Articles tagged with "nanotechnology"
Scientists develop painless biopsy patch thinner than a human hair
Scientists at King’s College London have developed a revolutionary biopsy patch embedded with nanoneedles that are 1,000 times thinner than a human hair, offering a painless, non-invasive alternative to traditional biopsies. Unlike conventional methods that require cutting or removing tissue, this patch gently extracts molecular information such as lipids, proteins, and mRNA directly from living cells without causing pain, scarring, or tissue destruction. This innovation could significantly improve diagnosis and monitoring of diseases like brain cancer and Alzheimer’s by enabling earlier detection and more frequent sampling, which was previously impossible with invasive biopsies. The patch’s development involved a multidisciplinary collaboration across King’s College London, the University of Edinburgh, and Ben Gurion University, combining expertise in nanoengineering, oncology, cell biology, and artificial intelligence. In preclinical studies, the patch successfully collected detailed molecular “fingerprints” from brain cancer tissues, with AI and mass spectrometry analyses providing real-time insights into disease progression and treatment response. The technology promises to
nanoneedlesbiopsy-patchnanotechnologymedical-devicespersonalized-medicineAI-in-healthcaremolecular-diagnosticsChina's scientists use rare mineral tellurium to restore vision in mice
Chinese scientists at Fudan University in Shanghai have developed an innovative artificial retina implant using tellurium nanowires that can restore vision in blind mice and improve vision in monkeys. Tellurium, a rare element with excellent photoelectric properties, mimics the function of photoreceptor cells by converting light—including infrared radiation—into electrical signals that the brain can interpret as images. The researchers created a mesh-like network of tellurium nanowires, called tellurium nanowire networks (TeNWNs), which when implanted into the retinas of blind animals, restored pupillary responses and activated the visual cortex. Blind mice implanted with the device performed nearly as well as sighted mice in pattern recognition tasks, and monkeys showed improved vision, including the ability to see infrared light, which is normally invisible to mammals. This breakthrough represents a potential first step toward bionic eyes with enhanced capabilities such as infrared “super sight.” While human trials are not imminent due to regulatory hurdles, the tellurium-based technology may lead to a new generation of artificial retinas that restore and augment vision. The research intersects nanotechnology, neuroscience, and materials science, with implications for medicine, military applications, and human enhancement. The study was published in the journal Science, highlighting tellurium’s strategic importance as China controls most of its production and its expanding use in solar panels, semiconductors, thermoelectric devices, and now neural vision implants.
materialsnanotechnologytelluriumartificial-retinaphotoreceptor-cellsinfrared-visionbionic-eyesInsects help scientists create powerful new materials from nanocarbons
Researchers at Japan’s RIKEN Pioneering Research Institute and Center for Sustainable Resource Science have developed an innovative technique called “in-insect synthesis,” which uses insects as living chemical reactors to create and modify complex nanocarbon molecules. Led by Kenichiro Itami, the team focused on tobacco cutworm caterpillars, leveraging their powerful digestive enzymes to perform precise chemical modifications that are difficult or inefficient in traditional laboratory settings. By feeding the caterpillars a nanocarbon molecule known as [6]MCPP, the insects converted it into a fluorescent derivative, [6]MCPP-oxylene, through an oxidation reaction catalyzed by two specific enzymes, CYP X2 and CYP X3. This enzymatic process was confirmed through advanced analytical techniques and genetic analysis, demonstrating a level of chemical precision not achievable by current lab methods. This breakthrough highlights the potential of using biological systems, such as insects, enzymes, and microbes, to manufacture advanced materials with high efficiency and specificity. The discovery that caterpillar enzymes can insert oxygen atoms into carbon–carbon bonds in nanocarbons opens new avenues for producing functional molecules for applications in aerospace, electronics, and battery technology. The research team envisions further optimization of this approach through genetic tools like CRISPR and directed evolution, enabling the programming of insects to synthesize a wide range of valuable compounds, from glowing sensors to pharmaceuticals. This novel strategy represents a paradigm shift in materials science, moving away from traditional chemical synthesis toward bioengineered production platforms.
materialsnanocarbonsinsect-enzymeschemical-synthesisadvanced-materialsnanotechnologybiotechnologyPhysicists create world’s smallest violin that’s thinner than hair
materialsnanotechnologynanolithographyelectronicsenergy-harvestingprecision-engineeringmicrofabricationSwiss scientists makes make infrared light visible with tiny lens
materialslithium-niobatenanotechnologyoptical-componentsinfrared-technologyphotonicsnanoscale-patternsWorld's smallest atomic-scale semiconductor produces solar hydrogen
semiconductorsolar-hydrogenphotocatalystquantum-materialsenergy-solutionsnanotechnologysustainable-energyPhân tử mới có thể cách mạng hóa ngành sản xuất chip
materialssemiconductororganic-moleculeselectrical-conductivitychip-productionnanotechnologyenergy-efficiency