Oct 01, 2024 (Nanowerk News) Researchers at Northwestern University have successfully observed the formation of water at the molecular level in real-time. This study, which focused on the catalytic properties of palladium, has opened new avenues for understanding and optimizing water generation processes. Palladium, a rare metallic element, has long...
Honey, I shrunk the quantum sensor
Oct 01, 2024 (Nanowerk News) Atom interferometers are quantum sensors that use the wave-like nature of atoms to measure gravity, acceleration and rotation with exceptional precision. Most of the current atom interferometers are large instruments, occupying buildings and requiring towers that can reach tens of meters in height. Now, University...
Carbon dot-based smart soil enhances crop growth by adjusting porosity and structure
Oct 01, 2024 (Nanowerk Spotlight) The world’s agricultural systems are under growing pressure to meet the demands of an expanding global population. To address this, farmers have relied heavily on chemical fertilizers to boost crop yields. While effective in the short term, this approach has caused significant environmental damage. One...
NMR-guided optimization of lipid nanoparticles for enhanced siRNA delivery
Oct 01, 2024 (Nanowerk News) Small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules hold immense potential for treating diseases by silencing specific genes. Encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), siRNA can be delivered efficiently to target cells. However, the effectiveness of these therapies hinges on the internal structure of the LNPs, which can significantly...
Siloxane nanoparticles unlock precise organ targeting for mRNA therapy
Oct 01, 2024 (Nanowerk News) Penn Engineers have discovered a novel means of directing lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), the revolutionary molecules that delivered the COVID-19 vaccines, to target specific tissues, presaging a new era in personalized medicine and gene therapy. While past research — including at Penn Engineering — has screened...
Novel 2D molecular scaffold technique boosts solar cell efficiency
Oct 01, 2024 (Nanowerk News) Research in the field of material science and electronics relies on the innovative arrangement of molecules or atoms to develop materials with unique properties not found in conventional materials. Two-dimensional (2D) assemblies of π-electronic systems, arranged in thin layers, are becoming increasingly important in the...
Aptamer-based biosensor achieves ultra-sensitive detection of cancer disease biomarkers
Sep 30, 2024 (Nanowerk Spotlight) In modern medicine, the ability to detect disease markers early can mean the difference between life and death. Yet, detecting biomarkers like tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) at extremely low levels, critical for early diagnosis, has long posed a challenge. TNF-α acts as a signaling molecule...