Nanotechnology

  • Scientists unveil bioplastic that degrades at room temperature, and outperforms petroplastics
    on August 3, 2025 at 5:18 am

    Plastic pollution is a mounting global issue, but scientists at Washington University in St. Louis have taken a bold step forward by creating a new bioplastic inspired by the structure of leaves. Their innovation, LEAFF, enhances strength, functionality, and biodegradability by utilizing cellulose nanofibers, outperforming even traditional plastics. It degrades at room temperature, can be printed on, and resists air and water, offering a game-changing solution for sustainable packaging.

  • Einstein was wrong: MIT just settled a 100-year quantum debate
    on August 2, 2025 at 5:33 am

    Physicists at MIT recreated the double-slit experiment using individual photons and atoms held in laser light, uncovering the true limits of light’s wave–particle duality. Their results proved Einstein’s proposal wrong and confirmed a core prediction of quantum mechanics.

  • What happens when light smashes into itself? Scientists just found out
    on August 2, 2025 at 3:33 am

    Physicists have discovered that when beams of light interact at the quantum level, they can generate ghost-like particles that briefly emerge from nothing and affect real matter. This rare phenomenon, known as light-on-light scattering, challenges the classical idea that light waves pass through each other untouched.

  • Rutgers physicists just discovered a strange new state of matter
    on August 1, 2025 at 11:22 am

    At the edge of two exotic materials, scientists have discovered a new state of matter called a "quantum liquid crystal" that behaves unlike anything we've seen before. When a conductive Weyl semimetal and a magnetic spin ice meet under a powerful magnetic field, strange and exciting quantum behavior emerges—electrons flow in odd directions and break traditional symmetry. These findings could open doors to creating ultra-sensitive quantum sensors and exploring exotic states of matter in extreme environments.

  • You’ve never seen atoms like this before: A hidden motion revealed
    on July 26, 2025 at 1:31 pm

    A pioneering team at the University of Maryland has captured the first-ever images of atomic thermal vibrations, unlocking an unseen world of motion within two-dimensional materials. Their innovative electron ptychography technique revealed elusive “moiré phasons,” a long-theorized phenomenon that governs heat, electronic behavior, and structural order at the atomic level. This discovery not only confirms decades-old theories but also provides a new lens for building the future of quantum computing, ultra-efficient electronics, and advanced nanosensors.

  • Concrete that lasts centuries and captures carbon? AI just made it possible
    on July 24, 2025 at 3:22 am

    Imagine concrete that not only survives wildfires and extreme weather, but heals itself and absorbs carbon from the air. Scientists at USC have created an AI model called Allegro-FM that simulates billions of atoms at once, helping design futuristic materials like carbon-neutral concrete. This tech could transform cities by reducing emissions, extending building lifespans, and mimicking the ancient durability of Roman concrete—all thanks to a massive leap in AI-driven atomic modeling.

  • Scientists twist DNA into self-building nanostructures that could transform technology
    on July 20, 2025 at 8:38 am

    Scientists have used DNA's self-assembling properties to engineer intricate moiré superlattices at the nanometer scale—structures that twist and layer like never before. With clever molecular “blueprints,” they’ve created customizable lattices featuring patterns such as honeycombs and squares, all with remarkable precision. These new architectures are more than just scientific art—they open doors to revolutionizing how we control light, sound, electrons, and even spin in next-gen materials.

  • Lasers just unlocked a hidden side of gold, copper, and aluminum
    on July 19, 2025 at 2:37 pm

    Scientists have cracked a century-old physics mystery by detecting magnetic signals in non-magnetic metals using only light and a revamped laser technique. Previously undetectable, these faint magnetic “whispers” are now measurable, revealing hidden patterns of electron behavior. The breakthrough could revolutionize how we explore magnetism in everyday materials—without bulky instruments or wires—and may open new doors for quantum computing, memory storage, and advanced electronics.

  • This flat chip uses twisted light to reveal hidden images
    on July 17, 2025 at 5:38 am

    Using advanced metasurfaces, researchers can now twist light to uncover hidden images and detect molecular handedness, potentially revolutionizing data encryption, biosensing, and drug safety.

