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Jumping nanoparticles

The study confirms Einstein's theoretical analysis of Brownian motion by observing the Kramers turnover in levitated nanoparticles. The researchers found that the transition rate between states depends on friction and grows with decreasing friction before decreasing again at low friction levels.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateOct 24, 2017

Organic material matters

A team of scientists from UC Santa Barbara tested the effect of sulfurized nano-zero-valent iron on a common freshwater alga and found that it picked up cadmium and alleviated toxicity. Organic material produced by the algae mitigated the nanoparticle's toxicity, allowing for greater remediation.

Breath instead of a blood test

Scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a method to monitor lipolysis in real-time by analyzing exhaled acetone during exercise. The new breath test can detect when the body starts burning fat, allowing athletes to optimize their training regimen.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalAnalytical Chemistry·DateOct 10, 2017

Metallurgy breakthrough

Researchers at HRL Laboratories successfully 3D print high-strength aluminum alloys, including Al7075 and Al6061, overcoming a long-standing challenge in additive manufacturing. Their nanoparticle functionalization technique prevents hot cracking and retains alloy strength.

SourceHRL Laboratories·JournalNature·DateSep 20, 2017

Engineering team images tiny quasicrystals as they form

Researchers have successfully formed and imaged tiny quasicrystals using silica nanoparticles, revealing a non-periodic yet ordered structure. The team used transmission electron microscopy to capture the growth process, which was influenced by varying concentrations of chemical compounds and mechanical stirring.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 17, 2017

New MRI contrast agent tested on big animals

Researchers developed a new non-toxic contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), surpassing gadolinium's limitations. The agent, PEG-IONCs, demonstrated high biocompatibility in rabbits, beagle dogs, and macaque monkeys, showing promise as a next-generation diagnostic tool.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateJul 31, 2017

Nanoparticles could spur better LEDs, invisibility cloaks

A University of Michigan team has created a method to add metallic nanoparticles into semiconductors with virtually no added manufacturing cost. The process enhances LED lighting efficiency and allows for precise control over the distribution of particles, potentially enabling future applications such as invisibility cloaks.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateJul 19, 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

Antioxidants against sepsis

Korean scientists report that ceria-zirconia nanoparticles act as effective scavengers of oxygen radicals, promoting a greatly enhanced surviving rate in sepsis model organisms. The nanoparticles accumulate in organs where severe immune responses occur and successfully eradicate reactive oxygen species.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJul 6, 2017

Beetles spark development of color-changing nanoparticles for commercial use

Scientists have developed a new, inexpensive technique to create color-shifting nanoparticles inspired by beetle shells. The method produces tiny particles that can be easily controlled, enabling adjustable colors within materials or fabrics. This breakthrough could lead to the production of easier-to-read sensors and anti-tampering tags.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateJun 14, 2017

Magnets, all the way down!

Assemblies of metallic nanoparticles behave like bulk magnets, displaying intriguing shape-dependent behavior that could improve high-density information storage technologies. The structures' magnetic behavior is influenced only by the shape of the assemblies, revealing a single bulk ferromagnet.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateJun 13, 2017