Latest news with #nanoparticles
Sustainability Times
a day ago
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'Quasicrystals Shatter Scientific Norms': These Astonishing Structures Redefine Atomic Order and Unleash a New Era in Material Science
IN A NUTSHELL 🔬 Researchers at the University of Michigan have proven that quasicrystals are not anomalies but stable structures with complex, non-repeating patterns. are not anomalies but stable structures with complex, non-repeating patterns. 💡 The study overcame traditional modeling challenges by simulating tiny nanoparticles of quasicrystals to estimate their bulk energy. of quasicrystals to estimate their bulk energy. 🚀 This breakthrough could revolutionize material science , opening the door to innovative applications in fields like electronics and quantum computing. , opening the door to innovative applications in fields like electronics and quantum computing. 🧩 The researchers developed a new algorithm to handle computational demands, significantly speeding up calculations through GPU acceleration. Quasicrystals, once thought to be mere scientific curiosities, are now proving to be genuinely stable structures that challenge our understanding of atomic order. Thanks to advancements in computational power and innovative algorithms, researchers have demonstrated that these materials are not just accidental formations. This breakthrough could revolutionize material science, opening the door to a new era of complex, non-repeating structures. Let's delve into the fascinating world of quasicrystals and explore what makes them so unique and promising for future applications. The Dilemma with Quasicrystals Quasicrystals first came to light in the 1980s when scientists noticed certain alloys forming atomic structures with five-fold symmetry, a pattern not seen in traditional crystals. Unlike the repeating patterns of normal crystals, quasicrystals exhibit order without repetition, akin to a starfish's intricate shape. This discovery initially perplexed physicists, challenging the long-held belief that all solids with long-range order must repeat. Daniel Shechtman's groundbreaking work on quasicrystals, which eventually earned him a Nobel Prize in 2011, faced skepticism for years. Even after their existence was confirmed, a critical question loomed: Are quasicrystals thermodynamically stable, or are they simply the byproducts of rapid cooling, much like how glass forms a disordered structure when cooled quickly? To answer this, scientists needed to calculate the internal energy of quasicrystals compared to competing crystal structures. 'Lost City Rises Again': Submerged Indian Metropolis Stuns Archaeologists and Forces a Rethink of All Human Civilization Timelines However, the typical tool for these calculations, known as density functional theory (DFT), relies on modeling small repeating units of a material. Because quasicrystals do not repeat, this approach fell short. The new study offers an intriguing solution, pushing the boundaries of what we know about atomic order in solid matter. What Makes a Quasicrystal Stable? In their pursuit of understanding quasicrystals, researchers at the University of Michigan devised a novel approach. Instead of attempting to model an infinite quasicrystal, they simulated tiny chunks of it, known as nanoparticles. By calculating the energy of these small fragments and scaling up the results, they estimated the bulk energy of a full quasicrystal. 'Thousands of Eggs Discovered Alive': Underwater Volcano Reveals Massive Alien-Like Cluster That Leaves Marine Biologists Speechless If this energy was lower than that of other potential phases, it indicated that the quasicrystal was energetically favored and truly stable. The researchers applied this method to two well-known quasicrystals: one composed of scandium and zinc, and the other of ytterbium and cadmium. Their calculations revealed that both quasicrystals are stable, as they possess the lowest possible energy for their elements. This means the atoms naturally prefer these unusual patterns, not by chance, but because it's the most stable configuration under the right conditions. Achieving these results required overcoming significant computational challenges. Each time the number of atoms in their model was doubled, the computational load increased eightfold. To address this, the team developed a new algorithm that minimized communication between computer processors, speeding up calculations dramatically. With GPU acceleration, they could simulate hundreds of atoms at once, confirming the stability of quasicrystals and setting the stage for further research into aperiodic materials. 