Apr 23, 2026 Researchers are developing grain boundary engineering to control the microstructure of ceramics, opening new applications in optics, microelectronics, and medicine. (Nanowerk News) Anyone who has ever dabbled in pottery knows the process. Take clay or loam – a mixture of fine mineral particles and water – and...
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Microgel glue captures nanoplastics that water treatment plants miss
Apr 23, 2026 A soft polymeric microgel glues onto nanoscale plastic particles in water, aggregating them for removal at sizes that defeat conventional treatment methods. (Nanowerk Spotlight) Removing a contaminant from water is straightforward when the particles are large enough to settle on their own or get caught in a...
Atomic moire ferroelectrics unlock low energy nanoelectronics potential
Apr 23, 2026 Atomic moire ferroelectrics reveal unusual polarization effects, offering new routes to low energy nanoelectronics, photonics, and advanced memory devices. (Nanowerk News) Just as wave-like patterns can appear on computer screen when pixels do not align, new research led by Flinders University is investigating atomic-scale ‘moiré patterns’ in...
Catalysts target surface barriers to improve hydrogen release from magnesium hydride
Apr 23, 2026 Researchers used computational tools and catalyst design to overcome the surface energy barrier limiting hydrogen release from magnesium hydride for clean energy storage. (Nanowerk News) A research team has detailed how catalysts can be engineered to accelerate hydrogen release from magnesium hydride (MgH₂) by targeting the most...
First actual measurement of ‘attempt time’ in nanomagnets after 70 years of assumptions
Apr 22, 2026 For 70 years, we have assumed that 'attempt time' in nanomagnets is one nanosecond. For the first time ever, this value was measured experimentally by researchers at Tohoku University. Spoiler alert: it's more than one nanosecond. (Nanowerk News) A compass always points north - or does it?...
Curiosity rover finds more evidence of ancient lakes on Mars
Apr 22, 2026 Metal-rich ripples in Gale Crater indicate a shallow lake with redox chemistry, suggesting past habitable conditions and possible microbial life on ancient Mars. (Nanowerk News) A team of scientists using the ChemCam instrument on NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover has discovered the highest amounts of iron, manganese, and...
New probes reveal proteins inside living cells with unprecedented clarity
Apr 22, 2026 Multicolor imaging technology lets researchers track proteins and cellular activity with exceptional precision and minimal background. (Nanowerk News) Fluorescent probes have transformed modern biology by allowing researchers to tag and visualize individual molecules in living cells, tissues, and animals. Using these tools, researchers can watch viruses infect...
Controlled oxidation turns MXene’s biggest weakness into a superior lubricant additive
Apr 22, 2026 Pre-oxidized MXene nanosheets decompose under friction and reconstruct into a dual-phase tribofilm of graphitized carbon and titanium oxides, cutting wear by 91%. (Nanowerk Spotlight) When two surfaces slide against each other under load, the contact zone becomes a site of intense chemical activity. Frictional heat and mechanical...
A new system to track material design processes
Apr 22, 2026 Engineers develop a system that captures all the elements of trial and error in material design, enabling reliable reproduction of the reasoning processes and results. (Nanowerk News) Discovering and characterizing new materials is important for unlocking advances in fields like clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and improved infrastructure....
Bioinspired aerogel cleans heavy metals from soil at depths no plant can reach
Apr 22, 2026 A plant-inspired aerogel uses solar evaporation to extract heavy metals from soil at 1.5 meters depth, far beyond any living root system's reach. (Nanowerk Spotlight) Heavy metals like lead, copper, and cadmium dissolve in rainwater and migrate steadily downward through soil, settling into dense, oxygen-poor layers where...