Leafhoppers, a common backyard insect, secrete and coat themselves in tiny mysterious particles that could provide both the inspiration and the instructions for next-generation technology, according to a new study. In a first, the team precisely replicated the complex geometry of these particles, called brochosomes, and elucidated a better understanding of how they absorb both visible and ultraviolet light.

Mechanical engineers have devised a diagnostic platform that uses sound waves to spin an individual drop of water up to 6000 revolutions per minute. These speeds separate tiny biological particles within samples placed in a very light disc sitting on top of the spinning drop. The technique could allow new point-of-care applications ranging from precision bioassays to cancer diagnosis. The technique requires less time and sample volume while inflicting less damage to delicate exosomes.

A new process for microscale 3D printing creates particles of nearly any shape for applications in medicine, manufacturing, research and more -- at the pace of up to 1 million particles a day.

By wrapping a carbon nanotube with a ribbon-like polymer, researchers were able to create nanotubes that conduct electricity when struck with low-energy light that our eyes cannot see. In the future, the approach could make it possible to optimize semiconductors for applications ranging from night vision to new forms of computing.

A team achieves successful mass production of metalenses designed for application in the ultraviolet region.

Researchers have tested the performance of a new device that boosts particle signals.

A newly developed 'GPS nanoparticle' injected intravenously can home in on cancer cells to deliver a genetic punch to the protein implicated in tumor growth and spread, according to researchers. They tested their approach in human cell lines and in mice to effectively knock down a cancer-causing gene, reporting that the technique may potentially offer a more precise and effective treatment for notoriously hard-to-treat basal-like breast cancers.

New groundbreaking technology enables the real-time display of colors and shapes through changes in nanostructures.

Researchers have used tip-scan high-speed atomic force microscopy combined with an optical microscope to observe light-induced deformation of azo-polymer films. The process could be followed in real time, and the film patterns were found to change with the polarization of the light source. The observations will contribute to the use of azo-polymers in applications such as optical data storage, and the approach is expected to be useful across materials science and physical chemistry.

A type of nanoparticle called a metal organic framework (MOF) could be used to deliver vaccines and act as an adjuvant. Researchers find these particles provoke a strong immune response by activating the innate immune system through cell proteins called toll-like receptors.

A nanotechnology pioneer has uncovered a transformative approach to harnessing the catalytic power of aluminum nanoparticles by annealing them in various gas atmospheres at high temperatures.

Researchers flip the switch at the nanoscale by applying light to induce bonding for single-molecule device switching.

Researchers who work with tiny drug carriers known as lipid nanoparticles have developed a new type of material capable of reaching the lungs and the eyes, an important step toward genetic therapy for hereditary conditions like cystic fibrosis and inherited vision loss.

Biosensing technology developed by engineers has made it possible to create gene test strips that rival conventional lab-based tests in quality.

Inspired by nature, nanotechnology researchers have identified 'spontaneous curvature' as the key factor determining how ultra-thin, artificial materials can transform into useful tubes, twists and helices.

The question of where the boundary between classical and quantum physics lies is one of the longest-standing pursuits of modern scientific research and in new research, scientists demonstrate a novel platform that could help us find an answer.

As silicon-based computer chips approach their physical limitations in the quest for faster and smaller designs, the search for alternative materials that remain functional at atomic scales is one of science's biggest challenges. In a groundbreaking development, researchers have engineered a protective film that shields quantum semiconductor layers just one atom thick from environmental influences without compromising their revolutionary quantum properties. This puts the application of these delicate atomic layers in ultrathin electronic components within realistic reach.

Researchers have developed a deep learning algorithm for removing systematic effects from atomic force microscopy images, enabling more precise profiles of material surfaces.

Nano- and microplastics are seemingly everywhere -- water, soil and the air. While many creative strategies have been attempted to get rid of these plastic bits, one unexpectedly effective solution for cleaning up drinking water, specifically, might be as simple as brewing a cup of tea or coffee. Boiling and filtering calcium-containing tap water could help remove nearly 90% of the nano- and microplastics present.

Protein-based drugs must be transported into cells in a way that prevents their immediate degradation. A new approach is intended to ensure that they remain intact only in certain cells, such as cancer cells. A Japanese research team has introduced a nanocarrier that can 'escape' from endosomes before its cargo is destroyed there. This ability to escape is only triggered within the endosomes of certain tumor cells.