Apr 14, 2026 Bacteria independently evolved similar RNA hairpin structures to fix a wasteful flaw in different CRISPR immune systems, revealing convergent evolution at work. (Nanowerk News) The CRISPR-Cas gene-editing system has long been the focus of research as a promising tool in genome editing. However, the emphasis has been...
Blog
Tuning 2D materials growth for quantum photonics
Apr 14, 2026 A new growth method for boron nitride films produces single-photon emitters at room temperature by tuning argon flow, advancing scalable quantum photonics. (Nanowerk News) Two-dimensional materials are opening new possibilities for next-generation technologies, from electronics to quantum photonics. Among them, hexagonal boron nitride has emerged as a...
Bimetallic MOF electrode sterilizes airborne bacteria in milliseconds
Apr 14, 2026 A 3D bimetallic MOF electrode on copper mesh kills over 99% of airborne bacteria at low voltage using electroporation and reactive oxygen species generation. (Nanowerk News) A research team at Ocean University of China has fabricated a three-dimensional bimetallic electrode from metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) — porous crystalline...
Nanozyme boosts stem cell mitochondria to accelerate bone regeneration
Apr 14, 2026 A single-atom nanozyme mimicking cytochrome c oxidase restores mitochondrial energy production in stem cells, shifting their metabolism to accelerate bone regeneration in critical-sized defects. (Nanowerk Spotlight) Cells that build and repair tissue need fuel. That fuel is adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, and the machinery that produces it...
Researchers develop innovative nanotweezers to analyze extracellular particles
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...
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...