NNCO Quarterly Newsletter: Summer 2022 Edition

Date

WHAT'S BIG IN SMALL SCIENCE?
A Quarterly Newsletter of the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO)

DIRECTOR'S CORNER

friedersdorfIn the past couple of years, we haven’t experienced the summer slowdown that we seemed to in years past. Last year, we were busy finalizing the 2021 NNI Strategic Plan, and this year we are busy with its implementation to advance all five goals. We are especially excited about the framing of the National Nanotechnology Challenges. We have seen throughout the pandemic that the mobilization of the nanotechnology community can result in profound impacts—and that the foundational understanding at the nanoscale developed under the NNI over the past two decades, along with the ability to work across disciplines and embrace collaboration, is leading to significant contributions in a wide range of areas. The National Nanotechnology Challenges are intended to harness and focus these attributes to address critical issues. There is considerable interest and excitement across the interagency around the area of climate change. Nanotechnology is already playing an important role in reducing energy use with applications such as dynamic windows that adjust to allow light, but not heat, into a building during the summer, but light and heat during the winter; and coatings that enable more efficient transport of water. Nanomaterial additives are reducing the carbon footprint of concrete, and helping to build a more resilient infrastructure. And nanotechnology is a critical component of green energy technologies such as solar, wind, and the batteries that support these intermittent sources. Nanotechnology will also play a part in carbon capture, sequestration, and use. These are just a few examples of how nanotechnology can help combat climate change and its effects. What else will the nanotechnology community bring to bear to tackle this and other World challenges? I can’t wait to see! Keep your eye on Nano.gov for more information.

The NNCO is also busy preparing for a transition in leadership.  My term as NNCO Director is swiftly coming to an end. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve in this role and work with the entire nanotechnology community. I am grateful to the NNCO team and the interagency NNI community for their support over these many years. I also thank all of my podcast guests and other participants in our activities for help telling the NNI story. Unfortunately, I can’t announce the new leadership yet, but I assure you there is a fantastic team, a new Director and Deputy Director, who are scheduled to come onboard in August and lead the next phase of the NNI.  I am excited to see what they, and all of you, do with nanotechnology into the future.

NEWS FROM NNI AGENCIES

newsStage 2 of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Conductivity-enhanced materials for Affordable, Breakthrough Leapfrog Electric and thermal applications (CABLE) Conductor Manufacturing Prize is now open to new and returning competitors. DOE’s Advanced Manufacturing Office encourages anyone interested in competing in Stage 2 to register for the CABLE Big Idea Workshop on July 20–21. The workshop will bring together materials scientists, application developers, manufacturers, and other interested stakeholders to continue building a research ecosystem around conductivity-enhanced materials that can transform the power system by electrifying and decarbonizing new sectors. The workshop will also host specific sessions for CABLE SBIR/STTR awardees and partners, as well as CABLE Conductor Manufacturing Prize competitors. In Stage 2 of the CABLE Prize, teams will take their materials from nanoscale concept to microscale reality by producing a sample of their material for conductivity testing by prize-approved labs. Sample materials are required as part of the Stage 2 submission process, and competitors should register by August 25 to receive free sample testing. Follow the prize to receive updates about other Stage 2 deadlines and learn how you can compete to win $200,000 in cash awards and $100,000 in American-Made Network voucher support.

On April 20, FDA published its final Guidance for Industry on Drug Products, Including Biological Products, that Contain Nanomaterials. This document provides guidance on the development of human drug products, including those that are biological products, in which a nanomaterial is present in the finished dosage form. 

On June 16, FDA’s National Center for Toxicological Research announced the release of three International Test Method Standards in Nanotechnology. The three standards, which were published by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International, are standard test methods for lipid quantitation in liposomal formulations using high-performance liquid chromatography.

