This nanoparticle, 10,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair, could star in clean energy applications.
Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem have created an artificial nanoparticle that looks like a six-pointed Star of David and offers potential for environmental applications, including use as photocatalysts for separating hydrogen from water to create clean fuel.
As described in the Jerusalem Post, “The particles are nano-sized, hexagonal crystals, each with a tiny metal frame wrapping around and encasing them just like a bird’s cage, but 100 million times smaller. Because the nanocage is hexagonal, when looked at from above, the images appear as Stars of David. No one had ever seen hybrid nanoparticles form with such a cage structure before.”
The researchers are just beginning to explore possible applications for the new particles. Initial research has already demonstrated the possibility of using the nano-cages as sensors to detect tiny quantities of hydrogen peroxide. The scientists hope this capability can be harnessed to produce new sensors for diabetes diagnostics and other medical applications.
Image via Jerusalem Post
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Author: Ira Moskowitz
When his kids were small, Ira would point to litter on the ground and tell them: “That makes me angry!” He still gets angry about pollution, waste and abusive treatment of our world, but is encouraged by the growing awareness of environmental issues and has been following the latest developments in cleantech with great interest. Ira grew up in the green hills of western Massachusetts and moved to Israel in the early 1980s after completing an MA in Middle Eastern Studies. He has worked as a software developer and journalist, and translates works of Hebrew fiction and non-fiction to English. Ira is trying to age gracefully, but refuses to surrender his youthful belief in the potential for change, including a collaborative future for the peoples of the Middle East. To contact Ira, email ira (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
