Nanowerk Nanotechnology Research News

http://bit.ly/1K2oLEc Nanotechnology Nanotechnology research news headlines from Nanowerk Copyright Nanowerk LLC http://bit.ly/1K2oLEc http://bit.ly/1HafTcb en-us Mon, 11 May 2015 14:56:39 -0400 http://bit.ly/1HafRkt Scientists have successfully visualized anisotropic carrier motion by using time-resolved microscopic optical second-harmonic generation (TRM-SHG) imaging.

]]> http://bit.ly/1HafRkt Mon, 11 May 2015 03:34:42 -0400 http://bit.ly/1HafRku An international team of scientists have pioneered a new technique to embed transparent, flexible graphene electrodes into fibres commonly associated with the textile industry. ]]> http://bit.ly/1HafRku Mon, 11 May 2015 09:53:04 -0400 http://bit.ly/1HafTcd Physicists were able to show for the first time that the nuclear spins of single molecules can be detected with the help of magnetic particles at room temperature. ]]> http://bit.ly/1HafTcd Mon, 11 May 2015 10:07:44 -0400 http://bit.ly/1K2oLEi Tuning up Rydberg atoms for quantum information applications. ]]> http://bit.ly/1K2oLEi Mon, 11 May 2015 12:37:11 -0400 http://bit.ly/1K2oLEj Researchers produced biocompatible and biodegradable non-ionic polymeric nanocarriers that can be used in the targeted anticancer drug delivery. ]]> http://bit.ly/1K2oLEj Sat, 09 May 2015 04:24:55 -0400 http://bit.ly/1K2oNfw Precise control of interactions between light and vibrating mirrors at the level of single light particles could open a new field of complex quantum physical states. ]]> http://bit.ly/1K2oNfw Fri, 08 May 2015 04:09:31 -0400 http://bit.ly/1K2oLEn By speeding up a real atomic force microscope and slowing down a simulation of one, researchers have conducted the first atomic-scale experiments on friction at overlapping speeds. ]]> http://bit.ly/1K2oLEn Fri, 08 May 2015 04:16:39 -0400 http://bit.ly/1K2oNvR Scientists have not only uncovered the quantitative secret to understanding friction in materials, like graphite, they even invented a way to measure it. ]]> http://bit.ly/1K2oNvR Fri, 08 May 2015 04:25:22 -0400 http://bit.ly/1HafTsy A convenient procedure to visualize defects on graphene layers by mapping the surface of carbon materials with an appropriate contrast agent. ]]> http://bit.ly/1HafTsy Fri, 08 May 2015 09:07:07 -0400 http://bit.ly/1K2oNvS Plant-based cellulose nanofibres do not pose a short-term health risk, especially short fibres, shows a new study. ]]> http://bit.ly/1K2oNvS Thu, 07 May 2015 14:32:51 -0400 http://bit.ly/1K2oNvT Researchers have discovered a novel way of combining plasmonic and magneto-optical effects. They experimentally demonstrated that patterning of magnetic materials into arrays of nanoscale dots can lead to a very strong and highly controllable modification of the polarization of light when the beam reflects from the array. ]]> http://bit.ly/1K2oNvT Thu, 07 May 2015 07:48:59 -0400 http://bit.ly/1HafTsD In a study that could open doors for new applications of photonics from molecular sensing to wireless communications, scientists have discovered a new method to tune the light-induced vibrations of nanoparticles through slight alterations to the surface to which the particles are attached. ]]> http://bit.ly/1HafTsD Thu, 07 May 2015 10:01:40 -0400 http://bit.ly/1HafTsI Scientists have found a way to control heat propagation in photonic nano-sized devices, which will be used for high speed communications and quantum information technologies. ]]> http://bit.ly/1HafTsI Thu, 07 May 2015 10:26:46 -0400 http://bit.ly/1K2oOA3 Engineers have devised a process to repair leaksin graphene, filling cracks and plugging holes using a combination of chemical deposition and polymerization techniques. The team then used a process it developed previously to create tiny, uniform pores in the material, small enough to allow only water to pass through. ]]> http://bit.ly/1K2oOA3 Thu, 07 May 2015 14:32:37 -0400 http://bit.ly/1K2oOA4 Researchers have succeeded in creating a new 'whispering gallery' effect for electrons in a sheet of graphene - making it possible to precisely control a region that reflects electrons within the material. They say the accomplishment could provide a basic building block for new kinds of electronic lenses, as well as quantum-based devices that combine electronics and optics. ]]> http://bit.ly/1K2oOA4 Thu, 07 May 2015 14:31:44 -0400 http://bit.ly/1K2oNvY The National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO) will hold the second in a series of free