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

Rice University scientists have designed arrays of aligned single-wall carbon nanotubes to channel heat and greatly raise the efficiency of solar energy systems.

An injection of nanoparticles can prevent the body's immune system from overreacting to trauma, potentially preventing some spinal cord injuries from resulting in paralysis. The approach was demonstrated in mice at the University of Michigan, and the nanoparticles enhanced healing by reprogramming the aggressive immune cells.

An injection of nanoparticles can prevent the body's immune system from overreacting to trauma, potentially preventing some spinal cord injuries from resulting in paralysis. The approach was demonstrated in mice at the University of Michigan, and the nanoparticles enhanced healing by reprogramming the aggressive immune cells.

Scientists at the Center for Nanoscale Materials, a U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science User Facility located at Argonne National Laboratory, and colleagues have discovered a DNA-like twisted crystal structure created with a germanium sulfide nanowire. Crystalline nanowires are usually in a rod-like shape and have potential applications in semiconductors and miniaturized optical and optoelectronic devices.

Scientists at the Center for Nanoscale Materials, a U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science User Facility located at Argonne National Laboratory, and colleagues have discovered a DNA-like twisted crystal structure created with a germanium sulfide nanowire. Crystalline nanowires are usually in a rod-like shape and have potential applications in semiconductors and miniaturized optical and optoelectronic devices.

Glass for displays, tablets, laptops, smartphones, and solar cells could benefit from a surface that repels water, dirt, and oil. Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh's Swanson School of Engineering have created a nanostructured glass that takes inspiration from the wings of the glasswing butterfly to create a new type of glass that is very clear across a wide variety of wavelengths and angles and is antifogging.

Glass for displays, tablets, laptops, smartphones, and solar cells could benefit from a surface that repels water, dirt, and oil. Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh's Swanson School of Engineering have created a nanostructured glass that takes inspiration from the wings of the glasswing butterfly to create a new type of glass that is very clear across a wide variety of wavelengths and angles and is antifogging.

Engineers at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City have discovered a way to produce more electricity from heat than thought possible by creating a silicon chip that converts more thermal radiation into electricity. This discovery could lead to devices such as laptop computers and cellphones with much longer battery life and solar panels that are more efficient at converting radiant heat to energy.

Engineers at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City have discovered a way to produce more electricity from heat than thought possible by creating a silicon chip that converts more thermal radiation into electricity. This discovery could lead to devices such as laptop computers and cellphones with much longer battery life and solar panels that are more efficient at converting radiant heat to energy.

Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have created synthetic proteins that form honeycomb-like structures on the atomic surface of mica. This work could enable the design of new biomimetic materials with customized colors, chemical reactivity or mechanical properties, or to serve as scaffolds for nanoscale filters, solar cells, or electronic circuits.