The following examples highlight recent nanotechnology research advances: Blood pressure e-tattoo promises continuous, mobile monitoring (funded by NIH, DOD, and NSF); Researchers develop recyclable nanocellulose food containers (funded by USDA); Nanoparticle sensor can distinguish between viral and bacterial pneumonia (funded in part by NIH); New technique is a big nano-step forward in fabricating the next generation of transistors (funded in part by DOD, DOE, and NSF); New artificial enzyme breaks down tough, woody lignin: Study shows promise for developing a new renewable energy source (funded by USDA, DOE, and NSF); Ultrasound-guided microbubbles boost immunotherapy efficacy (funded in part by NIH and DOD); A unique catalyst paves the way for plastic upcycling (funded by DOE); A nanoparticle and inhibitor trigger the immune system, outsmarting brain cancer (funded by NIH); New theory promises to reshape how we think about polymer superstructures (funded by DOE); Perception-based nanosensor platform could advance detection of ovarian cancer (funded in part by NIST, NIH, and NSF); ‘Metalens’ could disrupt vacuum UV market (funded in part by DOD and NSF); New process aims to strip ammonia from wastewater (funded in part by NSF and DOE); Inspired by prehistoric creatures, researchers make record-setting lenses (funded in part by NIST); Using MOFs to efficiently break down plastic bottles into component parts (funded by NSF and DOE); Sugar-coated nanoparticles target macrophages, reverse pulmonary fibrosis (funded by NIH).

NANOTECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALIZATION

commercializationA new episode from the Nanotechnology Entrepreneurship Network (NEN) podcast series was released on June 20. This episode features a conversation between NNCO Director Lisa Friedersdorf and Aaron Santos, President and co-founder of a nanotechnology company called DNP123. Dr. Santos describes a technique developed by his company that can design and assemble nanoparticles of different shapes. He also provides advice to aspiring nanotechnology entrepreneurs.

Commercialization of nanotechnology-enabled products continues to advance, with several recent announcements from companies across the country. A company located in Alameda, CA, will open its first stand-alone factory for production of its silicon-based anode material, which the company says can boost the energy density of lithium-ion batteries by 20%. The company has received four SBIR awards from NSF and DOE. A Milpitas, CA, company has teamed with a partner company to develop a next-generation quantum dot component that enhances the conversion of mini-LED blue light into reds and greens. Per the company, this development will allow increased penetration into the sub-$400 television market. A company based in Woodinville, WA, is developing nanoscale silicon-based materials to increase battery energy density and life cycle. The company reports a 50% performance improvement over traditional lithium-ion battery materials. Another company, located in Manassas, VA, has developed a nanotechnology-enabled method to monitor wastewater for the presence of viruses. This company has announced the establishment of six new wastewater-based epidemiology centers of excellence, which add to the nine existing centers of excellence and to a wastewater testing program in metro Atlanta run by a local university. These efforts are supported by an $8.2 million award from the NIH Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) initiative.

NANOTECHNOLOGY ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH, AND SAFETY (nanoEHS) IMPLICATIONS

ehsThe 2022 EU-U.S. NanoEHS Communities of Research (CORs), a transatlantic collaboration of U.S. and European nanosafety researchers, held their 10th meeting on June 22–23 in Limassol, Cyprus, in conjunction with the NanoSafety Cluster’s Nano-Week 2022 Conference. In addition to highlights from the NNI and European Commission’s Horizon Europe, the 2022 meeting provided the nanoEHS CORs with an opportunity to reconnect with the wider nanosafety community and evaluate COR activities regarding the evolving nanotechnology landscape. Many of the workshop sessions provided insights on how the lessons from engineered nanoparticles were informing research on incidental nanomaterials and natural nanoparticles.

The upcoming series of nanoEHS webinars will focus on nanoEHS research going forward. The Next in NanoEHS theme will complement the recently concluded What We Know about NanoEHS webinar series and will discuss key topics for future nanoEHS research, including research on incidental nanomaterials such as nanoplastics and emissions from 3D printers. The series will share perspectives on how the emerging landscape for nanoEHS is being shaped by recent nanotechnology innovation, along with two decades of research on the safety of nanomaterials. Recordings of past nanoEHS webinars are available on Nano.gov, under “Technical Webinars.”

