Nature Nanotechnology - CURRENT ISSUE : August 2008 - Vol 3 No 8
- Nanowires branch out
- Photon detectors: Nanotechnology in space
- Probe microscopy: Looking inside cells
- Graphene: Nanoelectronics goes flat out
LATEST HIGHLIGHTS
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Molecular junctions
Article by Wu et al.Experiments to explore electron transport in single molecules generally involve the use of chemical linker groups at both ends of the molecule to firmly anchor it to the electrical contacts. Here it is shown that oligo–phenylene ethynylene molecules with a single anchor group can form molecular junctions as well. The process is attributed to aromatic stacking between neighboring molecules in nearby electrodes.
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Medical imaging
de la Zerda et al.Photoacoustic imaging offers higher spatial resolution than most optical imaging techniques, but contrast agents are needed in medical applications. The use of single–walled carbon nanotubes conjugated with a peptide as a contrast agent allows the non–invasive photoacoustic imaging of tumours in animals.
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Molecular shuttles
Letter by Nitzsche et al.A combination of quantum dots and fluorescence–interference contrast microscopy can be used to monitor the rotation of microtubules with nanometre accuracy as they glide over motor proteins. This approach shows that the microtubules stop rotating when they pick up large cargos, but their velocity does not change.
HOT TOPIC
Graphene production and processing
Research Highlights
Programming DNA nanotubes, designing particles for cell uptake, and decorating carbon nanotubes with quantum dots.
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Nanomaterials
Article by Peng et al.The mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes rarely match the values predicted by theory. However, by avoiding chemical treatments during sample preparation and using high–resolution imaging, it is possible to obtain values of the mean fracture strength that are close to theoretical predictions.