Research lead
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have developed a new measurement technology that makes use of optical resonances in nanoparticles, which they say can be applied in catalytics.
Optical resonances in nanoparticles, or so-called plasmon resonances, have been the object of intensive research and development for about a decade now for detection of biological molecules and in optoelectronics. The Chalmers scientists have now shown that plasmon resonances in nanoparticles can be used to monitor reactions on catalysts and for the design of sensors.
The findings come from the doctoral research of Elin Larsson and Christoph Langhammer. Co-authors are Igor Zoric and Bengt Kasemo, all in researchers in chemical physics at Chalmers.
The work paves the way both for new measurement techniques in the nano field and the development of hypersensitive sensors. Using the technology it will be possible to study catalysts in real time under realistic conditions.
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