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 Ayusman Sen's laboratory team in 2008.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/nanorods1_l.jpg) |
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Nanoparticles Taught to Swim NSF-supported research team at Penn State creates nanoscale motors powered by catalytic reactions that convert chemical energy into motion Released
November 20, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of a gecko, which has a unique ability to scamper across shear surfaces and vertical walls.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/gecko_adhesive1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
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
October 16, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Illustration of a bioparticle (left) ready to bind antigens (yellow) from tumor cells.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/antigen_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Natural Bio-Army Trained to Fight Cancer Bioengineer Tarek Fahmy and colleagues are engineering new nanoscopic and microscopic biomaterials to stimulate the body’s production of killer T-cells to fight infectious diseases Released
August 8, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![John Chmiola holds an electrochemical capacitor's electrode.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/chmiola_electrode_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Supercapacitors Could Be Key to a Green Energy Future John Chmiola, a doctoral student at Drexel University, is doing groundbreaking work on supercapacitors Released
July 30, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Illustration of photocathode gun.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/photocathode_gun_l1.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Brightest X-ray Vision at the Nano-scale Superconducting 'universal toolkit' for scientists, engineers will conserve energy, too Released
June 6, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of Professor Israel Wachs with the combined Raman-Infrared spectrometer/microscope.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/nanocatalysis2_l1.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Scientist Explores Invisible Environmental Helpers Researcher uses his expertise in catalysis to impact major environmental issues Released
April 25, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![2007 In Review](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/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
January 30, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![2006 in Review](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/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
January 9, 2007
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![Electrons hitting an iron-carbide filled carbon nanotube cause it to contract and extrude material.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/nano_l1.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Nanotubes Not for Toothpaste . . . Yet Researchers Squeeze Even Rock-Hard Materials Through Minuscule Carbon Tubes Released
July 25, 2006
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/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/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/haze_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Purple Haze Ancient pigment reveals secrets about unusual state of matter Released
July 11, 2006
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Vesicle membranes that collapse when cooled may someday deliver minute payloads of medicines.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/pills_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Micro Pills Could Deliver Drugs on Demand Temperature-sensitive capsules release chemicals at tightly controlled rates Released
March 27, 2006
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/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/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/pen1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
The World’s Smallest Fountain Pen? New microscope tips use capillary action to print patterns tens of nanometers across Released
October 5, 2005
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/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/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/sensor_new_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
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
May 20, 2005
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Vault cross section](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/vaults1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Vaults: From Biological Mystery to Nanotech Workhorse? Natural nano-capsules show promise for drug delivery, electrical switches and circuits Released
May 11, 2005
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![FAST-ACT crystals](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/crystals3_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Nano-engineered Powders Tackle Toxic Chemicals Thirsty grains act fast to clean up messes Released
April 28, 2005
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![spherical dendrimers](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/percec_science_l.jpg) |
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Molecular Self-Assembly Technique May Mimic How Cells Assemble Themselves Researchers have created tree-like molecules that assemble themselves into precisely structured building blocks of a quarter-million atoms. Such structures may help build nanostructures for molecular electronics or photonics materials. Released
July 30, 2004
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![electron microscope image of a colloidosome](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/colloid_sphere_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/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
July 30, 2004
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Raman scattering images of carbon nanotubes](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/lighting_nanoscale_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Shining Light on the Nanoscale In 2003 researchers created the highest-resolution optical image up to that point, revealing structures as small as nanotubes just a few billionths of an inch across. The new method should shed light on objects as small as proteins in a cell membrane. Released
May 17, 2004
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114064218im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
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