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May 2006 |
A Cool Way to Strip Hydrogen |
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Researchers have demonstrated a new laser-based technique for stripping hydrogen atoms from the surface of silicon -- an advance that could significantly reduce the cost and improve the quality of computer chips, solar cells and a wide variety of other semiconductor devices. The laser technique addresses a key step in the production of microchips, which are typically built by laying down multiple layers of silicon in sequence. To keep each new surface from oxidizing, manufacturers routinely expose it to hydrogen atoms that attach to all available silicon bonds. They then remove the hydrogen atoms by applying heat before adding the next layer of silicon. Unfortunately, this approach can destroy the silicon's crystalline perfection and ruin the chip. By using lasers to strip the hydrogen, manufacturers could potentially work at much lower temperatures, which should dramatically improve yields. The scientists' work was supported in part by NSF. For more information, see the NSF press release. |
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A Better Algorithm for Detecting Cancer Genes | |||
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Researchers at New York University's Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences have developed a new algorithm that makes it much easier to detect certain cancer genes. As a test, the researchers applied the algorithm to currently available genetic information from lung cancer patients and discovered they could detect many cancer-related genes that were already known -- and several other genes that were not. This new algorithm works by combining and analyzing data generated by "gene chips," which scan large swaths of a genome at once to find mutations or other changes in DNA. This research was supported by grants from NSF, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, and the New York State Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research. For more, see NSF's "A Better Algorithm for Detecting Cancer Genes." |
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NSF Supports Redesign of Advanced Placement Courses |
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NSF has awarded a $1.8-million grant to the College Board to redesign Advanced Placement (AP) courses in biology, chemistry, environmental science and physics. The latest scientific developments, the best practices in science teaching, and the latest research on how students learn will be incorporated into ongoing courses as part of the redesign. The grant is timely in light of recent calls by President Bush and Congress to train 70,000 new AP science and math teachers and to triple the number of students who successfully complete AP science and math courses. For more on the redesign, which will begin this summer, see "NSF Awards $1.8 Million to Study High-School Advanced Placement Work in Math and Science." |
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Earth's Biodiversity Now on Your Desktop | |||
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Thanks to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), anyone in the world with an Internet connection and an interest in the Earth's living species can now access worldwide networks of biodiversity data. |
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In less than a decade, Google has revolutionized the way the world accesses information on the Web. The search engine is now widely recognized as the world's largest, easy-to-use free service. It returns results in seconds based on a PageRank method, which ranks a particular Web page highly if many other highly ranked Web pages are linked to it. |
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Ucko, Informal Science Education and NSF | |||
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NSF: What attracted you to the field? Ucko: I fell into a position at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry in 1979. I had been teaching chemistry at Antioch College in Ohio, but it went bankrupt (and since recovered). What I enjoyed most about teaching was learning new aspects of science and finding creative ways to help students understand them. Developing exhibits offered a similar challenge for a much larger audience. I ultimately became Vice President for Programs at MSI, then Deputy Director of the California Museum of Science & Industry in L.A., and President of the Kansas City Museum, where I founded Science City at Union Station. NSF: What (if anything) do all Informal Science Education projects have in common? Ucko: Our projects are based on voluntary, self-directed learning that takes place outside the classroom. That is how most people learn most of what they know. These projects develop rich learning resources for children and adults such as interactive museum exhibitions, television and radio series, after-school programs, the Web, and other approaches. NSF: How does your program relate to formal education? Ucko: Although students and teachers are considered secondary audiences for this program, nearly every project includes linkages to K-12 education. For example, most align STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) content with national standards and develop complementary resources for classroom use. Many incorporate programs for parents and teachers as well. |
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NSF: What do you enjoy the most at NSF? Ucko: One is being able to move the field forward. We require all projects to demonstrate innovation and how they will advance the practice or knowledge of informal science education. The other is working with a group of really smart people. NSF: What's your favorite museum exhibit or program? Ucko: It would be like choosing a favorite child. I would get into lots of trouble picking one! |
"We reach some 150 million people each year in science museums, community centers, giant-screen theaters, outdoor settings, and homes. The greatest impacts are often on attitudes, motivating interest in science and technology.”
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See Ucko's complete testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security. | |||
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Corps' Levee Work Is Faulted Senate Bill Would Require Online Posting of Federal Research The Next Bright Idea |
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The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science with an annual budget of nearly $5.58 billion. NSF funding reaches all 50 states through grants to roughly 1,700 universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives about 40,000 competitive requests for funding and makes about 10,000 new funding awards. The NSF also awards over $400 million in professional and service contracts yearly. Contact NSF's Office of Legislative and Public Affairs for more information, to unsubscribe, or for permission to reuse newsletter images. |
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