Reviews & Analysis

Self-assembly is a powerful technique for controlling the structure and properties of ensembles of inorganic nanoparticles. This article reviews the properties and potential applications of self-assembled structures made from nanoparticles.

This article reviews the emergence of the atomic force microscope as a tool capable of creating nanostructures at room temperature, one atom at a time.

Nanoparticles can have an adverse impact on cells, even when there is a barrier between the cells and the source of the nanoparticles. Both direct and indirect effects should therefore be included in assessments of nanoparticle safety.

Magnetic nanoparticles and gold-plated carbon nanotubes allow rapid detection of circulating tumour cells in the blood vessels of mice using two-colour photoacoustic methods.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes can be dissolved in superacids to produce solutions that should make it easier to process nanotubes into bulk structures.

By measuring the motion of a nanomechanical oscillator with an extremely small error, researchers have passed a milestone on the road to measurements of position at the ultimate limit set by quantum mechanics.

Arrays of semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes are well suited for use in radiofrequency transistors. This article reviews progress towards nanotube-based radiofrequency devices in terms of device physics, circuit design and manufacturing challenges.

The emergence of new fluid phenomena at the nanoscale will have applications in separation science and energy conversion.

Enhanced fluorescence from carbon nanotubes and advances in near-infrared cameras have opened up a new wavelength window for small animal imaging.

Two groups of researchers have shown that the minimum size of a laser need not be restricted by the wavelength of light it emits, provoking a rethink of what optics and lasers can do at the nanoscale.

Most probe-based approaches to data storage rely on heating a polymer substrate with a tip, but a new approach relies on pressure instead.

A device called a light well might form the basis of a tunable nanoscale laser.

A meta-analysis of surveys about public perceptions of the risks and benefits associated with nanotechnology suggests that further research is needed to help us better understand and, perhaps, inform public attitudes to nanotechnology.

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes inhaled by mice can reach the outer lining of the lungs and cause scarring.

DNA reactions can be used to implement simple logic programs.

The magnetism of semiconductor nanocrystals can be controlled by shining light on them, which could have applications in information storage and processing.

Researchers have seen strong coupling between the mechanical motion of a carbon nanotube and the passage of single electrons through the nanotube.