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Silver lining found for making new drugs

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have discovered a new chemical to aid drug manufacturing processes, making it more environmentally-friendly and easier to scale up for industry. The team found that a positively charged molecule known as TMA can replace silver in the manufacturing process, reducing costs and waste.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalChemical Science·DateJun 26, 2014

When aluminum outshines gold

Researchers at Rice University have discovered aluminum's valuable plasmonic properties, which make it suitable for harvesting solar energy and creating large-area optical devices. The study also found that aluminum exhibits quantum mechanical effects stronger than gold in certain nanomatryushka structures.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateDec 2, 2013

Oh, Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree

Scientists have created a self-sterilizing composite material derived from Douglas fir needles that can coat medical implants and surgical devices to prevent microbial growth. The material uses silver nanoparticles generated from the plant extract, which acts as a natural chemical reducing agent.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Biomedical Nanoscience and Nanotechnology·DateJan 2, 2013

Silver sheds light on superconductor secrets

Researchers from the Institute of Solid State Physics found that superconductivity is intrinsic to a bismuth-based layered material when doped with silver. The material's characteristics were measured using x-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility, electrical transport, and thermal transport.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateDec 20, 2012

How silver turns people blue

Researchers at Brown University have discovered how ingesting too much silver leads to argyria, a rare condition where skin turns grayish-blue. The study shows that silver nanoparticles are broken down into silver salt in the stomach, which is then absorbed into the bloodstream and deposited in the skin.

SourceBrown University·JournalACS Nano·DateOct 29, 2012

Ions, not particles, make silver toxic to bacteria

Researchers found that silver nanoparticles are less toxic to bacteria than their released ions. The team's study suggests that controlling the rate of ion release can enhance antibacterial properties and mitigate environmental impacts. They also discovered hormesis, where low doses of silver ions stimulate bacterial growth.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateJul 11, 2012

Nanostarfruits are pure gold for research

Researchers at Rice University created starfruit-shaped gold nanorods that can enhance surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, allowing for more sensitive detection of organic molecules. The particles return signals 25 times stronger than similar nanorods with smooth surfaces.

SourceRice University·JournalLangmuir·DateMar 27, 2012

New 'magnetic yeast' marks step toward harnessing Nature's magnetic capabilities

Scientists have developed a method to imbue yeast with magnetic properties, enabling potential applications in medical, industrial, and research settings. The technology could be used to target and isolate specific cells, guiding them toward certain manufacturing processes or interacting with non-living machinery.

Particle-free silver ink prints small, high-performance electronics

The University of Illinois has created a reactive silver ink that can print small, high-performance electronics on flexible plastics, papers, or fabrics without the need for metal particles. The ink is faster to make, more stable, and suitable for smaller nozzles, making it ideal for printed microelectronics.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJan 12, 2012

Gold and silver nano baubles

Scientists in Mexico and the US have synthesized gold and silver nanoparticles just 25 nanometers in diameter, which could have potential applications as catalysts, drug-delivery agents, and quantum dots. The analysis reveals multiple layers of shells within each particle, with some blending or alloying of metals.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Nanoparticles·DateDec 3, 2010

Silver proves its mettle for nanotech applications

Researchers have developed a method to deterministically position silver nanoparticles onto self-assembling DNA scaffolds, paving the way for new biomedical applications and precise sensing operations. The study demonstrates the viability of using silver instead of gold nanoparticles in DNA-based architectures.

SourceArizona State University·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateMar 19, 2010

An exquisite container

Researchers have developed a tiny, gold nanocage that responds to light and releases carefully titrated amounts of chemotherapy drugs at specific tissue sites. The system is designed to maximize the beneficial effects of the medication while minimizing side effects.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Materials·DateNov 1, 2009

Silver nanoparticles give polymer solar cells a boost

Researchers at Ohio State University discovered that adding silver nanoparticles to plastic boosts electrical current generation in polymer semiconductors, increasing efficiency. The new fabrication technique allows for a wider range of wavelength absorption, promising advancements toward commercially viable solar cells.

SourceOhio State University·JournalSolar Energy Materials and Solar Cells·DateOct 5, 2009

Water quality in orbit

The University of Utah has developed a two-minute water quality monitoring method that uses a handheld color sensor to detect iodine or silver levels in drinking water. The system is designed to be simple, low-cost and safe for use on the International Space Station.