Nanomaterials show unexpected strength under stress
Researchers discovered that materials like silica behave as ductile as gold at the nanoscale due to surface atom dominance. Nanoparticle size and morphology affect ductility and tensile strength.
Atomic Structure
Articles tagged with Atomic Structure
Debut of TEAM 0.5, the world's best microscope
The TEAM 0.5 microscope has achieved unprecedented image resolution of half a ten-billionth of a meter, enabling the precise localization of individual atoms in three dimensions. This capability is made possible by advanced technologies such as ultra-stable electronics and aberration correction.
Mobile metal atoms
German researchers have developed a new class of inorganic ionic conductor materials with a structure analogous to the mineral argyrodite. These materials exhibit unusually high lithium mobility, which is essential for enhancing the performance of rechargeable batteries.
UCLA researchers outline the structure of the largest non-virus particle ever crystallized
Researchers at UCLA have modeled the structure of large cellular particles, known as vaults, which may function in innate immunity. The study proposes ways to engineer these particles for targeted release of drugs.
Novel gate dielectric materials: perfection is not enough
Researchers at the London Centre for Nanotechnology discovered that even perfect structure in high-dielectric constant materials can lead to 'self-trapping' of charges, which affects device performance. This new understanding could open the way to suppressing undesirable characteristics in these materials.
Scientists retrace evolution with first atomic structure of an ancient protein
Researchers used state-of-the-art techniques to recreate an ancient human protein, tracing its evolution and discovering how it acquired a crucial new function. By analyzing the protein's atomic structure, scientists identified seven key historical mutations that recaptured the protein's present-day response to cortisol.
Laser-trapping of rare element gets unexpected assist
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory successfully trapped radium atoms in a magneto-optical trap, leveraging the unexpected help of room temperature blackbody radiation. This achievement marks a significant milestone in studying time-reversal violation and has implications for physics beyond the Standard Model.
Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, type 2 diabetes similar at molecular level
Researchers have discovered that Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and type 2 diabetes share a common molecular mechanism, involving amyloid fibrils with a universal 'molecular zipper' structure. This finding could lead to new diagnostic tools and treatment options through 'structure-based drug design'.
Nanostructures can pose big measurement problems
Researchers have identified a lack of precise methods for studying nanostructured materials' atomic arrangements, dubbed the 'nanostructure problem.' A comprehensive solution requires coordination among multiple experimental methods and theory.
Where is the proton? Yale scientists discover footprints of shared protons
Researchers find that shared protons vibrate between molecules as local oscillators, creating distinct vibrational patterns associated with the bridging proton. The study reveals how the chemical properties of tethered molecules affect proton localization.
1-nanometer resolution is NSF CAREER researcher's goal for optical imaging
Virginia Tech researcher Yong Xu seeks to create an optical microscope that can image nanostructures at one nanometer resolution, a breakthrough in arranging atoms on the molecular scale. Observing the vacuum field at this resolution could help solve quantum electrodynamics' remaining mysteries.
Atom 'noise' may help design quantum computers
Researchers at NIST have developed a technique that uses noise patterns in ultracold atoms to reveal hidden structural patterns, including spacing between atoms and cloud size. This method has the potential to aid in designing more efficient quantum computers.
Physicists discover structures of gold nanoclusters
Researchers have unveiled the size-dependent evolution of structural and electronic structural motifs of gold nanoclusters. The experiments show near perfect agreement pertaining to the cluster structures occurring in the experiments, which is crucial for understanding their behavior as nanocatalysts or in medical applications.
How to herd atoms
Physicists at the Max Planck Institute have discovered a way to arrange randomly deposited atoms in regular patterns, mimicking the behavior of sheep in a pen. By adjusting substrate temperature and parameters, they created circular fencing that guides adatoms into ordered structures.
Improbable 'buckyegg' hatched
Researchers at UC Davis and Virginia Tech successfully created an egg-shaped fullerene, or 'buckyegg', which opens up new possibilities for structures of fullerenes. The unexpected discovery was made by collaborating scientists who used special conditions to create a mixture of fullerenes with triterbium nitride inside.
