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

A lithium battery can catch fire because of the high temperatures and rapid charging and discharging, or cycling, in the battery. These conditions can cause the cathode inside the battery to decompose and release oxygen, which can cause spontaneous combustion in the battery. Researchers have discovered that when they wrapped small particles of the lithium cobalt oxide cathode of a lithium battery in graphene, the battery’s loss in capacity was of about 14% after rapid cycling, compared to a loss in capacity of about 45% in a conventional lithium metal battery.

A lithium battery can catch fire because of the high temperatures and rapid charging and discharging, or cycling, in the battery. These conditions can cause the cathode inside the battery to decompose and release oxygen, which can cause spontaneous combustion in the battery. Researchers have discovered that when they wrapped small particles of the lithium cobalt oxide cathode of a lithium battery in graphene, the battery’s loss in capacity was of about 14% after rapid cycling, compared to a loss in capacity of about 45% in a conventional lithium metal battery.

A team of engineers has developed a series of 3D-printed metamaterials with unique microwave and optical properties that go beyond what is possible using conventional optical or electronic materials. The fabrication methods developed by the researchers demonstrate the potential of 3D printing to expand the range of geometric designs and material composites that lead to devices with novel optical properties.

A team of engineers has developed a series of 3D-printed metamaterials with unique microwave and optical properties that go beyond what is possible using conventional optical or electronic materials. The fabrication methods developed by the researchers demonstrate the potential of 3D printing to expand the range of geometric designs and material composites that lead to devices with novel optical properties.

Scientists have started the first clinical trial of an innovative universal influenza vaccine candidate that uses nanoparticles. The clinical trial is examining the vaccine’s safety and tolerability as well as its ability to induce an immune response in healthy volunteers.

Scientists have started the first clinical trial of an innovative universal influenza vaccine candidate that uses nanoparticles. The clinical trial is examining the vaccine’s safety and tolerability as well as its ability to induce an immune response in healthy volunteers.

Researchers have created a “metallic wood” that is as strong as titanium but light enough to float in water. Right now, they can only produce a small amount of the metallic wood at a time, but if they can find a way to scale up the manufacturing process, the material could lead to highly durable smartphones and lighter cars.

Researchers have created a “metallic wood” that is as strong as titanium but light enough to float in water. Right now, they can only produce a small amount of the metallic wood at a time, but if they can find a way to scale up the manufacturing process, the material could lead to highly durable smartphones and lighter cars.

DNA nanotechnology uses DNA molecules as programmable "Legos" to assemble nanostructures. But the structure of DNA is very simple and lacks the diversity of proteins, while the assembly of proteins is difficult to control with the precision of DNA. How about combining both DNA and proteins? Scientists have built a cage made of protein and DNA building blocks by using covalent bonds between them.

DNA nanotechnology uses DNA molecules as programmable "Legos" to assemble nanostructures. But the structure of DNA is very simple and lacks the diversity of proteins, while the assembly of proteins is difficult to control with the precision of DNA. How about combining both DNA and proteins? Scientists have built a cage made of protein and DNA building blocks by using covalent bonds between them.