Nanoscale ultrasound makes science news headlines

The latest science news from the University of Nottingham reveals how researchers have developed nanoscale ultrasound transducers.

Work undertaken by the Division of Electrical Systems and Optics' Applied Optics Group gained funding of more than £1 million in all to investigate advanced ultrasonic systems.

Matt Clark, a member of the group, says: "With the rise of nanotechnology you need more powerful diagnostic tools - especially ones that can operate non-destructively and ones which can be used to access the mechanical and chemical properties of the samples."

With the ultrasound system developed, detection could be carried out from inside cells themselves.

The sound they produce can be of a wavelength of less than the visible light range, potentially unlocking the door to more precise imaging using sound, rather than optical microscopes.

While its work is interdisciplinary, the Applied Optics Group aims to serve four broad topic areas, comprising laser ultrasonics, integrated sensors, microscopy and biomedical applications.