Category archives: Nanotechnology

A link between straintronics and valleytronics in graphene

A link between straintronics and valleytronics in graphene

Condensed matterMaterialsNanotechnologyQuantum physicsTheoretical physics

By DIPC

So-called “valleytronics” is a new type of electronics that could lead to faster and more efficient computer logic systems and data storage chips in next-generation devices. Valley electrons are so named because they carry a valley “degree of freedom.” This is a new way to harness electrons for information processing that’s in addition to utilizing […]

Tuning graphene adsorption continuously

Tuning graphene adsorption continuously

Condensed matterMaterialsNanotechnologyPhysics

By DIPC

Since the discovery that graphene, the two dimensional carbon allotrope, can be isolated and incorporated into electronic devices intense research efforts have been triggered. Driving forces behind the experimental and theoretical studies of graphene are, e.g., the exceptional electronic properties, in particular the high electron mobilities, the long spin coherence lengths and the possibility to […]

Magneto-optical activity of a nonmagnetic organic compound

Magneto-optical activity of a nonmagnetic organic compound

Condensed matterMaterialsNanotechnologyPhysics

By DIPC

We know that incident light can provoke a strong optical response in metallic nanostructures due to the excitation of resonant plasmonic modes, i.e, the electrons in the metal become excited by the photons in the incident light and oscillate collectively. Plasmonic nanoparticles can significantly modify the optical properties of nearby organic molecules and thus present […]

How to measure the viscosity of the liquid inside a living cell using upconverting particles

How to measure the viscosity of the liquid inside a living cell using upconverting particles

Condensed matterNanotechnologyPhysics

By DIPC

How would you measure the dynamic viscosity of cytosol, the liquid inside the cells, without destroying the cell? It seems not an easy task. However, a team of researchers that includes Nuno de Sousa (DIPC & IFIMAC), has just provided a way of achieving this and other similar feats using upconverting particles. An optical trap […]

Plasmons galore for myriad applications

Plasmons galore for myriad applications

ChemistryCondensed matterMaterialsNanotechnologyPhysicsQuantum physics

By DIPC

Worldwide research efforts on plasmons and metamaterials have been growing exponentially for the past ten years. Now, Antonio I. Fernández-Domínguez (IFIMAC), Francisco J. García-Vidal (IFIMAC & DIPC), and Luis Martín-Moreno (ICMA) discuss new directions for the future, such as the use of 2D materials and strong coupling phenomena, which are likely to shape the field […]

Quantum dots embedded in graphene nanoribbons

Quantum dots embedded in graphene nanoribbons

ChemistryCondensed matterMaterialsNanotechnology

By DIPC

Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs), are strips of graphene with ultra-thin width (<50 nm). Graphene ribbons were introduced as a theoretical model by Mitsutaka Fujita and coauthors to examine the edge and nanoscale size effect in graphene. GNRs are very interesting structures, partly due to their attractive electronic properties. Those properties vary dramatically with changes in the […]

Graphene band gap engineering using boron

Graphene band gap engineering using boron

ChemistryCondensed matterMaterialsNanotechnology

By DIPC

Among the astonishing properties of graphene, a high mobility of the charge carriers has placed this material into the focus of intensive research efforts, aimed at developing high-speed graphene-based electronic devices. The first device of this family, a graphene field-effect transistor (GFET), still remains a promising candidate for applications in flexible electronic circuits. An essential […]