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Gold nanoparticles play an important role in a number of technical applications ranging from optoelectronics to biosensing. An understanding of the morphology of these nanoparticles is important for these applications. For the first time, the precise internal distribution of strain in decahedral gold nanoparticles has been determined conclusively. These findings are of importance as they may enable engineering of the electronic and optical properties of such multiply twinned nanoparticles.
When a wire coat hanger is bent it becomes mechanically stronger because of the imperfections that are introduced. In situ electron microscopy now shows that small metal structures are strengthened not by adding but by removing imperfections.
Building blocks of DNA self-assemble into nanostructures in a kinetically controlled way. The versatile molecular system can be programmed to perform diverse dynamic functions.
The observation of long relaxation times and high-fidelity preparation promote the spin of a hole in a semiconductor quantum dot to the best position to be a contender for the role of a solid-state qubit.
The biologically inspired toolbox is well and truly open. From three-dimensional DNA assemblies to active catalysts inside the confines of a virus — biomolecules are finding a second, unnatural life.