NEWSWORTHY
Medical Imaging
Researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases have developed a procedure to illuminate the interior of cells by using nanoparticles. The study revealed information about the clustering mechanism in proteins inside a type of human red blood cells that allows them to be mechanically flexible. Their findings show that quantum dots can be used in investigating dynamic cellular processes. See AtoZ Nano, First Science, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Nanomedicine and Nanobiotechnology.
Beneficial defects in carbon nanotubes
Researchers from the University of California, San Diego discovered that defective carbon nanotubes can be used to store energy. They developed methods to control this capacity of storing charge by bombarding carbon nanotubes with Argon or Hydrogen. They also noted that defects created in a controlled manner could ultimately avoid deterioration of electrical conductivity. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, Nanovip, and Applied Physics Letters.
“Fly paper” to capture cancer cells
Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles have created a three-dimensional nanostructed “fly paper” that can capture cancer tumor cells (CTCs) in the blood stream. It is estimated that the 1-by-2 centimeter nanopillar silicon chip coated with an antibody protein could detect 45 to 65 percent of cancerous cells in a medium of breast cancer cells. See AtoZ Nano, First Science, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Angewandte Chemie.
Waste heat to electricity
Researchers at MIT have developed a method to convert waste heat to useful electricity with both high efficiency and high throughput (electrical power). The existing systems of conversion demonstrate a 40 percent efficiency of the Carnot limit (energy conversion can never exceed the Carnot limit), while the new device (starting with a single quantum dot) can make this conversion with a possible efficiency of 90 percent of the limit. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Applied Physics Letters.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Synthesizing Graphene
Extensive research is being conducted to develop two-dimensional graphene-like polymers. Their desirable electrical properties could ultimately lead to graphene replacing silicon in many semiconductors. Physicists at Empa, Switzerland along with chemists from the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research in Mainz, Germany have synthesized a graphene-like porous polymer through a new method- “bottom-up” synthesis on metal surfaces. They allowed functionalized phenyl rings to grow into a two-dimensional structure on a silver substrate that created pores of a single-atom diameter with pore spacing of less than a nanometer. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Chemical Communications.
Nanostructure Vibrations
Scientists from the University of Melbourne and the University of Chicago have overcome the limitation many researchers have been facing to approach single-atom sensing through nano-scale vibrations. Vibrations at nanoscale can provide applications in ultrasensitive mass detection, molecular scale biological sensing, and an understanding of nanoscale mechanical losses. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Nature Nanotechnology.
Current through C60s
European scientists created minute electrical circuit between two molecules. In a controlled atmosphere two C60 molecules of 1nm in diameter were brought together and the current that passed through them was recorded. However, the conductance is a 100 times lesser than that of a single molecule. This new circuit can be used in devices to control leakage current between neighboring circuits. See AtoZ Nano, Nanowerk, and Physical Review Letters.
Nanophotonic forces
Researchers from the University of Ghent and the IMEC demonstrated repulsive and attractive forces in photons with spatial distribution of light. The study used advanced fabrication techniques to create to parallel nanoscale waveguides separated by a distance of 220nm on a silicon-on-insulator chip. When a laser passed through these waveguides optical forces were generated; the spatial distribution indicated the type of force-attraction or repulsion. This study provides applications in areas of telecommunication and signal processing. See Nanowerk and Nature Nanotechnology.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
SEPARATING THE HYPE AND THE BUZZ - Wednesday, November 18, 2009
NEWSWORTHY
Nanomaterials on a space shuttle
Researchers from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the University of Florida have developed two types of nanomaterials to test their performance in space orbits. The materials will be carried by the space shuttle Atlantis to the International Space Station where they will be mounted to the station’s outer hull in a passive experiment carrier. The first type of nanomaterial comprises of nanoscale alumina particles and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and the second type is a conductive polymer nanocomposite. This development can lead to creating better cooling systems for spacecrafts and electronic systems. See AtoZ Nano, First Science, Nanotech Wire, and Nanowerk.
“Nano-colorsorter” devices
Researchers from the Berkley lab have created “bowtie-shaped” optical nano-antennas from four lithographically patterned equilateral triangles of gold to create a cross geometry that can act as “nano-colorsorters” able to capture, filter, and steer light at nano-scale. These devices can handle/manipulate/control light in extremely small confined areas of tiny photonic circuits. See AtoZ Nano, First Science, and Nano Letters.
