Surface science news, January 2017

Applied Materials Today receives first CiteScore Tracker value

Gold nanoclusters self-assemble to form novel 2D and 3D materials

Depending on the synthesis conditions, gold nanoclusters can self-assemble to form 2D hexagonally-ordered layers or 3D capsid structures.

Infrared probe illuminates nanoparticle catalytic hot spots

Scientists have used a unique infrared probe to study how the atomic structure of gold and platinum nanoparticles affects their function as catalysts.

Some metal oxide catalysts bring their own oxygen

In some water-splitting catalysts, oxygen comes from within the catalyst material itself, as well as from the surrounding water molecules.

The 2017 Reaxys PhD Prize is now open

Submissions for the 8th annual Reaxys PhD Prize are now open.

Graphene has upwardly-mobile electrons

Firing highly-charged xenon ions at graphene has revealed that the electrons in this material are highly mobile, generating a very high current density.

Intelligent bricks create advanced nanostructures

A novel self-assembly technique can create multilayer, multi-patterned 3D nanoscale structures with unprecedented complexity.

Graphene shows ability to detect cancer cells

Through changes in its atomic vibration energy, graphene can distinguish a single hyperactive cancerous cell from a normal cell.

Current Opinion in Solid State & Materials Science turns 20

Enjoy free access to the anniversary special issue of Current Opinion in Solid State & Materials Science.

Platinum-lead nanoparticles strain to become fuel cell catalysts

Novel fuel cell catalysts comprising atomically-ordered platinum-lead 'nanoplates' display high catalytic activity, stability and durability.

Graphene can listen in to electrical signals between cells

Graphene forms the basis for a new imaging platform that can map the electrical fields generated by networks of heart and nerve cells.

Uncovering friction properties in graphene

Insight into the friction in layered graphene.