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.
![Image of the collision of a proton and antiproton.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/collision_l1.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
A Better Mass for the W Boson; Higgs Boson Given Less Space to Hide Analyzing several years' worth of results from Fermilab's Tevatron collider, physicists come up with the most accurate measurement to date of the mass of the W boson, and narrow down the possible mass of the still undiscovered Higgs boson Released
April 7, 2009
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Illustration of a nanoscale experiment.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/amplifier1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Squeezing Noise Below Quantum Limits Exquisitely sensitive microwave amplifier increases nano-scale measurement accuracy; could lead to quantum computing breakthroughs Released
March 26, 2009
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Illustration showing entanglement to and from distinct quantum memories.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/entanglement1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
A Beautiful Memory Breakthrough in "entanglement" demonstrates potential of quantum information science Released
March 17, 2009
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Eight thumbnail images and 2008 in Review](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/2008_review_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
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
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Image showing the red and blue letters retrieved from a data cube.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/smallest_letters1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
New Record for World's Smallest Letters Stanford University breaks record set in 1991, promises denser information storage Released
March 10, 2009
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Illustration of a highly-magnetized neutron star undergoing a "starquake."](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/starquake1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Shockwave of X-ray Starquake Enthralls Scientists For postdoctoral researcher Andrew Steiner and other astrophysicists, the shockwave that jolted the Earth in late December 2005 was a lucky find, providing new data on neutron stars Released
March 2, 2009
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Illustration showing information from left atom teleported to right atom three feet away.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/teleport_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
How to Teleport Quantum Information from One Atom to Another Researchers have shown for the first time how to use a process called teleportation to transfer a quantum state over a significant distance from one atom to another Released
February 25, 2009
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of end-on view of high numerical aperture custom lens system used to trap and image an atom.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/excited_atoms1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Excited Atoms Advance Quantum Computing Scientists using a single atom to control another with the Rydberg Blockade principle have moved a step closer to unimaginable computing power Released
February 24, 2009
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of researchers Bret Flanders and Prem Thapa in their laboratory at Kansas State University.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/nanowire_l1.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Electrical Nanowires Probe Individual Cells Radically new technology for studying and controlling cells at the nanoscale Released
February 20, 2009
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Illustration showing one sphere being repelled from a plate and the other sphere being attracted.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/nanoscale_repulsion1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Nanoscale Repulsion Tiny quantum force, measured for the first time, could be an aid to nanodevice designers Released
February 19, 2009
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Image showing ball and stick model of two crossing carbon nanotubes on a graphite surface.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/nanotube1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Measuring Excitement for Carbon Nanotubes Studying light pulses in nanoscale molecules brings scientists closer to understanding properties that may lead to a multitude of applications Released
February 10, 2009
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Illustration of the inside of the vacum chamber showing the spectrometer.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/vacum_chamber_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
For the "Few-Body Problem," a Solution From Another Plane Complex ionization collisions can be explained with a "simple" classical model Released
December 29, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of Ben Arend installing a detector during the reconfiguration of the NSCL's experimental area.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/nscl1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Unlocking the Secrets of Atomic Nuclei Rare isotope research at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory leads to important new applications in areas such as medical treatments and security technology Released
November 13, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![artist's rendition of polar gas molecules](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/polar_gas1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
First Ultracold Polar Molecule Gas Ready for Research Groundbreaking technique could lead to quantum computers, molecular clocks and super-efficient power plants Released
October 29, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photograph of the compact muon solenoid detector at CERN.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/lhc_computing1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Physicists Gear Up for Huge Data Flow University of Nebraska researchers build a computer center to handle the flood of data expected from the world's next-generation particle accelerator Released
August 7, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Computer graphic showing quantum vortices formed when atoms expand for 50 thousandths of a second.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/cold_temps1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Beyond Cold: How the World Works at Minus 459 Degrees Graduate student David McKay describes how atoms are cooled to near absolute zero for research using an approach called quantum simulation Released
July 25, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of the detector slice from the back, at the surface.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/lhc1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Building a Machine to Search for Cosmic Secrets Katherine McAlpine describes the intricate lowering into place of the last large piece of the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) detector, part of the Large Hadron Collider Released
April 2, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of Matt Johnson, NSCL staff engineer, inspecting a 45-degree dipole magnet](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/nuclear_scientist1_l1.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Nuclear Scientists Explore the Core of Existence A journalist at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory describes physicists' experiments to understand the neutron dripline and some surprising results Released
March 24, 2008
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![2007 In Review](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/2007_review_text_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
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/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo shows Exotic Beam Summer School students viewing progress of their experiments.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/nscl_students_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Nuclear Physics Boot Camp Preps Future Scientists Exotic Beam Summer School stimulates new learning and discoveries in nuclear physics students. Released
October 19, 2007
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of the ATLAS Barrel Toroid Magnet and a person standing in the center](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/ultralight_collider_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
UltraLight Project: Moving Huge Amounts of Data In spring 2008, the largest particle accelerator in the world will be completed Released
August 24, 2007
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![An artist's rendition of the proposed Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory design.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/dusel_2_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Team Selected for the Proposed Design of the Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory
Released
July 10, 2007
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![The NuMI beam line is the business end of Fermilab's neutrino "gun."](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/neutrino1_l1.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
First Result from New Experiment Confirms Neutrino Oscillation
Studies may aid understanding of all matter Released
March 30, 2006
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Vortices in rotating superfluids](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/vortices_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
MIT Group Creates a High-Temperature Superfluid
Released
June 22, 2005
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![A bubble grows and collapses due to ultrasound](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/rainbow_l1.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
A Bubble Full of Sunshine
Temperatures inside bursting bubbles can be four times hotter than the Sun Released
March 3, 2005
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![NSF and the Ford Motor Company Fund have provided funding for Mr. Kumah and other undergraduates at](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/cern_thumb.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
High Energy Physics Center Attracts U.S. Undergrads to Summer in Switzerland Apprenticeship at the European Laboratory for Particle Physics (CERN) in Geneva, Switzerland Released
January 27, 2005
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![NSF South Pole research station](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/amanda_spole_station_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Cold Flashes: Astrophysics at the South Pole What one scientist calls the world’s weirdest telescope was built to detect high-energy particles, not the light from distant stars. In 1997, AMANDA recorded the first precise map of neutrinos from outer space as they zipped through Antarctic ice. Released
October 13, 2004
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![illustration of Hydrogen atom and its antimatter mirror image](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/mirror_matter_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/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
July 30, 2004
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![The waveguide as it appears within the femtosecond laser amplifier system.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/euvapparatus5_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Breakthrough Brings Laser Light to New Regions of the Spectrum Researchers have created a "waveguide" that coaxes extreme-ultraviolet light waves into forming a tightly focused laser-like beam that will allow researchers to "see" tiny features and carve miniature patterns. Released
December 9, 2003
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090508083146im_/http://www.nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
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