  • This AI-powered lab runs itself—and discovers new materials 10x faster
    on July 14, 2025 at 12:23 pm

    A new leap in lab automation is shaking up how scientists discover materials. By switching from slow, traditional methods to real-time, dynamic chemical experiments, researchers have created a self-driving lab that collects 10 times more data, drastically accelerating progress. This new system not only saves time and resources but also paves the way for faster breakthroughs in clean energy, electronics, and sustainability—bringing us closer to a future where lab discoveries happen in days, not years.

  • This Algorithm Just Solved One of Physics’ Most Infamous Problems
    on July 14, 2025 at 6:46 am

    Using an advanced Monte Carlo method, Caltech researchers found a way to tame the infinite complexity of Feynman diagrams and solve the long-standing polaron problem, unlocking deeper understanding of electron flow in tricky materials.

  • First-of-its-kind crystal laser could power safer sensors and smarter tech
    on July 12, 2025 at 5:21 am

    Researchers at the University of Illinois have pulled off a laser first: they built a new kind of eye-safe laser that works at room temperature, using a buried layer of glass-like material instead of the usual air holes. This design not only boosts laser performance but also opens the door to safer and more precise uses in defense, autonomous vehicles, and advanced sensors. It’s a breakthrough in how we build and power lasers—and it might change what lasers can do in the real world.

  • A simple twist unlocks never-before-seen quantum behavior
    on July 11, 2025 at 1:41 pm

    Scientists have discovered a revolutionary new method for creating quantum states by twisting materials at the M-point, revealing exotic phenomena previously out of reach. This new direction dramatically expands the moiré toolkit and may soon lead to the experimental realization of long-sought quantum spin liquids.

  • Forget 3D printing—DNA and water now build tiny machines that assemble themselves
    on July 10, 2025 at 12:40 pm

    Imagine if you could "print" a tiny skyscraper using DNA instead of steel. That’s what researchers at Columbia and Brookhaven are doing—constructing intricate 3D nanostructures by harnessing the predictable folding of DNA strands. Their new design method uses voxel-like building blocks and an algorithm called MOSES to fabricate nanoscale devices in parallel, with applications ranging from optical computing to bio-scaffolds. Unlike traditional lithography or 3D printing, this self-assembly process occurs entirely in water and could revolutionize the future of nanomanufacturing.

  • Hidden DNA-sized crystals in cosmic ice could rewrite water—and life itself
    on July 9, 2025 at 7:10 am

    Scientists from UCL and the University of Cambridge have revealed that "space ice"—long thought to be completely disordered—is actually sprinkled with tiny crystals, changing our fundamental understanding of ice in the cosmos. These micro-crystals, just nanometers wide, were identified through simulations and lab experiments, revealing that even the most common ice in space retains a surprising structure. This has major implications not just for astrophysics, but also for theories about the origin of life and advanced materials technology.

  • Can one vanishing particle shatter string theory — and explain dark matter?
    on July 5, 2025 at 9:06 am

    Scientists are on the trail of a mysterious five-particle structure that could challenge one of the biggest theories in physics: string theory. This rare particle—never seen before and predicted not to exist within string theory—might leave behind vanishing tracks in the Large Hadron Collider, like ghostly footprints that suddenly disappear. Spotting it wouldn’t just shake up physics theory—it might also reveal clues to dark matter, the invisible stuff that makes up most of the universe.

  • Scientists just mapped platinum atoms — and it could transform catalysis forever
    on July 3, 2025 at 11:50 am

    A precious metal used everywhere from car exhaust systems to fuel cells, platinum is an incredibly efficient catalyst—but it's costly and carbon-intensive. Now, a serendipitous collaboration between scientists at ETH Zurich and other European institutions has opened a new frontier in understanding and optimizing platinum-based catalysts at the atomic level.

