Ting Xu, a polymer researcher from the Materials Sciences Division of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), has developed a novel set of nanocarriers that are produced from the self-assembly of polymers and amphiphilic peptides. Amphiphiles are a type of chemical compounds that have both lipophilic and hydrophilic characteristics. Micelles are spherical amphiphile aggregates. These nanocarriers have a structure of coiled-coil 3-helix micelles and hence, referred to as 3HM.
By Jake Wilkinson
23 Nov 2015
Piezo-based nanopositioning systems are known for their high precision. However, this is not self-evident since the motion characteristics of piezo actuators are by no means linear. This must be compensated by suitable control.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) have collaborated to develop a new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique to identify which nanotherapeutics are the most useful for treating tumors in different patients. This technique has received the approval of the FDA.
By Jake Wilkinson
20 Nov 2015
Tekna has entered into an Agreement with Sigma-Aldrich Corporation (SIAL, NASDAQ). The terms of the Agreement enable Sigma-Aldrich to distribute sample size quantities of Tekna's famous Boron Nitride NanoTubes (BNNTs), copper nanoparticles and silicon nanoparticles throughout Sigma-Aldrich's worldwide sales and distribution network.
A new high resolution method, that uses atomic force microscopy, has been developed that allows the exact shape of a receptor and it's affinity towards a particular ligand to be measured simultaneously. This has never been achieved before and will prove extremely useful in understanding the complex mechanisms behind cell communication.
By Jake Wilkinson
19 Nov 2015
Nanoscale submarines, made of only 224 atoms and driven by ultraviolet light, have been developed. It is hoped that this technology can be further developed to allow the transport of molecular cargoes or the delivery of drugs to diseased organs.
By Jake Wilkinson
19 Nov 2015
New research has shown quantum dots can be used to map neural networks in the brain by allowing neural signals to be visualised in real time. This breakthrough will allow further insight into neural communication in both normal and abnormal brains.
A novel 'flexo-electric' material that generates electricty upon compression has been developed. The material shows significant advantages over piezoelectric materials as it is non-toxic and generates a higher voltage at the nanoscale. It is hoped that the material will be used in self-charging pacemakers and ultra-sensitive sensors.
By Jake Wilkinson
18 Nov 2015
Gold nanoprisms have been used to develop a sensor that can be used to diagnose pancreatic cancer. The gold nanoprisms interact with microRNA in the patients blood to indicate if the disease is present. This novel technology is both cheap and effective.
By Jake Wilkinson
18 Nov 2015
A novel method of measuring magnetic resonance has been developed for use in lab-on-chip technology. The method uses a microscopic garnet crystal which nanomechanically twists in response to an external magnetic field which can be observed with spectroscopy.
By Jake Wilkinson
13 Nov 2015
It has shown that the addition of fools gold quantum dots to lithium batteries facilitates ultrafast charging that works over multiple charge cycles. Previous attempts to achieve this gave batteries that only performed well over one or two cycles.
By Jake Wilkinson
12 Nov 2015
A team of NASA scientists are working on the development of an occulter, which blocks light from the sun, for use in a CubeSat mission to measure the sun's coronal mass ejections. To assist in the production of the occulter the researchers have been using carbon nanotubes to achieve the full absorption of light
A novel technology that uses silver nanocubes to bring true color to infrared cameras has been developed which can 'see' in the visible and infrared radiation. This is an improvement on current technology that only measures the intensity of infrared radiation and not the specific frequencies.
An innovative onion-like nanoparticle has been developed that can efficiently convert low energy near-infrared radiation into UV light of a higher energy. The process involves the transfer of the infrared photons energy into the nanoparticle core, where they are fused together to form one, higher-energy photon.
By Jake Wilkinson
11 Nov 2015
The FRITSCH Vibratory Micro Mill PULVERISETTE 0 is the ideal laboratory mill for fine comminution of medium-hard, brittle, moist or temperature-sensitive samples – dry or in suspension – as well as for homogenising of emulsions and pastes.