Prototype sunscreen uses TiO? nanoparticles to cool skin while blocking UV rays
2024-12-19 - 2024-12
Wearing sunscreen is important to protect your skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation but doesn't cool people off. However, a new formula, described in Nano Letters, protects against both UV light and heat from the sun using radiative cooling. The prototype sunblock kept human skin up to 11 degrees Fahrenheit (6 degrees Celsius) cooler than bare skin, or around 6 °F (3 °C) cooler than existing sunscreens.
Advancing Light Control: New Opportunities for Metasurfaces in Optoelectronics
2024-12-20 - 2024-12
A global review has highlighted the potential of integrating metasurfaces—thin planar arrays of nanostructures—into optoelectronic devices. This integration could transform technologies such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), lasers, and solar cells by enabling precise control over light at the nanoscale.
Nanotechnology discovery unlocks unique molecular interactions using light
2024-12-28 - 2024-12
Researchers at the University of Bologna, led by Prof. Alberto Credi, have developed an innovative method to manipulate molecular assembly using light energy. This approach allows for the creation of a molecular configuration that defies the natural thermodynamic equilibrium, a feat previously considered unattainable.
"We have shown that by administering light energy to an aqueous solution, a molecular self-assembly reaction can be prevented from reaching a thermodynamic minimum, resulting in a product distribution that does not correspond to that observed at equilibrium," says Alberto Credi.
"Such a behavior, which is at the root of many functions in living organisms, is poorly explored in artificial molecules because it is very difficult to plan and observe. The simplicity and versatility of our approach, together with the fact that visible light - i.e., sunlight - is a clean and sustainable energy source, allow us to foresee developments in various areas of technology and medicine."
A New Frontier in Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology relies heavily on the self-assembly of molecular components to form nanometer-scale systems and materials. Typically, these processes strive for a state of thermodynamic equilibrium, or minimum energy. However, living organisms rely on chemical processes that occur outside equilibrium, sustained by external energy. Reproducing these complex mechanisms in artificial systems could open doors to revolutionary applications such as smart drugs and responsive materials.
Graphene, the programmed revolution in electronics, is it coming soon?
2024-12-28 - 2024-12
Graphene is globally renowned for its remarkable properties, whether mechanical, thermal, or electrical. Its perfect honeycomb structure composed of carbon atoms is why graphene excels in many fields. Its morphology—formed as a sheet only about one atom thick—allows it to belong to the family of 2D materials.
Since its discovery, industries have intensified research on the material. Various applications have emerged, particularly by harnessing graphene's electrical performance. Several sectors, such as aerospace, automotive, and telecommunications, are being targeted.
Graphene is prized not only for its status as a champion of electrical conductivity but also for its low density and flexibility. These properties have earned it a place in the exclusive club of materials used in the aerospace sector.
Lightning strikes and ice accumulation on the fuselage are common challenges faced when airplanes are at high altitudes. The impact of lightning on a non-conductive surface can cause severe damage, even leading to the aircraft catching fire. Adding graphene, thanks to its high electrical conductivity, helps dissipate this high-energy current. Aircraft are designed in such a way as to channel the current as far away as possible from high-risk areas, such as fuel tanks or control cables, to avoid losing control of the aircraft or even explosion.
Nanomaterials Market Poised to Hit USD 68.87 Billion by 2032, Growing at a Robust CAGR of 14%
2025-01-06 - 2025-01
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The Global Nanomaterials Market is poised for remarkable growth, driven by advancements in technology, rising demand across diverse industries, and the increasing adoption of sustainable and high-performance materials. The market, valued at USD 24.14 billion in 2024, is projected to reach USD 68.87 billion by 2030, expanding at a robust CAGR of 14% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2030.
This press release delves into growth opportunities, regional trends, mergers and acquisitions, and recent developments in key regions such as Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the US, and Europe.
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Vietnam is witnessing increased adoption of nanomaterials in electronics and construction sectors. Major players such as BASF SE are investing in the region to establish manufacturing units. The government's focus on enhancing infrastructure development and promoting advanced materials has created significant growth opportunities for nanomaterial suppliers.
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Thailand's market is driven by the growing use of nanomaterials in healthcare and automotive applications. Recent collaborations, such as 3M's partnership with local distributors, have enhanced market accessibility. Thailand's robust automotive industry is leveraging nanomaterials for lightweight and energy-efficient solutions, marking it as a key growth region.
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Japan remains a leader in nanomaterial innovation, with extensive R&D activities spearheaded by companies like Showa Denko K.K. and Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.. Recent advancements include the development of high-performance graphene-based nanomaterials for electronics. Japan's focus on eco-friendly technologies is shaping trends in the nanomaterials market.