STEM EDUCATION

stemNextTech students hosted the 2022 Nano and Emerging Technologies Student Leaders Conference, co-located with the TechConnect World Innovation Conference & Expo on June 13–15. The students organized panels and heard from representatives from industry, academia, and the Federal Government. The sessions included a very lively discussion about career options in the STEM field. The students also had the opportunity to present posters about their research or NextTech chapter activities. Students were excited to use this opportunity to network with potential employers and graduate school advisors. Students interested in joining the NextTech network or starting a new chapter are encouraged to reach out to nanoed@nnco.nano.gov!

The Teaching Nano & Emerging Technologies Network has launched a NanoEducators Quarterly Forum   to provide teachers with opportunities for community building, ideas for classroom experiments, and engagement with nanotechnology researchers. Join the community to participate in short informational talks with nanoscience teachers, discussions about cutting-edge nanoscience topics, and informal, potluck-style resource sharing. Future events are planned for September 2022, November 2022, and January 2023. Click here to join the discussion and be added to the mailing list. For more information, please reach out to nanoed@nnco.nano.gov.

NANOTECHNOLOGY AND YOU

podcastsEvery week, NNCO releases an episode from one of three podcast series, which consist of interviews between NNCO Director Lisa Friedersdorf and experts from the NNI community. Recently released podcast episodes are listed below:

Stories from the NNI episodes are conversations with experts from the NNI community who share their perspectives on advances that have been made and future prospects for nanotechnology. Recent episodes feature Juan Pablo Giraldo (University of California, Riverside), Thomas Epps, III (University of Delaware), Sharon Glotzer (University of Michigan), Michael Filler (Georgia Tech), and Leo Li (Brown University).

Nano Matters episodes explore specific nanotechnology topics for a broad audience. Recent episodes feature Erin Lavik (University of Maryland, Baltimore County), Sherine Obare (Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering), and Tod Pascal (University of California, San Diego).

The Nano Entrepreneurship Network (NEN) podcast highlights best practices, resources, and advice from nanotechnology entrepreneurs and those who support them. The most recent episode features Aaron Santos, President and co-founder of a nanotechnology company called DNP123.

NNCO IN THE COMMUNITY

communityNNCO Director Lisa Friedersdorf provided a plenary presentation at NanoFlorida, a conference held at the University of Florida on April 16–17. NanoFlorida brought together researchers and industry from all over the state, and sessions focused on nanomaterials, nanochemistry, nanomedicine, nanoelectronics, nanobiomechanics and tissue engineering, nanophysics, nanofluidics, and nanoagriculture.

Friedersdorf provided a recorded presentation to the second annual Global Nanobiotechnology Consortium Conference, which was held at the University of South Florida on April 22–24. The international meeting focused on advances in nanoelectronics, nanobiotechnology, biosensing, nano-diagnostices, nanoimaging, and other areas related to medicine and pharmaceuticals. 

Friedersdorf gave a plenary talk on "Nanotechnology: From Buzz Word to Reality" at the TechConnect World Innovation Conference & Expo on June 13–15. In addition, Friedersdorf and NNCO contract staff members Geoff Holdridge and Maria Fernanda Campa attended the Student Leaders Conference, which was co-located with the TechConnect World Innovation Conference & Expo, the Nanotech 2022 Conference & Expo, and the SBIR/STTR Spring Innovation Conference. 

Friedersdorf and NNCO contract staff member Rhema Bjorkland attended the 2022 EU-U.S. NanoEHS CORs workshop, which took place on June 20–22 in conjunction with the NanoSafety Cluster’s Nano-Week 2022 Conference in Cyprus.

UPCOMING EVENTS

eventsAugust 9, 2022: Louisville, KY
National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI) Nano + Additive Manufacturing Summit

July 20–21, 2022: Hybrid (Virtual + Lemont, IL)
CABLE Big Idea Workshop

Aug. 18–19, 2022: Berkeley, CA
2022 Molecular Foundry User Meeting

October 9, 2022
National Nanotechnology Day

October 19–21, 2022: Singapore
12th Global Summit on Regulatory Science


www.nano.gov | info@nnco.nano.gov

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