NIST scientists use electron beam to unravel the secrets of an 'atomic switch'
Scientists at NIST have developed a technique to move a single atom between two positions on a crystal surface using an electron beam. The method improved our understanding of the science behind atomic switching and allows for spatial mapping of the probability of an electron exciting the desired atom motion.
Atoms looser than expected
Scientists at Harvard University have recalculated the fine structure constant, a fundamental force that governs the electromagnetic interaction between charged particles. The new value suggests that atoms are slightly looser than previously thought, with an improved measurement accuracy of six times better.
Solitons could power molecular electronics, artificial muscles
Scientists have discovered that solitons have intricate internal structures, which can affect their ability to carry a charge through organic materials. This discovery may lead to the development of molecular electronics and artificial muscles powered by solitons.
Researchers discover how to focus on tiniest of the very small
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a new technique that allows them to see the polarity and smaller atoms within crystal molecules for the first time. This advancement has the potential to improve the performance of devices such as lasers, which rely on the structure of individual molecules.
Scientists resolve 60-year-old plutonium questions
Researchers have determined that gallium evens out the uneven bonds between plutonium atoms, leading to a stable high-symmetry cubic structure. The findings shed light on the nature of plutonium and improve confidence in its safety and reliability.
Rutgers professor to receive APS award for principles to compute properties of matter
David Vanderbilt's work simplifies computer calculations to understand material atomic structure and create new materials. His methods have broad applications in physics, chemistry, and engineering.
Chemists calculate structure of puzzling 'scrambler' molecule
Researchers at Ohio State University have calculated the structure of CH5+, a molecule known as 'the scrambler,' which has hyperactive atoms and a unique spectrum. The team's work provides new insights into the molecule's properties and may help astronomers identify its presence in interstellar clouds.
The impossible is possible: Laser light from silicon
Brown University researchers have created a directly pumped silicon laser by altering its atomic structure using nanoscale drilling. The achievement opens up new possibilities for the electronics and communications industries, enabling faster and more powerful computers or fiber optic networks.
Metal-containing compounds show promise as HIV weapon
Researchers from UT Southwestern and international partners discovered metal-containing compounds that inhibit HIV protease with low concentrations and stability. These compounds may be effective against resistant strains of the virus.
Rutgers findings a step toward safer chemicals in labs and industry
Rutgers chemists invent variant of room temperature ionic liquids to overcome viscosity barrier, enabling safer and more efficient industrial processes. The new chemicals could be used in industries such as chemical manufacturing, electroplating, and radioactive waste handling.
Engineers point way to better use of nanotubes as measuring tips
Researchers at Purdue University have shown how to use multi-walled carbon nanotubes as measuring tips in atomic force microscopes. The tubes' shape allows them to penetrate nano-structures, but they often stick due to van der Waals' forces. To overcome this, the team found that adjusting operating parameters can prevent artifacts and ...
Protein structure key for AIDS, cell function
Cornell researchers identified a peptide that may play a role in interrupting the interface between CD4 and HIV-AIDS. The findings mark a major step toward designing drugs that could inhibit processes related to certain diseases.
Computers close in on protein structure prediction
Scientists have made significant progress in predicting protein structures using computers. The Rosetta program uses a two-step process to generate energy calculations and select the lowest energy shape as prediction. This approach has achieved almost atomic resolution in structure prediction for about one-third of small proteins.
Argonne researchers create new diamond-nanotube composite material
The novel material combines diamond's hardness with nanotubes' strength, offering potential applications in wear-resistant coatings, fuel cells, and electronic devices. The researchers developed a process to synthesize the material at the nanoscale, paving the way for fundamental advances in nanostructured carbon materials.
Size matters: Friction, adhesion change on atomic level
Research by Johns Hopkins physicists reveals that atomic-scale surfaces exhibit drastically different friction and adhesion forces due to their unique structures. The findings have significant implications for the development of nanotechnology, which could lead to improved device performance and functionality.