webinars focusing on the experiences, successes, and challenges for small- and medium-sized nanotechnology businesses and on issues of interest to the nanotechnology business community on Wednesday May 20, 2015 from 2-3pm EDT. ]]> http://bit.ly/1K2oNvY Thu, 07 May 2015 15:00:17 -0400 http://bit.ly/1HafRB5 The National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO) has announced the winner of the first EnvisioNano nanotechnology image contest for students. ]]> http://bit.ly/1HafRB5 Wed, 06 May 2015 02:18:49 -0400 http://bit.ly/1K2oNMh Scientists are inching closer to developing a nano-scale drug delivery system with the aim of specifically targeting cancer cells. ]]> http://bit.ly/1K2oNMh Wed, 06 May 2015 08:45:44 -0400 http://bit.ly/1K2oOQl Scientists are reporting progress toward that goal with the development of a novel DNA-based GPS. ]]> http://bit.ly/1K2oOQl Wed, 06 May 2015 09:51:05 -0400 http://bit.ly/1HafTIZ Scientists have developed a simple, thermometer-like device that could help doctors diagnose heart attacks with minimal materials and cost. ]]> http://bit.ly/1HafTIZ Wed, 06 May 2015 09:56:34 -0400 http://bit.ly/1K2oNMi Researchers devise new technique to produce long, custom-designed DNA strands. ]]> http://bit.ly/1K2oNMi Wed, 06 May 2015 11:33:28 -0400 http://bit.ly/1HafRB8 Researchers developed an inkjet printing technology to produce kesterite thin film absorbers (CZTSSe). Based on the inkjet-printed absorbers, solar cells with total area conversion efficiency of up to 6.4 % have been achieved. ]]> http://bit.ly/1HafRB8 Wed, 06 May 2015 13:02:48 -0400 http://bit.ly/1HafRB9 Technology in common household humidifiers could enable the next wave of high-tech medical imaging and targeted medicine, thanks to a new method for making tiny silicone microspheres. ]]> http://bit.ly/1HafRB9 Wed, 06 May 2015 13:15:55 -0400 http://bit.ly/1K2oOQs Some substances, when they undergo a process called rapid-freezing or supercooling, remain in liquid form - even at below-freezing temperatures. A new study is the first to break down the rules governing the complex process of crystallization through rapid-cooling. Its findings may revolutionize the delivery of drugs in the human body, providing a way to 'freeze' the drugs at an optimal time and location in the body. ]]> http://bit.ly/1K2oOQs Wed, 06 May 2015 13:30:05 -0400 http://bit.ly/1HafUwA Electronics is based on the manipulation of electrons and other charge carriers, but in addition to charge, electrons possess a property known as spin. When spin is manipulated with magnetic and electric fields, the result is a spin-polarised current that carries more information than is possible with charge alone. Spin-transport electronics, or spintronics, is a subject of active investigation within Europe's Graphene Flagship. ]]> http://bit.ly/1HafUwA Tue, 05 May 2015 05:50:24 -0400 http://bit.ly/1HafUwB Researchers have found that covering an implantable neural electrode with nanoporous gold could eliminate the risk of scar tissue forming over the electrode?s surface. ]]> http://bit.ly/1HafUwB Tue, 05 May 2015 06:06:12 -0400 http://bit.ly/1HafTJ6 Researchers have developed an inexpensive technique called 'microcombing' to align carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which can be used to create large, pure CNT films that are stronger than any previous such films. The technique also improves the electrical conductivity that makes these films attractive for use in electronic and aerospace applications. ]]> http://bit.ly/1HafTJ6 Tue, 05 May 2015 06:13:20 -0400 http://bit.ly/1HafTJ7 Researchers have discovered topologically protected one-dimensional electron conducting channels at the domain walls of bilayer graphene. These conducting channels are 'valley polarized', which means they can serve as filters for electron valley polarization in future devices such as quantum computers. ]]> http://bit.ly/1HafTJ7 Tue, 05 May 2015 06:19:22 -0400 http://bit.ly/1HafUwD Researchers have found that silver nanoparticles produced with an extract of wormwood, an herb with strong antioxidant properties, can stop several strains of the deadly fungus phytophthora. ]]> http://bit.ly/1HafUwD Tue, 05 May 2015 06:22:27 -0400 http://bit.ly/1K2oOQt Researchers successfully fabricated halide organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite field-effect transistors and measure their electrical characteristics at room temperature. ]]> http://bit.ly/1K2oOQt Tue, 05 May 2015 08:57:12 -0400

