Feb 27, 2025 Electrons in rhombohedral pentalayer graphene form unexpected crystalline states, revealing new quantum behaviors and expanding possibilities for exotic electronic phases. (Nanowerk News) MIT physicists report the unexpected discovery of electrons forming crystalline structures in a material only nanometers thick. The work adds to a gold mine of...
How nanoplastics interact with organic matter at the molecular level
Feb 27, 2025 (Nanowerk Spotlight) Water bodies have absorbed millions of tons of plastic debris since mass production began in the 1950s. As these materials degrade, they break into microscopic and nanoscale fragments – particles smaller than 100 nanometers – where their behavior changes dramatically. At this scale, the increased...
Quantum interference in molecule-surface collisions
Feb 27, 2025 The quantum rules shaping molecular collisions are now coming into focus, offering fresh insights for chemistry and materials science. (Nanowerk News) The quantum rules shaping molecular collisions are now coming into focus, offering fresh insights for chemistry and materials science. When molecules collide with surfaces, a complex...
New x-ray technology captures proteins in motion
Feb 28, 2025 Scientists have perfected a new technique for creating experimental movies of proteins in motion. (Nanowerk News) Scientists have made enormous advances in understanding the structures of proteins over the past several decades. Imaging technologies like cryo-electron microscopy and x-ray crystallography help researchers visualize the shapes of proteins...
Researchers pioneer first-of-its-kind nanosensor for real-time iron detection in plants
Feb 28, 2025 First nanosensor to distinguish Fe(II) and Fe(III) in plants enables real-time tracking, improving crop health, nutrient use, and applications in health and environment. (Nanowerk News) Researchers from the Disruptive & Sustainable Technologies for Agricultural Precision (DiSTAP) interdisciplinary research group (IRG) of Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology...
Development of ‘transparent stretchable substrate’ without image distortion could revolutionize next-generation displays
Feb 28, 2025 Overcoming Poisson's ratio enables fully transparent, distortion-free, non-deformable display substrates. (Nanowerk News) Stretchable display materials, which are gaining traction in the next-generation display market, have the advantage of being able to stretch and bend freely, but the limitations of existing materials have resulted in distorted screens and...
Researchers switch bacterial mini-factories into turbo mode
Feb 27, 2025 Scientists enhanced a soilbacterium's metabolism, accelerating growth for efficient bioplastic and chemical production. (Nanowerk News) A team of scientists has managed to significantly boost the growth of the soil bacterium Cupriavidus necator by modifying its metabolism at the molecular level. Useful, because that boosted bacterium works more...
Light-powered breakthrough enables precision tuning of quantum dots
Feb 18, 2025 Researchers have demonstrated a new technique that uses light to tune the optical properties of quantum dots - making the process faster, more energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable without compromising material quality. (Nanowerk News) Researchers at North Carolina State University have demonstrated a new technique that uses light...
First 3D observations of an exoplanet’s atmosphere reveal a unique climate
Feb 18, 2025 Astronomers have peered through the atmosphere of a planet beyond the Solar System, mapping its 3D structure for the first time. (Nanowerk News) Astronomers have peered through the atmosphere of a planet beyond the Solar System, mapping its 3D structure for the first time. By combining all...
New 2D carbon material is 8 times tougher than graphene, resists cracking
Feb 18, 2025 A new carbon material known as monolayer amorphous carbon (MAC) however, is both strong and tough. (Nanowerk News) Even the strongest crack under pressure, a problem materials scientists have long been grappling with. For instance, carbon-derived materials like graphene are among the strongest on Earth, but once...