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Optical ceramic meets metal-organic frameworks

Researchers from Sun Yat-Sen University have developed a new type of optical ceramic material using metal-organic frameworks, which can be transparent or optically clear. The material has been shown to have high optical transmittance and can be used for applications such as lasing gain medium and amplified spontaneous emission.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Materials·DateFeb 6, 2018

Ames Lab-led team maps magnetic fields of nano-objects in liquid

A research team led by Tanya Prozorov has demonstrated the first high-resolution mapping of magnetic fields in bacterial cells and magnetic nano-objects in liquid. This capability has vast potential for scientific breakthroughs in physics, nanotechnology, biofuels conversion, biomedical engineering, catalysis, batteries, and pharmacology.

SourceDOE/Ames National Laboratory·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateDec 21, 2017

Researchers create first significant examples of optical crystallography for nanomaterials

Researchers at University of Illinois create first significant examples of optical crystallography for nanomaterials, improving precision of nanocrystal engineering and understanding of reactions. The new technique uses absorption spectroscopy to identify crystal type in liquid-dispersed nanomaterials, offering simple, accurate analysis.

Nanocellulose in medicine and green manufacturing

Researchers have developed a method to improve the performance of cellulose nanocrystals, making them suitable for sustainable materials, biomedical applications and green manufacturing. The improved nanocrystals can be used in dental regenerative medicine, replacing synthetic materials with an environmentally friendly alternative.

SourceAmerican University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateNov 7, 2016

Wayne State aims to improve imaging and chemical sensing of disease biomarkers

A Wayne State University researcher aims to improve upconversion nanocrystals' composition and atomic structure to expand the library of bright and multicolor emitters. The project is expected to lead to better diagnosing and treatment plans for numerous health issues by enhancing imaging and chemical sensing of disease biomarkers.

Nanocage surfaces get 'makeover' in room temperature

Researchers at Kyoto University have discovered a method to replace surface ions of copper oxide nanocrystals with sodium sulfide, transforming them into hollow copper sulfide nanocages. This process allows for the creation of cadmium sulfide and zinc sulfide nanocages through subsequent chemical conversions.

SourceKyoto University·JournalScience·DateMar 24, 2016

From nanocrystals to earthquakes, solid materials share similar failure characteristics

Researchers discovered that solid materials, including nanocrystals and the Earth's crust, share similar deformation properties due to slip-avalanches. This study enables the transfer of results across different scales and materials, providing new tools for predicting material deformation and hazard prevention.

Nanocellulose materials by design

A novel computational framework allows researchers to predict the properties of cellulose nanocomposites by modifying surface chemistry. The approach enables designing materials with targeted properties, such as improved hydrogen bonding with polymers.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNano Letters·DateOct 2, 2015

Gold-diamond nanodevice for hyperlocalized cancer therapy

A novel combination of techniques is used to create a biocompatible nanodevice that can deliver localized heating to cancer cells while accurately sensing temperature with diamond nanocrystals. This allows for precise targeting of biological molecules and effective thermal cancer therapy.

SourceSpringer·JournalEPJ Quantum Technology·DateJul 31, 2015

Nature has more than one way to grow a crystal

Researchers have found that crystals can form in complex shapes using multiple pathways, challenging traditional theories. This new understanding has implications for materials science, health research, and basic science studies, including the formation of shells, teeth, and bones in animals.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalScience·DateJul 30, 2015

Demystifying nanocrystal solar cells

Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a physical model explaining electron transport in nanocrystal solar cells, which could lead to improved efficiency. The model reveals that nanocrystal size can be controlled to optimize absorption of sunlight, enabling the creation of flexible and thin solar cells with higher performance.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 28, 2015

Antimony nanocrystals for batteries

Scientists from ETH Zurich have synthesized uniform antimony nanocrystals, which can store both lithium and sodium ions, making them prime candidates for anode materials in both lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries. The researchers found that the optimal size-performance relationship of these nanocrystals is between 20-100 nanometres.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNano Letters·DateMar 18, 2014

Breakthrough in sensing at the nanoscale

The discovery enables rapid localization and measurement of cells within living environments at the nanoscale, such as changes to a single cell in response to chemical signals. The ultra-sensitive nanoparticles, or SuperDots, can detect individual particles with thousand times more sensitivity than existing materials.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateSep 1, 2013

High pressure gold nanocrystal structure revealed

Researchers have successfully imaged the changes in morphology of gold nanocrystals under pressures of up to 6.5 gigapascals, solving a long-standing problem in measuring nanomaterial structures. The study shows that the nanocrystals undergo plastic flow, becoming more fluid-like at high pressure, and reveals new insights into the beha...

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 9, 2013

Building better structural materials

A team of scientists has made a breakthrough in understanding how materials behave under stress, leading to the creation of stronger and longer-lasting materials. Nickel nanocrystals have been found to deform permanently under intense pressure, which could help physicists and engineers create more resilient materials.

Ferroelectricity on the nanoscale

Researchers mapped ferroelectric structural distortions in individual nanocrystals using the world's most powerful transmission electron microscope. The study indicates that a monodomain ferroelectric state remains stable down to dimensions of less than 10 nanometers, and room-temperature polarization flipping was demonstrated down to ...

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·DateJul 10, 2012