E-Mail IMAGE: Special X-ray colors resonate with bonds in molecules, (methyl is pictured in this illustration). This enables scientists to selectively probe chemically distinct parts of micelle nanocarriers--in development for smart medicine... view more Credit: Washington State University PULLMAN, Wash. - Before the huge potential of tiny nanocarriers for highly targeted drug delivery and environmental clean-up can be realized, scientists first need to be able to see them. Currently researchers have to rely on attaching fluorescent dyes or heavy metals to label parts of organic nanocarrier structures for investigation, often changing them in the process. A new technique using chemically-sensitive "soft" X-rays offers a simpler, non-disruptive way of gaining insight into this nano-world.