Chemistry: Thermodynamics Energy: Technology Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Single drop of ethanol to revolutionize nanosensor manufacture      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Engineers have developed a breakthrough technique to make the processing of nanosensors cheaper, greener and more effective by using a single drop of ethanol to replace heat processing of nanoparticle networks, allowing a wider range of materials to be used to make these sensors.

Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: Optics Physics: Quantum Computing
Published

Unleashing a new era of color tunable nano-devices -- smallest ever light source with switchable colors formed      (via sciencedaily.com) 

New research has achieved a significant breakthrough in color switching for nanocrystals, unlocking exciting possibilities for a simple, energy efficient display design and for tunable light sources needed in numerous technologies. The discovery also has potential applications in sensitive sensors for various substances, including biological and neuroscience uses, as well as advancements in quantum communication technologies. This nanomaterial breakthrough holds the promise of inspiring exciting innovations in the future.

Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: Quantum Computing
Published

Nanorings: New building blocks for chemistry      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Sandwich compounds are special chemical compounds used as basic building blocks in organometallic chemistry. So far, their structure has always been linear. Recently, researchers made stacked sandwich complexes form a nano-sized ring. Physical and other properties of these cyclocene structures will now be further investigated.

Energy: Batteries Energy: Technology Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Cracking in lithium-ion batteries speeds up electric vehicle charging      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Rather than being solely detrimental, cracks in the positive electrode of lithium-ion batteries reduce battery charge time, research shows. This runs counter to the view of many electric vehicle manufacturers, who try to minimize cracking because it decreases battery longevity.

Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Materials science: How molecular entanglements determine the structure of polymers      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The structure of semi-crystalline polymers largely depends on how strongly their molecular chains are entangled. Following numerous experiments, researchers developed a new model to predict the microscopic structure of the materials as well as their properties. Polymers are long-chain molecules. Semi-crystalline polymers are a mixture of solid and liquid elements. They are often used in plastics and packaging materials.

Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Towards silver cluster-assembled materials for environmental monitoring      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Silver cluster-assembled materials (SCAMs) are emerging light-emitting materials with molecular designability and unique properties. However, due to their dissimilar structural architecture in different solvents, their widespread application remains limited. Now, researchers have developed two new SCAMs that exhibit excellent fluorescence and high sensitivity to Fe3+ ions in aqueous solutions, indicating their potential for environmental monitoring and assessment.

Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

New technology promises rapid and reliable development of new diagnostic tests      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have developed a new approach for designing molecular ON-OFF switches based on proteins which can be used in a multitude of biotechnological, biomedical and bioengineering applications.

Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

A novel approach for balancing properties in composite materials      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Scientists are developing an approach to enhance multifunctionality and structural properties simultaneously by embedding patterned nanostructures in composite materials, which could result in more efficient energy systems enhancing everyday life.

Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Towards artificial photosynthesis with engineering of protein crystals in bacteria      (via sciencedaily.com) 

In-cell engineering can be a powerful tool for synthesizing functional protein crystals with promising catalytic properties. Using genetically modified bacteria as an environmentally friendly synthesis platform, the researchers produced hybrid solid catalysts for artificial photosynthesis. These catalysts exhibit high activity, stability, and durability, highlighting the potential of the proposed innovative approach.

Engineering: Graphene Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Washable, transparent, and flexible OLED with MXene nanotechnology?      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Transparent and flexible displays, which have received a lot of attention in various fields including automobile displays, bio-healthcare, military, and fashion, are in fact known to break easily when experiencing small deformations. To solve this problem, active research is being conducted on many transparent and flexible conductive materials such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, silver nanowires, and conductive polymers.

Computer Science: Encryption Computer Science: General
Published

Why computer security advice is more confusing than it should be      (via sciencedaily.com) 

If you find the computer security guidelines you get at work confusing and not very useful, you're not alone. A new study highlights a key problem with how these guidelines are created, and outlines simple steps that would improve them -- and probably make your computer safer.

Biology: Microbiology Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

Detection of bacteria and viruses with fluorescent nanotubes      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The new carbon nanotube sensor design resembles a molecular toolbox that can be used to quickly assemble sensors for a variety of purposes -- for instance for detecting bacteria and viruses.

Energy: Technology Engineering: Graphene Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Researchers put a new twist on graphite      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers report that it is possible to imbue graphite -- the bulk, 3D material found in No. 2 pencils -- with physical properties similar to graphite's 2D counterpart, graphene. Not only was this breakthrough unexpected, the team also believes its approach could be used to test whether similar types of bulk materials can also take on 2D-like properties. If so, 2D sheets won't be the only source for scientists to fuel technological revolutions. Bulk, 3D materials could be just as useful.

Energy: Technology Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Researchers achieve historic milestone in energy capacity of supercapacitors      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

In a new landmark chemistry study, researchers describe how they have achieved the highest level of energy storage -- also known as capacitance -- in a supercapacitor ever recorded.

Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Engineers' storage technology keeps nanosurfaces clean      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Engineers have created containers that can keep volatile organic compounds from accumulating on the surfaces of stored nanomaterials. Their portable and inexpensive technology improves on a 50-year-old idea to address a ubiquitous problem in nanomanufacturing and materials science.

Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Analogous to algae: Scientists move toward engineering living matter by manipulating movement of microparticles      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A team of scientists has devised a system that replicates the movement of naturally occurring phenomena, such as hurricanes and algae, using laser beams and the spinning of microscopic rotors.

Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

New material could hold key to reducing energy consumption in computers and electronics      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A University of Minnesota Twin Cities team has, for the first time, synthesized a thin film of a unique topological semimetal material that has the potential to generate more computing power and memory storage while using significantly less energy.

Engineering: Biometric Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Researchers visualize activity of CRISPR genetic scissors      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have developed a new method to measure the smallest twists and torques of molecules within milliseconds. The method makes it possible to track the gene recognition of CRISPR-Cas protein complexes, also known as 'genetic scissors', in real time and with the highest resolution. With the data obtained, the recognition process can be accurately characterized and modeled to improve the precision of the genetic scissors.

Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Towards crack-resistant nanoparticle-based latex films      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Synthetic latex films are widely used across many fields, but they usually contain harmful additives to enhance their strength. In a recent study, researchers have developed a new class of latex films composed of rotaxane-crosslinked acrylic nanoparticles. These films exhibit remarkable mechanical properties, including excellent crack-propagation resistance without any additives, and are easily recyclable, paving the way for more environmentally friendly materials.

Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Bound states in the continuum is possible in the acoustoelastic coupling      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Professor Junsuk Rho's research team at POSTECH reveals a physical phenomenon for vibration focusing and energy storage