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...
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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...
The local universe’s expansion rate is clearer than ever, but still doesn’t add up
Apr 12, 2026 A new synthesis of astronomical measurements confirms a persistent mismatch that could point to physics beyond current models. (Nanowerk News) An international collaboration of astronomers has produced one of the most precise measurements yet of how fast the local Universe is expanding. The result deepens one of...
Superconductivity control in twisted bilayer graphene opens path to energy efficient electronics
Apr 12, 2026 Researchers show superconductivity can be tuned by the surrounding environment in twisted bilayer graphene, pointing to more efficient electronics and quantum devices. (Nanowerk News) Researchers have discovered evidence that superconductivity can be controlled by influencing the surrounding environment, a finding that may lead to more efficient electronics...
Chemically modified wood captures sunlight and stores it as heat
Apr 11, 2026 A layered coating on delignified wood enables solar heat storage and electricity generation without carbonization, while adding water, fire, and microbial resistance. (Nanowerk Spotlight) Photothermal conversion can in principle capture more than 90% of incoming solar radiation, far exceeding the roughly 25% ceiling that bounds conventional photovoltaics....
Researchers demonstrates universal 2D growth
Apr 10, 2026 The Kardar Parisi Zhang equation models surface growth. After forty years, researchers confirmed its two dimensional behavior using polaritons in engineered materials. (Nanowerk News) Crystals, bacterial colonies, flame fronts: the growth of surfaces was first described in the 1980s by the Kardar–Parisi–Zhang equation. Since then, it has...
Magnetic biochar nanocomposite rapidly removes antibiotic pollution from wastewater
Apr 10, 2026 Researchers developed a biochar nanocomposite that removes tetracycline from water by adsorption and light driven breakdown, achieving over ninety percent removal and enabling reuse. (Nanowerk News) Antibiotic contamination in water is a growing global concern, threatening ecosystems and human health. Now, researchers have developed a novel biochar-based...