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Basketball games mimic nature

Researchers found that basketball teams can be considered self-organised systems, adapting and evolving throughout the game. The final minute of close games is particularly intense, where teams must collaborate and make strategic decisions to win.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalInternational Journal of Heat and Technology·DateMar 30, 2016

Nanocrystal self-assembly sheds its secrets

Researchers have developed a method to observe nanocrystal self-assembly in real-time, shedding light on the complex structures' formation. The technique uses synchrotron X-ray scattering and imaging, allowing for the direct manipulation of superlattices.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Materials·DateMar 24, 2016

Some assembly required to boost robot ratings

Researchers found that participants who assembled their own robots experienced a higher sense of accomplishment and ownership. However, those who faced difficulties during assembly lowered their ratings. The study suggests that manufacturers should balance positive and negative aspects of self-assembly when designing robots.

SourcePenn State·DateMar 8, 2016

The origins of abiotic species

Researchers at University of Groningen find self-replicating molecules that diversify into distinct sets, sparking debate on life's molecular roots. The study reveals a process similar to biological speciation, but occurring at the molecular level.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Chemistry·DateJan 4, 2016
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Seeing viruses in a new light

Researchers have developed a new system to track nanometer-sized viruses at sub-millisecond time scales, shedding light on the spontaneous self-assembly of viruses. This breakthrough could help design drugs that prevent viruses from forming in the first place.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalACS Nano·DateDec 7, 2015

Reversible Writing with Light

Scientists at the Weizmann Institute create a method for getting nanoparticles to self-assemble, focusing on the medium in which they're suspended. This approach enables reversibly writing information and has potential applications in rewritable paper, water decontamination, and controlled drug delivery.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalNature Chemistry·DateSep 2, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Biophysics: Formation of swarms in nanosystems

Actin filaments exhibit synchronized motion when motor proteins are added, with local curvatures incompatible with thermal fluctuations. Collective motion emerges at high densities through non-binary interactions among filaments.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature Physics·DateAug 18, 2015

Liquids on fibers -- slipping or flowing?

Researchers at Saarland University have found that liquid films on fibers can slip faster than flow along the fiber, leading to faster droplet formation. The team's study has important implications for designing novel fiber coatings for water harvesting applications.

SourceSaarland University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 1, 2015

New study hints at spontaneous appearance of primordial DNA

A new study by the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Milan proposes a novel scenario for the non-biological origins of nucleic acids. The research demonstrates that the spontaneous self-assembly of short DNA fragments can drive the formation of longer polymers, potentially providing a pre-RNA route to the RNA world.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 7, 2015

Designer's toolkit for dynamic DNA nanomachines

Researchers at TUM have developed a new approach to joining modular 3D building units using shape complementarity, enabling practical nanomachines with moving parts. This breakthrough offers a toolkit for easy programming of self-assembly, paving the way for applications in DNA origami.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalScience·DateMar 26, 2015
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Bacterial armor holds clues for self-assembling nanostructures

A new study by Berkeley Lab reveals how calcium ions trigger the folding and binding of S-layer protein nanosheets, enabling the self-assembly of complex two- and three-dimensional structures. The findings have potential applications in creating nanostructured arrays for various materials.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalACS Nano·DateFeb 11, 2015

Outsmarting thermodynamics in self-assembly of nanostructures

Researchers at Berkeley Lab have developed a novel method for creating symmetry-breaking optical metamaterials by using a feedback mechanism to self-assemble colloidal nanorods in solution. This breakthrough solves the problem of achieving large-scale symmetric breaking, allowing for new properties and applications.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateNov 3, 2014

Crystallizing the DNA nanotechnology dream

Scientists at Harvard's Wyss Institute have designed the first large DNA crystals with precise depth and complex 3D features, enabling the creation of revolutionary nanodevices. The breakthrough uses a modular 'DNA-brick self-assembly' method to build complex structures with nanometer precision.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalNature Chemistry·DateOct 19, 2014

New approach to form non-equilibrium structures

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new technique to create non-equilibrium systems by injecting energy through oscillations, enabling the self-assembly of particles under non-equilibrium conditions. This breakthrough brings scientists closer to understanding the fundamentals of non-equilibrium thermodynamics.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 24, 2014
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Berkeley Lab researchers create nanoparticle thin films that self-assemble in 1 minute

Researchers with the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have devised a technique to form highly ordered thin films over macroscopic distances in one minute. The technique uses supramolecules based on block copolymers to create nanocomposites that self-assemble into hierarchically-structured thin films.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 9, 2014

Molecular self-assembly scales up from nanometers to millimeters

Researchers have successfully scaled up molecular self-assembly from nanometers to millimeters using noncovalent interactions, enabling the creation of large-area nanostructures. This breakthrough paves the way for alternative patterning techniques in nanoelectronics and materials science.