Award-winning UH professor selected to organize alloys symposium
Moss's work on local structure of alloys led to the development of Krivoglaz-Clapp-Moss theory, redefining alloy studies. He continues to study atomic structure of alloys to understand phase stability and properties.
Molecular fossils uncover link between viruses and the immune system
Researchers used structural biology to compare viral structures, discovering that some viruses share the same protein structure as the immune system. This finding suggests that viral building blocks may have served as precursors for the evolution of the immune system.
$3.5 million for computer simulation of molecules
The University of Utah has received a $3.5 million grant from the Department of Defense's Office of Naval Research to develop cutting-edge computer simulation methods for describing chemical reactions in complicated molecular systems. This advancement will greatly expand the application of molecular simulation techniques to new scienti...
Experiments prove existence of atomic chain 'anchors'
Physicists at NIST have proven the existence of atomic chain 'anchors' with lower energy levels than inner atoms. This discovery may help scientists design one-dimensional nanostructures, such as electrical wires, with tailored electrical properties.
Glass reveals secrets under pressure
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory witness continuous structural change in glass under pressure, contradicting long-held theories. They also observe a dense, disordered octahedral structure for the first time, with internal angles deviating from perfect geometry.
University of Manchester uses crystals to help battle deadly diseases
The University of Manchester has developed a new technique that allows scientists to study protein molecules in complete detail, doubling the number of visible atoms compared to current methods. This breakthrough enables the creation of more effective medicines by targeting specific proteins.
Unusual material that contracts when heated is giving up its secrets to physicists
Researchers at UCSC have made new insights into the atomic interactions underlying zirconium tungstate's negative thermal expansion. The team found a combination of geometrical frustration and unusual atomic motions are likely important to this phenomenon.
UO's molecular 'claws' trap arsenic atoms
Researchers at the University of Oregon have discovered a way to build a molecular 'claw' that can grab onto arsenic and sequester it, potentially leading to improved treatments for arsenic poisoning. The molecules developed by the team are known as chelators, which enable them to trap and immobilize heavy metal atoms like arsenic.
Symposium honors Paul Ribbe for contributions to mineral and geochemical science
Dr. Paul Ribbe will be honored with a symposium for his significant advances in the crystallography of feldspars, which led to the creation of definitive work on mineralogy. The symposium features keynote addresses from internationally recognized scientists and explores the 'micro to macro' approach pioneered by Ribbe.
Martin Saunders to receive the James Flack Norris Award
Martin Saunders will receive the James Flack Norris Award for his seminal contributions to NMR spectroscopy, structures, and rearrangements of carbocations. He developed new methods for studying these highly reactive species, allowing him to discover detailed mechanisms and rates of rapid rearrangement reactions.
Chemical bonding states at silicon / silicon dioxide interfaces characterisable with light
The study identifies special bonding states at silicon / silicon dioxide interfaces, which can be observed due to the structure of a (111)-terminated silicon crystal. Nonlinear-optical spectroscopy provides high interfacial sensitivity, allowing for detailed analysis of oxidation processes.
Tuning the nanoworld
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed a new method to create branched nanostructures by combining quantum dots and segmented nanorods. These structures can be tailored for various electronic applications, including quantum computing and artificial photosynthesis.
Engineers visualize electric memory as it fades
Engineers have used X-rays to study how atoms rearrange themselves in ferroelectric materials as they switch between electrical pulses. As the material fatigues, progressively larger areas cease working, suggesting that the atoms' switching ability decreases over time.
New quasar studies keep fundamental physical constant constant
Astronomers using the Very Large Telescope have secured new data that provide the strongest constraints to date on the possible variation of the fine-structure constant. The study shows no evidence for a time-dependent change in this fundamental constant, contradicting previous claims.
Physics tip sheet #40 - March 1, 2004
Researchers have made significant discoveries in controlling friction at the nanometer scale, developing more resilient network architectures, and precisely manipulating millions of atoms. These advancements hold promise for improving nanoengineering applications and enhancing our understanding of fundamental mechanisms.
