Articles about 'nanotechnology'

A new prototype of a lithium-sulphur battery – which could have five times the energy density of a typical lithium-ion battery – overcomes one of the key hurdles preventing their commercial development by mimicking the structure of the cells which allow us to absorb nutrients. 

Scientists have long suspected that the way materials behave on the nanoscale – that is when particles have dimensions of about 1–100 nanometres – is different from how they behave on any other scale. A new paper in the journal Chemical Science provides concrete proof that this is the case. 

Researchers have built a record energy-efficient switch, which uses the interplay of electricity and a liquid form of light, in semiconductor microchips. The device could form the foundation of future signal processing and information technologies, making electronics even more efficient.

Researchers have successfully used quantum states to mix a molecule with light at room temperature, which will aid in the exploration of quantum technologies and provide new ways to manipulate the physical and chemical properties of matter.

Researchers have built a nano-engine that could form the basis for future applications in nano-robotics, including robots small enough to enter living cells.

Researchers from Cambridge, IBM and Lund University have discovered how tiny 'nanowires' of a widely-used semiconductor self-assemble. Dr Frances Ross of IBM Research explains how the findings could lead to a new crop of nanodevices. 

Michelle Oyen (Department of Engineering) discusses how we could reduce our dependence on "dirty" materials like steel and concrete.

New cost-effective material which mimics natural ‘extracellular matrix’ has allowed scientists to capture previously unseen behaviour in individual plant cells, including new shapes and interactions. New methods highlight potential developments for plant tissue engineering.

Using unique mechanical experiments and close-up video, Cambridge researchers have shown how ants use microscopic ‘combs’ and ‘brushes’ to keep their antennae clean, which could have applications for developing cleaners for nanotechnology.

Researchers have developed a new method for growing ‘hybrid’ crystals at the nanoscale, in which quantum dots – essentially nanoscale semiconductors – of different materials can be sequentially incorporated into a host nanowire with perfect junctions between the components.