featured highlights
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3D microstructures: In the spotlight
Laser irradiation of polymer nanocomposites containing CdS quantum dots is used to fabricate light-emitting microstructures.
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Magnetic imaging: Leaky fields
Electron holography reveals the magnetic domains in the write-heads used for magnetic recording.
Organic, carbon-based and soft materials
Nanotube composites: Feel the heat
Light-initiated exothermic nanotube-polymer composites enable rapid localized temperature control in lab-on-a-chip platforms
Inorganic, ceramic and composite
Mercurial nanotubes
Presence of iodine is critical for the growth of mercury-based nanotubes.
Metals and alloys
Magnetic ball and chain
Chains of nickel ‘nanoballs’ coated in nickel carbide exhibit strong one-dimensional magnetic properties.
Biomaterials and biosensors
Protein detection: Follow the light
A luminescent metal complex selectively detects trace amounts of histidine and histidine-rich proteins in the presence of other amino acids and contaminants.
Optics, photonics and optoelectronics
Illuminating polystyrene
An electron beam directed onto polystyrene can ‘draw’ light-emitting nanostructures.
Electronic, magnetic and superconducting
Nanowires: when shape and size matters
The surface morphology and diameter of ZnO nanowires can be used to control the electronic properties of field effect transistors based on these nanostructures.
Energy conversion, catalysis and separation
Fuel cells: The inside story
Designing efficient fuel cells is made easier by probing the distribution of oxygen within a working polymer electrolyte device.
Device applications
Capacitors tweak the leak
A new method to stop current leaking from capacitors could vastly improve computer memory chips