'Confirmed for the First Time': Scientists Turn Light Into a Never-Before-Seen Solid With Reality-Bending Quantum Properties Time to Think Beyond Ordered Arrangements This research marks a turning point in condensed matter physics, demonstrating that quasicrystals, despite their complex patterns, can be just as stable as ordinary crystals. This finding redefines how scientists view order in solid matter and opens up new possibilities for designing materials with intricate, non-repeating structures. The implications extend beyond quasicrystals. The team's innovative method for calculating energy in non-repeating or disordered systems can be applied to a variety of challenges. For example, it might help scientists better understand amorphous materials, glasses, and interfaces between different solids, areas where traditional modeling tools fall short. Furthermore, this approach could advance quantum materials research, as many quantum devices rely on defects or irregularities in crystals. By simulating glass, amorphous materials, and crystal defects, researchers can explore new frontiers in quantum computing. This study, published in the journal Nature Physics, not only enhances our understanding of quasicrystals but also paves the way for future innovations in material science. The Future of Quasicrystal Research With this newfound understanding of quasicrystals, researchers are poised to explore their potential applications in various fields. From creating more efficient materials to enhancing quantum computing, the possibilities are vast. The study's authors have opened the door to first-principles investigations into the relationships between structure, bonding, and stability in aperiodic materials. As we continue to unravel the mysteries of quasicrystals, we must ask: How will this knowledge shape the future of material science and technology? Will these complex structures lead to breakthroughs in industries ranging from electronics to aerospace? The answers lie in further research and exploration, driven by the curiosity and innovation of scientists worldwide. Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.6/5 (29)
The Guardian
06-06-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Food additive titanium dioxide likely has more toxic effects than thought, study finds
The controversial food additive titanium dioxide likely has more toxic effects than previously thought, new peer-reviewed research shows, adding to growing evidence that unregulated nanoparticles used throughout the food system present an underestimated danger to consumers. In nanoparticle form, titanium dioxide may throw off the body's endocrine system by disrupting hormonal response to food and dysregulating blood sugar levels, which can lead to diabetes, obesity and other health problems, the study found. Ultra-processed foods more broadly have this effect on 'food hormones', but there isn't a full understanding of why, and the new research may help point to an answer. 'Our research highlights the detrimental effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles as potential intestinal endocrine disruptors,' the authors wrote in the peer-reviewed study led by China's Jiaxing Nanhu University. Titanium dioxide in nanoparticle form is used in food to brighten whites or enhance colors, and may be in as many as 11,000 US products, especially candy and snack foods. Popular products like M&Ms, Beyond Meat plant-based chicken tenders and Chips Ahoy! cookies contain the substance. They're also heavily used in nonstick ceramic pans. The EU banned titanium dioxide for food use in 2022 because previous research has shown it to likely be a neurotoxin, be an immunotoxin, cause intestinal lesions and potentially damage genes. The particles can accumulate in organs and stay in the body for years. A 2022 lawsuit drew wide attention for alleging that Skittles are 'unfit for human consumption' because they contain titanium dioxide. On the heels of the study, Skittles announced it would stop using the substance, while the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has maintained that it is safe. The new research compared the gut health of three groups: mice that were fed titanium dioxide nanoparticles, mice that were fed larger microparticles and mice that were fed no titanium dioxide. Mice that were fed the nanoparticles showed lower levels of several types of gut hormones that signal to the body that it is full, aid in digestion and regulate glucose. The mice that were fed the nanoparticles showed much higher levels of glucose, or blood sugar, than those that were fed microparticles. The authors also noted that 'gut hormones secreted by enteroendocrine cells play a critical role regulating energy intake and maintaining glucose' levels. The titanium dioxide nanoparticles seemed to disrupt the enteroendocrine cells' differentiation, which is part of the hormone secretion process, and reduce the cells' numbers. These issues can lead to obesity, type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance, the authors wrote. The findings are 'a really big deal because when you start messing with glucose levels – that's diabetes', said Tom Neltner, director of the non-profit Unleaded Kids, who, along with other public health groups, filed a formal petition with the FDA in 2023 that requested the agency ban the use of titanium dioxide in food. The agency is legally compelled to respond within 180 days, but so far has ignored the petition, Neltner said. The petition comes as Robert F Kennedy Jr has made reducing toxic food additives a priority. 'He's getting started so it's too soon to tell, but there's hope that we didn't have before,' Neltner said. But he added that the groups will sue if the petition continues to be ignored.
