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 curve-crease sculpture called Green Balance, created by Erik and Martin Demaine.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/green_balance_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Computer Scientist Turned Artist CAREER awardee studies geometric folding algorithms Released
October 25, 2012
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Image of colloidal beads, bright dots, assembled on a liquid droplet forming a 3-D curved structure.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/spherozome_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Self-healing Curved Crystals Scientists discover novel method of removing defects by bending, twisting, flexing materials Released
September 30, 2012
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Image of two white starts orbiting one another.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/sdss1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Predicting "Cosmic Fireworks" From Our Own Backyard Using the largest map of the cosmos ever, astronomers have counted nearby double white dwarfs, stars thought to cause an important type of supernova Released
March 13, 2012
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Optical micrograph showing an array of graphene transistors prepared on silicon carbide.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/graphene1_l1.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Miracle Material Two-dimensional graphene may lead to faster electronics, stronger spacecraft and much more Released
May 19, 2011
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of Sossina Haile and William Chueh next to the benchtop thermochemical reactor.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/solar_reactor1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Future Fuels for Everyone Powered by the Sun New scheme would use only sunlight, air and water to supply energy for cars, laptops, GPS systems Released
April 6, 2011
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Image of Winslow Homer's 1887 painting For to Be a Farmer's Boy.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/sers1_l1.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Capturing the Fugitive...in Art Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) reveals invisible colors in art masterpieces Released
April 4, 2011
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Top: Scenes From the Life of Saint John the Baptist, Bottom: Cross section of paint layers.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/art_organic1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
What Lies Beneath? Understanding Art Using Science Scientists are using antibody-based techniques to identify and study the organic compounds used in paintings Released
March 30, 2011
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Image of the LHCb magnet.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/lhcb1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Strange B Meson Studies at LHCb Provide New Tools for Discovery Physicists study rare particles to learn why the universe has more matter than antimatter Released
March 28, 2011
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Image of a Greek vase.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/iconic_pottery1_l1.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Deciphering the Elements of Iconic Pottery What do cutting-edge research into future space travel and the investigation of ancient ceramic pots have in common? More than you'd think. Released
March 28, 2011
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![High-resolution image of a sunspot taken at the Sacramento Peak Observatory, New Mexico.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/sunspot_l1.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
How the Sun Gets Its Spots To prevent solar damage to communication, navigation and other high tech systems, scientists are determining the temperatures, composition and movement of materials inside the sun Released
January 7, 2011
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo showing marshmallows representing hairy spheres connected with plastic coffee stirrers.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/soft_polymer_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Exotic Discovery Made in Soft Polymer Novel nanostructure pattern never seen in a plastic material Released
January 3, 2011
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of a banded garden spider waiting for prey to become entangled in its web.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/spider_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Scientists Untangle Spider Web Stickiness Studying spider silk, NSF-supported researchers learn about the properties of this sticky material, and their findings could lead to new bio-adhesives and glues that work under water Released
December 3, 2010
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Kavli Prize logo](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/kavli_prize_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Three NSF-Funded Scientists Among Recipients of $3 Million Kavli Prize Among the latest winners of the Kavli Prize are three scientists who have received NSF funding over the past several years Released
November 28, 2010
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Illustration of sulfur dioxide molecules forming weak bonds with water molecules.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/water_dance1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
The Water Dance A myriad of methods for watching water molecules in motion advances critical understanding of biology, chemistry and climate science Released
November 28, 2010
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Diagram showing gravitational lensing.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/gravitational_lens1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Gigantic Gravity "Lenses" Magnify Galaxies Far, Far Away Submillimeter observatories penetrate cold, dusty galaxies to see stars forming in the primeval past Released
November 19, 2010
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of Jun Yao, a graduate student at Rice University.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/yao1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Electronics Breakthrough Could Revolutionize Memory Chips Rice University graduate student Jun Yao's research with silicon-oxide circuits could be a game-changer in nanoelectronics Released
October 8, 2010
