Seeing below the surface: Engineers devise a new way to inspect advanced materials used to build airplanes

Seeing below the surface: Engineers devise a new way to inspect advanced materials used to build airplanes: "Brian L. Wardle, associate professor of aeronautics and astronautics and his colleagues have devised a new way to detect that internal damage, using a simple handheld device and heat-sensitive camera. Their approach also requires engineering the composite materials to include carbon nanotubes, which generate the heat necessary for the test."

Functionalized carbon nanotubes expand epoxy applications - Small Times

Functionalized carbon nanotubes expand epoxy applications - Small Times: "February 28, 2011 -- Various industries -- such as aerospace, sporting goods manufacturers, construction – are incorporating technological advances using nanocomposites, with extraordinary results. Epoxy materials are being transformed into stiffer, lighter, and stronger materials thanks to the addition of fullerenes and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Dongsheng Mao, Applied Nanotech, Applied Nanotech Holdings (APNT), describes a process involving multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) that have stronger mechanical properties yet remain lightweight and within end-product cost parameters."

Nanotechnology improves Li-ion battery capacity, says Nanosys - Small Times

Nanotechnology improves Li-ion battery capacity, says Nanosys - Small Times March 1, 2011 – Nanosys' process-ready silicon composites (SiNANOde, Fig 1.) increase lithium ion (Li-ion) battery cell capacity without compromising cycle life. Yimin Zhu, director, battery & fuel cell, at Nanosys, recently spoke at the IEEE Bay Area Nanotechnology Council lunch forum (2/15/11, Santa Clara, CA).

Nanonets give rust a boost as agent in water splitting's hydrogen harvest

Nanonets give rust a boost as agent in water splitting's hydrogen harvest ScienceDaily (Feb. 10, 2011) — Coating a lattice of tiny wires called Nanonets with iron oxide (rust) creates an economical and efficient platform for the process of water splitting -- an emerging clean fuel method that harvests hydrogen from water, Boston College researchers report in the online edition of the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

"Nanoscoops" could spark new generation of electric car batteries

"Nanoscoops" could spark new generation of electric car batteries An entirely new type of nanomaterial developed at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute could enable the next generation of high-power rechargeable lithium (Li)-ion batteries for electric automobiles, as well as batteries for laptop computers, mobile phones, and other portable devices.The new material, dubbed a “nanoscoop” because its shape resembles a cone with a scoop of ice cream on top, can withstand extremely high rates of charge and discharge that would cause conventional electrodes used in today’s Li-ion batteries to rapidly deteriorate and fail. The nanoscoop’s success lies in its unique material composition, structure, and size.

Multi-metal nanoparticles: Digestive ripening is the ticket - Small Times

Multi-metal nanoparticles: Digestive ripening is the ticket - Small Times December 20, 2010) -- A new study from researchers at North Carolina State University sheds light on how a technique that is commonly used for making single-metal nanoparticles can be extended to create nanoparticles consisting of two metals and that have tunable properties. The study also provides insight into the optical properties of some of these nanoparticles.

Coiled nanowires may hold key to stretchable electronics

Coiled nanowires may hold key to stretchable electronics: "ScienceDaily (Jan. 12, 2011) — Researchers at North Carolina State University have created the first coils of silicon nanowire on a substrate that can be stretched to more than double their original length, moving us closer to incorporating stretchable electronic devices into clothing, implantable health-monitoring devices, and a host of other applications."