(Funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health)
Biomedical engineering researchers are exploring a novel treatment for alcohol-related liver disease using nanoparticles a thousand times smaller than a human hair. Despite this significant impact on society, alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) remains largely unaddressed by medical research. A researcher aims to change that with a promising new therapy that she’s developing.

(Funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy)
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are the delivery vehicles of modern medicine, carrying cancer drugs, gene therapies and vaccines into cells. Until recently, many scientists assumed that all LNPs followed more or less the same blueprint, like a fleet of trucks built from the same design. Researchers have characterized the shape and structure of LNPs in unprecedented detail, revealing that the particles come in a surprising variety of configurations. That variety isn’t just cosmetic: As the researchers found, a particle’s internal shape and structure correlates with how well it delivers therapeutic cargo to a particular destination.

(Funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Defense)
A research team has discovered a way to make previously hidden states of light, known as dark excitons, shine brightly, and control their emission at the nanoscale. Their finding open the door to faster, smaller, and more energy-efficient technologies. “By turning these hidden states on and off at will and controlling them with nanoscale resolution, we open exciting opportunities to disruptively advance next-generation optical and quantum technologies, including for sensing and computing,” said the study’s principal investigator.

(Funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Defense)
Researchers at Penn Engineering have made a surprising discovery: a new type of material that can pull water from the air and release it onto surfaces without any need for external energy. Originally stumbled upon by accident during unrelated experiments, the material combines water-attracting and water-repelling components at the nanoscale in a way that allows it to both capture moisture and push it out as visible droplets. This discovery could lead to new ways of collecting water in dry areas or cooling buildings and electronics using only evaporation without the need for any external energy.

(Funded by the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. National Science Foundation)
Scientists at Florida State University have mapped the internal structure of blacktip sharks in unprecedented detail. At the nanoscale, the researchers observed tiny needle-like bioapatite crystals – a mineral also found in human bones – aligned with strands of collagen. Even more intriguing, the team discovered helical fiber structures primarily based on collagen – suggesting a sophisticated, layered design optimized to prevent cracks from spreading. Under strain, fiber and mineral networks work together to absorb and distribute force, contributing to the shark’s resilience and flexibility. This detailed understanding of how sharks build such tough yet adaptable structures could inspire the creation of new, more resilient materials for medical implants or protective gear.