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First theoretical proof: Measurement of a single nuclear spin in biological samples

Physicists of the University of Basel and the Swiss Nanoscience Institute were able to show for the first time that the nuclear spins of single molecules can be detected with the help of magnetic particles at room temperature. In ("High-efficiency resonant amplification of weak magnetic fields for single spin magnetometry at room temperature"), the researchers describe a novel experimental setup with which the tiny magnetic fields of the nuclear spins of single biomolecules – undetectable so far – could be registered for the first time. The proposed concept would improve medical diagnostics as well as analyses of biological and chemical samples in a decisive step forward. The measurement of nuclear spins is routine by now in medical diagnostics (MRI). However, the currently existing devices need billions of atoms for the analysis and thus are not useful for many small-scale applications. Over many decades, scientists worldwide have thus engaged in an intense search for alternative methods, which would improve the sensitivity of the measurement techniques. With the help of various types of sensors (SQUID- and Hall-sensors) and with magnetic resonance force microscopes, it has become possible to detect spins of single electrons and achieve structural resolution at the nanoscale. However, the detection of single nuclear spins of complex biological samples – the holy grail in the field – has not been possible so far. Diamond crystals with tiny defects The researchers from Basel now investigate the application of sensors made out of diamonds that host tiny defects in their crystal structure. In the crystal lattice of the diamond a Carbon atom is replaced by a Nitrogen atom, with a vacant site next to it. These so-called Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) centers generate spins, which are ideally suited for detection of magnetic fields. At room temperature, researchers have shown experimentally in many labs before that with such NV centers resolution of single molecules is possible. However, this requires atomistically close distances between sensor and sample, which is not possible for biological material. A tiny ferromagnetic particle, placed between sample and NV center, can solve this problem. Indeed, if the nuclear spin of the sample is driven at a specific resonance frequency, the resonance of the ferromagnetic particle changes. With the help of an NV center that is in close proximity of the magnetic particle, the scientists can then detect this modified resonance. Measuring technology breakthrough? The theoretical analysis and experimental techniques of the researchers in the teams of Prof. Daniel Loss and Prof. Patrick Maletinsky have shown that the use of such ferromagnetic particles can lead to a ten-thousand-fold amplification of the magnetic field of nuclear spins. „I am confident that our concept will soon be implemented in real systems and will lead to a breakthrough in metrology“, comments Daniel Loss the recent publication, where the first author Dr. Luka Trifunovic, postdoc in the Loss team, made essential contributions and which was performed in collaboration with colleagues from the JARA Institute for Quantum Information (Aachen, Deutschland) and the Harvard University (Cambridge, USA).

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