Nanoparticle

A nanoscale-sized glass bead evolving in a potential created through electrostatic or magnetic forces enters a macroscopic quantum superposition state. Credit: Helene HainzerMaking a nanoscale-sized glass bead exhibit quantum effects at macroscopic scales.The distinction between the ordinary world and the quantum realm remains ambiguous. As an object increases in size, its localization intensifies when it undergoes quantum transformation by cooling its motion to absolute zero.Researchers, led by Oriol Romero-Isart from…

As recent history proves, airborne respiratory infections are not to be trifled with. Now, a new sprayable coating applied to standard air filters might give us a leg up in the war against the pathogens that cause these diseases.Measles. Influenza. SARS. MERS. Pneumonia. Think of a major infectious disease, and the chances are that it is spread by airborne pathogens. Currently, COVID-19 and TB are the world's deadliest infectious diseases, and both are transmitted through the air. So when it comes to tamping down the risk…

This story was originally published by Grist. Sign up for Grist’s weekly newsletter here.Mississippi’s Water Crisis | Extreme EarthAt this point, it’s common knowledge that bottled water contains microplastics — fragments of the insidious material that can be as small as a bacterial cell. But the problem is much worse than previously known: It turns out that bottled water harbors hundreds of thousands of even tinier pieces of the stuff.A paper published Monday used a novel technique to analyze one-liter samples of bottled…

Artist’s representation of nanoparticles with different compositions created by combining two techniques: metal exsolution and ion irradiation. The different colors represent different elements, such as nickel, that can be implanted into an exsolved metal particle to tailor the particle’s compositions and reactivity. Credit: Jiayue Wang The work demonstrates control over key properties leading to better performance.MIT researchers and colleagues have demonstrated a way to precisely control the size, composition, and other…

The simulation shows the decahedra packing together into a quasicrystalline structure on the left, with a diagram of the structure on the right. Credit: Glotzer group, University of Michigan.The breakthrough paves the way for the design and construction of more complex structures.Nanoengineers have created a quasicrystal—a scientifically intriguing and technologically promising material structure—from nanoparticles using DNA, the molecule that encodes life. The team, led by researchers at Northwestern University, the…

Researchers have designed a new nanoparticle that was shown to more effectively deliver a cancer-fighting mRNA vaccine to mice. The study’s results may lead to the development of better vaccines to treat cancer and infectious diseases like COVID-19.Cancer treatment has been revolutionalized by advances made, and continuing to be made, in the field of immunotherapy, the treatment of disease by activating or suppressing the body’s immune system. But each patient’s cancer tumor is unique, requiring treatments that target…

Scientists have discovered that gold nanoparticles supported on a zirconium oxide surface can turn waste materials like biomass and polyester into organosilane compounds, which are valuable chemicals used in various applications. The protocol is a greener and less demanding method for upcycling waste, leveraging the cooperation between gold nanoparticles and the amphoteric nature of the zirconium oxide support.Supported gold nanoparticle catalyst can upcycle polyester and biomass.Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan…

This electron micrograph documents the porous nature of the silica nanoparticles. These pores are large enough to allow entrance of a large number of NSA molecules. Here, they are protected until being taken up by the immune cells. At this point NSA is released and can stop the inflammatory processes. Credit: UNIGE – Carole BourquinA team from UNIGE and LMU developed a transport nanoparticle to make an anti-inflammatory drug much more effective and less toxic.How can a drug be delivered exactly where it is needed, while…

The research also provides fundamental information for developing future catalysts.A tenfold increase in electron holography sensitivity exposes the net charge in a single platinum nanoparticle with a precision of just one electron.If you often find yourself off by one while counting your socks after doing the laundry, you might want to take a seat for this. Researchers from Japan have now counted the extra, or missing charges, in a single platinum nanoparticle with a diameter that is only a tenth of that of common…

Probiotic bacteria can’t help improve gut health if they don’t survive the trip to the intestines. Scientists have now kitted out good bugs with protective armor and backpacks loaded with molecules that can help them treat inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).Every one of us harbors a vast ecosystem of bacteria, viruses and other microbes that play key roles in the health of our digestive systems and, as we’re regularly learning, its influence spreads throughout the body. If this microbiome is thrown out of whack, it can…