Bacteria with built-in compass Some bacteria are miniature masters of navigation: A built-in “compass” made of magnetic nanoparticles helps them to reliably find the optimal habitat. Re- searchers at the University of Basel have now unlocked the magnetic properties of individual bacteria — an important step toward harnessing the potential for technology, environmental research and medical appli- cations. SNI post with video Original publication Sensor system for hard-to-differentiate volatile scent compounds Terpenes play a key role in the environment, climate and health but are sometimes difficult to distinguish between analytically. Now, researchers from the SNI network have developed a new sensor system based on platinum nano- structures that allows the optical differentiation of ter- penes at the molecular level. SNI post Original publication Better dental reconstructions: New insights into dental zirconia Researchers from the SNI network have gained new insights into the factors that significantly influence the surface and mechanical properties of dental zirconia. In the scientific journal Ceramics International, they report that polishing increases the strength of the sam- ples and subsequent heat treatment creates a defined surface with exposed crystal grains. The yttria content also plays a decisive role in determining the material’s properties. SNI post Original publication Specific scent compounds such as terpenes exist in two mirror-image forms. Although some of these forms can be differentiated by the human nose, their close similarity means it is not always easy to distinguish bet- ween them using technical means. With the help of platinum-based nanostructures, the researchers have developed a promising approach to an “artificial nose” that could differentiate between terpenes. (Image: A. Huber, formerly Swiss Nanoscience Institute and Department of Che- mistry, University of Basel, CC BY 4.0) Scanning electron microscope image of five different zirconia materials with sintered (m), polished (p), and heat-treated surfaces that were previously polished (t) (Image: N. Rohr, UZB) Former SNI doctoral student Mathias Claus and his advisor Boris Gross have studied the magnetic properties of certain bacteria. 41 SNI INSight June 2026
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