50-year-old magnetic mystery solved; quantum structure obeys classical physics
Scientists have demonstrated a type of magnetic behavior predicted over 50 years ago using a classical physics approach, bridging the gap between quantum and classical approaches. The study involves molecular magnets with special internal structures, which can produce new phenomena like Néel excitation.
New material breakthrough: Super-hard graphite cracks diamond
Researchers at Carnegie Institution's Geophysical Laboratory have created a super-hard form of graphite that can rival diamond in strength. The new material was made by subjecting graphite to extreme pressures and studying its atomic structure using high-intensity X-rays.
Unusually long and aligned 'buckytubes' grown at Duke
The researchers successfully grew extremely long and straight single-walled carbon nanotubes by heating samples quickly, achieving lengths of over 2 millimeters. This breakthrough could enable the creation of billionths-of-a-meter scale electronic circuitry and opens up new possibilities for nanoelectrical components.
Hundreds of highly branched molecules unite in a giant self-assembled liquid crystal lattice
Researchers have successfully created a giant self-assembled liquid crystal lattice using hundreds of thousands of highly branched molecules. The structure, which consists of discrete microscopic spheres linked together, has a repeat unit size comparable to spherical virus particles isolated from plants.
New technique reveals structure of thin films with high resolution
Scientists have developed a new technique called COBRA to study the structure of thin films at an atomic level, revealing surprising alignment between film and substrate atoms. The technique provides precise information on atomic positions within films and their interactions with substrates.
A quick-change artist: Tiny protein folds faster than any other
Researchers discovered that the Tryptophan cage protein, composed of 20 amino acids, folds into its three-dimensional shape at an unprecedented rate. The protein achieves this in just four-millionths of a second, beating any other protein by about four times.
UCI gold chain study gets to heart of matter
Researchers discovered a molecular phase when a cluster of atoms develops into a solid structure, revealing the smallest size of functional molecules. The study also suggests a limit on the tiniest size that electrically conductive molecules can be constructed.
Quantum computing with individual atoms
The University of Michigan researchers have successfully cooled a single atom to near absolute zero using laser cooling, a crucial step toward scaling up trapped atom computers. The proposal outlines a 'quantum charge-coupled device' architecture that could be used for large-scale quantum computing.
Magnetism to its lowest terms
An international team observed ferromagnetism in one-dimensional cobalt chains, which exhibit both short- and long-range magnetic order. The chains' localized orbital magnetic moments are much larger than those in thin films or bulk crystals, opening up new possibilities for nanoscale magnetic structures.
Sandia 'detective' solves strange case
Theoretical physicist Peter Feibelman found that water molecules dissociate near the surface, forming a 3-D ice cube instead of a puckered hexagon. This discovery explains why a flat water layer exists on metal surfaces, which has implications for micro- and nanotechnology.,
Physics research suggests it might be possible to lengthen battery life
Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have discovered that carbon nanotubes can store more energy than conventional graphite electrodes, potentially leading to longer-lasting batteries. The study found that carbon nanotubes can contain roughly twice the energy density of graphite.
Nanotube 'peapods' have tunable electronic properties, scientists say
Researchers have found that encapsulating molecules within carbon nanotubes can dramatically modify their electronic properties. This discovery could lead to the design of single-molecule-based devices and hybrid nanostructures with tailored electronic functions.
Nanotube ‘peapods’ have tunable electronic properties, Penn and Illinois scientists report in Science
Researchers at Penn and Illinois have created nanoscale peapods that exhibit tunable electronic properties. By manipulating encapsulated molecules, they can engineer electron motion inside nanotubes in a predictable way.
Scientists find holes etched in silicon chips can migrate
Researchers found that tiny holes etched in silicon chips can move and align themselves with increased heat, leading to more energy-efficient configurations. This knowledge could help lead to smaller, more precise silicon chips for computers and other devices.
First controllable 2D nanopatterns imaged by Sandia researchers — Nanotemplates for nanostructures
Sandia researchers successfully created the first controllable 2D nanopatterns, which can be used to fine-tune device characteristics of self-assembling nanostructures. The breakthrough provides insight into how nature creates ordered patterns and enables humans to replicate it for fabricating specialized materials.