Researchers have reported on the first combined quasi-hydrostatic, high-pressure, small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) and micro x-ray diffraction (XRD) studies on individual faceted, 3-D supercrystals self-assembled from colloidal 7.0-nm PbS nanocrystals.

Magnetic nanoparticles could be used to track neural stem cells after a transplant in order to monitor how the cells heal spinal injuries, say University College London (UCL) scientsts.

Previous research has shown that high performance piezoelectric ceramics PZT (lead zirconate titanate) could be printed as nanoribbons onto biocompatible and flexible substrates for applications such as harvesting energy from human motion like walking or breathing. While some motions, such as walking, only require flexibility, others, such as breathing, require that the materials be not just flexible but also stretchable. However, the PZT ribbons cannot stand stretching operation modes due to their brittle nature, which leads to cracking. The research team therefore has been looking to overcome this difficulty by fashioning the piezoelectric ribbons into wavy shapes, and integrating them with stretchable silicone rubber, such that the composite material can withstand large amounts of elastic strain.

The Mimosa plant, which folds its leaves when they're touched, is inspiring a new class of adaptive structures designed to twist, bend, stiffen and even heal themselves.

To build the next generation of sensors - with applications ranging from medical devices to robotics to new consumer goods - Chang Liu looks to biology. By creating artificial hair cells using micro- and nanofabrication technology, Liu's group is increasing sensor performance while deepening the understanding of how different creatures use these sensors.

There is a need for the larger nanotechnology community synthesizing, applying or characterizing nanomaterials to have a methodology to evaluate the risk and to apply adequate protection measures to limit human exposure. Researchers in Switzerland have now taken the initiative and presented a practical, user-friendly procedure for a university-wide safety and health management of nanomaterials, developed as a multi-stakeholder effort (government, accident insurance, researchers and experts for occupational safety and health). The procedure consists of two parts: Using a decision tree, nano-labs are sorted into three hazard classes, which corresponds to analogue approaches applied to other hazard types (biohazard, radioprotection or chemistry). A list of required prevention/protection measures (safety barriers) for each hazard level is then provided.

The worldwide competition NanoArt 2011 is open to all artists 18 years and older. The online exhibition will open for public in April, 2011. Winners will be notified and published online on May 31, 2011.

Aridion, P2i's revolutionary liquid repellent nano-coating technology for consumer electronics, will soon be available to high-volume mobile handset manufacturers with the launch of the first high-capacity Aridion processing machine at Mobile World Congress.

Small-screen smart phones will be able to project movies and pictures to enable sharing and better viewing.

Vistec Lithography, Inc., a leading provider of advanced electron-beam lithography equipment today announced that it received an order from the ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology), a world-renowned research university, for one of its Vistec EBPG5200 systems.

The Institute of Nanotechnology (IoN) will be in Tokyo next week at Nanotech 2011, the world's largest nanotechnology trade show, with 50,000 delegates expected. As part of the International NanoMicroClub (INMC), a Technology Strategy Board funded joint initiative between the IoN and the Nanotechnology KTN, Nanomission Japan 2011 is taking innovative UK companies to Tokyo with the purpose of supporting their entrance into global markets.

New generation of filter systems currently at the development stage - great deal of interest in multifunctional, antibacterial solutions.

The detection of circulating tumor cells is an emerging technique that can allow oncologists to monitor patients with cancer for metastasis or to evaluate the progress of their treatment. The gold particles, which are embedded with dyes allowing their detection by laser spectroscopy, could enhance this technique's specificity by reducing the number of false positives.

In a new study, researchers from UCLA's Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science and from the materials division of Australia's University of Queensland show the promise of surface-conduction channels in topological insulator nanoribbons made of bismuth telluride and demonstrate that surface states in these nanoribbons are "tunable" - able to be turned on and off depending on the position of the Fermi level.

) EADS Innovation Works, the Group's corporate research arm, is working with university researchers to find a new solid state storage system for hydrogen. This technology would make it possible to use hydrogen as a clean alternative to traditional hydrocarbon-based fuels in aeroplane and car engines.

Using a real-time imaging system, scientists have tracked a group of near-infrared fluorescent nanoparticles from the airspaces of the lungs into the body and out again, providing a description of the characteristics and behavior of the particles that could be used in developing therapeutic agents to treat pulmonary disease. The findings could also offer a greater understanding of the health effects of air pollution.

Engineers from Harvard University have designed and demonstrated ice-free nanostructured materials that literally repel water droplets before they even have the chance to freeze.

The Russian Corporation of Nanotechnologies will finance production of transdermal drug delivery systems and nanostructured biopolymer medical implants to fight socially significant diseases.

NorTech, a regional nonprofit technology-based economic development organization, announced today the completion of a shared vision and action plan to accelerate the growth of Northeast Ohio's emerging flexible electronics industry.

DCG Systems, Inc. today announced the P3X Cobra, the newest addition to its line of focused ion beam circuit edit systems designed to meet its customers' complex edit challenges, even at advanced 22 nm device process technologies.