Light produces nanoscale movement
Researchers at Cornell University have demonstrated the ability of light to move silicon structures up to 12 nanometers. They created a structure consisting of two thin, flat silicon nitride rings (30microns in diameter) fixed one above the other on a pedestal through thin spokes. The distance between the rings is 1micron and the ring waveguides are 3microns wide and 190nanometers thick. When light with a frequency of 1533.5 nm is focused on to the rings it produces a force in the rings to deform up to 12nm. See AtoZ Nano, Nanowerk, and Nature Nano.
Nanotechnology for the spinal cord
Researchers from Purdue University have discovered that the 60 nm diameter spheres known as “copolymer micelles,” can be used to treat spinal cord injuries. The micelles can be used to treat damaged fibers that transmit electrical impulses (axons) to the spinal cord. They found that treatment to spinal cord damages due to compression injuries using micelles boosted the recovery process by 60 percent. See AtoZ Nano, First Science, Nanotech Wire, and Nature Nano.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Resilient silicon nanowires
North Carolina State University researchers have established that silicon nanowires are more resilient than their counterparts. Researchers used in-situ tensile testing inside a scanning electron microscope on silicon nanowires made from the vapor-liquid-solid process to test its properties. This result can provide better insights to other researchers dealing with nanoelectronics, nanosensors, and nanostructed solar cells. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, and Nano Letters.
FinFETs
Researchers are making efforts to improve transistor efficiency to create fast and compact circuits and computer chips. The reduction of gate (an essential component) length can provide this required breakthrough, but decreasing it in silicon based semiconductors results in an electric “leak.” Researchers from Purdue University have created hafnium-dioxide finFETs to overcome this difficulty. See AtoZ Nano and First Science.
Light at nanoscale
Researchers at the University of Adelaide are squeezing light into smaller spaces within optical fibers than was possible before. These optical fibers carry and transmit light through the inside of their pipes and as the size of the pipe is reduced, light confines itself within roughly a few hundred nanometers in area. If this area is further reduced then light begins to spread, but the researchers have pushed this limit in area by a factor of two paving the way for future creation of nano-scale sensors. See AtoZ Nano, First Science, Nanotech Wire, and Nanowerk.
Nanoscale behavior in catalysts
Researchers from Rice and Lehigh Universities used aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and advanced optical microscopy and spectroscopy techniques to understand and evaluate the nanoscale behavior and nano structure of tungstated zirconia. This discovery will aid detailed catalytic analysis. See AtoZ Nano, First Science, and Nature Chemistry.
Nanomaterials on a space shuttle
Researchers from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the University of Florida have developed two types of nanomaterials to test their performance in space orbits. The materials will be carried by the space shuttle Atlantis to the International Space Station where they will be mounted to the station’s outer hull in a passive experiment carrier. The first type of nanomaterial comprises of nanoscale alumina particles and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and the second type is a conductive polymer nanocomposite. This development can lead to creating better cooling systems for spacecrafts and electronic systems. See AtoZ Nano, First Science, Nanotech Wire, and Nanowerk.
“Nano-colorsorter” devices
Researchers from the Berkley lab have created “bowtie-shaped” optical nano-antennas from four lithographically patterned equilateral triangles of gold to create a cross geometry that can act as “nano-colorsorters” able to capture, filter, and steer light at nano-scale. These devices can handle/manipulate/control light in extremely small confined areas of tiny photonic circuits. See AtoZ Nano, First Science, and Nano Letters.
Light produces nanoscale movement
Researchers at Cornell University have demonstrated the ability of light to move silicon structures up to 12 nanometers. They created a structure consisting of two thin, flat silicon nitride rings (30microns in diameter) fixed one above the other on a pedestal through thin spokes. The distance between the rings is 1micron and the ring waveguides are 3microns wide and 190nanometers thick. When light with a frequency of 1533.5 nm is focused on to the rings it produces a force in the rings to deform up to 12nm. See AtoZ Nano, Nanowerk, and Nature Nano.
