Keeping the public under the microscope - p695

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.320

New research confirms that the proportion of the public that knows about nanotechnology has reached a plateau, which means that it is now necessary to develop new approaches to explore public perceptions in greater detail than before.

Full Text - Keeping the public under the microscope | PDF (81 KB) - Keeping the public under the microscope

Subject Category: Ethical, legal and other societal issues

God in the lab - pp696 - 697

Chris Toumey

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.321

Surveys have found that almost half of all scientists in the US are religious. Chris Toumey explores what this might mean for nanotechnology.

Full Text - God in the lab | PDF (179 KB) - God in the lab

Subject Category: Ethical, legal and other societal issues

Nanoparticles offer hope for TB detection - pp698 - 699

Ai Lin Chun

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.322

Combining magnetic nanoparticles, microfluidics and nuclear magnetic resonance could transform the way tuberculosis and other diseases are diagnosed.

Full Text - Nanoparticles offer hope for TB detection | PDF (204 KB) - Nanoparticles offer hope for TB detection

Subject Category: Nanomedicine

Our choice from the recent literature - pp700 - 701

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.323

Full Text - Our choice from the recent literature | PDF (173 KB) - Our choice from the recent literature

Top down bottom up: Ring cycle - p701

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.324

The cooling rates of fullerene ions have been measured at a storage ring in Japan.

Full Text - Top down bottom upRing cycle | PDF (133 KB) - Top down bottom upRing cycle

Subject Category: Carbon nanotubes and fullerenes

Polymers: Performing under pressure - pp703 - 704

Thomas P. Russell & Dong Hyun Lee

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.328

Most probe-based approaches to data storage rely on heating a polymer substrate with a tip, but a new approach relies on pressure instead.

Full Text - PolymersPerforming under pressure | PDF (290 KB) - PolymersPerforming under pressure

Subject Categories: Electronic properties and devices | Nanomaterials | Surface patterning and imaging

Optomechanical crystals: Periodic nanobeams bring light and sound together - p704

Owain Vaughan

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.325

Full Text - Optomechanical crystalsPeriodic nanobeams bring light and sound together | PDF (216 KB) - Optomechanical crystalsPeriodic nanobeams bring light and sound together

Subject Categories: NEMS | Photonic structures and devices

Nanotechnology and society: The evolution of risk perceptions - pp705 - 706

Dan M. Kahan

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.329

A meta-analysis of surveys about public perceptions of the risks and benefits associated with nanotechnology suggests that further research is needed to help us better understand and, perhaps, inform public attitudes to nanotechnology.

Full Text - Nanotechnology and societyThe evolution of risk perceptions | PDF (110 KB) - Nanotechnology and societyThe evolution of risk perceptions

Subject Category: Ethical, legal and other societal issues

Nanophotonics: Lasers go beyond diffraction limit - pp706 - 707

Martin T. Hill

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.330

Two groups of researchers have shown that the minimum size of a laser need not be restricted by the wavelength of light it emits, provoking a rethink of what optics and lasers can do at the nanoscale.

Full Text - NanophotonicsLasers go beyond diffraction limit | PDF (129 KB) - NanophotonicsLasers go beyond diffraction limit

Subject Category: Photonic structures and devices

Nanophotonics: Free electrons get light out of a hole - pp707 - 708

Gordon Robb

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.331

A device called a light well might form the basis of a tunable nanoscale laser.

Full Text - NanophotonicsFree electrons get light out of a hole | PDF (150 KB) - NanophotonicsFree electrons get light out of a hole

Subject Category: Photonic structures and devices

Nanotoxicology: New insights into nanotubes - pp708 - 710

Ken Donaldson & Craig A. Poland

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.327

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes inhaled by mice can reach the outer lining of the lungs and cause scarring.

Full Text - NanotoxicologyNew insights into nanotubes | PDF (280 KB) - NanotoxicologyNew insights into nanotubes

Subject Category: Environmental, health and safety issues

Bioimaging: Second window for in vivo imaging - pp710 - 711

Andrew M. Smith, Michael C. Mancini & Shuming Nie

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.326

Enhanced fluorescence from carbon nanotubes and advances in near-infrared cameras have opened up a new wavelength window for small animal imaging.

