Nanomaterials News - Nanomaterials, Nanoparticles, and Nanotechnology https://phys.org/nanotech-news/nano-materials en-us The latest science news on nanomaterials, nanotechnology, nanoparticles and nanoscience. Selective operation of enhancement and depletion modes of nanoscale field-effect transistors Nanoscale transistors are in demand for efficient digital circuits, and biasing of each device is critical. These stringent biasing conditions can be relaxed by obtaining precise values of the threshold voltages of the transistor. This leads to more tolerant logic states to the electrical noise. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-depletion-modes-nanoscale-field-effect.html Nanophysics Nanomaterials Wed, 06 Mar 2024 16:34:51 EST news628965288 New nano-microscope enables simultaneous measurement of nano-composite material properties The Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) has developed a hybrid nano-microscope capable of simultaneously measuring various nano-material properties. This nano-microscope is essential for researching the properties of nano-composite materials and is also suitable for commercialization. It is expected to promote the development of industries for related materials and equipment. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-nano-microscope-enables-simultaneous-composite.html Nanophysics Nanomaterials Wed, 06 Mar 2024 15:57:03 EST news628963021 Nanodevices can produce energy from evaporating tap or seawater Evaporation is a natural process so ubiquitous that most of us take it for granted. In fact, roughly half of the solar energy that reaches the Earth drives evaporative processes. Since 2017, researchers have been working to harness the energy potential of evaporation via the hydrovoltaic (HV) effect, which allows electricity to be harvested when fluid is passed over the charged surface of a nanoscale device. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-nanodevices-energy-evaporating-seawater.html Nanophysics Nanomaterials Wed, 06 Mar 2024 12:28:55 EST news628950532 Harmful 'forever chemicals' removed from water with new electrocatalysis method Scientists from the University of Rochester have developed new electrochemical approaches to clean up pollution from "forever chemicals" found in clothing, food packaging, firefighting foams, and a wide array of other products. A new Journal of Catalysis study describes nanocatalysts developed to remediate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances known as PFAS. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-chemicals-electrocatalysis-method.html Nanomaterials Tue, 05 Mar 2024 16:49:04 EST news628879742 Aluminum nanoparticles make tunable green catalysts Catalysts unlock pathways for chemical reactions to unfold at faster and more efficient rates, and the development of new catalytic technologies is a critical part of the green energy transition. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-aluminum-nanoparticles-tunable-green-catalysts.html Nanomaterials Tue, 05 Mar 2024 16:28:26 EST news628878503 Team successfully synthesizes atomically precise metal nanoclusters A research team has successfully synthesized a metal nanocluster and determined its crystal structure. Their study provides experimental evidence for understanding and designing nanoclusters with specific properties at the atomic level. Metal nanoclusters have wide-ranging applications in the biomedical field. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-team-successfully-atomically-precise-metal.html Nanomaterials Tue, 05 Mar 2024 14:27:03 EST news628871221 Using light to precisely control single-molecule devices In a new Nature Communications study, Columbia Engineering researchers report that they have built highly conductive, tunable single-molecule devices in which the molecule is attached to leads by using direct metal-metal contacts. Their novel approach uses light to control the electronic properties of the devices and opens the door to broader use of metal-metal contacts that could facilitate electron transport across the single-molecule device. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-precisely-molecule-devices.html Nanophysics Nanomaterials Tue, 05 Mar 2024 13:13:03 EST news628866781 Ballistic transport in long molecular wires: Porphyrin nanoribbons The conductance of classical electric components typically decays with increasing length. In general, this is also the same behavior found at the nanoscale with 1D molecular wires. Now, researchers have demonstrated that, once more, things are different in the nanoworld (i.e. there is plenty of room at the bottom). https://phys.org/news/2024-03-ballistic-molecular-wires-porphyrin-nanoribbons.html Nanomaterials Tue, 05 Mar 2024 09:26:04 EST news628853161 Breakthrough in nanostructure technology for real-time color display A technology that enables the real-time display of colors and shapes through changes in nanostructures has been developed by Professor Kang Hee Ku and her team in the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering at UNIST. The technology has the potential to revolutionize various fields, including smart polymer particles. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-breakthrough-nanostructure-technology-real-display.html Nanomaterials Tue, 05 Mar 2024 08:56:03 EST news628851362 Scientists shine new light on the future of nanoelectronic devices Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform technologies as diverse as solar panels, in-body medical sensors and self-driving vehicles. But these applications are already pushing today's computers to their limits when it comes to speed, memory size and energy use. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-scientists-future-nanoelectronic-devices.html Nanomaterials Mon, 04 Mar 2024 14:44:02 EST news628785838 Micro mirage: Researchers fabricate the world's smallest QR code using infrared information carrier Credit cards embedded chips, national mints printed watermarks, and high-profile locations installed retina scanners all for the same reason—to protect information. As attackers grow smarter, so must defense. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-micro-mirage-fabricate-world-smallest.html Nanophysics Nanomaterials Mon, 04 Mar 2024 11:51:10 EST news628775468 Spontaneous curvature the key to shape-shifting nanomaterials, finds study Inspired by nature, nanotechnology researchers have identified 'spontaneous curvature' as the key factor determining how ultra-thin, artificial materials can transform into useful tubes, twists and helices. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-spontaneous-curvature-key-shifting-nanomaterials.html Nanomaterials Mon, 04 Mar 2024 10:23:03 EST news628770181 Nanoscale topcoat can turbocharge supported gold nanoparticle catalysts Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have developed a way to add single nanosheets of mixed metal oxide to gold nanoparticles supported on silica to enhance their catalytic activity. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-nanoscale-topcoat-turbocharge-gold-nanoparticle.html Nanomaterials Mon, 04 Mar 2024 10:13:29 EST news628769606 Discovering the molecular recognition of technological solids by mutant self-assembling peptides In a study recently published in the journal Small, researchers from Nano Life Science Institute (WPI NanoLSI), Kanazawa University, Japan, collaborating with Professor Sarikaya, Seattle, U.S., used frequency modulated atomic force microscopy to reveal the molecular architecture of genetically designed and point mutated peptides and their self-organizations each forming single-molecule thick, distinct biological crystals on atomically flat graphite and MoS2 surfaces, offering a potential platform for hybrid technologies such as bioelectronics, biosensors, and protein arrays. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-molecular-recognition-technological-solids-mutant.html Bio & Medicine Nanomaterials Mon, 04 Mar 2024 09:36:12 EST news628767368 Nano-thin printing of electronics hardware could slash costs Engineering researchers have developed a 2D printing process using liquid metals that they say could create new ways of creating more advanced and energy efficient computing hardware that is manufactured at the nanoscale. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-nano-thin-electronics-hardware-slash.html Nanomaterials Mon, 04 Mar 2024 09:36:06 EST news628767364 Innovative nanosheet method revolutionizes brain imaging for multi-scale and long-term studies The human brain has billions of neurons. Working together, they enable higher-order brain functions such as cognition and complex behaviors. To study these higher-order brain functions, it is important to understand how neural activity is coordinated across various brain regions. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-nanosheet-method-revolutionizes-brain-imaging.html Bio & Medicine Nanomaterials Mon, 04 Mar 2024 05:00:02 EST news628519230 Faster charging with diamonds Diamond is known for its outstanding thermal conductivity. This makes the material ideal for cooling electronic components with high power densities, such as those used in processors, semiconductor lasers or electric vehicles. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-faster-diamonds.html Nanomaterials Sat, 02 Mar 2024 10:50:01 EST news628511490 Researchers demonstrate 3D nanoscale optical disk memory with petabit capacity The most popular words of 2023 were recently released, with AI Large Language Model (LLM) unquestionably topping the list. As a front-runner, ChatGPT also emerged as one of the international buzzwords of the year. These disruptive innovations in AI owe much to big data, which has played a pivotal role. Yet, AI has simultaneously presented new opportunities and challenges to the development of big data. https://phys.org/news/2024-02-3d-nanoscale-optical-disk-memory.html Nanophysics Nanomaterials Sat, 02 Mar 2024 09:00:01 EST news628164032 Synergy palladium single atoms and twinned nanoparticles for efficient CO₂ photoreduction The challenge of regulating the electronic structures of metal single-atoms (M-SAs) with metal nanoparticles (M-NPs) lies in the synthesis of a definite architecture. Such a structure has strong electronic metal-support interactions and maintains electron transport channels to facilitate carbon dioxide photoreduction (CO2PR). https://phys.org/news/2024-03-synergy-palladium-atoms-twinned-nanoparticles.html Nanomaterials Fri, 01 Mar 2024 12:07:22 EST news628517240 New class of 2D material displays stable charge density wave at room temperature Quantum materials have generated considerable interest for computing applications in the past several decades, but non-trivial quantum properties—like superconductivity or magnetic spin—remain in fragile states. