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Nanoparticles encased in oily liquid shells can bind together
Researchers found that magnetic nanoparticles encased in oily liquid shells can bind together in water to form flexible chains. The oil wets the particles and creates capillary bridges between them so that the particles stick together on contact. A magnetic field is added to arrange the nanoparticle chains and provide directionality.
[Research supported by U.S. National Science Foundation grant DMR 1121107.]
Learn more in the NC State news story Sandcastles inspire new nanoparticle binding technique. (Date image taken: 2015; date originally posted to NSF Multimedia Gallery: Jan. 6, 2016)
Credit: Bhuvnesh Bharti and Orlin Velev, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University
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