Nov 03, 2023 (Nanowerk News) Lithium-ion batteries powered the device on which these words appear. From phones and laptops to electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries are critical to the technology of the modern world — but they can also explode. Comprising negatively and positively charged electrodes and an electrolyte to transport...
How butterflies can help scientists detect cancer
Nov 03, 2023 (Nanowerk News) There are many creatures on our planet with more advanced senses than humans. Turtles can sense Earth’s magnetic field. Mantis shrimp can detect polarized light. Elephants can hear much lower frequencies than humans can. Butterflies can perceive a broader range of colors, including ultraviolet (UV)...
Graphene oxide band tuning enhances Raman sensing
Nov 03, 2023 (Nanowerk News) Scientists have developed a new strategy to significantly boost the sensitivity of graphene-based sensors that detect molecules using Raman spectroscopy. By modulating the graphene's electronic band structure, the researchers were able to optimize the energy required for probing various molecules. This advancement provides a versatile...
Researchers can now visualize osmotic pressure in living tissue
Nov 03, 2023 (Nanowerk News) In order to survive, organisms must control the pressure inside them, from the single-cell level to tissues and organs. Measuring these pressures in living cells and tissues in physiological conditions is a challenge. In research that has its origin at UC Santa Barbara, scientists now...
Advanced liquid templating technique enables tailored aerogel synthesis
Nov 03, 2023 (Nanowerk Spotlight) Aerogels are a unique class of extremely porous solid materials with densities and thermal conductivities lower than air. Their impressive properties, including low density, high porosity, and low thermal conductivity, make aerogels promising for a wide range of applications. These uses include insulating spacecraft, absorbing...
Knot-inspired optical sensors for slip detection and friction measurement in dexterous robotic manipulation
Nov 03, 2023 (Nanowerk News) A new publication from Opto-Electronic Advances ("Knot-inspired optical sensors for slip detection and friction measurement in dexterous robotic manipulation") discusses knot-inspired optical sensors for slip detection and friction measurement in dexterous robotic manipulation. Key Takeaways Robots may soon mimic the human sense of touch, with...
Chemists develop new sensor for microvolume pH detection
Nov 03, 2023 (Nanowerk News) Measuring the pH of substances gives us vital clues about the world around us, such as identifying contaminated water or checking the toxicity of medical or cosmetic products. Often, only small amounts of samples are available, but monitoring the variation in pH in these miniscule...