Nanotechnology News - November 2008 Archives

'Stress tests' probe nanoscale strains in materials (11/29/2008)

Researchers at NIST have demonstrated their ability to measure relatively low levels of stress or strain in regions of a semiconductor device as small as 10nm across. Their recent results not only will impact the design of future generations of integrated circuits but also lay to rest a long-standing disagreement in results between two different methods for measuring stress in semiconductors. ...> Full Article

'The photon force is with us': Harnessing light to drive nanomachines (11/28/2008)

Science fiction writers have long envisioned sailing a spacecraft by the optical force of the sun's light. But, the forces of sunlight are too weak to fill even the oversized sails that have been tried. Now a team led by researchers at the Yale School of Engineering & Applied Science has shown that the force of light indeed can be harnessed to drive machines when the process is scaled to nano-proportions. ...> Full Article

Molecular memory a game-changer (11/25/2008)

James Tour's graphene device may make massive storage practical ...> Full Article

Nanocoatings boost industrial energy efficiency (11/21/2008)

Ames Laboratory project seeks to reduce friction and extend tool life ...> Full Article

Nontoxic nanoparticle can deliver and track drugs (11/20/2008)

A nontoxic nanoparticle developed by Penn State researchers is proving to be an all-around effective delivery system for both therapeutic drugs and the fluorescent dyes that can track their delivery. ...> Full Article

Surface plasmon resonances of metal nanoparticles in array can have narrower spectral widths (11/19/2008)

Method could improve the sensitivity of detecting molecules at low concentrations ...> Full Article

Nanoparticles trigger cell death? (11/18/2008)

The findings of a recent Finnish-American study give rise to concern that nanoparticles carry potential health hazards. ...> Full Article

Findings suggest nanowires ideal for electronics manufacturing (11/18/2008)

Researchers have discovered that tiny structures called silicon nanowires might be ideal for manufacturing in future computers and consumer electronics because they form the same way every time. ...> Full Article

New research expected to improve laser devices and make photovoltaics more efficient (11/16/2008)

University of Chicago research ...> Full Article

Survey highlights support for nanotech in health fields but disapproval elsewhere (11/16/2008)

A landmark national survey on the use of nanotechnology for "human enhancement" shows widespread public support for applications of the new technology related to improving human health. However, the survey also shows broad disapproval for nanotech human enhancement research in areas without health benefits. ...> Full Article

Nanoparticles in the home: More and smaller than previously detected (11/15/2008)

Extremely small nanoscale particles are released by common kitchen appliances in abundant amounts, greatly outnumbering the previously detected, larger-size nanoparticles emitted by these appliances ...> Full Article

Miniaturizing memory: Taking data storage to the molecular level (11/15/2008)

Researchers are now exploring ways of exploiting the unique properties of carbon nanotubes to create a cheap and compact memory cell that uses little power and writes information at high speeds. ...> Full Article

Researchers advance nano-scale electromechanical sensors (11/14/2008)

Researchers studying nano-scale cantilevers that have the potential to read and alert us to toxic chemicals or gases in the air. Put them into a small handheld device and the potential is there for real-time chemical alerts in battle, in industry, in health care and even at home. ...> Full Article

Researchers show that plants can accumulate nanoparticles in tissues (11/14/2008)

Researchershave provided what is believed to be the first experimental evidence that plants can take up nanoparticles and accumulate them in their tissues. The laboratory study, which involved pumpkin plants, indicates a possible pathway for nanoparticles to enter the food chain. The research also reveals a new experimental approach for studying nanoparticles and their potential impacts. ...> Full Article

Liquid or solid? Charged nanoparticles in lipid membrane decide (11/13/2008)

Patchiness in phospholipid membranes is fundamental to their use as biomolecules and biosensors. Using charged nanoparticles, researchers have found a new way to stimulate patchiness in phospholipid membranes. ...> Full Article

Researchers discover method for mass production of nanomaterial graphene (11/12/2008)

Process has already produced the largest graphene sample reported ...> Full Article

When a good nanoparticle goes bad (11/11/2008)

Understanding how nanoparticles change form may help solve energy needs ...> Full Article

New small-scale generator produces alternating current by stretching zinc oxide wires (11/10/2008)

Flexible charge pump ...> Full Article

Gold nanostar shape of the future (11/9/2008)

Tiny gold stars, smaller than a billionth of a meter, may hold the promise for new approaches to medical diagnoses or testing for environmental contaminants. ...> Full Article

A need for improved efficiency in nanomanufacturing (11/8/2008)

New research shows nanotech's environmental gains may be canceled out ...> Full Article

Just scratching the surface: New technique maps nanomaterials as they grow (11/7/2008)

Technique could be quickly replicated in labs around the world to improve material performance ...> Full Article

A green future for scrap iron (11/6/2008)

Researchers use zero valent iron to detoxify pollutants in industrial wastewater ...> Full Article

Detecting tiny twists with a nanomachine (11/5/2008)

Nanoscale device may reveal spin-dependent fundamental forces and provide new methods of characterizing torque-generating molecules and DNA strands ...> Full Article

New nanocluster to boost thin films for semiconductors (11/4/2008)

Discovery speeds production and yields; may lead to greener process ...> Full Article

Researchers show how to 'stamp' nanodevices with rubber molds (11/3/2008)

By manipulating the way tiny droplets of fluid dry, researchers have created an innovative way to make and pattern nanoscale wires and other devices that ordinarily can be made only with expensive lithographic tools. The process is guided by molds that "stamp" the desired structures. ...> Full Article

Researcher improves LCDs with 3-D nanoimaging process (11/2/2008)

3-D optical imaging of anisotropic fluids such liquid crystals, with volumetric resolution one thousand times smaller than existing techniques. ...> Full Article