Full Text - BioimagingSecond window for in vivo imaging | PDF (181 KB) - BioimagingSecond window for in vivo imaging

Subject Category: Nanomedicine

Principles and applications of nanofluidic transport - pp713 - 720

W. Sparreboom, A. van den Berg & J. C. T. Eijkel

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.332

The emergence of new fluid phenomena at the nanoscale will have applications in separation science and energy conversion.

Abstract - Principles and applications of nanofluidic transport | Full Text - Principles and applications of nanofluidic transport | PDF (367 KB) - Principles and applications of nanofluidic transport

Subject Category: Nanofluidics

Self-assembly of soft nanoparticles with tunable patchiness - pp721 - 726

Thomas M. Hermans, Maarten A. C. Broeren, Nikos Gomopoulos, Paul van der Schoot, Marcel H. P. van Genderen, Nico A. J. M. Sommerdijk, George Fytas & E. W. Meijer

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.232

Nanoparticles with dynamic patches can form reversible self-assembled structures in aqueous solution that become topologically more connected on dilution.

Abstract - Self-assembly of soft nanoparticles with tunable patchiness | Full Text - Self-assembly of soft nanoparticles with tunable patchiness | PDF (954 KB) - Self-assembly of soft nanoparticles with tunable patchiness | Supplementary information

Subject Categories: Molecular self-assembly | Nanoparticles

Ultrahigh-density phase-change data storage without the use of heating - pp727 - 731

Ara Jo, Wonchul Joo, Won-Hyeog Jin, Hyojin Nam & Jin Kon Kim

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.260

A data-storage density of 1 Tb in^-2 has been demonstrated in phase-change memory without the use of heating.

Abstract - Ultrahigh-density phase-change data storage without the use of heating | Full Text - Ultrahigh-density phase-change data storage without the use of heating | PDF (925 KB) - Ultrahigh-density phase-change data storage without the use of heating | Supplementary information

Subject Categories: Electronic properties and devices | Nanomaterials | Surface patterning and imaging

See also: News and Views by Russell & Lee

Strain engineering and one-dimensional organization of metal–insulator domains in single-crystal vanadium dioxide beams - pp732 - 737

J. Cao, E. Ertekin, V. Srinivasan, W. Fan, S. Huang, H. Zheng, J. W. L. Yim, D. R. Khanal, D. F. Ogletree, J. C. Grossman & J. Wu

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.266

Strain has been used to engineer the structure of metallic and insulating domains in vanadium dioxide, such that a Mott transition can take place at room temperature.

Abstract - Strain engineering and one-dimensional organization of metal-insulator domains in single-crystal vanadium dioxide beams | Full Text - Strain engineering and one-dimensional organization of metal–insulator domains in single-crystal vanadium dioxide beams | PDF (1,275 KB) - Strain engineering and one-dimensional organization of metal–insulator domains in single-crystal vanadium dioxide beams | Supplementary information

Subject Categories: Electronic properties and devices | NEMS | Structural properties

Electrochromatic carbon nanotube/polydiacetylene nanocomposite fibres - pp738 - 741

Huisheng Peng, Xuemei Sun, Fangjing Cai, Xuli Chen, Yinchao Zhu, Guipan Liao, Daoyong Chen, Qingwen Li, Yunfeng Lu, Yuntian Zhu & Quanxi Jia

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.264

Nanocomposite fibres that display rapid and reversible changes of colour when an electric current is passed through them could have applications in sensing.

Abstract - Electrochromatic carbon nanotube/polydiacetylene nanocomposite fibres | Full Text - Electrochromatic carbon nanotube/polydiacetylene nanocomposite fibres | PDF (756 KB) - Electrochromatic carbon nanotube/polydiacetylene nanocomposite fibres | Supplementary information

Subject Categories: Electronic properties and devices | Nanomaterials | Organic-inorganic nanostructures

Selective and sensitive detection of metal ions by plasmonic resonance energy transfer-based nanospectroscopy - pp742 - 746

Yeonho Choi, Younggeun Park, Taewook Kang & Luke P. Lee

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.258

Metal-ion detection on the basis of plasmonic resonance energy transfer is proposed and demonstrated in a proof-of-concept experiment by detecting copper ions down to one nanomole with high selectively.

