Advance online publication
The latest research papers, published online ahead of print. These online versions are definitive and may be cited using the digital object identifier (DOI).
About advance online publicationCommentary
Late lessons from early warnings for nanotechnology
Steffen Foss Hansen, Andrew Maynard, Anders Baun & Joel A. Tickner
Published online: 20 July 2008; | doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.198
A new technology will only be successful if those promoting it can show that it is safe, but history is littered with examples of promising technologies that never fulfilled their true potential and/or caused untold damage because early warnings about safety problems were ignored. The nanotechnology community stands to benefit by learning lessons from this history.
Full Text - Late lessons from early warnings for nanotechnology | PDF (221 KB) - Late lessons from early warnings for nanotechnology
Letters
Approaching ballistic transport in suspended graphene
Xu Du, Ivan Skachko, Anthony Barker & Eva Y. Andrei
Published online: 20 July 2008; | doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.199
The novel electronic properties of graphene can be compromised when it is supported on an insulating substrate. However, suspended graphene samples can display low-temperature mobility values that cannot be attained in semiconductors or non-suspended graphene, and the conductivity approaches ballistic values at liquid-helium temperatures.
Abstract - | Full Text - Approaching ballistic transport in suspended graphene | PDF (416 KB) - Approaching ballistic transport in suspended graphene | Supplementary information
An atomic-resolution nanomechanical mass sensor
K. Jensen, Kwanpyo Kim & A. Zettl
Published online: 20 July 2008; | doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.200
Nanoscale mechanical resonators can make precision measurements of force, position and mass. Atomic resolution in mass sensing at room temperature has now been demonstrated with a carbon nanotube-based resonator that essentially operates as a mass spectrometer. The atomic equivalent of shot noise has also been detected.
Abstract - | Full Text - An atomic-resolution nanomechanical mass sensor | PDF (404 KB) - An atomic-resolution nanomechanical mass sensor | Supplementary information
Control of enhanced Raman scattering using a DNA-based assembly process of dye-coded nanoparticles
Duncan Graham, David G. Thompson, W. Ewen Smith & Karen Faulds
Published online: 11 July 2008; | doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.189
Base-pairing drives the assembly of dye-functionalized nanoparticles that have complementary DNA strands attached. This aggregation leads to a massive enhancement of the resonant Raman signal, which may prove useful for sensing applications.
Abstract - | Full Text - Control of enhanced Raman scattering using a DNA-based assembly process of dye-coded nanoparticles | PDF (320 KB) - Control of enhanced Raman scattering using a DNA-based assembly process of dye-coded nanoparticles | Supplementary information
Ultrasonically driven nanomechanical single-electron shuttle
Daniel R. Koenig, Eva M. Weig & Jorg P. Kotthaus
Published online: 06 July 2008; | doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.178
Quantum co-tunnelling through a single-electron transistor limits its performance for many applications. Researchers have now built a nanomechanical single-electron shuttle driven by ultrasound waves in which co-tunnelling is suppressed. This approach could lead to the development of high-performance nanomechanical single-electron devices. (Summary revised 8 July 2008)
Abstract - | Full Text - Ultrasonically driven nanomechanical single-electron shuttle | PDF (320 KB) - Ultrasonically driven nanomechanical single-electron shuttle
Ultrasensitive hot-electron nanobolometers for terahertz astrophysics
Jian Wei, David Olaya, Boris S. Karasik, Sergey V. Pereverzev, Andrei V. Sergeev & Michael E. Gershenson
Published online: 06 July 2008; | doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.173
By carefully controlling the heat capacity and other thermal properties of a superconducting hot-electron nanobolometer, researchers have built a device that is sufficiently sensitive to detect single terahertz photons, making it suitable for use in a future space-based terahertz telescope.
Abstract - | Full Text - Ultrasensitive hot-electron nanobolometers for terahertz astrophysics | PDF (248 KB) - Ultrasensitive hot-electron nanobolometers for terahertz astrophysics
Formation and enhanced biocidal activity of water-dispersable organic nanoparticles
Haifei Zhang, Dong Wang, Rachel Butler, Neil L. Campbell, James Long, Bien Tan, David J. Duncalf, Alison J. Foster, Andrew Hopkinson, David Taylor, Doris Angus, Andrew I. Cooper & Steven P. Rannard
Published online: 06 July 2008; | doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.188
Aqueous dispersions of nanoparticles of Triclosan — a commercial antimicrobial agent — display better biocidal activity than organic solutions of the same agent. The nanoparticles are produced by a combination of modified emulsion-templating and freeze-drying.
Abstract - | Full Text - Formation and enhanced biocidal activity of water-dispersable organic nanoparticles | PDF (537 KB) - Formation and enhanced biocidal activity of water-dispersable organic nanoparticles | Supplementary information
Engineered elastomeric proteins with dual elasticity can be controlled by a molecular regulator
Yi Cao & Hongbin Li
Published online: 29 June 2008; | doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.168
Elastomeric proteins similar to those found in many biological tissues have been engineered so that they can behave as springs or shock absorbers.
Abstract - | Full Text - Engineered elastomeric proteins with dual elasticity can be controlled by a molecular regulator | PDF (572 KB) - Engineered elastomeric proteins with dual elasticity can be controlled by a molecular regulator | Supplementary information
Contact and edge effects in graphene devices
Eduardo J. H. Lee, Kannan Balasubramanian, Ralf Thomas Weitz, Marko Burghard & Klaus Kern
Published online: 29 June 2008; | doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.172
Scanning photocurrent microscopy has revealed that metal contacts lead to potential steps that act as transport barriers in graphene devices. The formation of p-type conducting edges surrounding a central n-type channel has also been observed at low carrier densities.
Abstract - | Full Text - Contact and edge effects in graphene devices | PDF (391 KB) - Contact and edge effects in graphene devices | Supplementary information
Formation of chiral branched nanowires by the Eshelby Twist
Jia Zhu, Hailin Peng, A. F. Marshall, D. M. Barnett, W. D. Nix & Yi Cui
Published online: 29 June 2008; | doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.179
The electrical, optical and mechanical properties of nanowires depend on their morphology. Nanowires that possess both chirality and a branched structure may therefore possess new material properties. Such nanowires can be formed by vapour–liquid–solid branching from a central PbSe nanowire with an axial screw dislocation.
Abstract - | Full Text - Formation of chiral branched nanowires by the Eshelby Twist | PDF (827 KB) - Formation of chiral branched nanowires by the Eshelby Twist
Imaging nanoparticles in cells by nanomechanical holography
Laurene Tetard, Ali Passian, Katherine T. Venmar, Rachel M. Lynch, Brynn H. Voy, Gajendra Shekhawat, Vinayak P. Dravid & Thomas Thundat
Published online: 22 June 2008; | doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.162
Scanning near-field ultrasonic holography has been used to probe inside cells taken from the lungs of mice that had been exposed to carbon nanohorns, and provides evidence that these particles can enter the cells. The ability to detect nanoparticles below the cell surface could make this technique useful for studying toxicity of nanomaterials.
Abstract - | Full Text - Imaging nanoparticles in cells by nanomechanical holography | PDF (725 KB) - Imaging nanoparticles in cells by nanomechanical holography | Supplementary information
Until print versions of AOP papers are published, they should be cited in the style "Author(s) Nature Nanotechnology advance online publication, day month year (doi:10.1038/nnanoXXXXX)". Once the print version (identical to the AOP) is published, it should be cited as follows: "Author(s) Nature Nanotechnology volume, page (year); advance online publication, (doi:10.1038/nnanoXXXXX)".
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