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South Korea's nanomaterials market is thriving due to increasing demand in semiconductors and energy storage applications. Companies like LG Chem and Samsung SDI are leading the market, with rece
Using XRD for Structural Analysis in Nanomaterials
2025-01-03 - 2025-01
X-ray diffraction (XRD) is a non-destructive analytical technique used to determine the atomic and molecular structure of materials by measuring how X-rays scatter. It provides key information about a material's phases, crystalline structure, average crystallite size, strain, orientation, texture, and defects.1 XRD is widely applied in nanomaterial science for structural characterization.
Principle of XRD
XRD works by directing X-rays onto a crystalline material and analyzing the angles and intensities of the diffracted beams. The atomic planes within the crystal act as a three-dimensional grating, scattering the X-rays in specific directions. This scattering produces a unique diffraction pattern consisting of intense spots known as Von Laue or Bragg diffraction spots.1-2
The diffraction pattern provides crucial structural information, including the material's symmetry, orientation, and phase. The relationship between the incident X-rays and the atomic planes is governed by Bragg’s Law, expressed as:
2d sin? = n?
Where:
n is an integer representing the diffraction order.
? is the wavelength of the incident X-rays.
d is the interplanar spacing in the crystal.
? is the angle of incidence of the X-rays.
When the conditions of Bragg’s Law are satisfied, constructive interference occurs, producing the diffraction peaks observed in the XRD pattern. By analyzing these peaks, the interplanar spacing d can be calculated, providing insight into the crystal structure.1-2
An XRD diffractogram represents the intensity of diffracted X-rays as a function of the diffraction angle 2?. Each peak corresponds to a specific set of crystallographic planes, allowing researchers to identify the crystal structure and phase composition by comparing the pattern to reference databases such as the International Crystallographic Diffraction Data (ICDD).2
In addition to phase identification, XRD can measure lattice parameters and detect crystal imperfections, including strain, dislocations, and stacking faults.2 These insights are important for analyzing the structural properties of crystalline materials, establishing XRD as a widely used tool in nanomaterial science.
Successfully Developed a Method for Doping Semiconductor Nanocrystals, Synthesizing Next-Generation Semiconductor Nanomaterials from the Seed Phase to the Future!
2025-01-06 - 2025-01
Professor Jiwoong Yang and his research team at the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST; President Kunwoo Lee) successfully developed a new technology to control doping at the nucleus (seed) phase to increase the performance of semiconductor nanocrystals. This study was conducted in collaboration with a research team led by Stefan Ringe at the Department of Chemistry, Korea University (Dongwon Kim). The research uncovered how the doping process and location differ depending on the type of doping element (dopant). The developed technology is expected to be widely utilized in advanced electronic devices, such as displays and transistors.
? With the rapid development of advanced technologies in recent years, such as displays and transistors, interest in technologies that can precisely control doping in nanoscale semiconductors is growing. In particular, II-VI semiconductor-based nanocrystals have been widely studied owing to their outstanding optical and electrical properties.
? While doping plays a critical role in semiconductor technology, the problem of low doping efficiency in small semiconductors, such as nanocrystals, remains. This problem arises because dopants tend to be absorbed onto the surface of a semiconductor during its growth and do not penetrate its interior effectively. In this context, Professor Yang’s research team developed a controlled nucleation doping method, which induces doping at the “nanocluster” phase, a stage preceding nanocrystal growth. Using this technique, the team successfully implemented stable and precise doping in ZnSe semiconductor nanocrystals and identified the reasons behind the variations in doping processes and locations depending on the dopant type.
? Although previous studies on doping II-VI semiconductor nanocrystals have mainly used CdSe, a heavy metal, Cd is harmful to the environment and has poor stability. This study developed a technology applicable to nanocrystals that eliminates the use of heavy metals, demonstrating its potential for practical applications while also addressing environmental concerns. In addition, the study demonstrated the technology’s applicability across various electronic devices, such as displays and transistors.
? Professor Yang said, “This research has enabled us to systematically establish doping control technology in nanocrystals. The findings will not only serve as important foundational data for designing and fabricating optoelectronic devices, such as next-generation displays and transistors, but also open up new possibilities for designing innovative devices through precise doping control technology.”
? The study was funded by the National Research Foundation of Korea’s Excellent New Research Project, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s Korea-US International Joint Technology Development Project, and the DGIST Sensorium Institute. The findings were publ
Pioneers in nanotechnology in Milestones in the development of nanotechnology
2025-01-06 - 2025-01
A number of key technological milestones have been achieved by working pioneers. Molecular beam epitaxy, invented by Alfred Cho and John Arthur at Bell Labs in 1968 and developed in the 1970s, enabled the controlled deposition of single atomic layers. This tool provided for nanostructuring in one dimension as atomic layers were grown one upon the next. It subsequently became important in the area of compound semiconductor device fabrication. For example, sandwiching one-nanometre-thick layers of nonmagnetic-sensor materials between magnetic layers in computer disk drives resulted in large increases in storage capacity, and a similar use of nanostructuring resulted in more energy-efficient semiconductor lasers for use in compact disc players.
