(Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation)
A nanocrystalline material is made up of many tiny crystals, but as they grow, the nanocrystalline material can weaken. Researchers from Lehigh University, Johns Hopkins University, George Mason University, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories have discovered that the key to maintaining the stability of nanocrystalline materials at high temperatures lies in triple junctions – corners where three of these nanocrystals meet. What the scientists found is that when certain atoms are added to form an alloy, they prefer to occupy sites at these triple junctions, which prevents the nanocrystalline material from losing its strength over time.

(Funded by the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the National Institutes of Health)
Using peptides and a snippet of the large molecules in plastics, scientists at Northwestern University have developed materials made of tiny, flexible nano-sized ribbons that can be charged just like a battery to store energy or record digital information. Highly energy efficient, biocompatible and made from sustainable materials, the systems could give rise to new types of ultralight electronic devices while reducing the environmental impact of electronic manufacturing and disposal. “This is a wholly new concept in materials science and soft materials research,” said Samuel I. Stupp, the scientist who led the study. “We imagine a future where you could wear a shirt with air conditioning built into it or rely on soft bioactive implants that feel like tissues and are activated wirelessly to improve heart or brain function.”

(Funded by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy)
Researchers from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Stanford University, and the University of Pennsylvania have developed a technique that enhances the optical absorptivity of metal powders used in 3D printing. The approach, which involves creating nanoscale surface features on metal powders, promises to improve the efficiency and quality of printed metal parts. “Our method combines the effects of traditional surface treatments [that increase absorptivity] but doesn’t compromise the purity or material properties of copper that make it desirable – namely its high thermal and electrical conductivity,” said Philip DePond, one of the scientists involved in this study.

(Funded by the National Science Foundation)
In this Q&A article, Debbie Senesky, Associate Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics and of Electrical Engineering at Stanford University and Site Director of nano@stanford, talks about properties of materials at the nanoscale, nanotechnology in everyday life, areas in which nanotechnology may have the most impact in the coming years, and the work being done in nanotechnology at Stanford University. nano@stanford is one of the 16 sites of the National Science Foundation-funded National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure.

(Funded by the National Science Foundation)
In a significant advancement for point-of-care medical diagnostics, a team of researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, has introduced a deep learning-enhanced, paper-based vertical flow assay capable of detecting cardiac troponin I with high sensitivity. Troponin I is a protein released when the heart muscle has been damaged. The innovative assay integrates deep learning algorithms with cutting-edge nanoparticle amplification chemistry and could enable access to rapid and reliable cardiac diagnostics, particularly in resource-limited settings. “Our goal was to design a system that could be used not only in hospitals but also in clinics, pharmacies, and even in ambulances,” said Gyeo-Re Han, one of the scientists involved in this study.