'Nanosculpture' could enable new types of heat pumps, energy converters

Researchers have discovered a new method to create branched nanorods, such as those in this scanning electron microscope image. Such nanorods could one day enable new nanoscale thermoelectric devices for power generation, as well as nanoscale heat pumps for cooling hot spots in nanoelectronics devices. Image: Rensselaer/Ramanath