NSF's public investment in science, engineering, education and technology
helps to create knowledge and sustain prosperity. Read here about the Internet,
microbursts, Web browsers, extrasolar planets, and more... a panoply of discoveries
and innovations that began with NSF support.
![Photo of a gecko, which has a unique ability to scamper across shear surfaces and vertical walls.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/gecko_adhesive1_l.jpg) |
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How to Make Adhesive as Good as a Gecko Materials scientist Ali Dhinojwala and his team use nanotechnology to develop adhesive tapes that stick better than a gecko’s foot Released
Thu Oct 16 00:00:00 EDT 2008
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![Photo of professors and graduate students.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/japan1_l.jpg) |
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Students Give High Marks to First U.S.-Japan Glass Science School Meeting brings U.S. university students and researchers together with their Japanese counterparts to talk about new developments and potential collaborations in glass research Released
Thu Aug 21 00:00:00 EDT 2008
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![Photo of hands holding conjugated polymers that change color and intensity when excited by light.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/polymer1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
The Choreography of Dancing Molecules Photochemist Elizabeth Harbron and her students investigate the properties of conjugated polymers that can be activated by light Released
Tue Aug 05 00:00:00 EDT 2008
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![Photo of a researcher in a lab.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/math_medicine_l.jpg) |
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Math Could Aid in Curing Cancer Scientists and medical doctors couple math and medicine for unusual, promising marriage Released
Mon Aug 04 00:00:00 EDT 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Computer image of the CB[7] Ferrocene molecular container.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/molec_container1_l1.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Chemist 'Really Jazzed' About Creating New Molecules Lyle Isaacs talks about cool things that chemists do, such as his work to build new molecular containers that are as good as what is found in nature Released
Fri Jul 18 00:00:00 EDT 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of the CTD/rosette that contains sampling bottles and instruments.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/desert_dust1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
How Desert Dust Feeds the World's Oceans Scientists sample dust and trace metals in seawater to learn more about climatic change Released
Fri May 09 00:00:00 EDT 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![2007 In Review](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/2007_review_text_l.jpg) |
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2007: Year in Review A look back at some of the NSF-supported advances and activities reported last year Released
Wed Jan 30 00:00:00 EST 2008
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![Photo of Shirley Ann Jackson and William Bialek](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/cellbio1_l1.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Top Scientists Promote Innovative, Multidisciplinary Global Problem-Solving Strategies Released
Tue Dec 11 00:00:00 EST 2007
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Nattharika Aumsuwan and Marek Urban, part of team who developed antibiotic coating process.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/microbe_coating_3_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
New Coating Could Prevent Infection From Surgical Tools and Implants Development of penicillin-coated surfaces could save thousands of lives from infection Released
Fri Sep 07 00:00:00 EDT 2007
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of a man in front of one of the pyramids](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/barsoum_pyramid_l.jpg) |
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The Surprising Truth Behind the Construction of the Great Pyramids Were the stone blocks carved from natural limestone or cast with an early version of concrete? A materials science research team provides evidence to answer this age-old mystery. Released
Fri May 18 00:00:00 EDT 2007
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![2006 in Review](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/2006inreview_l.jpg) |
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2006: Year in Review A look back at some of the NSF-supported activities highlighted last year Released
Tue Jan 09 00:00:00 EST 2007
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![Jackeline Quinones](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/main_thumb4.jpg) |
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Fueling Ideas in Global Environmental Collaboration Pan-American Advanced Studies Institute melds student teams and experts for a fresh look at fuel cell design and emissions control Released
Wed Oct 18 00:00:00 EDT 2006
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Electrons hitting an iron-carbide filled carbon nanotube cause it to contract and extrude material.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/nano_l1.jpg) |
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Nanotubes Not for Toothpaste . . . Yet Researchers Squeeze Even Rock-Hard Materials Through Minuscule Carbon Tubes Released
Tue Jul 25 00:00:00 EDT 2006
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![With strong magnetic fields and cold temperatures, magnetic order in barium-copper silicate emerges.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/haze_l.jpg) |
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Purple Haze Ancient pigment reveals secrets about unusual state of matter Released
Tue Jul 11 00:00:00 EDT 2006
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Students from across the Middle East grapple with a chemistry problem at the Petra workshop.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/hoffmann1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Bonding in the Middle East Nobel chemist helps young scientists across the region strengthen ties, work together Released
Thu Apr 06 00:00:00 EDT 2006
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![Vesicle membranes that collapse when cooled may someday deliver minute payloads of medicines.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/pills_l.jpg) |
