Nanotechnology

Scientists have created innovative nanoparticles designed to destroy harmful proteins linked to dementia and cancer. These particles can access difficult tissues like the brain and precisely eliminate problematic proteins without broad side effects. The technology shows early promise for precision medicine.

25 Mwezi wa kwanza, 2026 Imeripotiwa na AI

Researchers at Japan's RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science have pioneered a method to carve three-dimensional nanoscale devices from single crystals using focused ion beams. By shaping helical structures from a magnetic crystal, they created switchable diodes that direct electricity preferentially in one direction. This geometric approach could enable more efficient electronics.

Researchers have created a catalyst from lignin, a byproduct of paper production, that enhances clean hydrogen generation through water electrolysis. The material demonstrates low overpotential and high stability, offering a sustainable alternative to costly precious metals. This advancement could make large-scale hydrogen production more economical and environmentally friendly.

5 Mwezi wa kumi na mbili, 2025 Imeripotiwa na AI

Researchers at Penn State University have developed seven novel high-entropy oxides by reducing oxygen levels during synthesis, stabilizing metals like iron and manganese that typically destabilize. This breakthrough, published in Nature Communications, offers a framework for designing advanced ceramics for energy and electronics applications. Machine learning accelerated the discovery of promising compositions.

Researchers at the University of Rochester have decoded the atomic-level mechanisms behind catalysts that convert propane into propylene, a key material for plastics and other products. Their algorithms revealed unexpected oxide behaviors that stabilize the reaction by clustering around defective metal sites. The findings, published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, could improve industrial processes like methanol synthesis.

14 Mwezi wa kumi na moja, 2025 Imeripotiwa na AI

Researchers at Rice University have discovered that laser light can physically shift atoms in certain two-dimensional semiconductors called Janus transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). This optostriction effect, observed through changes in second harmonic generation patterns, highlights the materials' asymmetry and potential for advanced optical technologies. The finding could enable faster photonic chips and sensitive sensors.