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

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.

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.

Researchers at Texas A&M University have created a novel plant-based energy storage device that could charge devices — even electric cars — within a few minutes. Supercapacitors have an internal architecture that is similar to basic capacitors. Both devices store charge on metal plates or electrodes. For their work, the researchers were attracted to manganese dioxide nanoparticles for designing one of the two supercapacitor electrodes.

Researchers at the University of Maryland Baltimore County have, for the first time, demonstrated a method of biosynthesizing plasmonic gold nanoparticles within cancer cells, without the need for conventional bench-top lab methods. These nanoparticles generated within the cell can potentially be used in X-ray imaging and in therapy by destroying abnormal tissue or cells.

Researchers at the University of Maryland Baltimore County have, for the first time, demonstrated a method of biosynthesizing plasmonic gold nanoparticles within cancer cells, without the need for conventional bench-top lab methods. These nanoparticles generated within the cell can potentially be used in X-ray imaging and in therapy by destroying abnormal tissue or cells.