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Micro Pills Could Deliver Drugs on Demand Temperature-sensitive capsules release chemicals at tightly controlled rates Released
Mon Mar 27 00:00:00 EST 2006
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![This thumbprint appeared after researchers sprayed it with a super glue.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/print1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
From Fingerprints to Fiberprints Forensic technique leads to new method for creating nanofibers Released
Wed Feb 15 00:00:00 EST 2006
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![The challenge is to assign each grant application to the appropriate reviewers.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/ProposalReview_l.jpg) |
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Computer Program Streamlines Complex Work Scheduling Chemical engineers develop an algorithm that could transform scheduling Released
Tue Dec 06 00:00:00 EST 2005
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![The new nanofountain probe produced these patterns; features are as thin as 40 nanometers](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/pen1_l.jpg) |
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The World’s Smallest Fountain Pen? New microscope tips use capillary action to print patterns tens of nanometers across Released
Wed Oct 05 00:00:00 EDT 2005
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Scientists at the Johns Hopkins Univeristy produced a sample of the modified collagen.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/collagen_sample_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Modified Collagen Could Be a Boon for Medicine Altered protein could help shape the growth of engineered tissue Released
Tue Sep 20 00:00:00 EDT 2005
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Illustration shows how a tiny needle full of carbon nanotubes could work as glucose sensor.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/sensor_new_l.jpg) |
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The Tiniest Test Kits: A Medical Future for Carbon Nanotubes? Imagine if diabetics could read blood-glucose levels by reading a watch. Or if researchers could monitor hormone levels, in real-time, in their subjects. What sounds like science fiction today could be reality soon, thanks to carbon nanotubes. Released
Fri May 20 00:00:00 EDT 2005
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![FAST-ACT crystals](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/crystals3_l.jpg) |
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Nano-engineered Powders Tackle Toxic Chemicals Thirsty grains act fast to clean up messes Released
Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 EDT 2005
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![Illustration shows circular mechanical valve inside heart.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/artificial_valve5_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Artificial Heart Valves Face the Curdled Milk Test A graduate student and her colleagues have developed what they think is a better way to test artificial heart valves. Using curdled milk as a blood substitute, their approach could improve preclinical testing of new devices, saving money and lives. Released
Tue Apr 26 00:00:00 EDT 2005
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![traffic on highway](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/main_thumb.jpg) |
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It’s Elemental: Detecting Toxicity in a Controversial Fuel Additive U.S.-German Team Develops New Analytical Technique Released
Thu Jan 27 00:00:00 EST 2005
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![Sampling the Atacama](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/Julio_Betancourt_image--List.jpg) |
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Of Microbes and Mars Desert microbe discovery has extraterrestrial implications Released
Fri Dec 17 00:00:00 EST 2004
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![illustration of Hydrogen atom and its antimatter mirror image](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/mirror_matter_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Researchers Get First Look into Antimatter Atoms Physicists have probed the properties of whole atoms of antimatter, the "mirror image" of matter, providing the first look inside an antimatter atom and taking a big step on the way to testing standard theories of how the universe operates. Released
Fri Jul 30 00:00:00 EDT 2004
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![electron microscope image of a colloidosome](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/colloid_sphere_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Researchers Solve 100-Year-Old Puzzle of How Layer of Particles Coats the Surface of a Sphere Researchers have discovered how nature arranges charged particles in a thin layer around a sphere. Understanding this theoretical problem may help reveal chinks in the armor of viruses and bacteria and guide engineers designing new molecules. Released
Fri Jul 30 00:00:00 EDT 2004
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Blue Mountains funnel-web spider](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/funnel_web_spider3_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Spider Venom Could Yield Eco-Friendly Insecticides You could call Glenn King "The Spider Man." The University of Connecticut research scientist is mapping spider toxins at the molecular level. His work may result in an insecticide that takes out agricultural pests without harming other insects. Released
Mon May 03 00:00:00 EDT 2004
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![close-up of wheat](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/wheat_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Researchers Find Trigger for Devastating Digestive Disease and Propose a Possible Treatment Researchers discover what triggers severe inflammation of the intestine in people with celiac sprue, a common genetic disease that, if untreated, can lead to malnutrition and worse, and they propose a potential treatment. Released
Fri Jul 25 00:00:00 EDT 2003
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Eleutherobia species of coral](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/eleuther_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081026085525im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Finding Cures from Corals A chemical that protects a rare type of marine coral from predators may also prove to be a potent medicine for humans in the fight against cancer. Released
Fri Jul 18 00:00:00 EDT 2003
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