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    Category Chemistry/Nanotechnology

    Secret of Nanomaterial that makes Harvesting Sunlight easier

    March 28, 2017, Categories  Physics, Technology/Electronics, Chemistry/Nanotechnology

    Scheme of the local surface chemistry modification and AuNPs tracking approach.

    Scheme of the local surface chemistry modification and AuNPs tracking approach. (a) Ag nanoantennas were modified overnight with 1 mM ethanolic solution of 4-NTP. Several ethanol/water washing steps were performed on each sample. (b) 4-NTP-coated antennas were immersed in 0.1 M HCl solution and illuminated for different times at their LSPR wavelength (633 nm) with a power density of 1 W cm−2. Samples were rinsed with water and immediately dipped in the activated AuNP suspension. (c) AuNPs (15 nm) coated with 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) as a capping layer were suspended in HEPES buffer and mixed with 1 mM EDC and 1 mM NHS, and left to react for 30 min followed by two purification centrifugation steps...

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    Artificial Materials created Atom-by-Atom

    March 28, 2017, Categories  Physics, Technology/Electronics, Chemistry/Nanotechnology

    The tip of a scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) above chlorine atoms that have been deliberately moved. By moving individual atoms under their microscope, scientists were able to arrange vacancies in a single layer of chlorine atoms and create atomic lattices with a predetermined electrical response. Photo Ella Maru Studio.

    The tip of a scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) above chlorine atoms that have been deliberately moved. By moving individual atoms under their microscope, scientists were able to arrange vacancies in a single layer of chlorine atoms and create atomic lattices with a predetermined electrical response. Photo Ella Maru Studio.

    Possibility to arrange the atoms precisely bring designer quantum materials closer to reality. Aalto University researchers have manufactured artificial materials with engineered electronic properties. By moving individual atoms under their microscope, they were able to create atomic lattices with a predetermined electrical response. The possibility to precisely arrange the atoms on a sample bring ‘designer quantum materials’ one step closer to reality...

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    Discovery Showcases Membranes that can Fix themselves

    March 27, 2017, Categories  Physics, Technology/Electronics, Chemistry/Nanotechnology

    University of Delaware researchers have developed a self-healing membrane for fuel cells. Credit: Kathy F. Atkinson, University of Delaware

    University of Delaware researchers have developed a self-healing membrane for fuel cells. Credit: Kathy F. Atkinson, University of Delaware

    Self-healing membrane for hydrogen fuel cells have been developed by scientists. The membrane is typically made from a polymer called Nafion®. During fuel cell operation, it undergoes chemical and mechanical degradation, leading to cracks and pinholes that shorten its life. To address this issue, three members of the University of Delaware’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ajay Prasad, Liang Wang and Suresh Advani, have developed a membrane incorporating microcapsules prefilled with a Nafion® solution.

    “The microcapsules are designed to rupture when they encounter defects in the membrane and then release the prefilled Nafion® solution to heal t...

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    Safer Batteries made with Wood

    March 27, 2017, Categories  Physics, Technology/Electronics, Chemistry/Nanotechnology

    Ying Zhang et al. High-capacity, low-tortuosity, and channel-guided lithium metal anode, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2017). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1618871114 Credit: University of Maryland

    Ying Zhang et al. High-capacity, low-tortuosity, and channel-guided lithium metal anode, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2017). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1618871114 Credit: University of Maryland

    Inspired by the structure of wood, engineers at the University of Maryland have used modified wood as a unique architecture for the negative electrode of a lithium (Li) metal battery, seeking to prevent some of the key factors that lead to battery failure. Li-ion shuttling in rechargeable batteries provides energy to power your phone, laptop, or even just a light bulb. When the battery is charged, the negative electrode: Li metal expands; and when it is discharged, the Li metal deflates...

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