21.12.2010 Nanoantennas of the Highest Precision

Smooth surfaces, sharp edges: An artist's rendition of a single-crystalline gold flake, from which several nanostructures were fabricated with a finely focused ion beam. In this way, Würzburg physicists have produced optical nanoantennas with a previously unheard of precision. These are recognizable as cubes arranged in pairs. One of the antennas in the foreground is excited by white light and lights up in the color of its resonant wavelength. The vapor-deposited gold layer to the left is significantly more coarse-grained. This previously used base material results in nanoantennas that are ten times less efficient. Illustration: Thorsten Feichtner

In the future, tiny antennas made of metal with the ability to capture the sunlight might lead to a more efficient photovoltaic power generation. Physicists of the University of Würzburg have now produced such antennas from gold – with a previously unheard of precision.

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17.12.2010 Talente an der Universität fördern

Ein neues bundesweites Stipendienprogramm („Deutschland-Stipendium“) soll begabte und gesellschaftlich engagierte Studierende fördern. Die Universität Würzburg unterstützt dieses Programm, für dessen Umsetzung sie auf Spenden angewiesen ist.

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13.12.2010 A Matrix for Tissue

[Translate to Englisch:] Fibroblasten

Three-dimensional scaffolds on which cells can reside and grow into tissue or organs are in great demand in regenerative medicine. For the purpose of building such structures, materials scientists of the University of Würzburg have successfully developed new fibers with special characteristics.

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03.12.2010 In Order

Schematic representation of the phase transition

About 40 years ago, scientists recognized the importance of its existence. Now, for the first time, physicists have managed to provide experimental evidence of a so-called "vortex-antivortex pair". The required material was supplied by the nano experts of the University of Würzburg.

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