Light-Controlled Reactions at the Nanoscale

Physicists used for the first time laser light to control the location of light-induced reactions on the surface of nanoparticles

23-May-2022 - Controlling strong electromagnetic fields on nanoparticles is the key to triggering targeted molecular reactions on their surfaces. Such control over strong fields is achieved via laser light. Although laser-induced formation and breaking of molecular bonds on nanoparticle surfaces have been ...

Energy transmission by gold nanoparticles coupled to DNA structures

Using DNA structures as scaffolds, Tim Liedl has shown that precisely positioned gold nanoparticles can serve as efficient energy transmitters

09-Apr-2021 - Since the inception of the field in 2006, laboratories around the world have been exploring the use of ‘DNA origami’ for the assembly of complex nanostructures. The method is based on DNA strands with defined sequences that interact via localized base pairing. “With the aid of short strands with ...

An ultrafast glimpse of the photochemistry of the atmosphere

15-Oct-2019 - Researchers at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU) in Munich have explored the initial consequences of the interaction of light with molecules on the surface of nanoscopic aerosols. The nanocosmos is constantly in motion. All natural processes are ultimately determined by the interplay between ...

All-in-one light-driven water splitting

10-Sep-2018 - Solar-powered water splitting is a promising means of generating clean and storable energy. A novel catalyst based on semiconductor nanoparticles has now been shown to facilitate all the reactions needed for “artificial photosynthesis”. In the light of global climate change, there is an urgent ...

Saving energy with a spot of silver

22-May-2017 - Tomorrow’s computers will run on light, and gold nanoparticle chains show much promise as light conductors. Now LMU scientists have demonstrated how tiny spots of silver could markedly reduce energy consumption in light-based computation. Today’s computers are faster and smaller than ever before. ...

From nanobeads to proton radiation

04-Oct-2016 - Light, when strongly concentrated, is enormously powerful. Now, a team of physicists led by Professor Jörg Schreiber from the Institute of Experimental Physics – Medical Physics, which is part of the Munich-Centre for Advanced Photonics (MAP), a Cluster of Excellence at LMU Munich, has used this ...

Extremely tiny, hugely versatile

27-Oct-2015 - LMU chemists have demonstrated a simple way to load nanoglobules with light-absorbing organic molecules. The method could serve as the basis for the formulation of innovative sunscreens. Azulene – a blue pigment that is derived from chamomile – is readily taken up into the micelles. Picture: ...

Improved Batteries with Carbon Nanoparticles

12-Apr-2012 - From smartphones to e-bikes, the number of mobile electronic devices is steadily growing around the world. As a result, there is an increased need for batteries that are small and light, yet powerful. As the potential for the further improvement of lithium-ion batteries is nearly exhausted, ...

A nanoear to listen into the silence

Gold nanoparticles detect tiny acoustic vibrations

20-Jan-2012 - How noisy is a walking flea? What sorts of sound waves are caused by motile bacteria? Physicists at the Nanosystems Initiative Munich (NIM) have managed for the first time to detect sound waves at such minuscule length scales. Their nanoear is a single gold nanoparticle that is kept in a state of ...