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-class-2d-material-displays-stable.html Nanophysics Nanomaterials Fri, 01 Mar 2024 12:00:14 EST news628516812 Precision pulmonary medicine: Engineers target lung disease with lipid nanoparticles Penn Engineers have developed a new means of targeting the lungs with lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), the minuscule capsules used by the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines to deliver mRNA, opening the door to novel treatments for pulmonary diseases like cystic fibrosis. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-precision-pulmonary-medicine-lung-disease.html Bio & Medicine Nanomaterials Fri, 01 Mar 2024 10:54:30 EST news628512869 Umbrella for atoms: The first protective layer for 2D quantum materials As silicon-based computer chips approach their physical limitations in the quest for faster and smaller designs, the search for alternative materials that remain functional at atomic scales is one of science's biggest challenges. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-umbrella-atoms-layer-2d-quantum.html Nanomaterials Fri, 01 Mar 2024 10:53:04 EST news628512781 Producing quantum materials with precision, with the help of AI A team of NUS researchers led by Associate Professor Lu Jiong from the Department of Chemistry and Institute for Functional Intelligent Materials, together with their international collaborators, have developed a novel concept of a chemist-intuited atomic robotic probe (CARP). https://phys.org/news/2024-03-quantum-materials-precision-ai.html Nanophysics Nanomaterials Fri, 01 Mar 2024 07:58:04 EST news628502281 Investigating cell killers: An advanced system for size-dependent cytotoxicity analysis of silica Metal nanomaterials have become an indispensable part of industrial and medical fields due to their unique and versatile properties. Their size, which imparts them with the desired physiochemical properties, is also the reason for environmental and health concerns. The nano-sized particles in nanomaterials have shown high reactivity towards biomolecules and often even toxicity towards biological cells. https://phys.org/news/2024-02-cell-killers-advanced-size-cytotoxicity.html Bio & Medicine Nanomaterials Thu, 29 Feb 2024 17:00:04 EST news628448401 Hydrogel spheres compose a microporous structure for localized mRNA delivery In a significant leap forward in the realm of regenerative medicine, a team at the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation has introduced a pioneering approach to mRNA therapy using microspheres made of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)—a gelatin-based polymer that can form strong hydrogels when exposed to UV light—to form microporous structure. https://phys.org/news/2024-02-hydrogel-spheres-microporous-localized-mrna.html Bio & Medicine Nanomaterials Thu, 29 Feb 2024 16:52:03 EST news628447921 Researchers discover way to bind nanotubes to metals Carbon nanotubes have shown promise for everything from microelectronics to aviation to energy storage. Researchers think this material might one day fulfill the science fiction dream of creating an elevator to space. https://phys.org/news/2024-02-nanotubes-metals.html Nanomaterials Thu, 29 Feb 2024 11:45:51 EST news628429547 Magnetizing water drops to make them hop A small combined team of material scientists from Sun Yat-sen University and Dalian University of Technology, both in China, has found that it is possible to make a single drop of water hop in desired ways by putting a magnetic particle inside of it and turning an electromagnet on and off. The research published in the journal ACS Nano. https://phys.org/news/2024-02-magnetizing.html Nanophysics Nanomaterials Thu, 29 Feb 2024 09:29:39 EST news628421373 AI technique 'decodes' microscope images, overcoming fundamental limit Atomic force microscopy, or AFM, is a widely used technique that can quantitatively map material surfaces in three dimensions, but its accuracy is limited by the size of the microscope's probe. A new AI technique overcomes this limitation and allows microscopes to resolve material features smaller than the probe's tip. https://phys.org/news/2024-02-ai-technique-decodes-microscope-images.html Nanomaterials Wed, 28 Feb 2024 17:16:03 EST news628362961 New, more biocompatible materials for bioelectronic applications Bioelectronics is a field of research in which biology and electronics converge. In medicine, for example, an external electric current is used to cure or monitor diseases of the nervous system, and also to monitor biomarkers in situ. Devices made of conductive materials are used for these applications. https://phys.org/news/2024-02-biocompatible-materials-bioelectronic-applications.html Nanomaterials Wed, 28 Feb 2024 07:21:03 EST news628327261 Improving lithium-sulfur batteries with metal-organic framework-based materials Current lithium-ion battery technology does not have the energy density necessary to meet the demands for renewable energy. In theory, lithium-sulfur batteries could be a viable alternative with a higher specific capacity and energy density. However, sulfur has disadvantages that currently limit its practical adoption. https://phys.org/news/2024-02-lithium-sulfur-batteries-metal-framework.html Nanomaterials Tue, 27 Feb 2024 15:57:02 EST news628271819