Search by tag «Publications» 31 results

  • Scientists Develop Nanodiamond-based Controllable Light Source

    Physicists from ITMO University and Australian National University have developed the first-ever controlled nanodiamond-based light source. Experiments have shown that diamond shells can double the emission speed of light sources and help control them without any additional nano- and microstructures. This result was achieved due to artificially created defects in the diamonds’ crystal lattice. Results of this research are important for the development of quantum computers and optical networks. The study is published in Nanoscale. 

    27.04.2018

  • Scientists “Hack” Regulatory Mechanism of Immune Cell Activity

    An international research team has described new molecular mechanisms regulating the activity of macrophages, which are crucial elements of the immune response, in a breakthrough project. Macrophage activation is regulated by the level of itaconate, which has various effects on the production of substances causing inflammation. Regulatory pathways of itaconate and its derivatives are associated with the pathogenesis of some autoimmune diseases. Experiments on mice and isolated human cells have shown that these substances can significantly alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis. The results of this study are published in Nature.

    19.04.2018

  • Physicists Create Crystal Lattice from Polaritons

    An international research team has produced an analog of a solid-body crystal lattice from hybrid photon-electron quasiparticles - polaritons. In the resulting polariton lattice, certain particles’ energy does not depend on their speed. At the same time, the lattice’s geometry, particle concentration and polarization properties can still be modified. This opens up new perspectives for study of quantum effects and the use of optical computing. Results of the study were published in Physical Review Letters.

    19.03.2018

  • ITMO Researchers Develop Wireless Signal Transfer Method for MRI

    Scientists from ITMO University are the first to prove the possibility of wireless signal transmission in magnetic resonance imaging. Moreover, the resulting images are of even better quality than those produced using the common method of signal transmission over radio-frequency cables. This technology has already passed the first clinical trials on volunteers at the Almazov National Medical Research Center in St. Petersburg. It also received an award by the American Physical Society. The results of the research were published in Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, one of the most reputable scientific journals in the field of medical MRI.

    28.02.2018

  • ITMO-Developed Nanoparticle Technology Helps Stop Internal Bleeding

    Scientists from ITMO University have developed magnetically-driven nanoparticles containing thrombin. A drug based on these nanoparticles can be injected intravenously and delivered straight to the site of a vascular injury to stop internal bleeding. It can accelerate local clot formation and reduce overall blood loss by up to 15 times. The nanoparticles are not toxic to humans and can potentially be used for safe treatment. The results were published in Scientific Reports.

    27.02.2018

  • Researchers From ITMO Create First-Ever Light-Emitting Nanoantennas

    Young scientists from ITMO University have developed a new type of nanoscale light sources based on halide perovskites. The nanosources are subwavelength nanoparticles which serve both as emitters and nanoantennas capable of amplifying light emission inherently without need for additional devices. Moreover, perovskites enable tuning of emission spectrum throughout a visible range by varying the composition of the material. This makes the new nanoparticles a promising platform for creating compact optoelectronic devices such as optical chips, light-emitting diodes, or sensors. The results were published in Nano Letters, one of the leading journals on nanophotonics.

    12.02.2018

  • ITMO Scientists Develop New “White” Near-Field Optical Microscope

    Scientists from ITMO University have proven that a silicon-gold nanoparticle can act as an effective source of white light when agitated by a pulse laser in IR band. One such “nanobulb” was integrated into a standard probe microscope, which allowed the researchers to overcome the diffraction limit and examine subwavelength-size objects. What is more, it made it possible to study the optical response of nanoobjects on the entire visual band, and not just in particular wavelengths. Not only will the new technology make modern near-field microscopy cheaper and simpler, but it also can find use in medicine. The scientists are currently patenting their invention, while its description has recently been published in the prestigious Nano Letters journal.

    29.12.2017

  • ITMO’s Topological Insulators Research Among 2017’s Top Achievements in Photonics

    Optics & Photonics News journal has recognised a recent study on three-dimensional topological insulators as one of the year’s most promising advances in photonics. These structures are capable of controlling light without any losses caused by absorption and defects of material, showing great potential for application in communication networks, antennas and optical computers.

    27.11.2017

  • Researchers Use Glass Microparticles to Enhance Solar Cell Efficiency

    Scientists from ITMO University have developed a new solar cell coating based on amorphous silicon that combines the features of an electrode and those of a light-trapping structure. The coating enabled researchers to cut down on reflected light and avoid the overheating of solar cells, thus increasing their overall efficiency by 20%. Moreover, the suggested method is highly suitable for industrial needs due to its relatively low cost and simplicity. The research was published in Optics Letters.

    16.11.2017

  • Nanoparticle Ink Lets Regular Inkjet Printers Produce Glowing Holograms

    Researchers at ITMO University have unveiled a new approach to printing luminescent structures based on nanoparticle ink. The unique optical properties of the ink were achieved by means of europium-doped zirconia. Particles of this material were proven to be useful in manufacturing glowing holographic coatings with a high degree of protection. Notably, the developed approach enables the fabrication of custom holograms by means of a simple inkjet printer. The results of the research were published in RSC Nanoscale.

    22.08.2017