Can a single molecule behave as a mirror?

Nanotechnology / Nanophysics

created Nov 18, 2008 | popularity 4.4 / 5 (59) | comments 7

(PhysOrg.com) -- “We have shown for the first time, theoretically, that a single molecule can behave as a perfect mirror,” Mario Agio tells PhysOrg.com. “Imagine that your mirror at home becomes a single molecule and that y ...


Nanoparticles for gene therapy improve

Nanoparticles for gene therapy improve

Nanotechnology / Bio & Medicine

created Nov 06, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (5) | comments 3

(PhysOrg.com) -- About five years ago, Professor Janet Sawicki at the Lankenau Institute in Pennsylvania read an article about nanoparticles developed by MIT's Robert Langer for gene therapy, the insertion ...


How Size Matters For Catalysts: Study Links Size, Activity, Electronic Properties

How Size Matters For Catalysts: Study Links Size, Activity, Electronic Properties

Nanotechnology / Nanomaterials

created Nov 05, 2009 | popularity 3.7 / 5 (3) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- University of Utah chemists demonstrated the first conclusive link between the size of catalyst particles on a solid surface, their electronic properties and their ability to speed chemical ...


Tumors Feel the Deadly Sting of Nanobees

Nanotechnology / Bio & Medicine

created Aug 28, 2009 | popularity 4.8 / 5 (13) | comments 3

When bees sting, they pump into their victims a peptide toxin called melittin that destroys cell membranes. Now, by encapsulating this extremely potent molecule within a nanoparticle, researchers at the Washington University ...


When nano may not be nano

When Nano May Not Be Nano

Nanotechnology / Bio & Medicine

created Sep 13, 2009 | popularity 3.3 / 5 (8) | comments 3

(PhysOrg.com) -- The same properties of nanoparticles that make them so appealing to manufacturers may also have negative effects on the environment and human health. However, little is known which particles ...


3-D system based on optical fiber could provide new options for photovoltaics

3-D system based on optical fiber could provide new options for photovoltaics

Nanotechnology / Nanomaterials

created Nov 02, 2009 | popularity 4.4 / 5 (10) | comments 0

Converting sunlight to electricity might no longer mean large panels of photovoltaic cells atop flat surfaces like roofs.


Fast, easy, and highly sensitive arsenic detection with gold nanoparticles

Nanotechnology / Nanomaterials

created Nov 25, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Mention of arsenic poisoning usually brings to mind underhanded murder. However, the danger of arsenic poisoning from contaminated drinking water is far greater. Low concentrations of arsenic are found in ...


Magnetism Turns Drug Release On and Off

Nanotechnology / Bio & Medicine

created Oct 30, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Many medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes and chronic pain, require medications that cannot be taken orally, but must be dosed intermittently, on an as-needed basis, over a long period of time. A few delivery techniques ...


An exquisite container

Smart drug delivery system -- Gold nanocage covered with polymer (w/ Video)

Nanotechnology / Nanophysics

created Nov 01, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (5) | comments 0

In campy old movies, Lucretia Borgia swans around emptying powder from her ring into wine glasses carelessly left unattended. The poison ring is usually a confection of gold filigree holding a cabochon or ...


New aluminum-water rocket propellant promising for future space missions

New aluminum-water rocket propellant promising for future space missions

Nanotechnology / Nanomaterials

created Oct 07, 2009 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (21) | comments 1

(PhysOrg.com) -- Researchers are developing a new type of rocket propellant made of a frozen mixture of water and "nanoscale aluminum" powder that is more environmentally friendly than conventional propellants ...


Two-In-One Punch Knocks Out Drug Resistant Cancer Cells

Nanotechnology / Bio & Medicine

created Nov 04, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (4) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Cancer cells, like bacteria, can develop resistance to drug therapy, leading to relapse of disease. One approach showing promise in overcoming multidrug resistance in tumors is to combine two different anticancer ...


Carbon nanotubes could make efficient solar cells

Carbon nanotubes could make efficient solar cells

Nanotechnology / Nanomaterials

created Sep 10, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (21) | comments 13

(PhysOrg.com) -- Cornell researchers fabricated, tested and measured a simple solar cell called a photodiode, formed from an individual carbon nanotube.


Nanotech in Space: Experiment To Weather the Trials of Orbit

Nanotech in Space: Experiment To Weather the Trials of Orbit

Nanotechnology / Nanomaterials

created Nov 24, 2009 | popularity 4 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Novel nanomaterials developed at Rensselaer were sent into orbit on Nov. 16 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis.


Water droplets direct self-assembly process in thin-film materials

Nanotechnology / Nanomaterials

created Nov 23, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (5) | comments 2

You can think of it as origami - very high-tech origami. Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a technique for fabricating three-dimensional, single-crystalline silicon structures from thin films by coupling ...


Graphane crystal

Scientists discover ground-breaking material: Graphane

Nanotechnology / Nanomaterials

created Jan 30, 2009 | popularity 4.7 / 5 (48) | comments 13

(PhysOrg.com) -- Researchers at The University of Manchester have produced a ground-breaking new material, graphane, which has been derived from graphene.