(Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy)
Researchers established a theoretical analysis to define two regions, one where nanoscale interfacial dynamics are critical and another where the flow is accurately modeled by standard continuum theory. By demonstrating the important role of chemistry and molecular-scale interactions on confined fluid flows, the results can help guide future studies on when to apply different modeling approaches. These findings can help enhance the effectiveness of molecular-based simulations for investigating complex confined systems in nanofluidics, biology, and colloidal science, offering a complementary molecular-scale perspective to traditional continuum approaches.

(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 National Institutes of Health)
A nanoparticle vaccine designed to fight cancers induced by human papillomavirus (HPV) eradicated tumors in an animal model of late-stage metastatic disease. The findings could ultimately lead to a new type of vaccine that would be used to treat a variety of cancers. To develop a therapeutic vaccine against HPV-related cancers, researchers combined a polymer and a small-molecule drug that both activate stimulator of interferon genes (STING) – a protein that triggers immune activity – with a protein antigen called E7 derived from HPV. Together, these components formed nanoparticles about 25-30 nanometers in diameter (for comparison, 1 million nanometers equal 1 millimeter).

(Funded by the National Institute of Standards and Technology)
Scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology have developed a new technique for measuring how radiation damages DNA molecules. This technique, which passes DNA through tiny openings called nanopores, detects radiation damage faster and more accurately than existing methods. The technique could track how well a tumor is responding to radiation, allowing for personalized adjustments to treatment. Also, in nuclear accidents or radiation poisoning, traditional methods to assess radiation exposure may take days, but with this new technology, first responders can obtain real-time data in minutes.

(Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy)
Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have developed a new type of electrically controlled, near-infrared smart window that can cut near-infrared light transmission by almost 50%. In these smart windows, carbon nanotubes are grown so they stand upright on the glass, like a microscopic forest. Depending on the voltage applied, the nanotubes can either absorb infrared light and block heat from the sun or let the infrared light through. Once the carbon nanotubes are put into either a blocking or transparent state, they retain charge well, and so, a continuous voltage is not needed to maintain that state. This property offers very low-power operation, a necessity to drive energy savings for the end user.

(Funded by the National Institute of Standards and Technology)
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology have demonstrated a new and faster method for detecting and measuring the radioactivity of minuscule amounts of radioactive material. The innovative technique, known as cryogenic decay energy spectrometry, could have far-reaching impacts, from improving cancer treatments to ensuring the safety of nuclear waste cleanup. The researchers use a specialized inkjet device to carefully dispense tiny amounts, less than 1 millionth of a gram, of a radioactive solution onto thin gold foils. These gold foils have a surface dotted with tiny pores just billionths of a meter in size. These nanopores help to absorb the tiny droplets of the radioactive solution. By precisely measuring the mass of the solution that is dispensed using the inkjet and then measuring the radioactivity of the dried sample on the gold foils, the researchers can calculate the radioactivity per unit mass of the sample.

(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.