SourceVTT Technical Research Centre of Finland·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 5, 2014

Nano world: Where towers construct themselves

Researchers develop method to control ordering of self-assembling structures, inducing reversible switching and transformation between arrangements. Nano-scale materials with specific properties are crucial for various applications in electronics, photovoltaics and biomimetic material synthesis.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNano Letters·DateJun 2, 2014

New perspectives to the design of molecular cages

Researchers from the University of Jyväskylä report a new method for building molecular cages that exploits intermolecular steric effects to control self-assembly. This allows for the creation of cages with vacant metal binding sites, enabling modifications to their properties.

SourceAcademy of Finland·JournalChemical Communications·DateMay 26, 2014
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Patterns of particles generated by surface charges

Researchers at the Vienna University of Technology have found that inhomogeneously charged particles can form gel-like or crystal-like structures depending on parameters. The study's results show different possible configurations, including simple hexagonal structures and less ordered gel-like structures with interconnected rings.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalACS Nano·DateFeb 4, 2014
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Invention jet prints nanostructures with self-assembling material

A multi-institutional team of engineers has developed a new approach to fabricate nanostructures for the semiconductor and magnetic storage industries. They combine top-down advanced ink-jet printing technology with bottom-up self-assembling block copolymers, increasing resolution from approximately 200 nanometers to 15 nanometers.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateSep 16, 2013

Programmable glue made of DNA directs tiny gel bricks to self-assemble

Researchers at Harvard University developed a programmable DNA glue that directs tiny gel bricks to self-assemble into complex structures. The method could help solve tissue engineering challenges by creating injectable components that self-assemble into biocompatible scaffolds.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 9, 2013
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Molecules form 2-D patterns never before observed

Scientists at Technical University of Munich have successfully created 2D patterns using molecules, which could lead to novel physics and chemistry. The patterns, known as snub square tilings, were produced through self-assembly protocols and feature five-vertex connecting elements less than one nanometer across.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 8, 2013

Researchers make droplets dance

Scientists from Aalto University and Paris Tech have created a new model system for reversible switching between static and dynamic self-assembled structures. By using periodically oscillating magnetic fields, they demonstrated that droplet patterns can transform into more complex and dynamic ones.

SourceAalto University·JournalScience·DateJul 22, 2013

DNA brings materials to life

Researchers have discovered a method to control and direct the self-assembly of two distinct colloids by utilizing DNA-coated particles. This breakthrough has potential applications in various technologies, such as smart drug-delivery patches and light-reacting paints.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 13, 2013

Freedom of assembly

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have observed nanoparticle chains forming in situ for the first time, using a transmission electron microscope. The study demonstrates the potential of nanoparticles in energy-relevant technologies and could lead to new materials with unique properties.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateApr 19, 2013
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Watching molecules grow into microtubes

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have found a way for small molecules to spontaneously grow into centimeter-long microtubes through self-assembly. The process involves the formation of vesicles that stick onto the surface of the tube, causing it to grow longer and wider.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalSmall·DateFeb 22, 2013

New structures self-assemble in synchronized dance

Scientists have developed a way to create dynamic microtubes by synchronizing the movement of tiny Janus spheres. This process allows for the formation of intricate structures with potential applications in medicine and engineering.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature·DateNov 21, 2012
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

'Strain tuning' reveals promise in nanoscale manufacturing

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have made significant progress in fabricating advanced nanomaterials with improved properties. The controlled assembly of nanostructures enables the creation of self-assembled films with novel and unprecedented properties suitable for various electrical and electronic applications.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateNov 12, 2012

Folding funnels key to biomimicry

Researchers at Berkeley Lab discovered that protein-folding funnels can also apply to self-assembly of multiple proteins. The findings provide important guidelines for future biomimicry efforts, particularly in device fabrication and nanoscale synthesis.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 31, 2012

New insights into membrane-assisted self-assembly

Researchers explore how membranes influence self-assembly and structure formation in cells, revealing that membranes promote self-assembly and reproduce structures similar to those found in nature.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 24, 2012
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Self-forming biological scaffolding