Nanotechnology for the spinal cord
Researchers from Purdue University have discovered that the 60 nm diameter spheres known as “copolymer micelles,” can be used to treat spinal cord injuries. The micelles can be used to treat damaged fibers that transmit electrical impulses (axons) to the spinal cord. They found that treatment to spinal cord damages due to compression injuries using micelles boosted the recovery process by 60 percent. See AtoZ Nano, First Science, Nanotech Wire, and Nature Nano.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Resilient silicon nanowires
North Carolina State University researchers have established that silicon nanowires are more resilient than their counterparts. Researchers used in-situ tensile testing inside a scanning electron microscope on silicon nanowires made from the vapor-liquid-solid process to test its properties. This result can provide better insights to other researchers dealing with nanoelectronics, nanosensors, and nanostructed solar cells. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, and Nano Letters.
FinFETs
Researchers are making efforts to improve transistor efficiency to create fast and compact circuits and computer chips. The reduction of gate (an essential component) length can provide this required breakthrough, but decreasing it in silicon based semiconductors results in an electric “leak.” Researchers from Purdue University have created hafnium-dioxide finFETs to overcome this difficulty. See AtoZ Nano and First Science.
Light at nanoscale
Researchers at the University of Adelaide are squeezing light into smaller spaces within optical fibers than was possible before. These optical fibers carry and transmit light through the inside of their pipes and as the size of the pipe is reduced, light confines itself within roughly a few hundred nanometers in area. If this area is further reduced then light begins to spread, but the researchers have pushed this limit in area by a factor of two paving the way for future creation of nano-scale sensors. See AtoZ Nano, First Science, Nanotech Wire, and Nanowerk.
Nanoscale behavior in catalysts
Researchers from Rice and Lehigh Universities used aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and advanced optical microscopy and spectroscopy techniques to understand and evaluate the nanoscale behavior and nano structure of tungstated zirconia. This discovery will aid detailed catalytic analysis. See AtoZ Nano, First Science, and Nature Chemistry.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
SEPARATING THE HYPE AND THE BUZZ - Wednesday, November 04, 2009
NEWSWORTHY
Tumor termination with nanoformulation
Bioengineers at Duke University have devised a nano-scale system that can deliver high doses of drugs to terminate tumors effectively while decreasing side effects associated with chemotherapy. The results from animal modeling prove that tumors are destroyed after a single treatment and the nano delivery vehicles collapse into harmless byproducts. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, and Nanowerk.
“Hidden” PV cells
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a three-dimensional photovoltaic system using zinc oxide nanostructures on optical fibers coated with dye-sensitizers. The optical fibers collect sunlight and pass it onto nanowires where it interacts with dye molecules to produce electricity. The three-dimensional optical fiber system is six times as efficient as planar solar cells. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Angewandte Chemie International.
The Healing Nanocage
Researchers at the Washington University in St. Louis have created a tiny capsule, dubbed a “nanocage” that is photosensitive and can deliver drugs to targeted areas. The nanocage responds to light opening when the light is turned on and closing when the light is turned off thus delivering medical substances within it only when the desired. See AtoZ Nano, First Science, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Nature Materials.
Optical Frequency Comb
Scientists from the University of Konstanz in Germany and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the United States have developed an improved frequency comb that can precisely measure frequencies of a visible light. The improved comb outdoes its predecessors by providing a clearer image of different frequencies which can now be viewed from a simple optical system (a grating and a microscope). See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Science.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
New manufacturing method for nanowires
Danish nanophysicists have created a new method of manufacturing nanowires using Gallium Indium Arsenide and Indium Arsenide to draw on their individual benefits together. This development can help solar cells trap more sunlight than ever before and can also be used in LEDs and OLEDs. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Nano Letters.
Nano stirring
Sandia researchers have developed a new method of mixing called vortex field mixing that combines liquids in extremely small spaces. Magnetic nanoparticles are suspended into the liquid and form chains when subjected to a particular magnetic field. These chains start to swirl which mix liquids. See AtoZ Nano, First Science, and Nanotech Wire.
Superhydrophobic nanocoating
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have created a nanoparticle based coating that can reduce the buildup of ice on solid surfaces. The coating consists of a silicon-resin solution combined with 50 nanometers silica nanoparticles. The product was tested in real conditions on an Aluminum plate and on a commercial satellite dish. See First Science, Nanowerk, and Langmuir.