Sustainability Times
27-05-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
See in Total Darkness: Infrared Contact Lenses Let Humans Detect Night Vision Even With Eyes Fully Shut
IN A NUTSHELL 👁️ Researchers have developed innovative contact lenses that allow humans to perceive infrared light , enhancing vision capabilities. , enhancing vision capabilities. 🐭 Initial tests on mice and humans showed successful infrared detection , with improved signal interpretation when eyes are closed. , with improved signal interpretation when eyes are closed. 🔬 The lenses use nanoparticle technology to convert near-infrared wavelengths into visible light, opening up new visual possibilities. to convert near-infrared wavelengths into visible light, opening up new visual possibilities. 🔒 Potential applications span security, accessibility for the visually impaired, and communication, offering transformative benefits across various domains. The realm of human vision is on the brink of a revolutionary breakthrough, thanks to the development of innovative contact lenses that allow humans to perceive infrared light. These lenses, requiring no external power source, promise to unlock a world previously unseen by the naked eye. As researchers push the boundaries of wearable technology, these lenses may soon become a staple for various applications, ranging from security enhancements to aiding the visually impaired. This groundbreaking technology offers a glimpse into a future where human capabilities are enhanced beyond current limitations. Mice, Morse Code, and Multi-Color IR Detection In the quest to create superhuman vision, researchers have successfully tested their infrared-detecting contact lenses on both mice and humans. The lenses allowed mice to perceive infrared light, prompting behavioral changes such as avoiding illuminated zones, a clear indicator of infrared perception. When applied to human trials, participants could decipher Morse-code-like signals from infrared LED sources, judging the direction of incoming signals accurately. Notably, participants experienced improved infrared vision when they closed their eyes, as near-infrared (NIR) light penetrates the eyelid more effectively than visible light. This fascinating development underscores the potential of these lenses to enhance human perception in unique ways. By fine-tuning the nanoparticles within the lenses, researchers enabled users to distinguish between different NIR wavelengths, effectively adding a color-coding capability to the technology. This ability to perceive color variations in infrared light opens up new possibilities for communication and information transmission, making these lenses a versatile tool in numerous fields. 'Mach 6 From a Runway': US Unveils Hypersonic Jet Engine That Could Redefine Military Airpower and Global Strike Speed Looking Ahead: Better Resolution and Broader Applications While the development of infrared contact lenses marks a significant leap forward, challenges remain. The proximity of the lenses to the retina causes light scattering, which reduces image sharpness. To address this, researchers have also developed a goggle-style wearable using the same nanoparticle technology, which offers enhanced resolution. This alternative form factor could prove valuable for tasks requiring more precise visual acuity. The current iteration of lenses is limited to detecting strong NIR emissions from LED sources. Enhancing their sensitivity to ambient infrared radiation in natural environments is a key focus for future research. Collaborations with materials scientists and optical experts aim to create contact lenses with improved spatial resolution and heightened sensitivity, paving the way for even broader applications. 'Mind-Controlled Roaches Are Real': Scientists Use UV Helmets to Wirelessly Command Cockroach Cyborgs in Chilling New Experiment Nanoparticle Technology: The Engine Behind Super Vision At the heart of these groundbreaking contact lenses lies the sophisticated use of nanoparticles. These specialized particles are embedded into soft contact lenses, where they convert NIR wavelengths into visible light. Emitting light in the 400–700 nm range, these particles enable wearers to perceive infrared sources as distinct visual signals. This conversion process is what allows the lenses to transform invisible infrared light into something visible to the human eye. The versatility of nanoparticle technology extends beyond just infrared detection. By converting red visible light into green, this technology could also assist individuals with color blindness, making previously indistinguishable hues visible. The potential applications of these lenses are vast, and as the technology matures, it may offer solutions to a range of visual impairments and challenges. UK Unleashes Instant Drug Scanner: New High-Tech Street Weapon Can Detect Narcotics Before They're Even Consumed Potential Applications: Security, Accessibility, and Beyond The implications of infrared contact lenses are profound, offering transformative benefits across multiple domains. In security and rescue operations, the ability to perceive flickering infrared signals could facilitate covert communication and information transmission. Encryption and anti-counterfeiting measures could also benefit from the unique capabilities of these lenses. For the visually impaired, the lenses may provide a novel form of assistance, enabling them to perceive visual cues that were previously inaccessible. As the technology evolves, its applications are likely to expand, offering enhanced vision to a wider audience. The lenses represent a significant step toward non-invasive wearable devices that bestow superhuman capabilities, enriching our interaction with the world around us. As the development of infrared contact lenses continues to advance, the possibilities for enhancing human vision seem boundless. With ongoing research and collaboration, these lenses could soon become a ubiquitous tool, reshaping how we perceive and interact with our environment. What other breakthroughs in wearable technology might lie on the horizon, waiting to change the way we experience the world? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (21)
