May 12, 2023 (Nanowerk News) An international research group has developed a new surface coating technology that is capable of significantly increasing electron emission in materials (Applied Physics Letters, "Work function lowering of LaB6 by monolayer hexagonal boron nitride coating for improved photo- and thermionic-cathodes"). Their breakthrough is expected to...
Soaking it up: Nanoparticle sponge boosts photocatalysis
May 12, 2023 (Nanowerk News) Exciton Science researchers have created a new type of highly absorbent material that could help to increase the efficiency of photocatalysis for hydrogen production and water purification. Based at RMIT University, the team combined silver nanoparticles with molecular organic cages to develop a new material...
Astronomers discover twisted fields around mysterious fast radio burst
May 12, 2023 (Nanowerk News) Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs), characterized as the most luminous millisecond-duration celestial detonations within the radio spectrum, have long presented perplexing questions to the realms of astronomy and physics due to their enigmatic origin. The Commensal Radio Astronomy FAST Survey (CRAFTS), a seminal program of the...
Boosting solar efficiency with nano matchsticks
May 12, 2023 (Nanowerk News) Researchers in Australia have demonstrated a highly efficient mechanism for extracting energy from metal nanocrystals, with potential benefits in photovoltaics, photocatalysis and optoelectronics. Based at RMIT University and CISRO, the Exciton Science-led team created nanometre-sized ‘matchsticks’ – tiny structures made with gold nanorods and cadmium...
Astronomers reveal the largest cosmic explosion ever seen
May 12, 2023 (Nanowerk News) A team of astronomers led by the University of Southampton have uncovered the largest cosmic explosion ever witnessed. The explosion is more than ten times brighter than any known supernova and three times brighter than the brightest tidal disruption event, where a star falls into...
a sweet solution for overcrowded circuitry in quantum computer chips
May 11, 2023 (Nanowerk News) The silicon microchips of future quantum computers will be packed with millions, if not billions of qubits – the basic units of quantum information – to solve the greatest problems facing humanity. And with millions of qubits needing millions of wires in the microchip circuitry,...
Getting a grip: Reversible perspiring artificial ‘fingertips’
May 11, 2023 (Nanowerk Spotlight) Sweating fingertips are a key characteristic that has played a critical role in human survival and evolution. Human fingertips are unique in their design and functionality, characterized by distinct patterns and the ability to perspire. These attributes have significantly contributed to our species' survival and...
Researchers discover a way to improve nonviral gene editing as well as a new type of DNA repair
May 11, 2023 (Nanowerk News) Gene editing is a powerful method for both research and therapy. Since the advent of the Nobel Prize-winning CRISPR/Cas9 technology, a quick and accurate tool for genome editing discovered in 2012, scientists have been working to explore its capabilities and boost its performance. Researchers in...
With new experimental method, researchers probe spin structure in 2D materials for first time
May 11, 2023 (Nanowerk News) For two decades, physicists have tried to directly manipulate the spin of electrons in 2D materials like graphene. Doing so could spark key advances in the burgeoning world of 2D electronics, a field where super-fast, small and flexible electronic devices carry out computations based on...
Nanoparticle-coated sponge removes lead from water
May 11, 2023 (Nanowerk News) Northwestern University engineers have developed a new sponge that can remove metals — including toxic heavy metals like lead and critical metals like cobalt — from contaminated water, leaving safe, drinkable water behind. In proof-of-concept experiments, the researchers tested their new sponge on a highly...