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Nanotechnology

Linxiao Zhu, ME Research Fellow, unveils a device that enables cooling via heat transfer. Photo: Joseph Xu

Running an LED in reverse could cool future computers

Harnessing heat flow at the nanoscale while suppressing thermal radiation from the LED enables a new approach to light-based cooling.|Short Read
Two stacked rings made from pairs of oppositely “supercharged” green fluorescent proteins (GFPs). Colors correspond to the actual fluorescence wavelength of the GFP molecules; the ribbons are derived from the structural model validated by observing cryogenically frozen proteins with an electron microscope. Image: Jens Glaser, Glotzer Group, Michigan Engineering, and Yi Zhou, UT Austin Department of Molecular Biosciences (background).

Toward protein nanomachines: just add charge

Added electrical charges can harness a protein’s shape and chemical properties to build interesting structures.|Medium Read
This image from Tomviz 1.0 depicts a hyperbranched particle with complex nanostructure.

An upgrade for open-source, 3-D nanoscale imaging software

Tomviz 1.5 dramatically reduces the time it takes to create a 3-D visualization.|Short Read
Gecko foot seen from underneath

Nanofiber carpet could mimic gecko feet, polar bear fur

A new technique that mimics biological nanofiber arrays can grow chain-like molecules into 3D nanostructures. |Medium Read
Zetian Mi

Photosynthesis and Clean Energy

Prof. Zetian Mi talks about a new way to create energy from the sun - borrowing from the idea of photosynthesis.|Short Read
Electrical and Computer Engineering

It takes two photonic qubits to make quantum computing possible

Professors Ku and Steel are applying their expertise to take key next steps toward practical quantum computing|Medium Read
An electron microscope image

Heat transfer surprise could lead to thermal transistors

Mechanical engineers find another way to break Planck's law at the nanoscale.|Medium Read
Magnified nanoparticles

How to color-code nearly invisible nanoparticles

With a bit of metal, nanoparticles shine in colors based on size.|Medium Read
leaf

Harvesting clean hydrogen fuel through artificial photosynthesis

New device doubles previous efficiency, opens path to commercial viability.|Medium Read
a person applying a gel

Holography and LIDAR on the cheap with nanoparticle gel

Magnetic nanoparticles coated in amino acids can modulate light inexpensively at room temperature, and the findings have applications in autonomous vehicles. |Medium Read
Portrait of Euisik Yoon.

Euisik Yoon presents the 2017 LNF User Symposium keynote address

The keynote was titled, "Biointerface Technologies: Where Engineering Meets Science and Medicine."|Short Read

Nanoparticles can limit inflammation by distracting the immune system

White blood cells get busy taking out the trash - it could be a lifesaver when the immune system goes haywire.|Short Read