Development of low-dimensional nanomaterials could revolutionize future technologies

19-Jun-2017 - Javier Vela, scientist at the U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory, believes improvements in computer processors, TV displays and solar cells will come from scientific advancements in the synthesis of low-dimensional nanomaterials. Ames Laboratory scientists are known for their expertise ...

Small nanoparticles have surprisingly big effects on polymer nanocomposites

10-Mar-2017 - Polymer nanocomposites mix particles billionths of a meter (nanometers, nm) in diameter with polymers, which are long molecular chains. Often used to make injection-molded products, they are common in automobiles, fire retardants, packaging materials, drug-delivery systems, medical devices, ...

High-resolution imaging reveals new understanding of battery cathode particles

02-Feb-2017 - Using advanced imaging techniques, scientists at the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have been able to observe what exactly happens inside a cathode particle as lithium-ion batteries are charged and discharged. In a research project led by Berkeley Lab ...

Tiniest imperfections make big impacts in nano-patterned materials

30-Jun-2016 - A research team at Clarkson University reports an interesting conclusion that could have major impacts on the future of nano-manufacturing. Their analysis for a model of the process of random sequential adsorption (RSA) shows that even a small imprecision in the position of the lattice landing ...

Mixing nanoparticles to make multifunctional materials

Standardized technique opens remarkable opportunities for 'mix and match' materials fabrication

22-Oct-2013 - NY-Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed a general approach for combining different types of nanoparticles to produce large-scale composite materials. The technique, described in a paper published online by Nature Nanotechnology, opens many ...

Smaller is better in the viscous zone

25-Oct-2010 - Being the right size and existing in the limbo between a solid and a liquid state appear to be the secrets to improving the efficiency of chemical catalysts that can create better nanoparticles or more efficient energy sources. When matter is in this transitional state, a catalyst can achieve ...

Tiny whispering gallery

A sensor can detect a single nanoparticle and take its measurement

23-Dec-2009 - Nanotechnology has already made it to the shelves of your local pharmacy and grocery: nanoparticles are found in anti-odor socks, makeup, makeup remover, sunscreen, anti-graffiti paint, home pregnancy tests, plastic beer bottles, anti-bacterial doorknobs, plastic bags for storing vegetables, and ...

How size matters for catalysts

Study links size, activity, electronic properties

10-Nov-2009 - University of Utah chemists demonstrated the first conclusive link between the size of catalyst particles on a solid surface, their electronic properties and their ability to speed chemical reactions. The study is a step toward the goal of designing cheaper, more efficient catalysts to increase ...

Better control of carbon nanotube 'growth' promising for future electronics

05-Oct-2009 - Researchers have overcome a major obstacle in efforts to use tiny structures called carbon nanotubes to create a new class of electronics that would be faster and smaller than conventional silicon-based transistors. Carbon nanotubes, which were discovered in the early 1990s, could make possible ...

Bio-enabled, surface-mediated approach produces nanoparticle composites

21-Aug-2009 - Using thin films of silk as templates, researchers have incorporated inorganic nanoparticles that join with the silk to form strong and flexible composite structures that have unusual optical and mechanical properties. This bio-enabled, surface-mediated formation approach mimics the growth and ...