Nano magnetism
A research team in Boston developed an implantable drug delivery device that can trap medicinal substances in a membrane embedded with magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. When an alternating magnetic field is applied, the magnetic nanoparticles heat up causing the gel in the membrane to melt. This opens pores in the membrane facilitating drug delivery. Once the magnetic field is turned off, the gels re-expand and close the pores. No implanted electronics is needed for this system. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Nano Letters.
Lethal combination for cancer
Researchers from Rutgers have combined two different anti-cancer drugs (Doxorubin and siRNA) to make a lethal drug to eliminate cancer. Doxorubin is a drug that kills tumors by apoptosis (a form of cell death) and siRNA (small interfering RNA)that stops the production of Bcl-2 protein produced by malignant cells. Pores of silicon nanoparticles are filled with Doxorubin and are coated by dendrimers (spherical polymer nanoparticles) which then are allowed to tightly bind to siRNA. The combination drug proved to be 130-times more lethal in killing ovarian cancer cells in comparison to doxorubin alone. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Advanced Materials.
Tumor termination with nanoformulation
Bioengineers at Duke University have devised a nano-scale system that can deliver high doses of drugs to terminate tumors effectively while decreasing side effects associated with chemotherapy. The results from animal modeling prove that tumors are destroyed after a single treatment and the nano delivery vehicles collapse into harmless byproducts. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, and Nanowerk.
“Hidden” PV cells
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a three-dimensional photovoltaic system using zinc oxide nanostructures on optical fibers coated with dye-sensitizers. The optical fibers collect sunlight and pass it onto nanowires where it interacts with dye molecules to produce electricity. The three-dimensional optical fiber system is six times as efficient as planar solar cells. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Angewandte Chemie International.
The Healing Nanocage
Researchers at the Washington University in St. Louis have created a tiny capsule, dubbed a “nanocage” that is photosensitive and can deliver drugs to targeted areas. The nanocage responds to light opening when the light is turned on and closing when the light is turned off thus delivering medical substances within it only when the desired. See AtoZ Nano, First Science, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Nature Materials.
Optical Frequency Comb
Scientists from the University of Konstanz in Germany and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the United States have developed an improved frequency comb that can precisely measure frequencies of a visible light. The improved comb outdoes its predecessors by providing a clearer image of different frequencies which can now be viewed from a simple optical system (a grating and a microscope). See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Science.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
New manufacturing method for nanowires
Danish nanophysicists have created a new method of manufacturing nanowires using Gallium Indium Arsenide and Indium Arsenide to draw on their individual benefits together. This development can help solar cells trap more sunlight than ever before and can also be used in LEDs and OLEDs. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Nano Letters.
Nano stirring
Sandia researchers have developed a new method of mixing called vortex field mixing that combines liquids in extremely small spaces. Magnetic nanoparticles are suspended into the liquid and form chains when subjected to a particular magnetic field. These chains start to swirl which mix liquids. See AtoZ Nano, First Science, and Nanotech Wire.
Superhydrophobic nanocoating
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have created a nanoparticle based coating that can reduce the buildup of ice on solid surfaces. The coating consists of a silicon-resin solution combined with 50 nanometers silica nanoparticles. The product was tested in real conditions on an Aluminum plate and on a commercial satellite dish. See First Science, Nanowerk, and Langmuir.
Nano magnetism
A research team in Boston developed an implantable drug delivery device that can trap medicinal substances in a membrane embedded with magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. When an alternating magnetic field is applied, the magnetic nanoparticles heat up causing the gel in the membrane to melt. This opens pores in the membrane facilitating drug delivery. Once the magnetic field is turned off, the gels re-expand and close the pores. No implanted electronics is needed for this system. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Nano Letters.
Lethal combination for cancer
Researchers from Rutgers have combined two different anti-cancer drugs (Doxorubin and siRNA) to make a lethal drug to eliminate cancer. Doxorubin is a drug that kills tumors by apoptosis (a form of cell death) and siRNA (small interfering RNA)that stops the production of Bcl-2 protein produced by malignant cells. Pores of silicon nanoparticles are filled with Doxorubin and are coated by dendrimers (spherical polymer nanoparticles) which then are allowed to tightly bind to siRNA. The combination drug proved to be 130-times more lethal in killing ovarian cancer cells in comparison to doxorubin alone. See AtoZ Nano, Nanotech Wire, Nanowerk, and Advanced Materials.
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