May 19, 2026 A new chip simulates how quantum systems behave when they lose energy to their surroundings, turning real-world imperfections into tools for quantum research. (Nanowerk News) Quantum technologies promise powerful new kinds of computers, giving scientists new tools to mimic and explore nature at its tiniest scales. At...
Covalent organic frameworks boost proton conductivity in fuel cell membranes
May 19, 2026 A new review details how covalent organic frameworks form continuous proton channels in fuel cell membranes, boosting conductivity under low humidity and high temperatures. (Nanowerk News) Hydrogen fuel cells offer clean, efficient electricity generation, but the membrane at their core often fails under high temperatures or dry...
Programmable metasurface enables passive radar to track drones without transmitting
May 19, 2026 A programmable metasurface stamps temporal codes onto ambient radio waves, enabling passive radar to detect and track drones with active radar precision and zero dedicated transmission. (Nanowerk Spotlight) Radar systems face a trade-off between stealth and capability. Active radars emit their own signals and achieve precise detection,...
From silkworm to super material
May 19, 2026 Researchers fuse silk fibers into high-performance solids that are almost as tough as Kevlar. (Nanowerk News) In a new study co-led by researchers at Tufts University, Imperial College London, and the University of Michigan, scientists have developed a significantly improved way of transforming silk into solid materials—one...
Insect-inspired flat metalens sensor detects and predicts motion across 135 degrees
May 19, 2026 A compact metalens-based nanophotonic sensor mimics insect compound eyes to detect motion across a 135-degree field of view and predict object trajectories using deep learning. (Nanowerk News) Researchers at Southeast University in Nanjing, China, have developed an ultrathin nanophotonic sensor that mimics the compound eyes of insects...
Novel 2D membrane overcomes swelling for efficient salt-lake lithium extraction
May 19, 2026 A deep dehydration strategy creates swelling-proof 2D membranes with ultra-narrow channels that selectively extract high-purity lithium from salt-lake brine. (Nanowerk Spotlight) As the global transition to clean energy accelerates, the demand for lithium (Li+)—a core material for power batteries—continues to grow. Currently, a significant portion of global...
Making green hydrogen more affordable
May 19, 2026 Researchers are developing scalable, efficient and lower-cost electrolysis materials to make green hydrogen production more competitive. (Nanowerk News) Hydrogen can partially replace fossil fuels, which makes it a cornerstone of the energy transition. The idea is simple: electricity from renewable sources plus water equals hydrogen and oxygen....
Chemical route enables scalable III-V infrared quantum dot synthesis
May 18, 2026 Scientists esearchers mapped the metal-amide chemistry that controls heavy-pnictogen reduction, enabling reproducible and scalable III-V infrared quantum dots. (Nanowerk News) Researchers at Sungkyunkwan University have identified the chemical route that governs how heavy-pnictogen precursors are reduced during the synthesis of III–V infrared semiconductor quantum dots. The work...
Bringing bacteria into better focus
May 18, 2026 New optical fiber uses laser heating and bubble convection to trap thousands of bacteria and nanoparticles in 60 seconds, enabling faster, more sensitive detection. (Nanowerk News) How to collect what you can barely find? Concentrate it. Osaka Metropolitan University researchers have developed a light-driven technique that quickly...