Building roots in glass, a bio-inspired approach to creating 3D microvascular networks using plants and fungi

Nov 19, 2024 (Nanowerk News) Microfluidic technology has become increasingly important in many scientific fields such as regenerative medicine, microelectronics, and environmental science. However, conventional microfabrication techniques face limitations in scale and in the construction of complex networks. These hurdles are compounded when it comes to building more intricate 3D...

Nanoscale protein layer boosts flexible electronics durability and adhesion

Nov 19, 2024 (Nanowerk Spotlight) The development of flexible electronic devices has faced a persistent materials science challenge: how to securely attach rigid metal components to flexible polymer surfaces. Traditional approaches using thick adhesive layers often fail because they can't maintain both strong bonding and flexibility. Previous attempts to solve...

Labeling cell particles with barcodes

Nov 19, 2024 (Nanowerk News) Cell-to-cell communication through nanosized particles, working as messengers and carriers, can now be analyzed in a whole new way, thanks to a new method involving CRISPR gene-editing technology. The particles, known as small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), play an important role in the spread of disease...

New theory reveals the shape of a single photon

Nov 19, 2024 (Nanowerk News) A new theory, that explains how light and matter interact at the quantum level has enabled researchers to define for the first time the precise shape of a single photon. Research at the University of Birmingham, published in Physical Review Letters ("Exact Quantum Electrodynamics of...

AI and supercomputer simulations predict gold nanoparticle and blood protein interactions

Nov 18, 2024 (Nanowerk News) Hybrid nanostructures between biomolecules and inorganic nanomaterials constitute a largely unexplored field of research, with the potential for novel applications in bioimaging, biosensing, and nanomedicine. Developing such applications relies critically on understanding the dynamical properties of the nano–bio interface. Modeling the properties of the nano-bio...

Nanoplastics can impair the effect of antibiotics

Nov 18, 2024 (Nanowerk News) Minuscule particles of plastic are not only bad for the environment. A study led from Umeå University, Sweden, has shown that the so-called nanoplastics which enter the body also can impair the effect of antibiotic treatment. The results also indicate that the nanoplastics may lead...

Laser-made copper sensors for smarter, longer-lasting electronics

Nov 18, 2024 (Nanowerk Spotlight) High-performance engineering thermoplastics are widely applied in aerospace, automotive, biomedical, and electronics fields. To enhance the safety and extend the service life of these materials, it is crucial to integrate them with sensors for structural health monitoring and environmental information tracking. Copper is often used...