Nanotechnology Spotlight – Latest Articles

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Showing Spotlights 1 - 8 of 63 in category All (newest first):

 

Reusable nanostructured fibers may boost sustainability of photocatalytic water treatment

nanofiberResearchers developed reusable titanium dioxide-based photocatalytic fibers decorated with gold nanoparticles, which showed exceptional ability in degrading water pollutants under UV light compared to commercial nanopowders. The innovation highlights the potential of rational fiber material design to improve efficiency and sustainability of photocatalysts for real-world water purification.

Oct 16th, 2023

Cotton, PLA-phytochemical encapsulated nanofiber-based face mask for combating the spread of COVID-19 infections

facemaskAn estimated 6.8 billion face masks are used around the world each day, which ultimately are incinerated, sent to landfills or simply dumped in the environment, providing a glimpse of a forthcoming severe global environmental crisis. Many of these synthetic face masks are non-biodegradable in nature. To address this issue, researchers have developed a 3-layered biodegradable, antibacterial, breathable, herbal-extract based, and needleless electrospun face mask.

Jan 6th, 2022

Exploring the optical behavior of highly dense and randomly distributed nanowire arrays

nanowire-arrayVertical semiconductor nanowire arrays are a promising material for retinal prostheses, which could help restore the eyesight of people suffering from severe retinal diseases. These nanowires could also be used to fabricate bio-inspired photoreceptors and lightweight, highly efficient photovoltaics. In new work, scientists present theoretical and experimental studies on the microscopic optical behavior of highly dense and randomly distributed nanowire arrays embedded in a transparent polymer.

Jun 18th, 2020

Nanowire meshes to improve electrochemical devices

nanomeshBy re-designing interconnected nanowire networks, researchers fabricated novel nanostructured current collectors, which are the first to combine very high surface area, high porosity, substantially large pores and mechanical flexibility. Thanks to its ordered microstructure, the material can uniquely combine high porosity of cellular metal foams with high surface area of state-of-the-art nanoporous dealloyed metals, which allowed it to surpass the electrochemical performance of up to 300-thicker commercial electrodes.

Jan 18th, 2019

Manufacturing open-mesoporous carbon nanofibers for flexible and wearable power sources

metal-air-batteryRecently, researchers have engineered a next-generation battery technology - known as metal-air batteries - which can be easily fabricated into flexible and wristband-like cells. Although metal-air batteries powered devices still are not ready yet for commercial applications, the current studies have established solid evidence that these devices have provided enormous opportunities to develop the next generation of flexible, wearable and bio-adaptable power sources. Researchers now report a solution to overcoming the current limitation on sluggish reaction kinetics of air cathodes in Mg-air batteries.

Nov 20th, 2018

Microfluidics meets silver nanowires: transparent and flexible circuits with ultra precise pattern control

nanowiresResearchers have developed a new process for completely transparent and flexible circuits of any patterns as one wishes. The circuit patterns are created via the well-developed microfluidic technology on transparent and flexible substrates. The conductors are generated by spin coating of silver nanowires along the patterns. The advance stimulates more implications in future electronics. The researchers have demonstrated a simple application of the circuits as a biosensor for glucose detection.

May 31st, 2018