For the first time, researchers have discovered a way to obtain polarity and photovoltaic behavior from certain nonphotovoltaic, atomically flat (2D) materials. The key lies in the special way in which the materials are arranged.
When gold nano particles in water are illuminated by a laser, they get very hot: well above the boiling point of water. The formation of vapour bubbles caused by this, is well-known. New experiments, however, using a very high speed camera, now show that before this, a bubble is formed that is much larger and, subsequently, explodes violently.
Findings caution against possible side effects of cancer nanomedicines and other common nanoparticles but paves the way for safer design and better treatment strategies.
A new chemical protocol introduces the on-surface design of anthracene-based polymers with a small electronic bandgap, interesting for organic optoelectronics.
A spray- or brush-applied fire retardant coating made from nanocellulose is well suited for improving the fire properties of wood-based materials. It reduces the access of oxygen to the surface, thus significantly inhibiting combustion.
A research team has developed tiny optical elements from metal nanoparticles and a polymer that one day could replace traditional refractive lenses to realize portable imaging systems and optoelectronic devices.
Cavitation has been widely assumed to be the underlying mechanism governing the fracture of metallic glasses, as well as other glassy systems. Up until now, however, scientists have been unable to directly observe the cavitation behavior of fractures, despite their intensive efforts.
Physicists on the hunt for a rarely seen magnetic spin texture have discovered another object that bears its hallmarks, hidden in the structure of ultra-thin magnetic films, that they have called an incommensurate spin crystal.
The typical 'top-down' method of producing carbon nanotubes does not allow for control over their diameter, length or which of three types will be produced. Control over two types has recently been demonstrated by producing their elementary 'nanobelt' molecules, and now researchers have developed a way to construct the third and last type, offering complete 'made-to-order' management of the synthesis of nanotube molecules.
An international team of researchers has synthesized curved, infinitely stacking nanographenes -- like potato chips in a cardboard can -- that can assemble into nanowires.