| Quantum plasmons demonstrated in atomic-scale nanoparticles Posted: 21 Mar 2012 11:30 AM PDT Addressing a half-century-old question, engineers have conclusively determined how collective electron oscillations, called plasmons, behave in individual metal particles as small as just a few nanometers in diameter. This knowledge may open up new avenues in nanotechnology ranging from solar catalysis to biomedical therapeutics.  |
| Groundbreaking, waterless approach to microchip making Posted: 21 Mar 2012 09:38 AM PDT The tiny, high-speed computer chips found in every modern electronic device bear little resemblance to their bulky, slow ancestors of decades ago. Different materials, new designs and new production techniques have ensured successive generations of integrated circuits offer ever more performance at lower cost.  |
| Controlling light at will: Metamaterials will change optics Posted: 18 Mar 2012 11:39 AM PDT Engineers believe that continued advances in creating ever-more exotic and sophisticated human-made materials will greatly improve their ability to control light at will.  |
| Speed of single-molecule measurements greatly increased Posted: 18 Mar 2012 11:39 AM PDT Engineers have devised a way to measure nanopores -- tiny holes in a thin membrane that can detect single biological molecules such as DNA and proteins -- with less error than can be achieved with commercial instruments. They've miniaturized the measurement by designing a custom integrated circuit using commercial semiconductor technology.  |