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Advances in crystalline silicon solar cell technology for industrial mass production
The vast majority of commercially available solar cells are based on crystalline silicon. Recent advances in production processes and materials technologies could soon enable the low-cost manufacturing of highly efficient crystalline silicon solar cells.
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Integrated devices based on networks of nanotubes and nanowires
Nanotubes and nanowires display interesting physical and chemical properties. Arranged in arrays, they are particularly attractive for the construction of a wide variety of nanoelectronic devices, including sensors and bio-interfaces.
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Self-assembled supramolecular hydrogels based on polymer–cyclodextrin inclusion complexes for drug delivery
Cyclodextrin-based hydrogels formed by host–guest inclusion complexation could be used as the basis for an effective drug-delivery system providing the easily administered of therapeutic drugs with controlled, long-term release.
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Featured Highlights:
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Silicon: Electronics without barriers
Nanoscale electronic devices can be fabricated from a single crystal of silicon by patterning with phosphorous atoms.
Nat. Nanotechnol.
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Graphene oxide: Hollow spheres
Hollow spheres of graphene oxide, self-assembled in a water-in-oil emulsion, have potential applications in drug delivery, lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors.
J. Mater. Chem.
Latest Highlights:
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Polymer electrolytes: Spinning a membrane
A copolymer membrane with high proton conductivity and other favorable properties could prove useful in fuel cells.
Nano Lett.
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Nanomaterials: Energizing carbon dots
Fluorescent carbon dots show promise as energy-transfer components in photocatalysts
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed
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Data storage: Critical dimension
Ferroelectric materials remain ferroelectric even at nanometer dimensions.
Nano Lett.
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Iron-based superconductors: Pluses and minuses
Scanning tunneling microscopy experiments point to spin fluctuations as the paring mechanism in an iron-based superconductor.
Science
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DNA Assembly: Springs stretch into the nano world
Nanoscale DNA ‘springs’ extend and contract in response to variations in pH.
Adv. Mater.
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Light-emitting devices: In the right direction
A device combining semiconductor nanorods with liquid crystals can produce tunable color emission via electric field control
J. Phys. Chem. C
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Magnetic particles: Remote control
Remote magnetic manipulation of ‘Janus’ microparticles with sub-second response times could lead to new applications in microdevices
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.
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Porous materials: The light trap
A three-dimensional porous framework holding dye molecules acts as a rapid and efficient light-harvesting material.
J. Am. Chem. Soc.
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Nanomechanics: A switch with a twist
A nano-scale silicon torsion spring forms the basis for a miniature electromechanical switch
Appl. Phys. Lett.
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Carbon nanotubes: A twist in the tail
Ultralight clay flakes catalyze the growth of carbon nanotubes into double-helical arrays.
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed
