A finely focused ion beam (FIB) is a very useful tool in nanotechnology and analytics. Until now, scientists have mainly used FIB technology to prepare samples for certain microscopic techniques, such as troubleshooting in the semiconductor industry. But FIBs can do much more.
By incorporating a patterned material that optimizes strain distribution among transistors, researchers have created stretchable electronics that are less compromised by deformation. They also created several circuit elements with the design, which could lead to even more types of stretchable electronics.
Researchers have developed a nanosecond pulse laser-assisted photoporation method using titanium-oxide nanotubes for highly efficient and low-cost intracellular delivery.
Mass spectrometers are widely used to analyze highly complex chemical and biological mixtures. Scientists have developed a new version of a mass spectrometer that uses rotation frequencies of ionized molecules in strong magnetic fields to measure masses with higher accuracy (FT ICR). The team has designed an ion trap that ensures the utmost resolving power in ultra-strong magnetic fields.
Scientists developed a new method to better understand how nanomedicines interact with patients' biomolecules. When nanoparticles enter human blood, they come into immediate contact with various biomolecules. These biomolecules form a coating layer on the nanoparticle surface - the so-called biomolecular corona - thereby imparting a unique biological identity to the nanoparticle, which could be very different from the pristine nanoparticle surface.
Unlike plasmon gold nanoparticles, which have continuous or semi-continuous energy levels, gold nanoclusters have a distinctive discrete electronic structure and molecular-like properties, such as enhanced photoluminescence, intrinsic magnetism, intrinsic chirality and discrete redox behavior.
Researchers show that the secret to optimal micro-swimming is out there in the nature. They prove that a microswimmer can increase its swimming efficiency by learning the swimming techniques from an unexpected mentor: an air bubble.
