Nanotoxicology: New insights into nanotubes

Ken Donaldson & Craig A. Poland

Published online: 25 October 2009 | 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 (175 KB) - NanotoxicologyNew insights into nanotubes

Design considerations for tumour-targeted nanoparticles

Hak Soo Choi, Wenhao Liu, Fangbing Liu, Khaled Nasr, Preeti Misra, Moungi G. Bawendi & John V. Frangioni

Published online: 01 November 2009 | doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.314

Nanoparticles functionalized with ligands that target tumours can be cleared from the body through the kidneys if they have a hydrodynamic diameter of less than 5.5 nm.

Abstract - | Full Text - Design considerations for tumour-targeted nanoparticles | PDF (802 KB) - Design considerations for tumour-targeted nanoparticles | Supplementary information

True solutions of single-walled carbon nanotubes for assembly into macroscopic materials

Virginia A. Davis, A. Nicholas G. Parra-Vasquez, Micah J. Green, Pradeep K. Rai, Natnael Behabtu, Valentin Prieto, Richard D. Booker, Judith Schmidt, Ellina Kesselman, Wei Zhou, Hua Fan, W. Wade Adams, Robert H. Hauge, John E. Fischer, Yachin Cohen, Yeshayahu Talmon, Richard E. Smalley & Matteo Pasquali

Published online: 01 November 2009 | doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.302

The phase diagram of single-walled carbon nanotubes in superacids is reported, including true solutions, which are suitable for processing into aligned nanomaterials.

Abstract - | Full Text - True solutions of single-walled carbon nanotubes for assembly into macroscopic materials | PDF (651 KB) - True solutions of single-walled carbon nanotubes for assembly into macroscopic materials | Supplementary information

Nanomechanical motion measured with an imprecision below that at the standard quantum limit

J. D. Teufel, T. Donner, M. A. Castellanos-Beltran, J. W. Harlow & K. W. Lehnert

Published online: 01 November 2009 | doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.343

The motion of a nanomechanical oscillator has been measured with ultrahigh precision using a microwave interferometer that operates close to the shot-noise limit.

Abstract - | Full Text - Nanomechanical motion measured with an imprecision below that at the standard quantum limit | PDF (1,324 KB) - Nanomechanical motion measured with an imprecision below that at the standard quantum limit | Supplementary information

Inhaled carbon nanotubes reach the subpleural tissue in mice

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

Published online: 25 October 2009 | 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 - | Full Text - Inhaled carbon nanotubes reach the subpleural tissue in mice | PDF (4,123 KB) - Inhaled carbon nanotubes reach the subpleural tissue in mice | Supplementary information

See also: News and Views by Donaldson & Poland

Self-assembled arrays of peptide nanotubes by vapour deposition

Lihi Adler-Abramovich, Daniel Aronov, Peter Beker, Maya Yevnin, Shiri Stempler, Ludmila Buzhansky, Gil Rosenman & Ehud Gazit

Published online: 18 October 2009 | doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.298

Large arrays of aligned aromatic peptide nanotubes can be fabricated using vapour deposition methods, and used for energy storage and microfluidic devices.

Abstract - | Full Text - Self-assembled arrays of peptide nanotubes by vapour deposition | PDF (3,039 KB) - Self-assembled arrays of peptide nanotubes by vapour deposition | Supplementary information

Single-crystalline kinked semiconductor nanowire superstructures

Bozhi Tian, Ping Xie, Thomas J. Kempa, David C. Bell & Charles M. Lieber

Published online: 18 October 2009 | doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.304

Zigzag nanowires containing field-effect transistors and p–n diodes at the kinks have been made with a new growth technique.

Abstract - | Full Text - Single-crystalline kinked semiconductor nanowire superstructures | PDF (868 KB) - Single-crystalline kinked semiconductor nanowire superstructures | Supplementary information

Ultrafast graphene photodetector

Fengnian Xia, Thomas Mueller, Yu-ming Lin, Alberto Valdes-Garcia & Phaedon Avouris

Published online: 11 October 2009 | doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.292

Field-effect transistors made from graphene act as photodetectors at frequencies up to 40 GHz, demonstrating the advantage offered by graphene for photonic applications.

Abstract - | Full Text - Ultrafast graphene photodetector | PDF (1,421 KB) - Ultrafast graphene photodetector | Supplementary information

Atomic-scale mapping of quantum dots formed by droplet epitaxy

Divine P. Kumah, Sergey Shusterman, Yossi Paltiel, Yizhak Yacoby & Roy Clarke

Published online: 27 September 2009 | doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.271

Semiconductor quantum dots grown by droplet epitaxy have been characterized with atomic resolution using direct X-ray methods, showing a core–shell structure with a composition that is strongly influenced by the substrate.