  • This breakthrough turns old tech into pure gold — No mercury, no cyanide, just light and salt
    on June 27, 2025 at 6:02 am

    At Flinders University, scientists have cracked a cleaner and greener way to extract gold—not just from ore, but also from our mounting piles of e-waste. By using a compound normally found in pool disinfectants and a novel polymer that can be reused, the method avoids toxic chemicals like mercury and cyanide. It even works on trace gold in scientific waste. Tested on everything from circuit boards to mixed-metal ores, the approach offers a promising solution to both the global gold rush and the growing e-waste crisis. The technique could be a game-changer for artisanal miners and recyclers, helping recover valuable metals while protecting people and the planet.

  • Self-lighting chip uses quantum tunneling to spot a trillionth of a gram
    on June 27, 2025 at 5:33 am

    Imagine detecting a single trillionth of a gram of a molecule—like an amino acid—using just electricity and a chip smaller than your fingernail. That’s the power of a new quantum-enabled biosensor developed at EPFL. Ditching bulky lasers, it taps into the strange world of quantum tunneling, where electrons sneak through barriers and release light in the process. This self-illuminating sensor uses a gold nanostructure to both generate and sense light, making it incredibly compact, ultra-sensitive, and perfect for rapid diagnostics or environmental testing. With its cutting-edge design, it might just revolutionize how and where we detect disease, pollutants, and more.

  • This triple-layer sunlight catalyst supercharges green hydrogen by 800%
    on June 23, 2025 at 11:27 am

    Researchers in Sweden have developed a powerful new material that dramatically boosts the ability to create hydrogen fuel from water using sunlight, making the process eight times more effective than before. This breakthrough could be key to fueling heavy transport like ships and planes with clean, renewable energy.

  • Hydrogen fuel at half the cost? Scientists reveal a game-changing catalyst
    on June 21, 2025 at 3:16 am

    Researchers in South Korea have developed a powerful and affordable new material for producing hydrogen, a clean energy source key to fighting climate change. By fine-tuning boron-doping and phosphorus levels in cobalt phosphide nanosheets, the team dramatically boosted the efficiency of both sides of water-splitting reactions. This advancement could unlock scalable, low-cost hydrogen production, transforming how we generate clean fuel.

  • Invisible quantum waves forge shape-shifting super-materials in real time
    on June 19, 2025 at 1:08 pm

    Scientists have, for the first time, directly observed phonon wave dynamics within self-assembling nanomaterials unlocking the potential for customizable, reconfigurable metamaterials with applications ranging from shock absorbers to advanced computing.

  • Heavy particles, big secrets: What happened right after the Big Bang
    on June 17, 2025 at 5:41 am

    Smashing atomic nuclei together at mind-bending speeds recreates the fiery conditions of the early universe and scientists are finally getting a better handle on what happens next. A sweeping new study dives deep into how ultra-heavy particles behave after these high-energy collisions, revealing they don t just vanish after the initial impact but continue interacting like silent messengers from the dawn of time. This behavior, once overlooked, may hold the key to unraveling the universe s most mysterious beginnings.

  • Cozmic’s Milky Way clones are cracking the universe’s dark code
    on June 17, 2025 at 5:41 am

    Scientists have built detailed Milky Way simulations under strange new physical laws to probe dark matter, revealing how different versions of the universe might behave and helping us get closer to the real one.

  • This quantum sensor tracks 3D movement without GPS
    on June 14, 2025 at 7:42 am

    Physicists at the University of Colorado Boulder have created a groundbreaking quantum device that can measure 3D acceleration using ultracold atoms, something once thought nearly impossible. By chilling rubidium atoms to near absolute zero and splitting them into quantum superpositions, the team has built a compact atom interferometer guided by AI to decode acceleration patterns. While the sensor still lags behind traditional GPS and accelerometers, it's poised to revolutionize navigation for vehicles like submarines or spacecraft potentially offering a timeless, atomic-based alternative to aging electronics.

