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 publicationLetters
Carbon nanotubes as photoacoustic molecular imaging agents in living mice
Adam De La Zerda, Cristina Zavaleta, Shay Keren, Srikant Vaithilingam, Sunil Bodapati, Zhuang Liu, Jelena Levi, Bryan R. Smith, Te-Jen Ma, Omer Oralkan, Zhen Cheng, Xiaoyuan Chen, Hongjie Dai, Butrus T. Khuri-Yakub & Sanjiv S. Gambhir
Published online: 17 August 2008; | doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.231
Photoacoustic imaging offers higher spatial resolution than most optical imaging techniques, but contrast agents are needed because many diseases in their early stages do not display a natural photoacoustic contrast. Using single-walled carbon nanotubes conjugated with a peptide as a contrast agent allows the non-invasive photoacoustic imaging of tumours in animals.
Abstract - | Full Text - Carbon nanotubes as photoacoustic molecular imaging agents in living mice | PDF (567 KB) - Carbon nanotubes as photoacoustic molecular imaging agents in living mice | Supplementary information
Quantum-dot-assisted characterization of microtubule rotations during cargo transport
Bert Nitzsche, Felix Ruhnow & Stefan Diez
Published online: 10 August 2008; | doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.216
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.
Abstract - | Full Text - Quantum-dot-assisted characterization of microtubule rotations during cargo transport | PDF (514 KB) - Quantum-dot-assisted characterization of microtubule rotations during cargo transport | Supplementary information
Highly conducting graphene sheets and Langmuir–Blodgett films
Xiaolin Li, Guangyu Zhang, Xuedong Bai, Xiaoming Sun, Xinran Wang, Enge Wang & Hongjie Dai
Published online: 01 August 2008; | doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.210
The first samples of pristine graphene were obtained by 'peeling off' and epitaxial growth, but chemical approaches are more suited to large-scale production. Exfoliation, reintercalation and expansion of graphite can produce high-quality single-layer graphene sheets suspended in organic solvents, and these sheets can be made into large transparent films by Langmuir–Blodgett assembly.
Abstract - | Full Text - Highly conducting graphene sheets and Langmuir–Blodgett films | PDF (681 KB) - Highly conducting graphene sheets and Langmuir–Blodgett films | Supplementary information
Nanoparticle-assisted high photoconductive gain in composites of polymer and fullerene
Hsiang-Yu Chen, Michael K. F. Lo, Guanwen Yang, Harold G. Monbouquette & Yang Yang
Published online: 27 July 2008; | doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.206
The performance of state-of-the-art photovoltaic devices based on polymer–nanocrystal composites is still limited by the preparation of the composite films. By blending and annealing cadmium telluride nanocrystals in a polymer–fullerene matrix, high photoconductive gain can be achieved under low applied voltages.
Abstract - | Full Text - Nanoparticle-assisted high photoconductive gain in composites of polymer and fullerene | PDF (589 KB) - Nanoparticle-assisted high photoconductive gain in composites of polymer and fullerene | 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
Articles
Molecular junctions based on aromatic coupling
Songmei Wu, Maria Teresa González, Roman Huber, Sergio Grunder, Marcel Mayor, Christian Schönenberger & Michel Calame
Published online: 17 August 2008; | doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.237
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 source and drain 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 neighbouring molecules in nearby electrodes.
Abstract - | Full Text - Molecular junctions based on aromatic coupling | PDF (679 KB) - Molecular junctions based on aromatic coupling | Supplementary information
High-yield production of graphene by liquid-phase exfoliation of graphite
Yenny Hernandez, Valeria Nicolosi, Mustafa Lotya, Fiona M. Blighe, Zhenyu Sun, Sukanta De, I. T. McGovern, Brendan Holland, Michele Byrne, Yurii K. Gun'Ko, John J. Boland, Peter Niraj, Georg Duesberg, Satheesh Krishnamurthy, Robbie Goodhue, John Hutchison, Vittorio Scardaci, Andrea C. Ferrari & Jonathan N. Coleman
Published online: 10 August 2008; | doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.215
Fully exploiting the properties of graphene will require a method for the mass production of this remarkable material. The dispersion and exfoliation of graphite in organic solvents can produce graphene monolayers with a yield of about 1% by weight. Moreover, these samples are free from defects and oxides, and can be used to produce semi-transparent conducting films and conducting composites.
Abstract - | Full Text - High-yield production of graphene by liquid-phase exfoliation of graphite | PDF (650 KB) - High-yield production of graphene by liquid-phase exfoliation of graphite | Supplementary information
Measurements of near-ultimate strength for multiwalled carbon nanotubes and irradiation-induced crosslinking improvements
Bei Peng, Mark Locascio, Peter Zapol, Shuyou Li, Steven L. Mielke, George C. Schatz & Horacio D. Espinosa
Published online: 10 August 2008; | doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.211
The mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes rarely match the values predicted by theory owing to a combination of artefacts introduced during sample preparation and inadequate measurements. However, by avoiding chemical treatments and using high-resolution imaging, it is possible to obtain values of the mean fracture strength that exceed previous values by approximately a factor of three.
Abstract - | Full Text - Measurements of near-ultimate strength for multiwalled carbon nanotubes and irradiation-induced crosslinking improvements | PDF (620 KB) - Measurements of near-ultimate strength for multiwalled carbon nanotubes and irradiation-induced crosslinking improvements
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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