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True properties of carbon nanotubes measured

Carbon nanotubes' true mechanical properties have been measured by Northwestern University researchers using a novel nanoscale material testing system. The results match quantum mechanics predictions and reveal that irradiation can strengthen the structure by forming bonds between shells of the tube.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateAug 15, 2008

Study reveals principles behind stability and electronic properties of gold nanoclusters

Researchers confirm the 'divide and protect' bonding structure in metallic gold nanoclusters, finding stability due to surface-chemical bonds and a filled electron shell. The study reveals distinct electronic properties and potential applications for nanoparticle chemistry.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 14, 2008

A plane with wings of glass?

Researchers have found that the special atomic structures formed in glass when it cools are responsible for its non-crystalline state. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new materials like metallic glasses, which could be used in flexible products such as aircraft wings and engine parts.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Materials·DateJun 22, 2008

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.

SourceWiley·DateJan 3, 2008

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.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 4, 2006

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateSep 28, 2006

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.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 15, 2006

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.

SourceBrown University·JournalNature Materials·DateNov 21, 2005

$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...

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.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateNov 15, 2004

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.

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.

SourceESO·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 31, 2004

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.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 1, 2004

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.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateApr 22, 2003