Bricks, blocks, and steel I-beams — step aside. A new genre of construction materials, made from stuff barely 1/50,000th the width of a human hair, is about to debut in the building of homes, offices, bridges, and other structures. And a new report is highlighting both the potential benefits of these nanomaterials in improving construction […]
Nanoblasts from laser-activated nanoparticles move molecules, proteins and DNA into cells
Using chemical “nanoblasts” that punch tiny holes in the protective membranes of cells, researchers have demonstrated a new technique for getting therapeutic small molecules, proteins and DNA directly into living cells. Carbon nanoparticles activated by bursts of laser light trigger the tiny blasts, which open holes in cell membranes just long enough to admit therapeutic […]
Graphene organic photovoltaics, or, will joggers’ t-shirts someday power their cell phones?
A University of Southern California team has produced flexible transparent carbon atom films that the researchers say have great potential for a new breed of solar cells. “Organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells have been proposed as a means to achieve low cost energy due to their ease of manufacture, light weight, and compatibility with flexible substrates,” […]
Can chaos theory help predict heart attacks?
College Park, MD (July 20, 2010) — Chaos models may someday help model cardiac arrhythmias — abnormal electrical rhythms of the heart, say researchers in the journal CHAOS, which is published by the American Institute of Physics. In recent years, medical research has drawn more attention to chaos in cardiac dynamics. Although chaos marks the […]
Engineering researchers simplify process to make world’s tiniest wires
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Surface tension isn’t a very powerful force, but it matters for small things — water bugs, paint, and, it turns out, nanowires. Nanowires are so tiny that a human hair would dwarf them — some have diameters 150 billionths of a meter. Because of their small size, surface tension that occurs during […]
MIT creates technology for high-speed study of zebrafish larvae
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — One of the most commonly studied laboratory animals is the zebrafish — a tiny fish with transparent embryos, or larvae, whose internal organs can be easily seen as they develop. Because they are genetically similar to humans and have complex organs, biologists often use zebrafish as a model for human diseases such […]
Novel microfluidic HIV test is quick and cheap
UC Davis biomedical engineer Prof. Alexander Revzin has developed a “lab on a chip” device for HIV testing. Revzin’s microfluidic device uses antibodies to “capture” white blood cells called T cells that are affected by HIV. In addition to physically binding these cells the test detects the types and levels of inflammatory proteins (cytokines) released […]
Ultrasound pioneer receives highest award in engineering profession
WASHINGTON (20 April 2010) — Ultrasound pioneer Gerald J. Posakony was honored with the John Fritz Medal — the highest award in the engineering profession – on Monday night by the American Association of Engineering Societies (AAES). Posakony’s pioneering contributions to the fields of ultrasonics, medical diagnostic ultrasound and nondestructive evaluation technologies were recognized during […]
Silver proves its mettle for nanotech applications
The self-assembling properties of the DNA molecule have allowed for the construction of an intriguing range of nanoscale forms. Such nanoarchitectures may eventually find their way into a new generation of microelectronics, semiconductors, biological and chemical sensing devices and a host of biomedical applications. Now Hao Yan and Yan Liu, professors at the Biodesign Institute’s […]
WPI receives $1.2 million NIST award for pioneering study of wireless body area networks
WORCESTER, Mass. ? The Center for Wireless Information Network Studies (CWINS) at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has received a three-year, $1.2 million award from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to conduct a groundbreaking study of the propagation of radio waves around and through the human body. Led by Kaveh Pahlavan, professor of […]