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

Researchers from Harvard University, NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab, and the University of Edinburgh, have suggested that regions of the Martian surface could be made habitable with a material—silica aerogel—that mimics Earth's atmospheric greenhouse effect. Through modeling and experiments, the researchers have shown that a two to three-centimeter-thick shield of silica aerogel could transmit enough visible light for photosynthesis, block hazardous ultraviolet radiation, and raise temperatures underneath permanently above the melting point of water, all without the need for any internal heat source.

Researchers at the University of Buffalo have wirelessly controlled, in lab-grown tissue, a gene that plays a key role in how humans grow from embryos to adults. The research team was able to manipulate the gene by creating tiny photonic brain implants that include nano-lasers and nano-antennas. The ability to manipulate the gene could lead to new cancer treatments and ways to prevent and treat mental disorders.

The Bureau of Reclamation announced that 30 projects will receive $5.1 million from the Desalination and Water Purification Research Program to develop improved and inexpensive ways to desalinate and treat impaired water.

The Bureau of Reclamation announced that 30 projects will receive $5.1 million from the Desalination and Water Purification Research Program to develop improved and inexpensive ways to desalinate and treat impaired water.

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

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.