(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 Institutes of Health)
Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, have unveiled a new platform that combines a flexible material called graphene oxide with antibodies to closely mimic the natural interactions between immune cells. The investigators found that this platform shows a high capacity for stimulating T cells to reproduce, while preserving their versatility and potency. The advance could make CAR-T cell therapy more effective and accessible. In this type of therapy, patients’ own immune cells are collected, genetically engineered so that they specifically target cancer cells, and then returned to the body. The new technology enhanced the efficiency of engineering immune cells, leading to a five-fold increase in CAR-T cell production, compared to the standard process.

(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.

(Funded by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy)
Researchers from Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have discovered how certain bacteria are breaking down plastic for food. First, they chew the plastic into small pieces, called nanoplastics. Then, they secrete a specialized enzyme that breaks down the plastic even further. Finally, the bacteria use a ring of carbon atoms from the plastic as a food source, the researchers found. The discovery opens new possibilities for developing bacteria-based engineering solutions to help clean up difficult-to-remove plastic waste, which pollutes drinking water and harms wildlife.