The energy involved in carbon cap formation does not dictate the chirality of a single-walled nanotube, according to theoretical research. The work contributes to the continuing search for a way to grow nanotubes of the same selected chirality. ...
Researchers have tested a new approach to fabricating spin valves. Using ion beams, they structured an iron aluminum alloy in such a way as to subdivide the material into individually magnetizable regions at the nanometer scale. The alloy functions as a spin valve, which is of interest for use in spintronics. Not only does this technology use electron charge for purposes of information storage and...
Nanoparticles that can deliver drugs targeting damaged arteries have been developed as a non-invasive method to fight heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One of the standard ways to treat clogged and damaged arteries currently is to implant vascular stents, which hold the vessels open and release such drugs...
Electronics that bend and stretch have been demonstrated, but similar work in optics has lagged behind. Particularly difficult to engineer have been optics that stretch, lengthening when someone wearing body sensors bends to tie their shoe, or when a robotic arm twists through a full range of motion. Now scientists report the first optical circuit that uses interconnections that are not only bendable,...
A research team has demonstrated the world's fastest silicon-based device to date. The investigators operated a silicon-germanium (SiGe) transistor at 798 gigahertz (GHz) fMAX, exceeding the previous speed record for silicon-germanium chips by about 200 GHz. ...
Plop living, swimming bacteria into a novel water-based, nontoxic liquid crystal and a new physics takes over. The dynamic interaction of the bacteria with the liquid crystal creates a novel form of soft matter: living liquid crystal. This new type of active material holds promise for improving the early detection of diseases. ...
Thanks to optical signals, mails and data can be transmitted rapidly around the globe. But also exchange of digital information between electronic chips may be accelerated and energy efficiency might be increased by using optical signals. However, this would require simple methods to switch from electrical to optical signals. Researchers have now developed a device of 29 microns in length, which converts...
A novel battery electrode features silicon nanoparticles clustered like pomegranate seeds in a tough carbon rind. The design could enable smaller, lighter rechargeable batteries for electric cars, cell phones and other devices. ...
An electrical engineer explains why advances in nanoelectronics will shape the future of renewable energy technologies. ...
Carbon nanotube-based fibers have greater capacity to carry electrical current than copper cables of the same mass, scientists show. ...
A new breed of ultra thin super-material has the potential to cause a technological revolution. “Artificial graphene” should lead to faster, smaller and lighter electronic and optical devices of all kinds, including higher performance photovoltaic cells, lasers or LED lighting. ...
Nanoparticles capable of delivering drugs to specifically targeted cancer cells have been created by a group of researchers from China. ...
Researchers have taken a leap forward towards a deeper understanding of an undesired effect in thin film solar cells based on amorphous silicon -- one that has puzzled the scientific community for the last 40 years. The researchers were able to demonstrate that tiny voids within the silicon network are partly responsible for reducing solar cell efficiency by some 10 to 15 percent as soon as you start...
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The disk drive in a computer works by using a magnetic field to change the physical properties of a tiny volume of a magnetically susceptible material. Current research aims to develop novel materials and technologies that can maximize storage capacity by focusing data into the smallest possible volume. ...
Upconversion nanoparticles -- new types of luminescent nanomaterials that release high-energy photons after laser light stimulation -- can penetrate deeper into tissue and are more photochemically stable than conventional bioimaging agents, such as quantum dots and organic dyes. Luminescent nanocrystals doped or impregnated with small amounts of rare-earth ytterbium (Yb) ions are particularly effective...
Scientists hope that patterning magnetic materials with nanometer-scale structures will help the development of non-volatile electronic memories with large storage capacities and no moving parts. So-called magnetoresistive random access memories are one example. But material properties at such tiny dimensions are not always the same as those of larger structures. ...
Chemists have developed a one-pot synthesis process to encapsulate nanoparticles. This type of particle could improve the antimicrobial coating of implants. ...
re often similar in their hair, which is usually extremely rigid or -- if it moves at all -- is straight and swings to and fro. It's rare to see an animated character with bouncy, curly hair, since computer animators don...
Researchers have designed nanoparticles with one half formed of gold branches and the other of silicon oxide. They are a kind of Janus particle, so-called in honor of the Roman god with two faces, which could be used in phototherapy in the future to treat tumors. ...