Chemistry & Materials Discoveries

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.

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		Chemist Aims to Turn Molecules Into Motors Charles Sykes and his team use scanning tunneling microscopes to study novel molecular motors and rotors Released  July 22, 2009
		Video Game Technology and Science? Chemists use the computer technology behind today’s video games to rapidly calculate the structure of molecules Released  July 15, 2009
		Exploring High-temperature Superconductivity and the Pseudogap Research using two complimentary techniques increases understanding of superconductor materials Released  June 15, 2009
		Coping With Unusual Atomic Collisions Makes an Atomic Clock More Accurate Researchers have figured out how to nullify collision effects and make the clock still more precise Released  May 20, 2009
		Improved Lithium Ion Battery Technology Could Fast-charge Electric Vehicles, Boost Acceleration "Beltway" coating on cathode eases ions' way into crystalline tunnels Released  April 22, 2009
		Making Nanoscale Solar Cells in China Graduate student Meghan Schulz talks about conducting research and engaging in cultural exchanges during an international internship in Shanghai Released  April 7, 2009
		2008: Year in Review A look back at some of the NSF-supported advances and activities that made news last year Released  March 13, 2009
		New Record for World's Smallest Letters Stanford University breaks record set in 1991, promises denser information storage Released  March 10, 2009
		Electrical Nanowires Probe Individual Cells Radically new technology for studying and controlling cells at the nanoscale Released  February 20, 2009
		Reflecting on the Many Uses of Glass The director of NSF's International Materials Institute for New Functionality in Glass at Lehigh University focuses on glass research and exciting students from underrepresented groups about glass science and engineering Released  February 20, 2009
		Clean Water for a Crowded, Contaminated World Revolutionary purification techniques address impending global water crisis Released  February 2, 2009
		Did You Say Flexible Electronics? Organic electronic devices possible with supercritical carbon dioxide process Released  February 2, 2009
		Fake Drugs Exposed by Rapid Chemical Assay Forensic chemistry leads to shut down of large-scale drug counterfeiting operation in Southeast Asia Released  December 18, 2008
		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
		Foamy Invention Could Save Energy and Lives NSF CAREER awardee Afsaneh Rabiei's ultra-high-strength composite metal foam could revolutionize impact protection Released  October 29, 2008
		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
		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  August 21, 2008
		The Choreography of Dancing Molecules Photochemist Elizabeth Harbron and her students investigate the properties of conjugated polymers that can be activated by light Released  August 5, 2008
		Math Could Aid in Curing Cancer Scientists and medical doctors couple math and medicine for unusual, promising marriage Released  August 4, 2008
		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  July 18, 2008
		How Desert Dust Feeds the World's Oceans Scientists sample dust and trace metals in seawater to learn more about climatic change Released  May 9, 2008
		2007: Year in Review A look back at some of the NSF-supported advances and activities reported last year Released  January 30, 2008
		Top Scientists Promote Innovative, Multidisciplinary Global Problem-Solving Strategies   Released  December 11, 2007
		New Coating Could Prevent Infection From Surgical Tools and Implants Development of penicillin-coated surfaces could save thousands of lives from infection Released  September 7, 2007
		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  May 18, 2007
		2006: Year in Review A look back at some of the NSF-supported activities highlighted last year Released  January 9, 2007
		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  October 18, 2006
		Nanotubes Not for Toothpaste . . . Yet Researchers Squeeze Even Rock-Hard Materials Through Minuscule Carbon Tubes Released  July 25, 2006
		Purple Haze Ancient pigment reveals secrets about unusual state of matter Released  July 11, 2006
		Bonding in the Middle East Nobel chemist helps young scientists across the region strengthen ties, work together Released  April 6, 2006