  • Scientists just solved a 40-year-old mystery about quasicrystals
    on June 14, 2025 at 7:42 am

    Scientists at the University of Michigan have unlocked a long-standing mystery about quasicrystals exotic materials that straddle the line between the orderly structure of crystals and the chaos of glass. These rare solids, which once seemed to break the rules of physics, are now shown to be fundamentally stable through cutting-edge quantum simulations. The findings not only validate their existence but also open the door to designing next-generation materials using powerful new computational techniques.

  • Photons collide in the void: Quantum simulation creates light out of nothing
    on June 8, 2025 at 11:25 am

    Physicists have managed to simulate a strange quantum phenomenon where light appears to arise from empty space a concept that until now has only existed in theory. Using cutting-edge simulations, researchers modeled how powerful lasers interact with the so-called quantum vacuum, revealing how photons could bounce off each other and even generate new beams of light. These breakthroughs come just as new ultra-powerful laser facilities are preparing to test these mind-bending effects in reality, potentially opening a gateway to uncovering new physics and even dark matter particles.

  • This battery self-destructs: Biodegradable power inspired by 'Mission: Impossible'
    on June 8, 2025 at 3:18 am

    Scientists at Binghamton University are bringing a sci-fi fantasy to life by developing tiny batteries that vanish after use inspired by Mission: Impossible. Led by Professor Seokheun Choi, the team is tackling one of the trickiest parts of biodegradable electronics: the power source. Instead of using toxic materials, they re exploring probiotics friendly bacteria often found in yogurt to generate electricity. With engineered paper-based batteries that dissolve in acidic environments, this breakthrough could revolutionize safe, disposable tech for medical and environmental use.

  • Scientists freeze quantum motion using ultrafast laser trick
    on June 5, 2025 at 8:27 pm

    Harvard and PSI scientists have managed to freeze normally fleeting quantum states in time, creating a pathway to control them using pure electronic tricks and laser precision.

  • Ultra-thin lenses that make infrared light visible
    on June 2, 2025 at 7:55 pm

    Physicists have developed a lens with 'magic' properties. Ultra-thin, it can transform infrared light into visible light by halving the wavelength of incident light.

  • Unlocking precise composition analysis of nanomedicines
    on May 29, 2025 at 4:46 pm

    Current regulations for nanomedicines overlook the effects of the different forms of the same element, such as ions, nanoparticles, and aggregates. In a recent study, researchers developed a new analytical method combining an asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation system and mass spectrometry to separately quantify these forms. This technique allows for better quality control and safety evaluation of metal-based nanomedicines, promoting their development and clinical use, with applications also extending to food, cosmetics, and the environment.

  • Laser technique revolutionizes ultra-high temperature ceramic manufacturing for space, defense applications
    on May 29, 2025 at 4:46 pm

    Researchers have demonstrated a new technique that uses lasers to create ceramics that can withstand ultra-high temperatures, with applications ranging from nuclear power technologies to spacecraft and jet exhaust systems. The technique can be used to create ceramic coatings, tiles or complex three-dimensional structures, which allows for increased versatility when engineering new devices and technologies.

  • Groundwork laid for designer hybrid 2D materials
    on May 28, 2025 at 9:49 pm

    Materials scientists have succeeded in creating a genuine 2D hybrid material called glaphene.

  • New 2D quantum sensor breakthrough offers new opportunities for magnetic field detection
    on May 28, 2025 at 5:18 pm

    Physicists have unveiled a breakthrough in quantum sensing by demonstrating a 2D material as a versatile platform for next-generation nanoscale vectorial magnetometry.

  • Solitonic superfluorescence paves way for high-temperature quantum materials
    on May 28, 2025 at 5:16 pm

    A new study in Nature describes both the mechanism and the material conditions necessary for superfluorescence at high temperature.

  • New chiral photonic device combines light manipulation with memory
    on May 28, 2025 at 5:15 pm

    Engineers have developed a multifunctional, reconfigurable component for an optical computing system that could be a game changer in electronics.

  • Machine learning simplifies industrial laser processes
    on May 27, 2025 at 4:46 pm

    Laser-based metal processing enables the automated and precise production of complex components, whether for the automotive industry or for medicine. However, conventional methods require time- and resource-consuming preparations. Researchers are now using machine learning to make laser processes more precise, more cost-effective and more efficient.

