Topic description and stories

A cancer cell containing the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are coloured green, and have entered the nucleus, which is the area in blue

“Trojan horse” treatment could beat brain tumours

13 Aug 2014

A smart technology which involves smuggling gold nanoparticles into brain cancer cells has proven highly effective in lab-based tests.

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An efficient route to manufacturing nanomaterials with light through plasmon-induced laser-threading of gold nanoparticle strings

Building ‘invisible’ materials with light

28 Jul 2014

A new technique which uses light like a needle to thread long chains of particles could help bring sci-fi concepts such as cloaking devices one step...

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Carbon nanotechnology

How carbon cousins shaped warfare and can electrify the future

13 Jun 2014

What links legendarily sharp Damascene swords of the past with flexible electronics and high-performance electrical wiring of the future? They all...

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Biomimetic cellulose film

Taking inspiration from nature’s brightest colours

13 Jun 2014

Intensely coloured low-cost films made from cellulose could be used in place of toxic dyes, or to detect counterfeit materials.

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Salt baskets

Nanomaterials Up Close: Salt baskets

05 Jun 2014

This electron microscope picture, reminiscent of man-made baskets or children’s blocks, shows cubic salt crystals that have been forced to form in...

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When twisted light matches the twist of nanostructures, strong interactions with chiral molecules could arise

Exposing ‘evil twins’

16 May 2014

A combination of nanotechnology and a unique twisting property of light could lead to new methods for ensuring the purity and safety of...

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Flagellated cell

Building ‘nanomachines’ in biological outer space

14 Nov 2013

New research reveals how bacteria construct tiny flagella ‘nanomachines’ outside the cell.

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We ask the experts: will robots take over the world?

19 Jul 2013

Robots can do a lot for us: they can explore space or they can cut our toenails. But do advances in robotics and artificial intelligence hold hidden...

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Scanning Electron Microscope image of micro-structures of cathodes made of carbon nanotubes and sulphur

Building a better battery

07 Mar 2013

A new battery technology provides double the energy storage at lower cost than the batteries that are used in handheld electronics, electric vehicles...

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Hologram

Nanotubes used to create smallest ever hologram pixels

21 Sep 2012

A breakthrough in the use of carbon nanotubes as optical projectors has enabled scientists to generate holograms using the smallest ever pixels.

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Yoghurt pot under the spotlight.

Nanotechnology and your views

23 Mar 2012

What are the implications of nanotechnology for the general public? What use is it to them? What are the risks and benefits? These are the types of...

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Aligned carbon nanotubes, coated with a conducting polymer

Weaving electronics into the fabric of our physical world

24 Jan 2012

The integration of electronics with materials opens up a world of possibilities, the surface of which is just being scratched. Professor Arokia...

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