Nanoscientists develop the ‘ultimate discovery tool’

The discovery power of the gene chip is coming to nanotechnology. Researchers have figured out how to make combinatorial libraries of nanoparticles in a very controlled way. Some of the nanoparticle compositions have never been observed before on Earth. The tool they are developing could be used to rapidly test millions to billions of different nanoparticles at one time to zero in on the best particle for a specific use. Applications include catalysts, light-harvesting materials, pharmaceuticals and optoelectronic devices.