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Traces of DNA exposed by twisted light

Researchers at University of Michigan and Jiangnan University have developed a new method for detecting DNA using twisted light, achieving 50 times better sensitivity than current methods. This technology has the potential to aid in diagnosing patients, solving crimes, and identifying biological contaminants.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 28, 2013

First-of-its-kind self-assembled nanoparticle for targeted and triggered thermo-chemotherapy

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed a first-of-its-kind self-assembled nanoparticle that can deliver chemotherapy specifically to cancer cells and release it in response to external NIR light, creating heat for synergistic anti-tumor efficacy. The platform successfully eradicated tumors in pre-clinical models.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateOct 18, 2012

White LEDs directly on paper

Scientists successfully grow nanorods of zinc oxide on a thin layer of polydiethylflourene, creating white LEDs that can be printed on paper or wallpaper for display purposes. This breakthrough method uses chemical methods and has the potential to enable mass production of flexible electronics.

SourceLinköping University·Journalphysica status solidi (RRL) - Rapid Research Letters·DateJul 10, 2012

Bringing down the cost of fuel cells

Engineers at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee have developed a catalyst that provides similar efficiency to platinum in microbial fuel cells but at 5% of the cost. The material, nitrogen-enriched iron-carbon nanorods, has potential for replacing platinum catalysts in hydrogen-producing microbial electrolysis cells.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin - Milwaukee·JournalNano Energy·DateJun 21, 2012

Self-assembling nanorods: Berkeley Lab researchers obtain 1-, 2- and 3-D nanorod arrays and networks

Researchers at Berkeley Lab developed a technique for inducing nanorods to self-assemble into complex one-, two- and three-dimensional macroscopic structures. The technique uses block copolymers as a platform for guiding the self-assembly of nanorods, enabling more effective use in solar cells, magnetic storage devices and sensors.

Rice chemists cram 2 million nanorods into single cancer cell

Researchers at Rice University have successfully loaded over 2 million gold nanorods into a single cancer cell, opening up new possibilities for targeted cancer treatments. The breakthrough involves using a new molecule to replace toxic CTAB with MTAB, allowing for the safe and efficient loading of nanoparticles into cells.

SourceRice University·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateNov 16, 2011

A forest of nanorods

By using glancing-angle deposition, researchers can create a forest of nanorods on a target surface, which offers a range of potential applications including nanosensors and fuel-cell cathodes. This technique extends shadowing effects to higher temperatures, leading to larger-diameter nanorods with unique properties.

Tiny rulers to measure nanoscale structures

Physicists at China's Wuhan University discovered a new way to measure absolute distances and distance changes using a plasmon ruler. By combining nanospheres with a nanorod dimer, they found that the resonance wavelength shift increases linearly with the increasing of a nanosphere's interparticle separations.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateAug 31, 2010

Nano imagining takes turn for the better

Rice University researchers have developed a new way to track nanoparticles using gold nanorods and polarization imaging techniques. The technique could provide valuable information about materials, including living systems, that incorporate nanoparticles.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 3, 2010

A safe approach to nanotechnology

Researchers developed a non-toxic method to synthesize zinc oxide nanorods using water and ultrasound. The approach produces uniform nanorods of 30-100 nm in diameter, suitable for large-scale production. It enables safe use in medical applications, food products, dentistry, and electronics.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Nanoparticles·DateAug 19, 2009

Purifying nanorods: Big success with tiny cleanup

Researchers at Rice University have developed a purification method that filters out impurities from gold nanorods, resulting in solutions that are more than 99% pure. The discovery has significant implications for the emerging U.S. nanotechnology industry.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateSep 22, 2008

New nanomethod may help compress computer memory

Researchers at Brown University have developed a technique to synthesize iron-platinum nanorods and nanowires with controlled size, composition, and magnetic alignment. The method produces batches of similarly-sized nanowires or rods in solution, showing promise for high-density information storage and other applications.

Rings made of little rods

Researchers at Rice University discovered that gold nanorods can spontaneously self-assemble into ring-shaped structures within seconds. The rings are made of tiny gold rods and form due to the condensation of water droplets onto a solution of the rods in a nonpolar solvent.

SourceWiley·DateMar 12, 2007

Purdue's gold nanorods brighten future for medical imaging

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new type of medical imaging technique that uses gold nanorods to detect tiny structures in the bloodstream. The nanorods yield images nearly 60 times brighter than conventional fluorescent dyes, making them ideal for early detection of cancer.

SourcePurdue University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 25, 2005