The California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA has opened its new Integrated Systems Nanofabrication Cleanroom (ISNC), more than doubling the amount of cleanroom space available on the Westwood campus and extending research capabilities to researchers in biology and medicine.

The product combines a carbon nanotube-based sensor with a multi-ion meter for on-site measurements and real-time feedback. Currently optimized for horticultural applications, the easy-to-use instrument is also a natural fit for other applications where existing sensor technology falls short of meeting complex measuring requirements.

Technology recognized as ground-breaking innovation within the medical device sector with significant market potential.

So far, there have been no research reports on a graphene-based transistor amplifier and investigations of its in-field controllability for analog, mixed-signal, and radio-frequency applications. Previous work on graphene transistors has largely focused on frequency multiplication near the Dirac point in graphene current-voltage characteristic. But now, a team of researchers has demonstrated the first triple-mode graphene amplifier. They have shown experimentally that by leveraging the ambipolarity of charge transport in graphene, the amplifier can be configured in the common-source, common-drain, or frequency multiplication mode of operation by changing the gate bias. This is the first demonstration of a single-transistor amplifier that can be tuned between different modes of operation using a single three-terminal transistor. Moreover, during its operation, the graphene amplifier was configured in-field to switch between the different modes. The result marks another important step toward graphene applications in electronics.

At the exclusive invitation of Nature Physics, Wouter Roos and Gijs Wuite, respectively FOM researcher and FOM workgroup leader at VU University Amsterdam, discuss recent developments in the area of 'physical virology' in this month's issue.

Dr. Long Que, assistant professor of electrical engineering at Louisiana Tech University, has reported success in designing and fabricating a device that allows microscale electronic devices to harvest their own wasted energy.

University of Illinois chemistry professor Alexander Scheeline wants to see high school students using their cell phones in class. Not for texting or surfing the Web, but as an analytical chemistry instrument. Scheeline developed a method using a few basic, inexpensive supplies and a digital camera to build a spectrometer, an important basic chemistry instrument.

More than only cross-correlation to align a raw tilt-series without fiducials, 3D reconstruction with iterative algorithms (SART, SIRT, OS-SART) using multi-GPUs, intuitive 3D/2D visualisation: DigiECT positions itself as a revolutionary alternative compared to existing commercial and free software.

Researchers believe that the puzzle of catalytic gold is now partially solved. Gold can catalyse an oxidation reaction by first oxidising itself. New research evidence on gold-oxide phase at room temperature and atmospheric pressure help us to finally understand the oxidation mechanisms of catalytic gold nanoclusters in these conditions.

The discovery reveals that energy-carrying particles generated by packets of light can travel on the order of a thousand times farther in organic (carbon-based) semiconductors than scientists previously observed.

Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University have developed a novel approach for delivering small bits of genetic material into the body to improve the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.

New research sheds light on key behaviors of polymers in specially engineered confined spaces, opening the door to a level of control that has previously been impossible.

This investment comes from as of yet undisclosed strategic corporate partner and will be used for building a prototype of Rolith's proprietary nanopatterning technique - 'Rolling Mask' Lithography system (RML).

Following a very successful workshop on the simulation and experimental study of biomolecular diffusional processes in Heidelberg in 2007, a second workshop will take place on October 11-13, 2010, at the Studio, Villa Bosch.

he new graphene oxide product is available in large quantities, eliminating the need for companies and research facilities to produce their own graphene in-house - a process that can be costly and time-consuming.

Cornell researchers have developed a new method to create a patterned single-crystal thin film of semiconductor material that could lead to more efficient photovoltaic cells and batteries.

Researchers have devised a new way for ions to travel more quickly between electrodes than they do in traditional polymers.

Here are some of the images from a micro- and nanograph contest held at the 36th International Conference on Micro + Nano Engineering (MNE), held in Genoa, Italy from September 19 to 22, 2010.

Silver had already been recognized in ancient Greece and Rome for its infection-fighting properties but in modern times pharmaceutical companies made more money developing antibiotics. However, thanks to emerging nanotechnology applications, silver has made a comeback in the form of antimicrobial nanoparticle coatings for textiles, surgical instruments, lab equipment, floors or wall paints. The flip side of silver's desired toxicity towards microbes is that it might have toxic effects for humans as well and this has raised debate about the safety of nanosilver products. Although scientists have worked to reduce the toxicity of antimicrobial nanosilver in products, concerns remain. Not helping to put these concerns to rest is a new report from a group of researchers in Germany that shows that toxicity of silver nanoparticles increases during storage because of slow dissolution under release of silver ions.

NanoHorizons Inc., a leader in the creation of nanoscale performance additives for textile, health care, and industrial applications, will provide its SmartSilver antimicrobial additives for IFS Coatings' line of antimicrobial powder coatings.