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Monday, September 22, 2014

ScienceDaily: Top Technology News

ScienceDaily: Top Technology News


Smallest possible diamonds form ultra-thin nanothreads

Posted: 21 Sep 2014 11:51 AM PDT

For the first time, scientists have discovered how to produce ultra-thin 'diamond nanothreads' that promise extraordinary properties, including strength and stiffness greater than that of today's strongest nanotubes and polymers. The threads have a structure that has never been seen before.

Engineered proteins stick like glue -- even in water

Posted: 21 Sep 2014 11:51 AM PDT

Researchers have found new adhesives based on mussel proteins could be useful for naval or medical applications. To create their new waterproof adhesives, researchers engineered bacteria to produce a hybrid material that incorporates naturally sticky mussel proteins as well as a bacterial protein found in biofilms -- slimy layers formed by bacteria growing on a surface. When combined, these proteins form even stronger underwater adhesives than those secreted by mussels.

Magnetic fields make the excitons go 'round: New way to improve efficiency of solar cells

Posted: 21 Sep 2014 11:51 AM PDT

A major limitation in the performance of solar cells happens within the photovoltaic material itself: When photons strike the molecules of a solar cell, they transfer their energy, producing quasi-particles called excitons -- an energized state of molecules. That energized state can hop from one molecule to the next until it's transferred to electrons in a wire, which can light up a bulb or turn a motor.

New 'star' shaped molecule breakthrough

Posted: 21 Sep 2014 11:50 AM PDT

Scientists have generated a new star-shaped molecule made up of interlocking rings, which is the most complex of its kind ever created. Known as a 'Star of David' molecule, scientists have been trying to create one for over a quarter of a century.

Uncovering the forbidden side of molecules: Infrared spectrum of charged molecule seen for first time

Posted: 21 Sep 2014 11:50 AM PDT

Researchers have succeeded in observing the "forbidden" infrared spectrum of a charged molecule for the first time. These extremely weak spectra offer perspectives for extremely precise measurements of molecular properties and may also contribute to the development of molecular clocks and quantum technology.

A Breakthrough in Electron Microscopy: Scientists reconstruct third dimension from a single image

Posted: 21 Sep 2014 11:50 AM PDT

Imagine that you want to find out from a single picture taken of the front of a house, what the building looks like from behind, whether it has any extensions or if the brickwork is damaged, and how many rooms are in the basement.  Sounds impossible? Not in the nanoworld. Scientists have developed a new method with which crystal structures can be reconstructed with atomic precision in all three dimensions.

From light into matter, nothing seems to stop quantum teleportation

Posted: 21 Sep 2014 11:50 AM PDT

Physicists have succeeded in teleporting the quantum state of a photon to a crystal over 25 kilometers of optical fiber. The experiment constitutes a first, and simply pulverizes the previous record of 6 kilometers achieved ten years ago by the same team. Passing from light into matter, using teleportation of a photon to a crystal, shows that, in quantum physics, it is not the composition of a particle which is important, but rather its state, since this can exist and persist outside such extreme differences as those which distinguish light from matter.

A nanosized hydrogen generator

Posted: 19 Sep 2014 01:54 PM PDT

Researchers have created a small scale "hydrogen generator" that uses light and a two-dimensional graphene platform to boost production of the hard-to-make element. The research also unveiled a previously unknown property of graphene. The two-dimensional chain of carbon atoms not only gives and receives electrons, but can also transfer them into another substance.

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