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Category: nanotechnology

‘Goldilocks size’ rhodium clusters advance reusable heterogeneous catalysts for hydroformylation

Recent research has demonstrated that a rhodium (Rh) cluster of an optimal, intermediate size—neither too small nor too large—exhibits the highest catalytic activity in hydroformylation reactions. Similar to the concept of finding the “just right” balance, the study identifies this so-called “Goldilocks size” as crucial for maximizing catalyst efficiency. The study is published in the journal ACS Catalysis and was featured as the cover story.

Led by Professor Kwangjin An from the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering at UNIST, in collaboration with Professor Jeong Woo Han from Seoul National University, the research demonstrates that when Rh exists as a cluster —comprising about 10 atoms—it outperforms both single-atom and nanoparticle forms in reaction speed and activity.

Hydroformylation is a vital industrial process used for producing raw materials for plastics, detergents, and other chemicals. Currently, many Rh catalysts are homogeneous—dissolved in liquids—which complicates separation and recycling. This challenge has driven efforts to develop solid, heterogeneous Rh catalysts that are easier to recover and reuse.

A new route to synthesize multiple functionalized carbon nanohoops

The field of nanomaterials is witnessing a transformative shift at the intersection of organic chemistry and molecular engineering. Among the most promising molecular structures are carbon nanohoops, of which [n]cycloparaphenylenes ([n]CPPs) are a representative example.

These ring-shaped structures represent the smallest possible slices of carbon nanotubes, which themselves are a widely renowned material of the 21st century.

Given that their structures can, in principle, be precisely tuned at the atomic level, nanohoops hold great potential as molecular components for next-generation optoelectronic devices, including high-resolution displays, photonic circuits, and responsive sensing materials.

‘Spectral slimming’ yields ultranarrow plasmons in single metal nanoparticles

Researchers have developed a new strategy to overcome a long-standing limitation in plasmonic loss by reshaping light–matter interactions through substrate engineering.

“Why can’t plasmons achieve quality factors as high as dielectrics?” “Because metals heat up easily—they’re inherently lossy.” This exchange is almost inevitable whenever plasmonic nanostructures come up in a discussion.

Now, researchers from the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and international collaborators have shown that this long-held limitation is not as fundamental as once believed. The research team has demonstrated a powerful new strategy to control optical spectra at the nanoscale, enabling high-quality (high-Q) plasmonic hotspots in individual metal nanoparticles, a long-standing challenge to slim spectra in plasmonics.

When scientists build nanoscale architecture to solve textile and pharmaceutical industry challenges

Scientists from the CSIR-Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI), Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, and the S N Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences have collaborated to develop a new class of highly precise filtration membranes.

Ultra-precise “POMbranes” sieve out larger molecules (red) while allowing only 1-nanometer-sized species (green) to pass through its pores, enabling sharp molecular sorting. (Image: Central Salt and Marine Chemical Research Institute)

Superconducting nanowire memory array achieves significantly lower error rate

Quantum computers, systems that process information leveraging quantum mechanical effects, will require faster and energy-efficient memory components, which will allow them to perform well on complex tasks. Superconducting memories are promising memory devices that are made from superconductors, materials that conduct electricity with a resistance of zero when cooled below a critical temperature.

These memory devices could be faster and consume significantly less energy than existing memories based on superconductors. Despite their potential, most existing superconducting memories are prone to errors and are difficult to scale up to create larger systems containing several memory cells.

Researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) recently developed a new scalable superconducting memory that is based on nanowires, one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures with unique optoelectronic properties. This memory, introduced in a paper published in Nature Electronics, was found to be less prone to errors than many other superconducting nanowire-based memories introduced in the past.

Eco-Friendly Agrochemicals: Embracing Green Nanotechnology

In the pursuit of sustainable agricultural practices, researchers are increasingly turning to innovative approaches that blend technology and environmental consciousness. A recent study led by M.R. Salvadori, published in Discover Agriculture, delves into the promising world of green nanotechnology in agrochemicals. This research investigates how nanoscale materials can enhance the effectiveness of agrochemicals while minimizing their environmental footprint. The findings suggest that this novel approach may revolutionize crop protection and nutrient delivery systems.

Nanotechnology involves manipulating materials at the nanoscale, typically between 1 and 100 nanometers. At this scale, materials exhibit unique properties that differ significantly from their bulk counterparts. These properties can be harnessed to improve the delivery and efficacy of agrochemicals. For instance, nanosized fertilizers can increase the availability of nutrients to plants, enhancing growth and reducing waste. This targeted approach is essential in combating soil nutrient depletion and ensuring food security in an era of burgeoning global population.

Traditional agrochemicals often come with the burden of negative environmental impacts, including soil and water contamination. The introduction of green nanotechnology aims to address these concerns by developing more biodegradable and environmentally friendly agrochemicals. By using nanomaterials derived from natural sources, researchers hope to create a symbiotic relationship between agricultural practices and ecological health. This paradigm shift could pave the way for a new era of environmentally responsible farming.

Engineered nanobodies improve respiratory defenses in preclinical study

In a multi-institutional study published today in Nature Nanotechnology, researchers from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center reported that engineered bispecific nanobodies successfully strengthened mucosal defenses in the respiratory tract, improving protection against influenza infection and reducing SARS-CoV-2 transmission in vivo.

Wen Jiang, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of Radiation Oncology, has been researching different nanotechnologies for their potential use in delivering cancer therapies. That research has led to work with Liming Zhou, M.D., a postdoctoral student, and the late Charles Chan, Ph.D., assistant professor of surgery at Stanford Medicine.

Harnessing nanoscale magnetic spins to overcome the limits of conventional electronics

Researchers at Kyushu University have shown that careful engineering of materials interfaces can unlock new applications for nanoscale magnetic spins, overcoming the limits of conventional electronics. Their findings, published in APL Materials, open up a promising path for tackling a key challenge in the field and ushering in a new era of next-generation information devices.

The study centers around magnetic skyrmions—swirling, nanoscale magnetic structures that behave like particles. Skyrmions possess three key features that make them useful as data carriers in information devices: nanoscale size for high capacity, compatibility with high-speed operations in the GHz range, and the ability to be moved around with very low electrical currents.

A skyrmion-based device could, in theory, surpass modern electronics in applications such as large-scale AI computing, Internet of Things (IoT), and other big data applications.

Nanoparticles That Destroy Disease Proteins Could Unlock New Treatments for Dementia and Cancer

Scientists have developed a new nanoparticle-based strategy that could dramatically expand the range of disease-causing proteins that can be targeted by modern medicine. A newly released perspective in Nature Nanotechnology describes an emerging nanoparticle-based approach designed to remove harm

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