  • The magic of light: Dozens of images hidden in a single screen
    on May 27, 2025 at 4:45 pm

    New technology that uses light's color and spin to display multiple images.

  • New fuel cell could enable electric aviation
    on May 27, 2025 at 4:41 pm

    Engineers developed a fuel cell that offers more than three times as much energy per pound compared to lithium-ion batteries. Powered by a reaction between sodium metal and air, the device could be lightweight enough to enable the electrification of airplanes, trucks, or ships.

  • 'Hopelessly attached': Scientists discover new 2D material that sticks the landing
    on May 23, 2025 at 10:13 pm

    Researchers have discovered a new 2D material, confirming decade-old prediction.

  • Controlling quantum motion and hyper-entanglement
    on May 23, 2025 at 4:07 pm

    A new experiment encodes quantum information in the motion of the atoms and creates a state known as hyper-entanglement, in which two or more traits are linked among a pair of atoms.

  • New biosensor solves old quantum riddle
    on May 23, 2025 at 4:07 pm

    Researchers united insights from cellular biology, quantum computing, old-fashioned semiconductors and high-definition TVs to both create a revolutionary new quantum biosensor. In doing so, they shed light on a longstanding mystery in quantum materials.

  • Efficiency upgrade for OLED screens: A route to blue PHOLED longevity
    on May 23, 2025 at 4:03 pm

    Blue phosphorescent OLEDs can now last as long as the green phosphorescent OLEDs already in devices, researchers have demonstrated, paving the way for further improving the energy efficiency of OLED screens.

  • A rule-breaking, colorful silicone that could conduct electricity
    on May 22, 2025 at 10:32 pm

    A newly discovered silicone variant is a semiconductor, researchers have discovered -- upending assumptions that the material class is exclusively insulating.

  • A faster, more reliable method for simulating the plasmas used to make computer chips
    on May 22, 2025 at 8:27 pm

    Researchers developed a faster, more stable way to simulate the swirling electric fields inside industrial plasmas -- the kind used to make microchips and coat materials. The improved method could lead to better tools for chip manufacturing and fusion research.

  • 3D printers leave hidden 'fingerprints' that reveal part origins
    on May 22, 2025 at 4:47 pm

    A new artificial intelligence system pinpoints the origin of 3D printed parts down to the specific machine that made them. The technology could allow manufacturers to monitor their suppliers and manage their supply chains, detecting early problems and verifying that suppliers are following agreed upon processes.

  • Infrared contact lenses allow people to see in the dark, even with their eyes closed
    on May 22, 2025 at 4:45 pm

    Neuroscientists and materials scientists have created contact lenses that enable infrared vision in both humans and mice by converting infrared light into visible light. Unlike infrared night vision goggles, the contact lenses do not require a power source -- and they enable the wearer to perceive multiple infrared wavelengths. Because they're transparent, users can see both infrared and visible light simultaneously, though infrared vision was enhanced when participants had their eyes closed.

  • Engineers discover a new class of materials that passively harvest water from air
    on May 21, 2025 at 8:11 pm

    A serendipitous observation has led to a surprising discovery: a new class of nanostructured materials that can pull water from the air, collect it in pores and release it onto surfaces without the need for any external energy. The research describes a material that could open the door to new ways to collect water from the air in arid regions and devices that cool electronics or buildings using the power of evaporation.

  • Scientists discover class of crystals with properties that may prove revolutionary
    on May 21, 2025 at 8:11 pm

    Researchers have discovered a new class of materials -- called intercrystals -- with unique electronic properties that could power future technologies. Intercrystals exhibit newly discovered forms of electronic properties that could pave the way for advancements in more efficient electronic components, quantum computing and environmentally friendly materials, the scientists said.

  • Nano-engineered thermoelectrics enable scalable, compressor-free cooling
    on May 21, 2025 at 4:48 pm

    Researchers have unveiled a breakthrough in solid-state cooling technology, doubling the efficiency of today's commercial systems. Driven by the Lab's patented nano-engineered thin-film thermoelectric materials and devices, this innovation paves the way for compact, reliable and scalable cooling solutions that could potentially replace traditional compressors across a range of industries.

