Recent Headlines:

Nanofabrication:

Tiniest Imperfections Make Big Impacts in Nano-Patterned Materials – EurekAlert!

A research team at Clarkson University reports an interesting conclusion that could have major impacts on the future of nano-manufacturing.

Graphene Quantum Dots Can Improve the Efficiency of Silicon Solar Cells – Phys.org

Small flakes of graphene could expand the usable spectral region of light in silicon solar cells to boost their efficiency, new research from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia, shows.

Synthesized Microporous 3D Graphene-Like Carbons – Science Daily

The research team lowered the temperature required for the carbonization by embedding lanthanum ions (La3+), a silvery-white metal element, in zeolite pores.

Graphene Used as a Frequency Mixer in Cornell-Led Research – Cornell Chronicle

A group led by Roberto De Alba, graduate student in physics, and Jeevak Parpia, professor and department chair of physics, has published a paper in Nature Nanotechnology regarding yet another application for the versatile, super-strong, super-light material.

Low-current, Highly Integrable Spintronics Device Developed – Nano Werk

A research team of International center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA), consisting of postdoctoral fellow Takashi Tsuchiya, group leader Kazuya Terabe, and Director Masakazu Aono, developed a device capable of controlling magnetism at a lower current level than conventional spintronics devices, with lecturer Tohru Higuchi at Tokyo University of Science

Photonics:

Efficient Solar-Driven Water Splitting by Nanocone BiVO4-Perovskite Tandem Cells – Science Advances

Bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) has been widely regarded as a promising photoanode material for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting because of its low cost, its high stability against photocorrosion, and its relatively narrow band gap of 2.4 eV.

Ultrathin Metalens Captures Chiral, Spectral Images Simultaneously – Photonics Media

An ultracompact planar lens has been engineered to simultaneously form two images of the same object, with opposite helicity and within a single field-of-view.

A Little Impurity Makes Nanolasers Shine – R&D Mag

Scientists at ANU (The Australian National University) have improved the performance of tiny lasers by adding impurities, in a discovery which will be central to the development of low-cost biomedical sensors, quantum computing, and a faster internet.

From Super to Ultra-Resolution Microscopy: New Method Pushes the Frontier in Imaging Resolution – Phys Org

Proteins mostly do not work in isolation but rather make up larger complexes like the molecular machines that enable cells to communicate with each other, move cargo around in their interiors or replicate their DNA.

Bio-Medical:

Engineers Design Programmable RNA Vaccines – EurekAlert!

MIT engineers have developed a new type of easily customizable vaccine that can be manufactured in one week, allowing it to be rapidly deployed in response to disease outbreaks.

New Biomaterial Developed for Injectable Neuronal Control – Science Newsline Technology

In the campy 1966 science fiction movie “Fantastic Voyage,” scientists miniaturize a submarine with themselves inside and travel through the body of a colleague to break up a potentially fatal blood clot. Right. Micro-humans aside, imagine the inflammation that metal sub would cause.

Tiny DNA ‘Legs’ Walk With Record Fuel Efficiency – Phys Org

For the first time, researchers have demonstrated a DNA nanomotor that can “walk” along a track with sustainable motion.

Engineers Make Major Breakthrough in Developing Silk ‘Micro-Rockets’ That can be Used Safely in Biological Environments – Phys Org

Sheffield engineers make major breakthrough in developing silk ‘micro-rockets’ that can be used safely in biological environments.

Nanotechnology-Based Approach to Repair the Cancer Cell Suicide Mechanism – Nano Werk

Cancer is a very complex disease and the exact cause is not clearly understood yet. Extensive biomedical research suggests a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Treatment for cancer can be of many types and primarily depends on the type of the disease, its progression and other factors.

Materials:

Fantastic Voyage to the ‘Nanoverse’ One Step Closer – R&D Mag

Robots so small they can enter the bloodstream and perform surgeries are one step closer, a research team from Monash University has discovered.

Integrated Trio of 2D Nanomaterials Unlocks Graphene Electronics Applications – Phys Org

Graphene has emerged as one of the most promising two-dimensional crystals, but the future of electronics may include two other nanomaterials, according to a new study by researchers at the University of California, Riverside and the University of Georgia.

Catalyst Efficiency Improved for Clean Industries – Science Daily

Researchers have developed a way to use less platinum in chemical reactions commonly used in the clean energy, green chemicals, and automotive industries, according to a new article.

Graphene Hydraulic Press Delivers New 2D Materials – R&D Mag

A graphene hydraulic ‘nano-press’ has proved to be capable of creating new two-dimensional materials by exerting huge pressure on compounds sealed between layers of graphene.

Sensors:

Wireless, Wearable Toxic-gas Detector – MIT News

MIT researchers have developed low-cost chemical sensors, made from chemically altered carbon nanotubes, that enable smartphones or other wireless devices to detect trace amounts of toxic gases.

Electronic Nose Detects Pesticides and Nerve Gas – Ku Leuven

Detecting pesticides and nerve gas in very low concentrations? An international team of researchers led by Ivo Stassen and Rob Ameloot from KU Leuven have made it possible.

New Nanotechnology-Based Tattoo Could be Used for Various Commercial, Medical Applications – AZO Nano

A new temporary “electronic tattoo” developed by Tel Aviv University that can measure the activity of muscle and nerve cells researchers is poised to revolutionize medicine, rehabilitation, and even business and marketing research.