Abstract - | Full Text - Atomic-scale mapping of quantum dots formed by droplet epitaxy | PDF (470 KB) - Atomic-scale mapping of quantum dots formed by droplet epitaxy | Supplementary information

Programming the detection limits of biosensors through controlled nanostructuring

Leyla Soleymani, Zhichao Fang, Edward H. Sargent & Shana O. Kelley

Published online: 27 September 2009 | doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.276

Creating fine nanostructures on sensing electrodes can improve and expand the detection sensitivities of biosensors for nucleic acids

Abstract - | Full Text - Programming the detection limits of biosensors through controlled nanostructuring | PDF (793 KB) - Programming the detection limits of biosensors through controlled nanostructuring | Supplementary information

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

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

Published online: 13 September 2009 | 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 - | Full Text - Strain engineering and one-dimensional organization of metal–insulator domains in single-crystal vanadium dioxide beams | PDF (1,276 KB) - Strain engineering and one-dimensional organization of metal–insulator domains in single-crystal vanadium dioxide beams | Supplementary information

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

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

Published online: 13 September 2009 | 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 - | Full Text - Ultrahigh-density phase-change data storage without the use of heating | PDF (908 KB) - Ultrahigh-density phase-change data storage without the use of heating | Supplementary information

Electrochromatic carbon nanotube/polydiacetylene nanocomposite fibres

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

Published online: 13 September 2009 | 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 - | Full Text - Electrochromatic carbon nanotube/polydiacetylene nanocomposite fibres | PDF (766 KB) - Electrochromatic carbon nanotube/polydiacetylene nanocomposite fibres | Supplementary information

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

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

Published online: 06 September 2009 | 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 - | Full Text - Selective and sensitive detection of metal ions by plasmonic resonance energy transfer-based nanospectroscopy | PDF (747 KB) - Selective and sensitive detection of metal ions by plasmonic resonance energy transfer-based nanospectroscopy | Supplementary information

Self-assembly of soft nanoparticles with tunable patchiness

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

Published online: 30 August 2009 | 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 - | Full Text - Self-assembly of soft nanoparticles with tunable patchiness | PDF (953 KB) - Self-assembly of soft nanoparticles with tunable patchiness | Supplementary information

Nanoparticles can cause DNA damage across a cellular barrier

Gevdeep Bhabra, Aman Sood, Brenton Fisher, Laura Cartwright, Margaret Saunders, William Howard Evans, Annmarie Surprenant, Gloria Lopez-Castejon, Stephen Mann, Sean A. Davis, Lauren A. Hails, Eileen Ingham, Paul Verkade, Jon Lane, Kate Heesom, Roger Newson & Charles Patrick Case

Published online: 05 November 2009 | doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.313

Nanoparticles can damage cellular DNA from a distance without entering the cells, suggesting the need to consider indirect effects when evaluating nanoparticle safety.

Abstract - | Full Text - Nanoparticles can cause DNA damage across a cellular barrier | PDF (787 KB) - Nanoparticles can cause DNA damage across a cellular barrier | Supplementary information

Deterministic control of ferroelastic switching in multiferroic materials

N. Balke, S. Choudhury, S. Jesse, M. Huijben, Y. H. Chu, A. P. Baddorf, L. Q. Chen, R. Ramesh & S. V. Kalinin

Published online: 11 October 2009 | doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.293

Ferroelectric domains in multiferroic materials can be engineered through the lateral motion of a biased scanning probe tip.

Abstract - | Full Text - Deterministic control of ferroelastic switching in multiferroic materials | PDF (1,178 KB) - Deterministic control of ferroelastic switching in multiferroic materials | Supplementary information

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

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

Published online: 11 October 2009 | 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 - | 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

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

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

Published online: 27 September 2009 | 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 - | Full Text - Translocation of double-stranded DNA through membrane-adapted phi29 motor protein nanopores | PDF (1,287 KB) - Translocation of double-stranded DNA through membrane-adapted phi29 motor protein nanopores | Supplementary information

Performance of monolayer graphene nanomechanical resonators with electrical readout

Changyao Chen, Sami Rosenblatt, Kirill I. Bolotin, William Kalb, Philip Kim, Ioannis Kymissis, Horst L. Stormer, Tony F. Heinz & James Hone

Published online: 20 September 2009 | doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.267

A detailed understanding of the response of graphene resonators to changes in mass and temperature could lead to the development of ultrasensitive mass detectors and other nanoelectromechanical systems.

Abstract - | Full Text - Performance of monolayer graphene nanomechanical resonators with electrical readout | PDF (4,012 KB) - Performance of monolayer graphene nanomechanical resonators with electrical readout | Supplementary information

Anticipating the perceived risk of nanotechnologies

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

Published online: 20 September 2009 | 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 - | Full Text - Anticipating the perceived risk of nanotechnologies | PDF (443 KB) - Anticipating the perceived risk of nanotechnologies | Supplementary information

All-electric quantum point contact spin-polarizer

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

Published online: 06 September 2009 | 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 - | Full Text - All-electric quantum point contact spin-polarizer | PDF (663 KB) - All-electric quantum point contact spin-polarizer | Supplementary information