer therapy.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalACS Nanoscience Au·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 11, 2021

Striking gold: A pathway to stable, high-activity catalysts from gold nanoclusters

A team of researchers at Tokyo University of Science has developed a stable and highly active photocatalyst from gold nanoclusters. By removing the protective molecules around the nanoclusters, they were able to increase their catalytic activity and stability, opening up new possibilities for hydrogen generation and other applications.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalAngewandte Chemie·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 10, 2021

Support drives fate of protected gold nanoclusters as catalysts

Researchers at the University of Jyväskylä have discovered that the choice of a support material for gold nanocluster catalysts can drastically affect their structure. On certain supports, clusters disintegrate completely, while on others, the protective organic layer peels away, leaving behind intact metallic nanoclusters.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalChemistry - A European Journal·DateJun 16, 2020

High-precision imaging revealed what holds on the smallest light responsive gold chain

Chemists at the University of Jyväskylä Finland and University of California succeeded in determining the atomic precise structure of a chain of gold nanoclusters. The study reveals the disulfide-bridging bond between the bound nanoclusters, advancing our understanding of the optical and electronic response of these systems.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateFeb 5, 2020

Converting absorbed photons into twice as many excitons: Successful high-efficiency energy conversion with organic monolayer on gold nanocluster surface

A research group converts absorbed photons into twice as many excitons with an organic monolayer on a gold nanocluster surface, achieving high-efficiency energy conversion. The researchers also found that the newly formed excitons have a significantly longer lifetime compared to conventional surfaces.

SourceKobe University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateSep 24, 2019

Little heaps of silver, all wrapped up

Scientists have successfully created a nanocluster of exactly 16 silver atoms stabilized by a wrapping of DNA strands. The crystal structure revealed that each nanocluster is tightly wrapped and almost completely shielded by two DNA strands, with novel silver-silver interactions observed within the cluster.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateSep 11, 2019

This bacterium gets paid in gold

Researchers have created a more efficient path to producing solar fuels by enticing the bacterium Moorella thermoacetica into being productive with light-absorbing gold nanoclusters. This results in a higher yield of chemical products and improved quantum efficiency compared to previous models.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateOct 9, 2018

Gold shines through properties of nano biosensors

Researchers have discovered that fluorescence in ligand-protected gold nanoclusters is an intrinsic property of the gold particles. The study used Au20 nanoparticles with a tetrahedral structure and found intense fluorescence at a wavelength of 739.2 nanometers, indicating that the metal core is responsible for the phenomenon.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateAug 16, 2017

How do you build a metal nanoparticle?

A novel theory explains how metal nanoparticles form, revealing a balance between bond strength and ligand binding. This understanding enables the creation of more efficient and sustainable nanoparticle production processes for applications like biolabeling and targeted drug delivery.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 10, 2017