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
Scientists create night-vision contact lenses that even work with your eyes closed
Scientists have developed contact lenses that allow people to see in the dark, and even work better when people have their eyes closed. Unlike night vision goggles, these lenses do not require a power source and allow the wearer to perceive a range of infrared wavelengths, and researchers say they could give people 'super-vision'. Professor Tian Xue, from the University of Science and Technology in China, said: 'Our research opens up the potential for non-invasive wearable devices, and there are many potential applications right away. 'For example, flickering infrared light could be used to transmit information in security, rescue, encryption or anti-counterfeiting settings.' Humans can see a range of light waves called the visible light spectrum, which encompasses wavelengths from around 380 to 700 nanometers. The contact lens technology uses nanoparticles that absorb light we cannot see and converts it into wavelengths that are visible. These nanoparticles specifically enable detection of 'near-infrared light', which is infrared light in the 800-1600 nanometer range - just beyond what humans can already see. The team previously showed that these nanoparticles enable infrared vision in mice when injected into the retina, but they wanted to design a less invasive option. To create the contact lenses, they combined the nanoparticles with flexible, non-toxic polymers that are used in standard soft contact lenses. Tests showed that the contact lenses allowed humans to accurately detect flashing morse code-like infrared signals in pitch blackness. They could even see better when they had their eyes closed, as it blocked out any interference from light on the normal visibility spectrum. 'It's totally clear cut: without the contact lenses, the subject cannot see anything, but when they put them on, they can clearly see the flickering of the infrared light,' Professor Xue said. 'We also found that when the subject closes their eyes, they're even better able to receive this flickering information. 'This is because near-infrared light penetrates the eyelid more effectively than visible light, so there is less interference from visible light.' An additional tweak to the contact lenses meant the nanoparticles could color-code different infrared wavelengths. For example, infrared wavelengths of 980 nanometers were converted to blue light, wavelengths of 808 nanometers were converted to green light, and wavelengths of 1,532 nanometers were converted to red light. This allowed wearers to perceive more detail in what they were seeing. It could also one day help colorblind people see wavelengths that they would otherwise be unable to detect, the researchers said. 'By converting red visible light into something like green visible light, this technology could make the invisible visible for colorblind people,' Professor Xue said. Currently, the contact lenses are only able to detect infrared radiation projected from an LED light source, but the researchers are working to increase the nanoparticles' sensitivity so that they can detect lower levels of infrared light. 'In the future, by working together with materials scientists and optical experts, we hope to make a contact lens with more precise spatial resolution and higher sensitivity,' Professor Xue said. Writing in the journal Cell the team said: 'Light plays a particularly essential role in conveying a significant amount of external information for living organisms to comprehend the world. 'However, mammals can only perceive a small fraction of the electromagnetic spectrum as visible light. 'This means that over half of the solar radiation energy, existing as infrared light, remains imperceptible to mammals. 'Here, we report wearable near-infrared up-conversion contact lenses with suitable optical properties…flexibility and biocompatibility. 'Humans wearing [the contact lenses] could accurately detect near-infrared temporal information like Morse code and discriminate near-infrared pattern images. 'Interestingly, humans with [the contact lenses] exhibited better discrimination of near-infrared light compared with visible light when their eyes were closed.'
The Independent
23-05-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Revolutionary new contact lenses offer a look into the future
Scientists in China have developed "night vision" contact lenses using nanoparticles. These nanoparticles convert infrared light into visible wavelengths, enabling the wearer to see in the dark. Unlike night vision goggles, these lenses are self-powered and function even when the wearer's eyes are closed. Tests on mice and humans confirmed the lenses' functionality, with subjects able to detect infrared light signals. Researchers aim to enhance sensitivity and explore applications for security, rescue, and aiding color-blind individuals.
