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

Researchers at Arizona State University have described a method for examining proteins in keen detail by incorporating a phenomenon known as surface plasmon resonance into an innovative type of microscope and by using polystyrene nanoparticles, whose size was precisely controlled. While surface plasmon resonance has been a powerful technique for investigating interactions of bacteria and viruses, the study marks the first occasion when this technique has successfully been used to image single molecules, in this case, proteins.

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have created carbon nanotube pores that are so efficient at removing salt from water that they are comparable to commercial desalination membranes. These tiny pores are just 0.8 nanometers in diameter.

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have created carbon nanotube pores that are so efficient at removing salt from water that they are comparable to commercial desalination membranes. These tiny pores are just 0.8 nanometers in diameter.

By varying the energy and dose of tightly focused electron beams, researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Pusan National University in South Korea have demonstrated the ability to both etch away and deposit high-resolution nanoscale patterns on two-dimensional layers of graphene oxide. The 3-D additive/subtractive "sculpting" can be done without changing the chemistry of the electron beam deposition chamber, providing the foundation for building a new generation of nanoscale structures.

By varying the energy and dose of tightly focused electron beams, researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Pusan National University in South Korea have demonstrated the ability to both etch away and deposit high-resolution nanoscale patterns on two-dimensional layers of graphene oxide. The 3-D additive/subtractive "sculpting" can be done without changing the chemistry of the electron beam deposition chamber, providing the foundation for building a new generation of nanoscale structures.

Researchers at Rutgers University have created a smart drug delivery system that reduces inflammation in damaged nervous tissues and may help treat spinal cord injuries and other neurological disorders. The team's unique drug delivery system consists of ultrathin nanomaterials, sugar polymers and neural proteins. The system, which releases an anti-inflammatory molecule (methylprednisolone), can create a favorable micro-environment to promote tissue repair and recovery after neurological injury.

Researchers at Rutgers University have created a smart drug delivery system that reduces inflammation in damaged nervous tissues and may help treat spinal cord injuries and other neurological disorders. The team's unique drug delivery system consists of ultrathin nanomaterials, sugar polymers and neural proteins. The system, which releases an anti-inflammatory molecule (methylprednisolone), can create a favorable micro-environment to promote tissue repair and recovery after neurological injury.

A research team from Caltech and UCLA has demonstrated a promising way to efficiently convert carbon dioxide into ethylene—an important chemical used to produce plastics, solvents, and cosmetics. The scientists developed nanoscale copper wires with specially shaped surfaces to catalyze a chemical reaction that reduces greenhouse gas emissions while generating ethylene. Computational studies of the reaction show the shaped catalyst favors the production of ethylene over hydrogen or methane.

A research team from Caltech and UCLA has demonstrated a promising way to efficiently convert carbon dioxide into ethylene—an important chemical used to produce plastics, solvents, and cosmetics. The scientists developed nanoscale copper wires with specially shaped surfaces to catalyze a chemical reaction that reduces greenhouse gas emissions while generating ethylene. Computational studies of the reaction show the shaped catalyst favors the production of ethylene over hydrogen or methane.

Researchers at Arizona State University have described a technique for using LEGO-like elements at the scale of a few nanometers. These design elements were able to self-assemble, with each piece identifying its proper mate and linking up in a precise sequence to complete the desired nanostructure. While the technique is simulated on computer, the strategy is applicable to self-assembly methods common to the field of DNA nanotechnology.