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

Researchers at Penn State have developed a thin, barely visible nanofilm made of light-interactive nanomaterials that can absorb and deflect solar infrared energy, or heat. The researchers are now testing these window-glazing materials to produce dynamic windows that adapt to climate conditions in real-time while reducing total building energy consumption. Also, these windows would maintain clarity and transparency without the visual tradeoffs of tinted or screened windows, increasing the comfort of a building occupant.

Scientists at the College of William & Mary’s Department of Applied Science have discovered that the brown recluse spider’s silk, which is stronger than steel, is made up entirely of nanofibrils— strands that are 3,000 times thinner in diameter than a human hair—that are laid in parallel, not twisted like strands of a rope. The scientists have also discovered that the brown recluse spider adds to the strength of the silk by spinning little loops into each strand.

Scientists at the College of William & Mary’s Department of Applied Science have discovered that the brown recluse spider’s silk, which is stronger than steel, is made up entirely of nanofibrils— strands that are 3,000 times thinner in diameter than a human hair—that are laid in parallel, not twisted like strands of a rope. The scientists have also discovered that the brown recluse spider adds to the strength of the silk by spinning little loops into each strand.

Smart windows come in many different configurations, but the most popular ones are called electrochromic devices, because they change color when a voltage is applied. Scientists at Purdue University assessed the mechanical properties at the nanoscale of the thin-film electrochromic material used in these electrochromic devices and discovered that this material can expand up to 30% in volume. This “mechanical breathing” can cause the material to wrinkle and push up against the other layers of the substrate, causing the electrochromic device to stop functioning.

Smart windows come in many different configurations, but the most popular ones are called electrochromic devices, because they change color when a voltage is applied. Scientists at Purdue University assessed the mechanical properties at the nanoscale of the thin-film electrochromic material used in these electrochromic devices and discovered that this material can expand up to 30% in volume. This “mechanical breathing” can cause the material to wrinkle and push up against the other layers of the substrate, causing the electrochromic device to stop functioning.

Researchers at Penn State and Northeastern University have developed a highly sensitive, wearable gas sensor for environmental and human health monitoring. The sensor device is an improvement on existing wearable sensors because it uses a self-heating mechanism that enhances sensitivity. The researchers used a laser to pattern a highly porous single line of nanomaterial similar to graphene for sensors that detect gas, biomolecules, and in the future, chemicals. The nanomaterials used in this sensor are reduced graphene oxide and molybdenum disulfide, or a combination of the two; or a metal oxide composite consisting of a core of zinc oxide and a shell of copper oxide.

Researchers at Penn State and Northeastern University have developed a highly sensitive, wearable gas sensor for environmental and human health monitoring. The sensor device is an improvement on existing wearable sensors because it uses a self-heating mechanism that enhances sensitivity. The researchers used a laser to pattern a highly porous single line of nanomaterial similar to graphene for sensors that detect gas, biomolecules, and in the future, chemicals. The nanomaterials used in this sensor are reduced graphene oxide and molybdenum disulfide, or a combination of the two; or a metal oxide composite consisting of a core of zinc oxide and a shell of copper oxide.

Engineers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have shown how to create stacks of atomically thin crystal layers that are misaligned by 30 degrees from each other. That 30-degree rotation of each atomically thin layer relative to the one below it could lead to new electronic or optical properties, greater speed, and more functionality in less space.

Engineers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have shown how to create stacks of atomically thin crystal layers that are misaligned by 30 degrees from each other. That 30-degree rotation of each atomically thin layer relative to the one below it could lead to new electronic or optical properties, greater speed, and more functionality in less space.

Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have developed a new nanoparticle drug formulation that targets a specific receptor on cancer cells and appears to be more effective than a standard nanoparticle therapy currently on the market to treat metastatic breast cancer. The study found that the new nanoparticles bypass healthy cells and tissues and bind to tumor cells, dispersing evenly throughout the tumor while releasing the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel.