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Chemists at Emory University, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory, and Paul Scherrer Institut in Switzerland have developed a nanomaterial that can be triggered to shape-shift – from flat sheets to tubes and back to sheets again – in a controllable way. The nanomaterial holds potential for a range of biomedical applications, from controlled-release drug delivery to tissue engineering.
Researchers at North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the University of Michigan have developed a new technique for eliminating particularly tough blood clots by using engineered nanodroplets and an ultrasound "drill" to break up the clots from the inside out. The technique has not yet gone through clinical testing, but in vitro testing has shown promising results.
Researchers at North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the University of Michigan have developed a new technique for eliminating particularly tough blood clots by using engineered nanodroplets and an ultrasound "drill" to break up the clots from the inside out. The technique has not yet gone through clinical testing, but in vitro testing has shown promising results.
Researchers from Virginia Tech have gained insights into building stronger and tougher ceramics by studying the shells of bivalve mollusks. Normally, the presence of nanoscale structural defects means a site of potential failure. But the researchers have shown that the size, spacing, geometry, orientation, and distribution of these nanoscale defects within the biomineral is highly controlled, improving not only the structural strength but also the damage tolerance through controlled cracking and fracture.
Researchers from Virginia Tech have gained insights into building stronger and tougher ceramics by studying the shells of bivalve mollusks. Normally, the presence of nanoscale structural defects means a site of potential failure. But the researchers have shown that the size, spacing, geometry, orientation, and distribution of these nanoscale defects within the biomineral is highly controlled, improving not only the structural strength but also the damage tolerance through controlled cracking and fracture.
Scientists from the University of Illinois at Chicago and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National laboratory have discovered that during a chemical reaction that often quickly degrades catalytic materials, a certain type of catalyst displays exceptionally high stability and durability. This type of catalyst is an alloy nanoparticle, made up of multiple metallic elements, such as cobalt, nickel, copper, and platinum. Alloy nanoparticles could have multiple practical applications, including water-splitting to generate hydrogen in fuel cells; reduction of carbon dioxide by capturing and converting it into useful materials like methanol; more efficient reactions in biosensors to detect substances in the body; and solar cells that produce heat, electricity, and fuel more effectively.
Scientists from the University of Illinois at Chicago and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National laboratory have discovered that during a chemical reaction that often quickly degrades catalytic materials, a certain type of catalyst displays exceptionally high stability and durability. This type of catalyst is an alloy nanoparticle, made up of multiple metallic elements, such as cobalt, nickel, copper, and platinum. Alloy nanoparticles could have multiple practical applications, including water-splitting to generate hydrogen in fuel cells; reduction of carbon dioxide by capturing and converting it into useful materials like methanol; more efficient reactions in biosensors to detect substances in the body; and solar cells that produce heat, electricity, and fuel more effectively.
A research team led by chemists at Rice University has made hybrid particles that combine the light-harvesting properties of plasmonic nanoparticles with the flexibility of catalytic polymer coatings. Their work could help power long-pursued plasmonic applications in electronics, imaging, sensing, and medicine. Plasmons are the detectable ripples of energy created on the surface of some metals when excited by light.
A research team led by chemists at Rice University has made hybrid particles that combine the light-harvesting properties of plasmonic nanoparticles with the flexibility of catalytic polymer coatings. Their work could help power long-pursued plasmonic applications in electronics, imaging, sensing, and medicine. Plasmons are the detectable ripples of energy created on the surface of some metals when excited by light.
Researchers from Penn State, The University of Texas at Austin, Iowa State University, Dow Chemical Company, and DuPont Water Solutions have elucidated details of how membranes filter minerals from water. The team found that nanoscale variations in density of the membrane influenced water-filtration performance. This discovery could increase membrane efficiency by 30% to 40%.
