Jan 04, 2024 (Nanowerk News) The rapidly developing field of green energy constantly seeks improvements, and recent advances in dual-atom catalysts hold the potential to revolutionize energy conversion technologies. Key Takeaways Recent advancements in dual-atom catalysts show significant potential in improving energy conversion technologies, particularly in water-splitting systems. These catalysts...
Gently feeling the way to grasp the microcosmos with magnetic springs
Jan 04, 2024 (Nanowerk News) The integration of mechanical memory in the form of springs has for hundreds of years proven to be a key enabling technology for mechanical devices (like clocks), achieving advanced functionality through complex autonomous movements. In our times, the integration of springs in silicon-based microtechnology has...
Novel memristor design clears critical impediments for future AI chips
Jan 04, 2024 (Nanowerk Spotlight) Researchers are pursuing memristors – resistive memory devices with properties similar to neurons – as a means to develop energy-efficient hardware that can accelerate artificial intelligence. However, multiple obstacles have impeded memristors’ path to widespread adoption, from insufficient current density to sneaking currents that disrupt...
Researchers develop high-performance stretchable solar cells
Jan 04, 2024 (Nanowerk News) With the market for wearable electric devices growing rapidly, stretchable solar cells that can function under strain have received considerable attention as an energy source. To build such solar cells, it is necessary that their photoactive layer, which converts light into electricity, shows high electrical...
Zinc oxide nanopagodas with silver nanoparticles enhance hydrogen production
Jan 04, 2024 (Nanowerk News) A research team consisting of members of the Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute and the Functional Materials Engineering Laboratory at the Toyohashi University of Technology, has developed a novel high-performance photoelectrode by constructing a zinc oxide nanopagoda array with a unique shape on a transparent electrode...
Continuous glucose monitoring
Jan 03, 2024 (Nanowerk News) Monitoring glucose levels is one of the key elements in health monitoring. A research team has now developed a battery-independent fluorescent nanosensor based on single-wall carbon nanotubes and an inactive form of the enzyme glucose oxidase (GOx). Because the enzyme is not in its active...
Researchers develop nature-inspired advanced materials to achieve 99.6% solar reflectivity
Jan 03, 2024 (Nanowerk News) Scientific researchers draw inspiration from nature’s brilliance as they seek to develop transformative solutions to unresolved challenges. Prof. WANG Zuankai, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Chair Professor of the Department of Mechanical Engineering of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has meticulously explored...
Scientists explore corrosion process on atomic level
Jan 03, 2024 (Nanowerk News) When water vapor meets metal, the resulting corrosion can lead to mechanical problems that harm a machine’s performance. Through a process called passivation, it also can form a thin inert layer that acts as a barrier against further deterioration. Either way, the exact chemical reaction...