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Optical Tweezers Advance Research into Diseases Affecting Red Blood Cells Like Malaria

Knowledge regarding the elasticity of red blood cells infected by malaria has been improved through the use of a nanotechnology tool called ‘optical tweezers’. Adding miniscule beads of silica to a cell then focusing a laser beam on to the beads, lets researchers better understand cell properties.

8 Apr 2005

Platinum/Carbon Nanotubes in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs)

Scientists have investigated increasing platinum utilisation in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) by using multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). Chemical Vapour Deposition CVD and electrodeposition techniques were used during this process, which is likely to result in improved fuel cells

8 Apr 2005

Scientists Find New Way of Releasing Hydrogen from Fuel Cells by Using Ammonia Borane Compound

A US research team has found a new, quick way of releasing hydrogen from the solid compound of a fuel cell, by using the ammonia borane compound. The process involved transforming the compound into a nanomaterial via dissolution in a solvent, then adding the solution to mesoporous silica material.

8 Apr 2005

Researchers Use Supercritical Fluids as Carbon Nanotube ‘Anchors’ to Control Surface Coatings

A new technology involving supercritical fluids has allowed the deposition of anchors on a variety of nanotube types. The new technology provides greater control over anchor loadings. Potential applications for the devices include everything from biosensors to pollution-trapping sponges.

6 Apr 2005

Scientists Find Benefits in Using Some Types of Iron Nanoparticles for Environmental Clean-Up

A research team has found that certain types of iron nanoparticles could be useful in cleaning up carbon tetrachloride contamination in groundwater, via the degradation process. The findings of this research could be used in future environmental clean-up applications, as well as medical diagnostics

6 Apr 2005

NASA Tests its Shape-Shifting ‘TETwalker’ Robot Pyramid for Nanotechnology Swarms - News Item

NASA is testing its ‘TETwalker’ nanobot, which is a protean ‘smart robot’ which changes shape to adapt to different space environments. Replacing the electric motor with MEMS and NEMS will lead to further miniaturization, while using carbon nanotubes will offer greater design flexibility.

6 Apr 2005

Nanostructured Palladium in Methane Detection

Scientists working on pellistor gas sensors have made a micromachined pellistor structure with low power consumption and a controllable catalyst structure. The production process involved the electrochemical deposition of nanostructured palladium films onto micromachined silicon hotplate structures.

6 Apr 2005

Nanoparticle Networks Composed of Three-Dimensional (3D) Platinum Particles

Bringing together nanosized metal particles into ordered arrays can offer ways of making new nanostructured materials. German scientists have produced nanostructured metal/organic networks by using a cross-linking process involving platinum nanoparticles and bifunctional organic spacer molecules.

6 Apr 2005

Catalysts Made from Platinum Nanoparticles

Better control of particle size distribution will result in improved performance with catalysts. Deposition from water-in-oil microemulsions and from aqueous solutions are briefly described.

6 Apr 2005

Ruthenium Oxide-Based Nanocrystals for Improved Supercapacitor Performance

Research has shown that the capacitance of Ruthenium oxide-containing electrochemical capacitors can be improved by producing nanocrystalline TixFeyRuzOn powders by ball milling. The structure of the resulting powder is discussed as are reasons for the improved performance.

5 Apr 2005