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of a Blackhawk helicopter lifting off in front of the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/blackhawk_down1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Observatory Staff Aid in Military Helicopter Crash Rescue Green Bank Telescope's staff typically spend their days helping scientists carry out their research, but on one dramatic day in February 2010, they helped rescue soldiers from a crashed helicopter Released
September 10, 2010
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Graphic simulation of electron cloud in layer of copper oxide in a cuprate superconductor.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/superconductor_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Asymmetric Electron Behavior Discovered in High-temperature Superconductors Finding could eventually lead to cheaper electrical power Released
August 31, 2010
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![A 3-D computer model of a stent.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/stent1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Scientists Use Math to Build Better Stents University of Houston mathematician Sunica Canic and her colleagues build computer models to study stents; their simulations could lead to better designs and also help doctors select the right stents for specific procedures Released
August 26, 2010
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Artistic visualization of the atomic and magnetic moment structure of chromia.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/e_spin_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Researchers Control Collective Spin States Electrically at Room Temperature Breakthrough paves way to store and process information in novel spin-electronics Released
August 16, 2010
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of Georgia Tech chemist Nicholas Hud in his laboratory.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/molec_midwife1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
How Did Life Begin? Georgia Tech professor Nicholas Hud and his students discover new evidence advancing the theory that certain small molecules may have acted as "molecular midwives" to help the first RNA and DNA molecules to form Released
July 30, 2010
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Illustration of a double-stranded DNA in a synthetic nanopore revealed by molecular simulation.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/genome_l3.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
New Gene Sequencing Method Could Reduce Cost, Increase Speed Researchers are developing a new kind of DNA sequencer that will make the dream of "reading" a person's genetic code for less than $1,000 a reality Released
July 16, 2010
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of researchers kneeling behind a dilution refrigerator equipped for microwave measurements.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/quantum_mechanics1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Measuring the Intersection of Two Worlds How "spooky" quantum mechanical laws may affect everyday objects Released
June 30, 2010
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of Amy Barnes making phosphorus-rich phosphate glass to use with her doctoral research work.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/phosphorus1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
On Earth Day and Everyday, Ecologist Fights for Phosphorus NSF-supported ecologist James Elser is internationally recognized as an expert on phosphorus in biology and ecology, and his research could help to change society’s views on phosphorus use and conservation Released
May 6, 2010
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Illustration showing optical beam splitter method and new method of controlling electron spin.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/electron_spin1_l1.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Breakthrough in Electron Spin Control Brings Quantum Computers Closer to Reality Research allows control of a single electron without disturbing other nearby electrons Released
February 26, 2010
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Color-enhanced optical image of the galaxy DDO 87 in the constellation Ursa Major showing stars.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/galaxies1_l1.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Tiny Galaxies Reveal How First Stars Formed Lowell Observatory astronomer Deidre Hunter and her team studies small, diffuse galaxies to learn about star formation in those regions and, perhaps, shed light on the birth of the first stars after the Big Bang Released
February 25, 2010
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Crystal Structure of URu2Si2.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/hidden_order1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Lifting the Curtain on Mysterious Hidden Order Theoretical spectroscopy and computational model reveal hidden ordered state Released
February 9, 2010
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Image shows a composite visible/infrared view of Titan.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/titan_climate1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Titan: A Climate Out of This World Researchers using ground-based telescopes and space probes make amazing discoveries about the atmospheric cycle of Saturn’s largest moon, and find similarities to Earth Released
January 7, 2010
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Optical micrograph showing the small and large pores (black) within the Ni-Mn-Ga alloy (white).](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/memory_film1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
Metallic Shape-Memory Foam Shows Giant Response to Magnetic Fields "Smart" alloy stretches, contracts by almost 10 percent Released
October 16, 2009
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
![Photo of Anna Kornfeld Simpson with her robot](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/news/mmg/media/images/auto_robot1_l.jpg) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
High School Student Develops Chemical-detecting Robot California senior describes how she developed a mobile, autonomous robot, spending time in the lab of an NSF-supported researcher, and she shares what it was like to win at the state science fair competition Released
October 6, 2009
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130224172952im_/http://nsf.gov/images/x.gif) |
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