Nanospikes

From Nanowerk:

Mool Gupta, at the University of Virginia, US, and his team have invented a way of texturing surfaces with densely-packed spikes, so as to increase the available surface area. The spikes have tip diameters as small as 10nm. Gupta's team hope to spin out a company to provide their 'nanotexturing' service, and licence the technology to larger firms.

The technique could have many applications, Gupta explained. Nanotextured heat sinks on computer processors would dissipate heat more rapidly and could run at higher voltages, making them faster. Photovoltaic cells with nanospikes trap more photons as they bounce between the spikes, making them more efficient. 'Light reflects sideways off the spikes, and [to the naked eye] the area looks totally black', Gupta told Chemistry World.

Another prospective use for the technology is in joint replacement. Gupta's team is working with Cato Laurencin at the University of Virginia's Orthopaedic Surgery Department to see if nanotexturing metals such as titanium used in implants helps bone cells grow more quickly on the metal.

Interesting stuff.