A new model system explores how cells' functional structures assemble through self-organisation. The study reveals that actin filaments, held together by cross-linking proteins and molecular motors, can rapidly compact into highly ordered fibres.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateSep 19, 2012

Research update: Chips with self-assembling rectangles

Researchers developed a new approach to creating microchip structures using self-assembling polymers, producing arrays of wires with perfect square and rectangular patterns. This technique can create complex shapes, such as cylinders, spheres, and double cylinders, with a simple template.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJul 17, 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.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNano Letters·DateFeb 1, 2012
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Researchers find best routes to self-assembling 3-D shapes

Material chemists and engineers at Brown University developed algorithms to identify optimal 2-D planar nets for self-folding polyhedra. Experiments confirmed the design principles, allowing for the creation of complex 3-D structures with high yields.

SourceBrown University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 7, 2011

Out of mind in a matter of seconds

Researchers from Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization found that the brain's activity patterns are highly chaotic, with information lost at a rate of one bit per active neuron per second. This high deletion rate indicates that the cerebral cortex is tailored to process brief snapshots of sensory input.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 24, 2011
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

UCLA bioengineers discover how particles self-assemble in flowing fluids

Researchers at UCLA discovered that randomly dispersed microparticles can self-assemble into a highly organized structure as they flow through microscale channels. This phenomenon is driven by hydrodynamic interactions between particles, fluid, and the conduit they flow through.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 13, 2010

Self-assembly of nano-rotors

Researchers have successfully self-assembled rod-shaped molecules into small rotors within a two-dimensional network, forming a hexagonal lattice. The rotors exhibit unique energy thresholds and can maintain their structure even when exposed to thermal energy, enabling potential applications in optical or electronic switching.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 23, 2010

Researchers find 'Goldilocks' of DNA self-assembly

Researchers from North Carolina State University have discovered the optimal length of DNA strands for self-assembly, overcoming historical challenges. This breakthrough enables the creation of biocompatible, biodegradable drug-delivery vehicles and molecular sensors with significant diagnostic applications.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalLangmuir·DateOct 28, 2010
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Growing brain is particularly flexible

The brain is highly flexible during growth, with neuronal connections restructured through self-organisational processes. The number of nerve cells remains unchanged, but non-neuronal cells increase, enabling the visual cortex to adapt to new experiences.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 22, 2010
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Optical Legos: Building nanoshell structures

Researchers have developed a way to use Rice University's light-activated nanoshells as building blocks for complex structures that can trap, store and bend light. These materials have unique optical properties, making them suitable for applications such as ultrasensitive biological and chemical sensors.

SourceRice University·JournalScience·DateMay 27, 2010

NYU researchers create 'handshaking' particles

Physicists at NYU have created colloidal dispersions with programmable particle interactions, offering opportunities for engineering smart composite particles and new functional materials. The 'lock and key' mechanism allows specific particles to join together based on shape, marking a next step in understanding self-assembly processes.

SourceNew York University·JournalNature·DateMar 24, 2010

NTU professor bags inaugural award honoring women in science

Assoc Prof Lam has won a S$20,000 fellowship to support her research on self-assembling biomolecules for sensing applications. The award recognizes her contributions to the advancement of science and research in Singapore, building on her expertise in understanding and designing materials.

SourceNanyang Technological University·DateSep 2, 2009

Self-assembly now easier to control

Scientists have successfully regulated the formation of G-quadruplexes by influencing the distance and solution conditions. This controlled self-assembly enables the creation of complex structures with unique characteristics.

SourceNetherlands Organization for Scientific Research·JournalNature Chemistry·DateMay 14, 2009
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Scientists give a hand(edness) to the search for alien life

Researchers at NIST create device to detect chirality in molecules, which could indicate presence of life. The technique may be used to search for extraterrestrial life by analyzing light reflected from planetary surfaces.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 23, 2009

Researchers control the assembly of nanobristles into helical clusters

Scientists at Harvard University have discovered a way to synthesize and control the formation of nanobristles into helical clusters. The finding has potential use in energy, information storage, photonics, adhesion, capture and release systems, as well as particle mixing and transport.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience·DateJan 8, 2009

Putting an end to turbulence

Researchers from Max Planck Institute and Technical University discover that turbulent flows in pipes will inevitably become laminar, with the transition taking many years. This finding could help save energy in applications like oil pipelines.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 21, 2008
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.