An official website of the United States government.
Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered a new, rapid method for fabricating nanoparticles from a simple, self-assembling polymer. Using a polymer net that collapses into nanoscale hydrogels (or nanogels), the novel method efficiently captures over 95% of proteins, DNA, or small molecule drugs. This method presents new possibilities for water purification, diagnostics, and rapidly generating vaccine formulations.
Using specialized nanoparticles, engineers at MIT have developed a way to turn off specific genes in cells of the bone marrow, which play an important role in producing blood cells. This type of genetic therapy, known as RNA interference, is usually difficult to target to organs other than the liver, where nanoparticles tend to accumulate. The MIT researchers were able to modify their particles in such a way that they would accumulate in the cells found in the bone marrow. In a study of mice, the researchers showed that they could use this approach to improve recovery after a heart attack by inhibiting the release of bone marrow blood cells that promote inflammation and contribute to heart disease.
Using specialized nanoparticles, engineers at MIT have developed a way to turn off specific genes in cells of the bone marrow, which play an important role in producing blood cells. This type of genetic therapy, known as RNA interference, is usually difficult to target to organs other than the liver, where nanoparticles tend to accumulate. The MIT researchers were able to modify their particles in such a way that they would accumulate in the cells found in the bone marrow. In a study of mice, the researchers showed that they could use this approach to improve recovery after a heart attack by inhibiting the release of bone marrow blood cells that promote inflammation and contribute to heart disease.
Six innovative battery manufacturing projects led by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory were recently awarded funding through DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). The projects, which span a range of essential components for energy storage, are among 13 battery manufacturing research efforts at national laboratories that earned combined funding of almost $15 million over three years. One of these projects will bring the synthesis of graphene monoxide for next-generation lithium-ion battery anodes out of the academic lab and into a pre-commercial scaled-up process.
Six innovative battery manufacturing projects led by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory were recently awarded funding through DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). The projects, which span a range of essential components for energy storage, are among 13 battery manufacturing research efforts at national laboratories that earned combined funding of almost $15 million over three years. One of these projects will bring the synthesis of graphene monoxide for next-generation lithium-ion battery anodes out of the academic lab and into a pre-commercial scaled-up process.
Researchers at the University of Houston have designed and produced a smart electronic skin and a medical robotic hand that can assess vital diagnostic data by using a newly invented rubbery semiconductor with high carrier mobility. Previous stretchable semiconductors have had drawbacks, including low carrier mobility — the speed at which charge carriers can move through a material. According to the researchers, adding minute amounts of metallic carbon nanotubes to the rubbery semiconductor improved carrier mobility.
Researchers at the University of Houston have designed and produced a smart electronic skin and a medical robotic hand that can assess vital diagnostic data by using a newly invented rubbery semiconductor with high carrier mobility. Previous stretchable semiconductors have had drawbacks, including low carrier mobility — the speed at which charge carriers can move through a material. According to the researchers, adding minute amounts of metallic carbon nanotubes to the rubbery semiconductor improved carrier mobility.
Researchers at the University of Chicago have demonstrated the use of charged nanoscale metal-organic frameworks for generating free radicals using X-rays within tumor tissue to kill cancer cells directly. The nanoscale metal-organic frameworks also can deliver immune signaling molecules to activate the immune response against tumor cells. By combining these two approaches into one easily administered "vaccine," this new technology may provide better treatment of difficult-to-treat cancers.
Researchers at the University of Chicago have demonstrated the use of charged nanoscale metal-organic frameworks for generating free radicals using X-rays within tumor tissue to kill cancer cells directly. The nanoscale metal-organic frameworks also can deliver immune signaling molecules to activate the immune response against tumor cells. By combining these two approaches into one easily administered "vaccine," this new technology may provide better treatment of difficult-to-treat cancers.
Physicists at the University of Arkansas have developed a circuit that can capture graphene's thermal motion and convert it into an electrical current, an achievement thought to be impossible. The physicists also discovered that their design increased the amount of power delivered and that the relatively slow motion of graphene induces current in the circuit at low frequencies, which is important from a technological perspective because electronics function more efficiently at lower frequencies.
