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

People who are affected by Alzheimer's disease have a specific type of plaque, made of self-assembled molecules called beta-amyloid peptides, that build up in the brain over time. Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory, along with collaborators from the Korean Institute of Science and Technology and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, have developed an approach to prevent plaque formation by engineering a nano-sized device that captures beta-amyloid peptides before they can self-assemble.

Engineering researchers at North Carolina State University have created an ultrathin, stretchable electronic material that contains silver nanowires and is gas-permeable, allowing the material to "breathe.” The material was designed for use in biomedical or wearable technologies because the gas permeability allows sweat and volatile organic compounds to evaporate away from the skin, making it more comfortable for users – especially for long-term wear.

Engineering researchers at North Carolina State University have created an ultrathin, stretchable electronic material that contains silver nanowires and is gas-permeable, allowing the material to "breathe.” The material was designed for use in biomedical or wearable technologies because the gas permeability allows sweat and volatile organic compounds to evaporate away from the skin, making it more comfortable for users – especially for long-term wear.

A research team at the University of Maryland has developed a new method for mixing metals generally known to be immiscible, or unmixable, at the nanoscale to create a new range of bimetallic materials. This new method exposes copper-based mixes to a thermal shock of approximately 1,300 degrees Celsius for 20 milliseconds and then rapidly cools them to room temperature. The research team was able to prepare a collection of homogeneous copper-based alloys. Typically, copper only mixes with a few other metals, such as zinc and palladium. But by using this new method, the team broadened the miscible range to include copper with nickel, iron, and silver.

A research team at the University of Maryland has developed a new method for mixing metals generally known to be immiscible, or unmixable, at the nanoscale to create a new range of bimetallic materials. This new method exposes copper-based mixes to a thermal shock of approximately 1,300 degrees Celsius for 20 milliseconds and then rapidly cools them to room temperature. The research team was able to prepare a collection of homogeneous copper-based alloys. Typically, copper only mixes with a few other metals, such as zinc and palladium. But by using this new method, the team broadened the miscible range to include copper with nickel, iron, and silver.

Researchers at Florida State University have created a hollow nanostructure for metal halide perovskites that would allow the material to emit a highly efficient blue light. Metal halide perovskites are materials that have shown great potential for photon-related technologies such as light-emitting diodes and lasers.

Researchers at Florida State University have created a hollow nanostructure for metal halide perovskites that would allow the material to emit a highly efficient blue light. Metal halide perovskites are materials that have shown great potential for photon-related technologies such as light-emitting diodes and lasers.

Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas have developed a promising method for remotely stimulating activity in deep brain regions, advancing understanding of how molecules act in the brain and paving the way for better cancer treatments and therapies for infectious diseases. The approach is based on the powerful combination of gold nanoparticles and lasers.

Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas have developed a promising method for remotely stimulating activity in deep brain regions, advancing understanding of how molecules act in the brain and paving the way for better cancer treatments and therapies for infectious diseases. The approach is based on the powerful combination of gold nanoparticles and lasers.

Ellagic acid has been shown to mitigate Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. But for ellagic acid to be effective, its cytotoxic potential needs to be reduced so only its anti-oxidant potential can be exploited. Researchers at The University of Texas at El Paso have developed a nanohybrid — a combination of two nanomaterials through chemical bonding — that can be used to optimally deliver ellagic acid into the human body. The researchers discovered that a nanohybrid made by combining ellagic acid and a sugar called chitosan reduces the cytotoxicity of ellagic acid while enhancing its anti-oxidant properties. This nanohybrid is uniquely suited for drug release over extended time periods.