In nanorod crystal growth, nanoparticles seen as artificial atoms
Thursday, May 24, 2012 - 13:20
in Physics & Chemistry
In the growth of crystals, do nanoparticles act as "artificial atoms" forming molecular-type building blocks that can assemble into complex structures? This is the contention of a major but controversial theory to explain nanocrystal growth. A study by researchers at the DOE's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) may resolve the controversy and point the way to energy devices of the future.