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

By shining white light on a glass slide stippled with millions of tiny titanium dioxide nanopillars, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology and collaborators have reproduced with astonishing fidelity the luminous hues and subtle shadings of "Girl With a Pearl Earring," Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer's masterpiece. The approach has potential applications in improving optical communications and making currency harder to counterfeit.

Researchers at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base have developed a novel process for manufacturing a type of material called preceramic polymer-grafted nanoparticles, or "hairy nanoparticles." A hairy nanoparticle is a hybrid material consisting of a polymer shell bound to a solid nanoparticle core. Although hairy nanoparticles have been around for many years, what makes this one different is the type of polymer being attached to the core particle. These hairy nanoparticles will be used in the manufacture of aircraft parts made of ceramic composite materials.

Researchers at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base have developed a novel process for manufacturing a type of material called preceramic polymer-grafted nanoparticles, or "hairy nanoparticles." A hairy nanoparticle is a hybrid material consisting of a polymer shell bound to a solid nanoparticle core. Although hairy nanoparticles have been around for many years, what makes this one different is the type of polymer being attached to the core particle. These hairy nanoparticles will be used in the manufacture of aircraft parts made of ceramic composite materials.

Engineers at MIT have developed a novel platform for the controlled delivery of drugs and nutrients to human cells. Their simple approach creates small capsules containing thousands of nanosized droplets loaded with a drug or other active ingredient. The ingredient-loaded droplets can easily pass through cell walls, are exceptionally stable, and can carry a large amount of active ingredient for their size.

Engineers at MIT have developed a novel platform for the controlled delivery of drugs and nutrients to human cells. Their simple approach creates small capsules containing thousands of nanosized droplets loaded with a drug or other active ingredient. The ingredient-loaded droplets can easily pass through cell walls, are exceptionally stable, and can carry a large amount of active ingredient for their size.

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have developed the first-ever optical nanotweezers that can trap and manipulate nanometer-scale objects. The nanotweezers can also sort objects based on their size, an approach that is important when looking for extracellular vesicles secreted by cells that can cause cancers to metastasize. Other applications of the nanotweezers include detecting pathogens and researching proteins that contribute to conditions associated with neurodegenerative diseases.

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have developed the first-ever optical nanotweezers that can trap and manipulate nanometer-scale objects. The nanotweezers can also sort objects based on their size, an approach that is important when looking for extracellular vesicles secreted by cells that can cause cancers to metastasize. Other applications of the nanotweezers include detecting pathogens and researching proteins that contribute to conditions associated with neurodegenerative diseases.

Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have discovered a cost-effective way to significantly improve the mechanical performance of common polymer nanocomposite materials. The discovery could lead to stronger, more durable materials for applications ranging from biomedical devices to automobile tires.

Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have discovered a cost-effective way to significantly improve the mechanical performance of common polymer nanocomposite materials. The discovery could lead to stronger, more durable materials for applications ranging from biomedical devices to automobile tires.

Scientists at Clemson University have developed a new type of battery electrode made of silicon that can store more energy than traditional graphite electrodes in lithium-ion batteries. The new electrode uses layers of a carbon nanotube material, called Buckypaper, with silicon nanoparticles sandwiched between them.