Jul 25, 2024 (Nanowerk News) Trillions of periodical cicadas — several species of the genus Magicicada that emerge every 13 or 17 years — broke soil across the Eastern U.S. this summer. News outlets likened the event to Armageddon, an apocalypse or an invasion. But what about using words like...
Novel optical nanoscopy unveils ultrafast dynamics in nanomaterials
Jul 25, 2024 (Nanowerk News) Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley have developed cutting-edge nanoscale optical imaging techniques to provide unprecedented insights into the ultrafast carrier dynamics in advanced materials. Two recent studies, published in Advanced Materials ("Transient Nanoscopy of Exciton Dynamics in 2D Transition Metal Dichalcogenides") and ACS...
Soda cans, seawater, and caffeine
Jul 25, 2024 (Nanowerk News) A sustainable source for clean energy may lie in old soda cans and seawater. MIT engineers have found that when the aluminum in soda cans is exposed in its pure form and mixed with seawater, the solution bubbles up and naturally produces hydrogen — a...
A quantum sensor for atomic-scale electric and magnetic fields (w/video)
Jul 25, 2024 (Nanowerk News) In a scientific breakthrough, an international research team from Germany's Forschungszentrum Jülich and Korea's IBS Center for Quantum Nanoscience (QNS) developed a quantum sensor capable of detecting minute magnetic fields at the atomic length scale. This pioneering work realizes a long-held dream of scientists: an...
DNA nanopores with adjustable sizes enable precise control of molecular transport
Jul 25, 2024 (Nanowerk Spotlight) Controlling the flow of molecules across cellular membranes is a fundamental process in biology, one that scientists have long sought to replicate and enhance through synthetic means. At the heart of this endeavor are nanopores - tiny channels that regulate the passage of ions, small...
Nanoparticle-coated catalyst boosts sustainable acetate production
Jul 24, 2024 (Nanowerk News) Acetic acid, also known as acetate, and other products that can be developed from acetic acid are used in a variety of industries, from food production to medicine to agriculture. Currently, acetate production uses a significant amount of energy and results in harmful waste products....
Foam-based pneumatic circuits enable new capabilities in soft robotics and wearable devices
Jul 24, 2024 (Nanowerk Spotlight) Soft robotics is designed to create flexible, adaptable devices capable of safe interaction with humans and delicate objects. This field has captivated researchers and engineers for its potential to revolutionize everything from manufacturing to healthcare. However, a persistent challenge has been developing suitable control systems...
Measuring particle size distribution during the grinding process
Jul 24, 2024 (Nanowerk News) Particles on a nanometer (nm) scale make all the difference in inkjet printing, vehicle catalytic converters and pharmaceutical production. "Their size distribution has a major influence on product properties in many applications," explains Dr. Christoph Janzen, who conducts research in the field of laser medical...
Mega Jupiter discovered orbiting nearby star
Jul 24, 2024 (Nanowerk News) Using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), an MPIA-led team of astronomers imaged a new exoplanet that orbits a star in the nearby triple system Epsilon Indi. The planet is a cold super-Jupiter exhibiting a temperature of around 0 degrees Celsius and a wide orbit...
Nano device steers and shifts light for future wireless communication channels
Jul 24, 2024 (Nanowerk News) It is a scene many of us are familiar with: You're working on your laptop at the local coffee shop with maybe a half dozen other laptop users – each of you is trying to load websites or stream high-definition videos, and all are craving...