Mar 29, 2024 (Nanowerk News) In their latest study, a team led by Tracy Northup at the Department of Experimental Physics unveils the successful creation of a levitated nanomechanical oscillator with an ultra-high quality factor, significantly surpassing previous experimental achievements. The study has been published in Physical Review Letters ("Ultra-high...
New topological metamaterial amplifies sound waves exponentially
Mar 27, 2024 (Nanowerk News) Researchers at AMOLF, in collaboration with partners from Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, have realized a new type of metamaterial through which sound waves flow in an unprecedented fashion. It provides a novel form of amplification of mechanical vibrations, which has the potential to improve sensor...
An ultrafast method for producing large, uniform graphene glass in open air
Mar 29, 2024 (Nanowerk Spotlight) Graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a two-dimensional honeycomb lattice, has captivated researchers since its discovery due to its extraordinary properties. However, the path to realizing graphene's full potential has been hindered by the challenges associated with producing large, high-quality graphene films...
Capturing first photograph of theoretical C130 fullertubes
Mar 27, 2024 (Nanowerk News) For years, C130 fullertubes—molecules made up of 130 carbon atoms—have existed only in theory. Now, leading an international team of scientists, an UdeM doctoral student in physics has successfully shown them in real life – and even managed to capture some in a photograph. This...
Liquid crystal nanoparticles supercharge antibiotics for cystic fibrosis
Mar 27, 2024 (Nanowerk News) Cystic fibrosis is the most common, life-limiting genetic condition in Australia. It affects the lungs, digestive system, and reproductive system, producing excess mucus, infections, and blockages. Now, thanks to a $500,000 grant from Brandon BioCatalyst's CUREator incubator, through their CSIRO-funded Minimising Antimicrobial Resistance Stream, University...
Persistent ‘hiccups’ in a far-off galaxy draw astronomers to new black hole behavior
Mar 27, 2024 (Nanowerk News) At the heart of a far-off galaxy, a supermassive black hole appears to have had a case of the hiccups. Astronomers from MIT, Italy, the Czech Republic, and elsewhere have found that a previously quiet black hole, which sits at the center of a galaxy...
Unlocking supernova stardust secrets
Mar 28, 2024 (Nanowerk News) Researchers discovered a rare dust particle trapped in an ancient extra-terrestrial meteorite that was formed by a star other than our sun. The discovery, reported in the Astrophysical Journal ("Atomic-scale Element and Isotopic Investigation of 25Mg-rich Stardust from an H-burning Supernova"), was made by lead...
Biomimetic olfactory chips with nanotube arrays for advanced gas sensing
Mar 29, 2024 (Nanowerk News) A research team led by the School of Engineering of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has addressed the long-standing challenge of creating artificial olfactory sensors with arrays of diverse high-performance gas sensors. Their newly developed biomimetic olfactory chips (BOC) are able...
Highlighting global strategies for accelerating AI in science
Mar 28, 2024 (Nanowerk News) While advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have huge implications for national R&D systems, very little is known about how governments plan to accelerate the uptake of AI by science and research institutions. In "Preparing National Research Ecosystems for AI: Strategies and Progress in 2024"(PDF), the...
Nanoshell catalysts capture methane emissions
Mar 28, 2024 (Nanowerk News) A University at Buffalo-led research team is developing new catalysts that aim to turn climate-warming methane emissions into useful commercial products. The work, described in Nature Communications ("Challenging thermodynamics: combining immiscible elements in a single-phase nano-ceramic"), could impact numerous industries – including natural gas and...