Apr 14, 2026 New nanotweezers rapidly trap and analyze tiny vesicles in their natural state, enabling faster detailed study of cell communication and advancing diagnostics and therapies. (Nanowerk News) Justus Ndukaife, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering and Chancellor Faculty Fellow, and his team have developed next generation nanotweezers...
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A two-dimensional polymer coating keeps lithium metal batteries stable for thousands of cycles
Apr 13, 2026 A polymeric cobalt phthalocyanine interface directs anion decomposition and accelerates lithium-ion transport, enabling lithium metal batteries to cycle stably under harsh conditions. (Nanowerk News) A team of researchers has developed a molecular interfacial layer that stabilizes lithium metal anodes by simultaneously directing electrolyte anion behavior and accelerating...
Living, 3D-printed biological knee replacement advances to preclinical testing
Apr 13, 2026 A living, 3D-printed knee joint made from biodegradable scaffolding infused with stem cells has met all milestones to move into preclinical testing. (Nanowerk News) Whenever Nadeen Chahine and Clark Hung, Columbia biomedical engineers and orthopedic scientists, meet patients living with the pain of knee osteoarthritis, their stories...
How nanoscale catalyst design could improve hydrogen peroxide production
Apr 13, 2026 A review paper examines how precise nanoscale construction of graphitic carbon nitride catalysts can advance sustainable photocatalytic hydrogen peroxide production. (Nanowerk News) A new review from researchers at Tohoku University examines how precise nanoscale construction of graphitic carbon nitride photocatalysts can improve the sustainable production of hydrogen...
Glowing bacteria use their light to load and unload synthetic cargo
Apr 13, 2026 Glowing bacteria use bioluminescence to tell synthetic vesicles when to hitch a ride and when to let go, enabling fully autonomous cargo transport. (Nanowerk Spotlight) Complex behavior in biological systems almost always traces back to communication. Cells in a tissue coordinate wound healing because they exchange chemical...
A plastic that stores heat, stretches farther than rubber, and breaks down in soil
Apr 13, 2026 Mirror image crystals of poly(lactic acid) act as reversible crosslinks in a phase change material, delivering high latent heat, strong mechanics, and full recyclability at once. (Nanowerk Spotlight) Poly(lactic acid) is the plastic behind most compostable coffee cups and cutlery. It is built from lactic acid, a...
Making light spin with a gold nanorod
Apr 13, 2026 By striking a gold nanorod off-center with an electron beam, researchers found a simple way to make light spin. (Nanowerk News) Light, as we usually conceive of it, is defined by the astonishing velocity at which it moves from one point to another. For example, in just...
Record-breaking photonics approach traps light on a chip for millions of cycles
Apr 13, 2026 Scientists have overcome a major obstacle to faster, more efficient photonic chips by creating a 'suit of armou' to protect fragile van der Waals materials. (Nanowerk News) For years, scientists have dreamed of using atomically thin van der Waals (vdW) materials to build faster, more efficient photonic...
Researchers use nanomaterials and ultrasound to create light inside the body
Apr 13, 2026 Researchers have developed a noninvasive method to create light anywhere in the body. Their technique, which uses ultrasound waves to activate light-emitting nanoparticles, could be used to manipulate cell signals or facilitate light-based medical treatments in the future. (Nanowerk News) Light has an increasing number of applications...
Precision boost for quantum sensor technology
Apr 13, 2026 Physicists have determined the quantum dynamics in a two-dimensional layer of boron nitride. Their findings form the basis for future applications in quantum technology. (Nanowerk News) A key factor for the performance of sensors is the speed at which the system returns to its initial state after...