This could represent the first active nanotech to go commercial. Currently there are a lot of “nanotech” products out there, but they are all materials based, like medical nanosilver or fabric treatments.

Researchers at Rice University, US, have created star-shaped gold nanoparticles that have unusual optical properties. Each arm of the star has a unique spectral signature, giving the materials potential applications in 3D molecular sensing.

Nanoparticles of noble metals such as gold exhibit localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), a phenomenon which causes optical extinction at certain wavelengths and gives the materials applications in sensing, imaging and as nanoscale optical waveguides.

The nanostars had extinction peaks in both the visible and near-infrared regions. Each nanostar tip appeared to have a distinct resonant wavelength: analysis showed that each peak was also polarized at a different angle.

This is still basically a materials technology, but with an active electronics application.