News from the NNI Community - Research Advances Funded by Agencies Participating in the NNI

Vehicles powered by polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are energy-efficient and eco-friendly, but despite increasing public interest in PEMFC-powered transportation, current performance of materials that are used in fuel cells limits their widespread commercialization. Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory led a team to investigate reactions in PEMFCs, and their discoveries informed the design of a nanocatalyst that could bring fuel cells one step closer to realizing their full market potential.

Researchers at Texas A&M University have created a novel plant-based energy storage device that could charge devices — even electric cars — within a few minutes. Supercapacitors have an internal architecture that is similar to basic capacitors. Both devices store charge on metal plates or electrodes. For their work, the researchers were attracted to manganese dioxide nanoparticles for designing one of the two supercapacitor electrodes.

By shining white light on a glass slide stippled with millions of tiny titanium dioxide nanopillars, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology and collaborators have reproduced with astonishing fidelity the luminous hues and subtle shadings of "Girl With a Pearl Earring," Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer's masterpiece. The approach has potential applications in improving optical communications and making currency harder to counterfeit.

By shining white light on a glass slide stippled with millions of tiny titanium dioxide nanopillars, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology and collaborators have reproduced with astonishing fidelity the luminous hues and subtle shadings of "Girl With a Pearl Earring," Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer's masterpiece. The approach has potential applications in improving optical communications and making currency harder to counterfeit.

Researchers at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base have developed a novel process for manufacturing a type of material called preceramic polymer-grafted nanoparticles, or "hairy nanoparticles." A hairy nanoparticle is a hybrid material consisting of a polymer shell bound to a solid nanoparticle core. Although hairy nanoparticles have been around for many years, what makes this one different is the type of polymer being attached to the core particle. These hairy nanoparticles will be used in the manufacture of aircraft parts made of ceramic composite materials.

Researchers at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base have developed a novel process for manufacturing a type of material called preceramic polymer-grafted nanoparticles, or "hairy nanoparticles." A hairy nanoparticle is a hybrid material consisting of a polymer shell bound to a solid nanoparticle core. Although hairy nanoparticles have been around for many years, what makes this one different is the type of polymer being attached to the core particle. These hairy nanoparticles will be used in the manufacture of aircraft parts made of ceramic composite materials.

Engineers at MIT have developed a novel platform for the controlled delivery of drugs and nutrients to human cells. Their simple approach creates small capsules containing thousands of nanosized droplets loaded with a drug or other active ingredient. The ingredient-loaded droplets can easily pass through cell walls, are exceptionally stable, and can carry a large amount of active ingredient for their size.

Engineers at MIT have developed a novel platform for the controlled delivery of drugs and nutrients to human cells. Their simple approach creates small capsules containing thousands of nanosized droplets loaded with a drug or other active ingredient. The ingredient-loaded droplets can easily pass through cell walls, are exceptionally stable, and can carry a large amount of active ingredient for their size.

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have developed the first-ever optical nanotweezers that can trap and manipulate nanometer-scale objects. The nanotweezers can also sort objects based on their size, an approach that is important when looking for extracellular vesicles secreted by cells that can cause cancers to metastasize. Other applications of the nanotweezers include detecting pathogens and researching proteins that contribute to conditions associated with neurodegenerative diseases.

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have developed the first-ever optical nanotweezers that can trap and manipulate nanometer-scale objects. The nanotweezers can also sort objects based on their size, an approach that is important when looking for extracellular vesicles secreted by cells that can cause cancers to metastasize. Other applications of the nanotweezers include detecting pathogens and researching proteins that contribute to conditions associated with neurodegenerative diseases.