ScienceDaily: Matter & Energy News

3-D 'pop-up' silicon structures: Transforming planar materials into 3-D microarchitectures Posted: 08 Jan 2015 11:47 AM PST Researchers have invented simple routes to complex classes of 3-D micro/nanostructures in high performance materials, with relevance to electronics, photovoltaics, batteries, biomedical devices, and other microsystems technologies.

Neuroprosthetics for paralysis: Biocompatible, flexible implant slips into the spinal cord Posted: 08 Jan 2015 11:47 AM PST New therapies are on the horizon for individuals paralyzed following spinal cord injury. The e-Dura implant can be applied directly to the spinal cord without causing damage and inflammation, scientists report.

Solving a case of intercellular entrapment Posted: 08 Jan 2015 11:14 AM PST Optogenetics, which uses light to control cellular events, is poised to become an important technology in molecular biology and beyond. Now researchers report that they have made a major contribution to this emergent field by developing a light-activated nanocarrier that transports proteins into cells and releases them on command.

Exposure to nanoparticles may threaten heart health Posted: 08 Jan 2015 11:13 AM PST While nanotechnology has led to countless advancements, a group of researchers is now raising a flag of caution about its effects on our health. They say exposure to tiny silica-based particles can play a big role in increasing heart attack and stroke risks.

Compact batteries enhanced by spontaneous silver matrix formations Posted: 08 Jan 2015 11:13 AM PST A conductive silver matrix forming inside an otherwise poorly performing battery enhances its efficiency and potential applications. X-rays revealed where, when, and how these nanoscale "bridges" emerge.

Emissions-free cars get closer Posted: 08 Jan 2015 09:59 AM PST Hydrogen fuel cells -- possibly the best option for emission-free vehicles -- require costly platinum. Nickel and other metals work but aren't nearly as efficient. New findings help pin down the basic mechanisms of the fuel-cell reaction on platinum, which will help researchers create alternative electrocatalysts.

Moving origami techniques forward for self-folding 3-D structures Posted: 08 Jan 2015 08:37 AM PST Though the past 15 years have seen an exciting run of creative scientific advances in fabricating three-dimensional (3-D) structures by self-folding of 2-D sheets, the complexity of structures achieved to date falls far short of what can easily be folded by hand using paper, says a polymer scientist. Now he has developed an approach that could open the door to a new wave of discoveries.

Students testing Indian toilets Posted: 08 Jan 2015 08:35 AM PST A group students and researchers spent New Year’s in an unconventional way -- installing sanitation systems in India. The systems employ breathable fabric, the sort you'd find in raincoats and tents, to contain waste and protect nearby groundwater from contamination.

Breathing in diesel exhaust leads to changes 'deep under the hood' Posted: 08 Jan 2015 07:07 AM PST Diesel exhaust switches some genes on, while switching others off, by altering the methylation of DNA, scientists say.

Quantum optical hard drive breakthrough Posted: 08 Jan 2015 07:06 AM PST Scientists developing a prototype optical quantum hard drive have improved storage time by a factor of over 100. The team's record storage time of six hours is a major step towards a secure worldwide data encryption network based on quantum information which could be used for banking transactions and personal emails.

Preventing transformer explosions Posted: 08 Jan 2015 06:20 AM PST Technology used in the crumple zones of cars can avert serious explosions in transformers, believe researchers. Large oil filled transformers are found in all power and switching stations, as well as in many large buildings. If an internal short-circuit occurs, an electrical arc, gas formation and pressure increase will be the result.

Defying the Achilles heel of 'wonder material' graphene: Resilience to extreme conditions Posted: 08 Jan 2015 05:48 AM PST A resilience to extreme conditions by the most transparent, lightweight and flexible material for conducting electricity could help revolutionize the electronic industry, according to a new study. Researchers have discovered that a material adapted from the 'wonder material' graphene can withstand prolonged exposure to both high temperature and humidity.

Magic numbers of quantum matter revealed by cold atoms Posted: 08 Jan 2015 05:44 AM PST Topology, a branch of mathematics classifying geometric objects, has been exploited by physicists to predict and describe unusual quantum phases: the topological states of matter. These intriguing phases, generally accessible at very low temperature, exhibit unique conductivity properties which are particularly robust against external perturbations, suggesting promising technological applications. The great stability of topological states relies on a set of magic integers, the so-called Chern numbers, which remain immune to defects and deformations. For the first time scientists have succeeded in measuring the topological Chern number in a non-electronic system with high precision.

Transformations of diazo compounds catalyzed by environmentally benign iron complexes Posted: 06 Jan 2015 07:27 AM PST Iron can undergo facile changes in its oxidation state and possesses a distinct Lewis acid character. These properties have afforded iron a privileged position as a catalyst in the transformations of diazo compounds. In a new study, scientists review recent research on iron-catalyzed diazo transformation reactions. They also outline iron's potential as an inexpensive and environmentally benign alternative to precious metals, including rhodium, used in catalytic systems.