Volume 4 Issue 9, September 2009

By analysing publication and citation data, it is possible to explore the relationships between nanoscience and nanotechnology and the rest of science and technology.

Most scientists think of science as completely objective, but lab studies by social scientists — including several carried out in nanotechnology labs — suggest that it is more subjective than many scientists realize. Chris Toumey looks at the results of these studies.

Fullerene molecules make small holes when they adsorb onto a silver substrate.

DNA origami tiles can bind to shape-complementary sites on lithographically patterned surfaces.

A new formulation of magnetic nanoparticles steered to cells by external magnets can deliver nucleic acids to turn off the growth of tumour blood vessels in mice.

An array of quantum dots can be created inside a carbon nanotube simply by placing it on a crystalline metal substrate.

Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy is used as a quantitative method to understand the binding and exchange behaviour of proteins on the surfaces of nanoparticles.

The performance of photodetectors based on quantum dots may be improved by exploiting a process called multiple exciton generation.

The electronic properties of graphene can be changed by exploiting its unusual thermal properties to introduce periodic ripples with given wavelengths and amplitudes.

The latest results on electron transport in single molecules in solid-state devices are reviewed. The strength of the coupling between the molecules and the electrodes strongly influences the phenomena that are observed.

Individual DNA origami shapes can be positioned and aligned on technologically useful substrates that have been patterned using electron-beam lithography and dry oxidative etching.

Ripples in suspended graphene sheets are created in a controlled manner, opening new possibilities for the engineering of graphene's properties.

Arrays of quantum dots are produced in carbon nanotubes as a result of the interaction between the nanotubes and a substrate, and show quantized energy-level splittings.

Semiconductor quantum dots with both plasmonic and fluorescent signatures have been fabricated by controlling the distance between the core of the dot and an ultrathin gold shell to nanometre precision.

The structure and dynamics of proteins interacting with nanoparticles is quantitatively characterized using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy.

The dynamic production of oxidants inside cells can be quantified by a probe based on a single nanoparticle, offering a tool to monitor and understand how cells regulate their signalling responses.

The mechanical wear experienced by an atomic force microscope tip moving along a surface can be eliminated by modulating the force acting on the tip.

Transparent films of titania nanotubes up to 30-μm long are fabricated on transparent conducting oxide glass, and used to make dye-sensitized solar cells.

A new magnetic nanoparticle vector successfully delivers and silences genes in cells and tumours in mice without adverse side effects.