Wednesday, 7th February 2007 (3509 views)

Dutch scientists have utilised nanomicroscopy to analyse the real-time collective transport of gold atoms in a thin layer.

The process illustrates just how quickly nanotechnology is advancing, with the experts at the Delft University of Technology claiming the nanomicroscopy technique could move from the lab to realistic conditions in under five years - benefiting not only industry but also the medical world.

In the process, a small group of gold atoms were placed on a gold surface, before the researchers used a high resolution electron microscope to reveal how the atoms squeezed into the collection of atoms below in the shape of a surface dislocation, in real time.

This type of nanomicroscopy is becoming increasingly advanced and accurate as experts begin to combine nano-imaging technologies with conventional optical microscopy.

In terms of industry and the medical world, this means biological processes can be followed accurately and in real time, aiding areas such as catalysis processes and other chemical reactions.

 

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