Science

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Scientists call for new tools to explore the world's microbiomes

In October, an interdisciplinary group of scientists proposed forming a Unified Microbiome Initiative (UMI) to explore the world of microorganisms that are central to life on Earth and yet largely remain a mystery.

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Understanding microbiomes — human and otherwise — will require a suite of advanced new tools.

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Aluminum nanoparticles could improve electronic displays

Whether showing off family photos on smartphones or watching TV shows on laptops, many people look at liquid crystal displays (LCDs) every day. LCDs are continually being improved, but almost all currently use color technology that fades over time. Now, a team reports in ACS Nano that using aluminum nanostructures could provide a vivid, low-cost alternative for producing digital color.

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A set of vivid red, green and blue pixels based on aluminum nanostructures are shown in a liquid crystal display (left: schematic, right: digital photograph).

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Nanowalls for smartphones

From smartphones to the operating interfaces of ticket machines and cash dispensers, every touchscreen we use requires transparent electrodes: The devices' glass surface is coated with a barely visible pattern made of conductive material. It is because of this that the devices recognise whether and where exactly a finger is touching the surface.

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With a special mode of electrohydrodynamic ink-jet printing scientists can create a grid of ultra fine gold walls.

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Using nanoparticles to combat arteriosclerosis: Researchers at the University of Bonn have developed a method for cell replacement in diseased vessels

In industrialized countries, a particularly high number of people suffer from arteriosclerosis -- with fatal consequences: Deposits in the arteries lead to strokes and heart attacks. A team of researchers under the leadership of the University of Bonn has now developed a method for guiding replacement cells to diseased vascular segments using nanoparticles. The scientists demonstrated in mice that the fresh cells actually exert their curative effect in these segments. However, much research remains to be done prior to use in humans.

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On the left are fluorescence-labeled cells with nanoparticles: The cellular nuclei are shown in blue, the fluorescence labeling is shown in green and the nanoparticles in the cells are identified by arrows. The middle photo shows a blood vessel populated with these cells (green). On the right is a detailed image of a vascular wall with the eNOS protein identified (red).

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Promising new approach for controlled fabrication of carbon nanostructures

An international team of researchers including Professor Federico Rosei and members of his group at INRS has developed a new strategy for fabricating atomically controlled carbon nanostructures used in molecular carbon-based electronics. An article just Communications presents their findings: the complete electronic structure of a conjugated organic polymer, and the influence of the substrate on its electronic properties.

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New bimetallic alloy nanoparticles for printed electronic circuits: Production of oxidation-resistant copper alloy nanoparticles by electrical explosion of wire for printed electronics

"Printed electronics" has the potential to enable low-cost fabrication of electronics on flexible or curved surfaces, which will lead to the use of electronics in more varied applications. We will be able to fabricate homemade mobile phones or smart watches using a printer in the future. However, the low performance and high cost of current conductive inks limit the advancement of printed electronics.

Now, researchers at Toyohashi Tech and Duke University have found a way to produce new copper alloy nanoparticles, which can be used as the main component of affordable conductive inks with high oxidation resistance. The researchers electrically exploded alloy or twisted metal wires in water with a mild reducing agent (Vitamin C) in order to produce the nanoparticles.

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IU scientists create 'nano-reactor' for the production of hydrogen biofuel: Combining bacterial genes and virus shell creates a highly efficient, renewable material used in generating power from water

Scientists at Indiana University have created a highly efficient biomaterial that catalyzes the formation of hydrogen -- one half of the "holy grail" of splitting H2O to make hydrogen and oxygen for fueling cheap and efficient cars that run on water.

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This is an artist's rendering of P22-Hyd, a new biomaterial created by encapsulating a hydrogen-producing enzyme within a virus shell.

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Treatment of Damaged Heart Tissues by Nanochains Containing Protein

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Iranian researchers from Tehran University of Medical Sciences in association with American researchers succeeded in the production of nanostructures whose main application is in the treatment of damaged heart tissues after a heart attack.

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Production of Graphene Oxide Nanosheets to Economize Fuel Cells

Iranian researchers succeeded in controlled production of graphene and graphene oxide nanosheets at laboratorial scale that may help the economization of fuel cells and energy storage.

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U.S. Demonstrates Production of Fuel for Missions to the Solar System and Beyond

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This self-portrait of NASA's Mars rover Curiosity combines dozens of exposures taken by the rover's Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) during the 177th Martian day, or sol, of Curiosity's work on Mars (Feb. 3, 2013), plus three exposures taken during Sol 270 (May 10, 2013) to update the appearance of part of the ground beside the rover.