Velcro DNA helps build nanorobotic Meccano

Nov 27, 2024 (Nanowerk News) Researchers at the University of Sydney Nano Institute have made a significant advance in the field of molecular robotics by developing custom-designed and programmable nanostructures using DNA origami. This innovative approach has potential across a range of applications, from targeted drug delivery systems to responsive...

Atomic size differences guide nanoscale structural control of metal aerogels

Nov 27, 2024 (Nanowerk Spotlight) Chemical reactions power everything from industrial manufacturing to clean energy production, but their efficiency depends critically on catalysts - materials that speed up reactions without being consumed. The key to a catalyst's performance lies in its microscopic architecture, which determines how easily molecules can reach...

Paving the way for graphene biosensor based diagnostics

Nov 27, 2024 (Nanowerk News) Two-dimensional materials such as graphene are not only ultrathin, but also extremely sensitive. Researchers have therefore been trying for years to develop highly sensitive biosensors that utilise this property. Graphene-based field-effect transistors, for example, could register the tiniest changes in the electronic properties caused by...

Electrically defined quantum dots in zinc oxide

Nov 26, 2024 (Nanowerk News) Researchers have successfully created electrically defined quantum dots in zinc oxide (ZnO) heterostructures, marking a significant milestone in the development of quantum technologies. Details of their breakthrough were published in the journal Nature Communications ("Parity-independent Kondo effect of correlated electrons in electrostatically defined ZnO quantum...

Exploring optical cooling in semiconductor quantum dots

Nov 26, 2024 (Nanowerk News) Cooling systems are an integral part of many modern technologies, as heat tends to wear down materials and decrease performance in several ways. In many cases, however, cooling can be an inconvenient and energy-intensive process. Accordingly, scientists have been seeking innovative and efficient methods to...