  • Major step for flat and adjustable optics
    on May 21, 2025 at 4:48 pm

    By carefully placing nanostructures on a flat surface, researchers have significantly improved the performance of so-called optical metasurfaces in conductive plastics. This is a major step for controllable flat optics, with future applications such as video holograms, invisibility materials, and sensors, as well as in biomedical imaging.

  • A leap forward in transparent antimicrobial coatings
    on May 21, 2025 at 4:47 pm

    Hydrogen boride (HB) nanosheets can inactivate viruses, bacteria, and fungi within minutes in the dark conditions. By coating surfaces with HB nanosheets, it rapidly inactivates SARS-CoV-2, influenza virus, and other pathogens. The nanosheets work by denaturing microbial proteins, offering a safe, effective, and versatile antimicrobial coating for everyday items.

  • Physics advance details new way to control solid objects in liquid
    on May 21, 2025 at 4:46 pm

    Researchers have detailed the physics behind a phenomenon that allows them to create spin in liquid droplets using ultrasound waves, which concentrates solid particles suspended in the liquid. The discovery will allow researchers to engineer technologies that make use of the technique to develop applications in fields such as biomedical testing and drug development.

  • Mind the band gap! -- researchers create new nanoscale forms of elementary semiconductor with tunable electronic properties
    on May 21, 2025 at 4:41 pm

    Researchers have demonstrated that by using a semiconductor with flexible bonds, the material can be moulded into various structures using nano containers, without altering its composition, the discovery could lead to the design of a variety of customised electronic devices using only a single element.

  • Cool science: Researchers craft tiny biological tools using frozen ethanol
    on May 20, 2025 at 4:12 pm

    Imagine drawing on something as delicate as a living cell -- without damaging it. Researchers have made this groundbreaking discovery using an unexpected combination of tools: frozen ethanol, electron beams and purple-tinted microbes. By advancing a method called ice lithography, the team was able to etch incredibly small, detailed patterns directly onto fragile biological surfaces.

  • Chemists develop compact catenane with tuneable mechanical chirality
    on May 19, 2025 at 5:18 pm

    A team of chemists has made significant strides in the field of mechanically interlocked molecules (MIMs). Their work showcases the development of a compact catenane with tuneable mechanical chirality, offering promising applications in areas such as material science, nanotechnology, and pharmaceuticals.

  • Nimble dimples: Agile underwater vehicles inspired by golf balls
    on May 19, 2025 at 5:14 pm

    Underwater or aerial vehicles with dimples like golf balls could be more efficient and maneuverable, a new prototype has demonstrated.

  • Invisible currents at the edge: Research team shows how magnetic particles reveal a hidden rule of nature
    on May 19, 2025 at 5:10 pm

    If you've ever watched a flock of birds move in perfect unison or seen ripples travel across a pond, you've witnessed nature's remarkable ability to coordinate motion. Recently, a team of scientists and engineers has discovered a similar phenomenon on a microscopic scale, where tiny magnetic particles driven by rotating fields spontaneously move along the edges of clusters driven by invisible 'edge currents' that follow the rules of an unexpected branch of physics.

  • Researchers develop new metallic materials using data-driven frameworks and explainable AI
    on May 15, 2025 at 5:24 pm

    Found in knee replacements and bone plates, aircraft components, and catalytic converters, the exceptionally strong metals known as multiple principal element alloys (MPEA) are about to get even stronger through to artificial intelligence. Scientists have designed a new MPEA with superior mechanical properties using a data-driven framework that leverages the supercomputing power of explainable artificial intelligence (AI).

  • Superconductors: Amazingly orderly disorder
    on May 14, 2025 at 10:09 pm

    A surprising connection has been found, between two seemingly very different classes of superconductors. In a new material, atoms are distributed irregularly, but still manage to create long-range magnetic order.

Sarah Ibrahim