Abstract - Selective and sensitive detection of metal ions by plasmonic resonance energy transfer-based nanospectroscopy | Full Text - Selective and sensitive detection of metal ions by plasmonic resonance energy transfer-based nanospectroscopy | PDF (644 KB) - Selective and sensitive detection of metal ions by plasmonic resonance energy transfer-based nanospectroscopy | Supplementary information

Subject Category: Nanosensors and other devices

Inhaled carbon nanotubes reach the subpleural tissue in mice - pp747 - 751

Jessica P. Ryman-Rasmussen, Mark F. Cesta, Arnold R. Brody, Jeanette K. Shipley-Phillips, Jeffrey I. Everitt, Earl W. Tewksbury, Owen R. Moss, Brian A. Wong, Darol E. Dodd, Melvin E. Andersen & James C. Bonner

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.305

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes inhaled by mice reach the outer lining of the lungs and cause unique pathological changes.

Abstract - Inhaled carbon nanotubes reach the subpleural tissue in mice | Full Text - Inhaled carbon nanotubes reach the subpleural tissue in mice | PDF (4,124 KB) - Inhaled carbon nanotubes reach the subpleural tissue in mice | Supplementary information

Subject Category: Environmental, health and safety issues

See also: News and Views by Donaldson & Poland

Anticipating the perceived risk of nanotechnologies - pp752 - 758

Terre Satterfield, Milind Kandlikar, Christian E. H. Beaudrie, Joseph Conti & Barbara Herr Harthorn

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.265

A meta-analysis of surveys of public attitudes to nanotechnology reveals that public perceptions are malleable, so new methods for understanding future responses need to be developed.

Abstract - Anticipating the perceived risk of nanotechnologies | Full Text - Anticipating the perceived risk of nanotechnologies | PDF (444 KB) - Anticipating the perceived risk of nanotechnologies | Supplementary information

Subject Category: Ethical, legal and other societal issues

See also: News and Views by Kahan

All-electric quantum point contact spin-polarizer - pp759 - 764

P. Debray, S. M. S. Rahman, J. Wan, R. S. Newrock, M. Cahay, A. T. Ngo, S. E. Ulloa, S. T. Herbert, M. Muhammad & M. Johnson

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.240

Experimental evidence is presented showing that strong spin polarization in side-gated quantum point contacts can be achieved electrically, making these structures attractive for future spintronic applications.

Abstract - All-electric quantum point contact spin-polarizer | Full Text - All-electric quantum point contact spin-polarizer | PDF (700 KB) - All-electric quantum point contact spin-polarizer | Supplementary information

Subject Category: Nanomagnetism and spintronics

Translocation of double-stranded DNA through membrane-adapted phi29 motor protein nanopores - pp765 - 772

David Wendell, Peng Jing, Jia Geng, Varuni Subramaniam, Tae Jin Lee, Carlo Montemagno & Peixuan Guo

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.259

Proteins isolated from a specific type of virus have channels that are wide enough to allow double-stranded DNA to pass through, offering a new conductive biological pore for various applications including DNA sequencing.

Abstract - Translocation of double-stranded DNA through membrane-adapted phi29 motor protein nanopores | Full Text - Translocation of double-stranded DNA through membrane-adapted phi29 motor protein nanopores | PDF (1,291 KB) - Translocation of double-stranded DNA through membrane-adapted phi29 motor protein nanopores | Supplementary information

Subject Category: Nanobiotechnology

A route to brightly fluorescent carbon nanotubes for near-infrared imaging in mice - pp773 - 780

Kevin Welsher, Zhuang Liu, Sarah P. Sherlock, Joshua Tucker Robinson, Zhuo Chen, Dan Daranciang & Hongjie Dai

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.294

Single-walled carbon nanotubes can be modified into bright and biocompatible agents for high resolution whole-animal imaging at wavelengths in the 1100–1700 nm region.

Abstract - A route to brightly fluorescent carbon nanotubes for near-infrared imaging in mice | Full Text - A route to brightly fluorescent carbon nanotubes for near-infrared imaging in mice | PDF (944 KB) - A route to brightly fluorescent carbon nanotubes for near-infrared imaging in mice | Supplementary information

Subject Categories: Electronic properties and devices | Nanomaterials | Organic-inorganic nanostructures

See also: News and Views by Smith et al.