Researchers at National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC) in Bangkok have studied the application of niosomes for encapsulation of nisin and EDTA. Nisin (Food Additive, E234) are used as antimicrobial substance in food and pharmaceutical applications.
Say hello to cheaper hydrogen fuel cells
Los Alamos National Laboratory scientists have developed a way to avoid the use of expensive platinum in hydrogen fuel cells, the environmentally friendly devices that might replace current power sources in everything from personal data devices to automobiles.
Complex 3D-nano patterns with indentation lithography and piezo technology
A collaboration between the Whitesides Group at Harvard University and CSM Instruments has culminated in an important advance in lithography of different materials at the nanoscale. The motivation for this development was the ability to produce unique lithographical patterns of different shapes and sizes for use in research applications (e.g. lab-on-a-chip) where conventional techniques such as electron-beam lithography (EBL) and photolithography cannot be used.
Nanoscale vaults encapsulate nanodisks for drug delivery
The development of new methods that use engineered nanomaterials to transport drugs and release them directly into cells holds great potential in this area. And while several such drug-delivery systems have won approval for clinical use, they have been hampered by size limitations and ineffectiveness in accurately targeting tissues. Now, researchers at UCLA have developed a new and potentially far more effective means of targeted drug delivery using nanotechnology.
Chemists advance understanding of wetting of nanostructured surfaces
Virginia Commonwealth University researchers have identified the molecular mechanisms at play for the non-additive wetting free energies at chemically heterogeneous surfaces.
German Research Foundation establishes new research units on nanocomposites and nanodiamonds
One of the approved Research Units deals with novel synthesis methods in chemistry, another works on "quantum diamonds".
Successful workshop "Energy and Innovation"
The enormous changes with respect to how we handle and consume energy and the impact on the environment are of great concern not only to us as scientists, but also to all of us as responsible citizen. Therefore, the PhD students of the International Doctorate Program NanoBioTechnology had the wish to establish a discussion with experts from relevant fields to get a deep insight into the technical, economic and social preconditions necessary for the creation of a truly sustainable energy supply system.
New DNA nanoforms take shape (w/video)
Miniature architectural forms - some no larger than viruses - have been constructed through a revolutionary technique known as DNA origami. Now, Hao Yan, Yan Liu and their colleagues at ASU's Biodesign Institute have expanded the capability of this method to construct arbitrary, two- and three-dimensional shapes, mimicking those commonly found in nature.
Limit to top-down nanotechnology mass-production?
A leading nanotechnology scientist has raised questions over a billion dollar industry by boldly claiming that there is a limit to how small nanotechnology materials can be mass produced. He says that you cannot mass produce structures with a diameter of three nanometres or less using a top-down approach.
The ultimate camo: Team to mimic camouflage skill of marine animals in high-tech materials (w/video)
Camouflage expert Roger Hanlon of the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) is co-recipient of a $6 million grant from the Office of Naval Research to study and ultimately emulate the exquisite ability of some marine animals to instantly change their skin color and pattern to blend into their environment.
Shedding light on mystery of Raman signal enhancement (w/video)
The mystery behind a detection method that can sense the presence of individual molecules - useful for researchers analyzing artwork and anthrax alike - has been unraveled by scientists with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Optical microscope without lenses produces high-resolution 3-D images on a chip
UCLA researchers have redefined the concept of a microscope by removing the lens to create a system that is small enough to fit in the palm of a hand but powerful enough to create three-dimensional tomographic images of miniscule samples.
Playing pool with atoms
The scientist who developed the world's most sensitive spectrometer for identifying atoms on a material's surface came to Lehigh recently to give a talk at the only U.S. lab that is equipped with his cutting-edge instrument.
First polymer solar-thermal device heats home, saves money
A new polymer-based solar-thermal device is the first to generate power from both heat and visible sunlight - an advance that could shave the cost of heating a home by as much as 40 percent.
Tiny gems take big step in battling cancer
Chemotherapy drug resistance contributes to treatment failure in more than 90 percent of metastatic cancers. Overcoming this hurdle would significantly improve cancer survival rates. Dean Ho, of Northwestern University, believes a tiny carbon particle called a nanodiamond may offer an effective drug delivery solution for hard-to-treat cancers.
Nanoscale approaches to designing contrast agents for cancer detection
The effectiveness of optical imaging processes can be significantly improved with suitable dyes used as contrast agents. Now, researchers have introduced a novel contrast agent that marks tumor cells in vitro. The dye is a phosphorescent ruthenium complex incorporated into nanoparticles of a metal-organic coordination polymer, which allows an extraordinarily high level of dye loading.
Discovery of new ordered structures of a liquid crystal
Researchers have found theoretically that a regular lattice of Skyrmions, whose role in solid state systems such as ferromagnets has been attracting great interest, can form in a thin confined liquid crystal, a system completely different from solid state systems.
New nanotechnology method spots potential cancer drugs rapidly
A Purdue University biochemist has demonstrated a process using nanotechnology to better assess whether cancer drugs hit their targets, which may help reduce drug side effects.
Catching cancer with carbon nanotubes
A multidisciplinary team of investigators at Harvard and MIT have created a new device that can detect single cancer cells in a blood sample, potentially allowing doctors to quickly determine whether cancer has spread from its original site. The microfluidic device is about the size of a dime, and could also detect cancer-causing viruses such as hepatitis B and C and the human papilloma virus.
Researchers now one step closer to controlled engineering of nanocatalysts
Yu Huang, an assistant professor of materials science and engineering at the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, and her research team have proposed and demonstrated a new approach to producing nanocrystals with predictable shapes by utilizing surfactants, biomolecules that can bind selectively to certain facets of the crystals' exposed surfaces.