News from the NNI Community - Research Advances Funded by Agencies Participating in the NNI

Researchers from Virginia Tech have gained insights into building stronger and tougher ceramics by studying the shells of bivalve mollusks. Normally, the presence of nanoscale structural defects means a site of potential failure. But the researchers have shown that the size, spacing, geometry, orientation, and distribution of these nanoscale defects within the biomineral is highly controlled, improving not only the structural strength but also the damage tolerance through controlled cracking and fracture.

Researchers from Virginia Tech have gained insights into building stronger and tougher ceramics by studying the shells of bivalve mollusks. Normally, the presence of nanoscale structural defects means a site of potential failure. But the researchers have shown that the size, spacing, geometry, orientation, and distribution of these nanoscale defects within the biomineral is highly controlled, improving not only the structural strength but also the damage tolerance through controlled cracking and fracture.

Scientists from the University of Illinois at Chicago and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National laboratory have discovered that during a chemical reaction that often quickly degrades catalytic materials, a certain type of catalyst displays exceptionally high stability and durability. This type of catalyst is an alloy nanoparticle, made up of multiple metallic elements, such as cobalt, nickel, copper, and platinum. Alloy nanoparticles could have multiple practical applications, including water-splitting to generate hydrogen in fuel cells; reduction of carbon dioxide by capturing and converting it into useful materials like methanol; more efficient reactions in biosensors to detect substances in the body; and solar cells that produce heat, electricity, and fuel more effectively.

Scientists from the University of Illinois at Chicago and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National laboratory have discovered that during a chemical reaction that often quickly degrades catalytic materials, a certain type of catalyst displays exceptionally high stability and durability. This type of catalyst is an alloy nanoparticle, made up of multiple metallic elements, such as cobalt, nickel, copper, and platinum. Alloy nanoparticles could have multiple practical applications, including water-splitting to generate hydrogen in fuel cells; reduction of carbon dioxide by capturing and converting it into useful materials like methanol; more efficient reactions in biosensors to detect substances in the body; and solar cells that produce heat, electricity, and fuel more effectively.

A research team led by chemists at Rice University has made hybrid particles that combine the light-harvesting properties of plasmonic nanoparticles with the flexibility of catalytic polymer coatings. Their work could help power long-pursued plasmonic applications in electronics, imaging, sensing, and medicine. Plasmons are the detectable ripples of energy created on the surface of some metals when excited by light.

A research team led by chemists at Rice University has made hybrid particles that combine the light-harvesting properties of plasmonic nanoparticles with the flexibility of catalytic polymer coatings. Their work could help power long-pursued plasmonic applications in electronics, imaging, sensing, and medicine. Plasmons are the detectable ripples of energy created on the surface of some metals when excited by light.

Researchers from Penn State, The University of Texas at Austin, Iowa State University, Dow Chemical Company, and DuPont Water Solutions have elucidated details of how membranes filter minerals from water. The team found that nanoscale variations in density of the membrane influenced water-filtration performance. This discovery could increase membrane efficiency by 30% to 40%.

Researchers from Penn State, The University of Texas at Austin, Iowa State University, Dow Chemical Company, and DuPont Water Solutions have elucidated details of how membranes filter minerals from water. The team found that nanoscale variations in density of the membrane influenced water-filtration performance. This discovery could increase membrane efficiency by 30% to 40%.

A team led by researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s Molecular Foundry has designed and synthesized an effective catalyst for speeding up one of the limiting steps in extracting hydrogen from alcohols. The catalyst consists of 1.5-nanometer-diameter nickel clusters deposited onto a 2D substrate made of boron and nitrogen engineered to host a grid of atomic-scale dimples. The nickel clusters are evenly dispersed and securely anchored in the dimples -- an important feature that greatly improves the catalyst’s overall performance. This discovery could help make hydrogen a viable energy source for a wide range of applications, such as stationary power, portable power, and mobile vehicle industries.

A team led by researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s Molecular Foundry has designed and synthesized an effective catalyst for speeding up one of the limiting steps in extracting hydrogen from alcohols. The catalyst consists of 1.5-nanometer-diameter nickel clusters deposited onto a 2D substrate made of boron and nitrogen engineered to host a grid of atomic-scale dimples. The nickel clusters are evenly dispersed and securely anchored in the dimples -- an important feature that greatly improves the catalyst’s overall performance. This discovery could help make hydrogen a viable energy source for a wide range of applications, such as stationary power, portable power, and mobile vehicle industries.