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Scientists discover repulsive side to light force

A Yale team has discovered a repulsive light force that can be used to control components on silicon microchips, paving the way for faster and more efficient nanodevices. The researchers found that by manipulating out-of-phase light beams, they could create a controlled repulsive force with tunable intensity.

SourceYale University·JournalNature Photonics·DateJul 13, 2009

Nanocrystals reveal activity within cells

Researchers have developed bio-friendly nanocrystals that act as individual investigators of activity within a cell. These nanocrystals can track proteins in real-time, allowing for the study of biomolecules one at a time. The breakthrough has significant implications for understanding complex biological systems.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 16, 2009

Bridging the gap in nanoantennas

Researchers control light at nanoscale by adopting tuning concepts from radio-frequency technology, enabling targeted design of biosensors and photodetectors. The discovery bridges the gap between optical and radio frequencies, opening doors for compact and integrated nanophotonic devices.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalNature Photonics·DateApr 19, 2009

Beaming new light on life

Physicists and chemists at the University of Utah developed a new method using silver nanoparticles to visualize internal structures in nearly opaque biological materials. The technique allows for the detection of fatigue in materials like carbon-fiber plastics used in aircraft, enabling regular inspections of fuselage integrity.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalNano Letters·DateFeb 4, 2009

Cookie cutter in the sky

Researchers found that all active galactic nuclei have a similar physical structure, independent of the black hole's size. The observation constrains current ideas on how glow around black holes is produced, allowing for further study of these enigmatic objects.

SourceAmerican Museum of Natural History·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateDec 16, 2008

Golden rods

Researchers developed a novel method to produce gold nanorods using an ionic liquid, eliminating the need for cytotoxic additives. This approach allows for efficient conversion of light energy into heat, making it suitable for photoinduced hyperthermia treatments.

SourceWiley·DateSep 8, 2008

Accretion discs show their true colors

A new study using VLT observations verifies the long-standing prediction that accretion discs emit intensely blue radiation. The researchers used polarised light from six quasars to uncover the buried light from the discs, vindicating the standard picture of these discs.

SourceESO·JournalNature·DateJul 24, 2008

Getting wired for terahertz computing

University of Utah engineers successfully created wire-like waveguides to transmit and bend terahertz radiation, a crucial step towards harnessing its potential for faster computing and communication. This breakthrough could lead to the development of superfast computers that can process data at trillions of cycles per second.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalOptics Express·DateApr 14, 2008

Safer, easier system for remote explosive detection

Researchers at the University of Michigan have created materials that can detect TNT and alert to its presence remotely, reducing danger for military personnel. The system uses low-cost, battery-free sensors that emit light when excited by infrared light, which is then detected by a specially-designed light-collection system.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNanotechnology·DateApr 9, 2008

Bonn scientists discover new hemoglobin type

Researchers at the University of Bonn have identified a new hemoglobin type that appears to transport less oxygen than normal. This discovery was made after examining two patients with low oxygen levels in their blood, who did not show any signs of cardiac defects. The new type of haemoglobin, named Haemoglobin Bonn, can distort oxygen...

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalClinical Chemistry·DateMar 17, 2008

Researchers use light to detect Alzheimer's

Researchers have developed a method using near-infrared light to identify microscopic changes in brain tissue associated with Alzheimer's disease. This technique can potentially detect the disease earlier than current methods, which rely on clinical symptoms or imaging tests.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateMar 14, 2008

Astronomers find grains of sand around distant stars

Researchers have found evidence of small, sandy particles orbiting a newborn solar system at a distance similar to the Earth's orbit around the sun. The discovery sheds light on how Earth-like planets may form and offers new opportunities for studying the chemical composition of these particles.

SourceRice University·JournalNature·DateMar 12, 2008

Researchers decode genetics of rare photosynthetic bacterium

The researchers' successful sequencing of the cyanobacterium's genome has revealed its genetic secrets, shedding light on how it produces chlorophyll d and absorbs far-red light. This discovery holds potential for plant research and could lead to the development of crops that can harness a wider range of light spectrum.

SourceArizona State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 7, 2008

Getting light to bend backwards

Researchers have created a layered material that causes light to refract in the opposite direction, enabling flat lenses and potentially capturing images of DNA molecules. This technology, developed at NSF-funded research centers, holds promise for various applications such as chemical threat sensors and medical diagnostics.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalNature Materials·DateOct 16, 2007

Supersonic 'rain' falls on newborn star

Astronomers have discovered five Earth-oceans' worth of water falling onto a protoplanetary disk around an extremely young star, IRAS 4B. The 'disk-accretion shock' mechanism is responsible for the formation of planetary systems, and this finding provides valuable insights into the early stages of our solar system's life.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalNature·DateAug 29, 2007

Gazing up at the man in the star?

Researchers have captured an image of Altair, a hydrogen-burning star like our own sun, for the first time. The image was made possible by a novel system to clean up distortions from Earth's atmosphere and a multi-telescope system that combines information from small, distantly spaced telescopes.

Harnessing new frequencies

Researchers at the University of Utah have discovered a way to manipulate far-infrared light for efficient transmission, paving the way for faster wireless communication. The technology also enables detection of concealed explosives and biological weapons using vibrational spectroscopy.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalNature·DateMar 28, 2007

Light-emitting diodes for night-vision displays

Scientists have created highly efficient infrared light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that can be used in night-vision devices, emitting a reddish-orange glow. The LEDs use a phosphorescent platinum porphyrin complex as a doping agent to improve efficiency and emit light for longer periods.

SourceWiley·DateJan 23, 2007