Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: Optics
Published

Peering into nanofluidic mysteries one photon at a time      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have revealed an innovative approach to track individual molecule dynamics within nanofluidic structures, illuminating their response to molecules in ways never before possible.

Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound Physics: Optics
Published

Researchers develop ultra-sensitive photoacoustic microscopy for wide biomedical application potential      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy is an up-and-coming biomedical imaging technique for studying a broad range of diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and stroke. But its insufficient sensitivity has been a longstanding obstacle for its wider application. Recently, a research team developed a multi-spectral, super-low-dose photoacoustic microscopy system with a significant improvement in the system sensitivity limit, enabling new biomedical applications and clinical translation in the future.

Computer Science: Quantum Computers Engineering: Graphene Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: General Physics: Optics Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

New quantum device generates single photons and encodes information      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A new approach to quantum light emitters generates a stream of circularly polarized single photons, or particles of light, that may be useful for a range of quantum information and communication applications. A team stacked two different, atomically thin materials to realize this chiral quantum light source.

Energy: Batteries Energy: Technology Engineering: Nanotechnology Offbeat: Computers and Math
Published

Scientists invent micrometers-thin battery charged by saline solution that could power smart contact lenses      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Scientists have developed a flexible battery as thin as a human cornea, which stores electricity when it is immersed in saline solution, and which could one day power smart contact lenses.

Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Computer Science: General Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

DNA chips as storage media of the future: What challenges need to be overcome      (via sciencedaily.com) 

In the form of DNA, nature shows how data can be stored in a space-saving and long-term manner. Bioinformatics specialists are developing DNA chips for computer technology. Researchers show how a combination of molecular biology, nanotechnology, novel polymers, electronics and automation, coupled with systematic development, could make DNA data storage useful for everyday use possible in a few years.

Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Listening to nanoscale earthquakes      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A recent study presents an exciting new way to listen to 'the crackling' noise of atoms shifting at nanoscale when materials are deformed, providing potential improved methods for discontinuities in novel, new materials, such as those proposed for future domain-wall electronics. 'Crackling noise microscopy' presents a new opportunity for generating advanced knowledge about nanoscale features across a wide range of applications and material systems.

Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: General
Published

Stabilizing precipitate growth at grain boundaries in alloys      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Materials are often considered to be one phase, but many engineering materials contain two or more phases, improving their properties and performance. These two-phase materials have inclusions, called precipitates, embedded in the microstructure. Alloys, a combination of two or more types of metals, are used in many applications, like turbines for jet engines and light-weight alloys for automotive applications, because they have very good mechanical properties due to those embedded precipitates. The average precipitate size, however, tends to increase over time-in a process called coarsening-which results in a degradation of performance for microstructures with nanoscale precipitates.

Engineering: Nanotechnology Geoscience: Environmental Issues Offbeat: Earth and Climate
Published

Cleaning water with 'smart rust' and magnets      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Pouring flecks of rust into water usually makes it dirtier. But researchers have developed special iron oxide nanoparticles called 'smart rust' that actually makes it cleaner. The magnetic nanoparticles attract different pollutants by changing the particles' coating and are removed from water with a magnet. Now, the team is reporting a smart rust that traps estrogen hormones, which are potentially harmful to aquatic life.

Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Decoding how molecules 'talk' to each other to develop new nanotechnologies      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Scientists recreate and compare molecular languages at the origin of life -- opening new doors for the development of novel nanotechnologies.

Computer Science: General Computer Science: Quantum Computers Engineering: Graphene Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: General Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

Carbon-based quantum technology      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Graphene nanoribbons have outstanding properties that can be precisely controlled. Researchers have succeeded in attaching electrodes to individual atomically precise nanoribbons, paving the way for precise characterization of the fascinating ribbons and their possible use in quantum technology.

Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Gold buckyballs, oft-used nanoparticle 'seeds' are one and the same      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Chemists have discovered that tiny gold 'seed' particles, a key ingredient in one of the most common nanoparticle recipes, are one and the same as gold buckyballs, 32-atom spheres that are cousins of the Nobel Prize-winning carbon buckyballs discovered in 1985.

Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Nanoscale material offers new way to control fire      (via sciencedaily.com) 

High-temperature flames are used to create a wide variety of materials -- but once you start a fire, it can be difficult to control how the flame interacts with the material you are trying to process. Researchers have now developed a technique that utilizes a molecule-thin protective layer to control how the flame's heat interacts with the material -- taming the fire and allowing users to finely tune the characteristics of the processed material.

Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Computer Science: Quantum Computers Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR) Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: General Physics: Optics Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

Arrays of quantum rods could enhance TVs or virtual reality devices      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Using scaffolds of folded DNA, engineers assembled arrays of quantum rods with desirable photonic properties that could enable them to be used as highly efficient micro-LEDs for televisions or virtual reality devices.

Engineering: Nanotechnology Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Tattoo technique transfers gold nanopatterns onto live cells      (via sciencedaily.com) 

For now, cyborgs exist only in fiction, but the concept is becoming more plausible as science progresses. And now, researchers are reporting that they have developed a proof-of-concept technique to 'tattoo' living cells and tissues with flexible arrays of gold nanodots and nanowires. With further refinement, this method could eventually be used to integrate smart devices with living tissue for biomedical applications, such as bionics and biosensing.

Computer Science: Encryption
Published

How randomized data can improve our security      (via sciencedaily.com) 

With an innovative approach, scientists are creating new standards for data security in the cache of electronic devices.

Computer Science: Encryption
Published

A new weapon in the war on robocall scams      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The latest weapon in the war on robocalls is an automated system that analyzes the content of unsolicited bulk calls to shed light on both the scope of the problem and the type of scams being perpetuated by robocalls. The tool, called SnorCall, is designed to help regulators, phone carriers and other stakeholders better understand and monitor robocall trends -- and take action against related criminal activity.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Computer Science: General Computer Science: Quantum Computers Energy: Technology Engineering: Nanotechnology Offbeat: Computers and Math Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

Quantum material exhibits 'non-local' behavior that mimics brain function      (via sciencedaily.com) 

New research shows that electrical stimuli passed between neighboring electrodes can also affect non-neighboring electrodes. Known as non-locality, this discovery is a crucial milestone toward creating brain-like computers with minimal energy requirements.

Computer Science: Encryption
Published

Smart devices: Putting a premium on peace of mind      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The White House has announced plans to roll out voluntary labeling for internet-connected devices like thermostats and baby monitors that meet certain cybersecurity standards. A new survey of U.S. consumers shows that they are willing to pay a significant premium to tell which gadgets are safe from security attacks before they buy. But voluntary product labels may not be enough if the program is going to protect consumers in the long run, the findings suggest.