Scientists from A*STAR in Singapore and the USA have developed a fast bioluminescence imaging technique that may greatly assist in the search for drugs that target mobile - or metastatic - cancer cells.

A sensitive yet uncomplicated method to detect differences in DNA strands using metal nanoparticle solutions has been developed by Roejarek Kanjanawarut and Xiaodi Su at the Institute of Materials Research and Engineering at A*STAR, Singapore.

Researchers have combined calorimetry with vibrational spectroscopy - a technique that measures how molecules respond to certain light frequencies - to identify real-time heat evolutions during single and multiple chemical processes

One challenge in designing nanomachines is being able to establish how well they work and optimize their performance. This is where single molecule techniques will play an important role. With advances in nanotechnologies, it is possible to construct simple nanomachines that can perform simple functions such as opening and closing of a DNA device (e.g. DNA tweezers or DNA switches), small rotational and translational motors and energy transfer cascades. Using single-molecule techniques researchers can watch individual nanomachines working and determine the functionality of their design. Researchers in Germany now have incorporated optical addressability to these nanomachines. Hence, they can optically detect and eventually control the state of the nanodevice.

Scientists at the University of Alberta in Canada have now revealed a chlorination by-product of great interest in tap water: They were able to detect traces of the toxic compound dichloroquinone.

Realization of the project will bring Russian bifacial crystalline silicon solar modules to the world market. The new modules will have efficiency factors that surpass unifacial modules by 10% to 70% - 10% when installation is done without additional construction; 70% when reflectors and tracking systems are built.

No other element in the periodic table bonds to itself in an extended network with the strength of the carbon-carbon bond. This special nature of carbon, combined with the molecular perfection of single-walled nanotubes endows these nanotubes with exceptional material properties, such as very high electrical and thermal conductivity, strength, stiffness, and toughness. As a result, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are the strongest material known to science. SWCNTs potentially can add incredible strength, stiffness and electrical conductivity to all kinds of composite materials. Unfortunately, they are always held together in rope form due to their extremely small dimension and van der Waals attraction and their strength can neither be exploited nor measured. However, if several SWCNTs are concentrically nested in a confined space, the sliding issue can be resolved and the SWCNTs may share the applied tensile load to realize nanometer-scale materials remarkably stronger than the individual SWCNTs.

Die baden-wuerttembergischen Firma Nanocraft Coating (Engen) will mit Unterstuetzung der DBU voellig neuartige Beschichtungsverfahren entwickeln, die es ermoeglichen, Edelmetalle wesentlich duenner als bisher aufzutragen. Die DBU foerdert das Projekt mit rund 122.000 Euro.

Elpida Memory, Inc., Japan's leading global supplier of Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), today announced that its Hiroshima Plant has begun volume production of 40nm process 2-gigabit DDR3 SDRAMs.

Researchers in Japan have developed a new microscopic technology which can achieve a single-cell gene induction by heat-shock response evoked with cell heating using infrared laser irradiation under a microscope in vivo.

Scientists at Cornell are devising methods to detect the magnetic fields of individual electrons and atomic nuclei, which they hope to use to make 3-D images - a nanoscale version of magnetic resonance imaging.

New findings about spider silk are an advance toward a new generation of biobased adhesives and glues - 'green' glues that replace existing petroleum-based products for a range of uses.

Scientists in China are reporting an advance that may improve the natural wonders of wool - already regarded as the 'wonder fabric' for its lightness, softness, warmth even when wet, and other qualities.

The funding is in support of research and development programs that focus upon methodologies to attain the cost-effective production of high-purity, high-quality metallic and semiconducting carbon nanotube (CNT) inks. These advancements will enable production of a wide variety of high-performing electronic devices incorporating CNTs.

Strange but true: the recently restarted Large Hadron Collider, the most powerful accelerator in the world, is the direct descendant of Thomas Edison's light bulb. The light bulb was invented before electrons were discovered but nevertheless led to the first vacuum tubes, which for a long time were the principal means of accelerating and controlling charged particles in radios, medical x-rays, and other practical applications.

The cellulose produced by bacteria could be used for artificial blood vessels in the future as it carries a lower risk of blood clots than the synthetic materials currently used for bypass operations.

Sandia National Laboratories scientists have developed tiny glitter-sized photovoltaic cells that could revolutionize the way solar energy is collected and used.

Ecology Coatings, Inc., a leader in the discovery and development of nanotechnology-enabled, advanced coatings, has developed UV-cured coatings specifically to address opportunities within the paper and packaging industry. These opportunities include the need for increased water and chemical resistance, along with solutions to important application and environmental issues, such as lower energy use, sustainability, solvent-free materials, and increased productivity.

Physiker bremsen ein einzelnes Atom mit Hilfe einer optoelektronischen Rueckkopplung in Echtzeit.

Communication between nerve cells is vital for our bodies to function. Part of this communication happens through vesicles containing signalling molecules called neurotransmitters.