In 1981 Gerd Binnig and Heinrich Rohrer developed the scanning tunneling microscope at IBM’s laboratories in Switzerland. This tool provided a revolutionary advance by enabling scientists to image the position of individual atoms on surfaces. It earned Binnig and Rohrer a Nobel Prize in 1986 and spawned a wide variety of scanning probe tools for nanoscale observations.
structure of buckminsterfullerene
structure of buckminsterfullereneThe structure of buckminsterfullerene (C60).
The observation of new carbon structures marked another important milestone in the advance of nanotechnology, with Nobel Prizes for the discoverers. In 1985 Robert F. Curl, Jr., Harold W. Kroto, and Richard E. Smalley discovered the first fullerene, the third known form of pure carbon (after diamond and graphite). They named their discovery buckminsterfullerene (“buckyball”) for its resemblance to the geodesic domes promoted by the American architect R. Buckminster Fuller. Technically called C60 for the 60 carbon atoms that form their hollow spherical structure, buckyballs resemble a football one nanometre in diameter (see figure). In 1991 Sumio Iijima of NEC Corporation in Japan discovered carbon nanotubes, in which the carbon ringlike structures are extended from spheres into long tubes of varying diameter. Taken together, these new structures surprised and excited the imaginations of scientists about the possibilities of forming well-defined nanostructures with unexpected new properties.
The scanning tunneling microscope not only allowed for the imaging of atoms by scanning a sharp probe tip over a surface, but it also allowed atoms to be “pushed” around on the surface. With a slight bias voltage applied to the probe tip, certain atoms could be made to adhere to the tip used for imaging and then to be released from it. Thus, in 1990 Donald Eigler spelled out the letters of his company’s logo, IBM, by moving 35 xenon atoms into place on a nickel surface. This demonstration caught the public’s attention because it showed the precision of the emerging nanoscale tools.
Carbon dioxide converted into carbon nanotube-based 3D printer ink
2025-01-07 - 2025-01
A new process converts carbon dioxide into carbon nanotubes before 3D printing them into high-density carbon nanocomposites. These strong and lightweight composite materials have potential applications in transport and construction.
A scanning electron microscopy image of the carbon nanotubes produced by the new system
The system was developed by a team led by Kelvin Fu from the University of Delaware and Feng Jiao from Washington University, both US. Electrolysis first reduces the carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide. This is then channelled into a thermochemical reactor where a steel wool catalyst converts it into carbon nanotubes. The nanotubes are then used in a 3D-printing process to create high-quality thermoset carbon nanocomposites.
Tissue Engineering Market is expected to reach USD 1.7 billion by 2031, with growth at a CAGR of 4.8% - Zimmer Biomet, Stryker Corporation, 3D BioFibR Inc.
2025-01-08 - 2025-01
Tissue Engineering Market analysis, according to DataM Intelligence, offers more than just an overview; it investigates the underlying aspects of the sector. The study provides an overview, the research explores the hidden aspects of the sector, breaking down its intricate dynamics, charting regional dominance, spotting demand patterns, and spotting prospective breakthroughs that could influence how businesses operate in the future.
Will the Tissue Engineering market emerge as the sector's next great thing? To discover the answer, look at the Tissue Engineering market analysis and projections. In-depth insight of the opportunities, difficulties, and trends now impacting the landscape is provided by this market research study, empowering industry participants to make informed decisions in a changing environment. Take advantage of the opportunity
Sustainable Future for Carbon Nanotubes
2025-01-15 - 2025-01
This finding positions CNT fibers as a sustainable alternative to traditional materials such as metals, polymers, and larger carbon fibers, which are challenging to recycle.
Recycling has long been a challenge in the materials industry—metals recycling is often inefficient and energy intensive, polymers tend to lose their properties after reprocessing, and carbon fibers cannot be recycled at all, only downcycled by chopping them up into short pieces.
Matteo Pasquali, A.J. Hartsook Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Materials Science and NanoEngineering and Chemistry, Rice University
He added, “As CNT fibers are being scaled up, we asked whether and how these new materials could be recycled in the future so as to proactively avoid waste management problems that emerged as other engineered materials reached large-scale use. We expected that recycling would be difficult and would lead to significant loss of properties. Surprisingly, we found that carbon nanotube fibers far exceed the recyclability potential of existing engineered materials, offering a solution to a major environmental issue.”
Using chlorosulfonic acid, a common industrial solvent, the team dissolved fiber-grade commercial CNTs to produce solution-spun CNT fibers. Evaluating the impact of different material sources on the fiber manufacturing process and fiber properties was important, as end-of-life recycling often involves combining materials from various manufacturers using different production methods.
