2009 National Nanotechnology Initiative R&D Achievements

Significant scientific and technological achievements have been made as a result of the research and development funding by NNI participating agencies since the start of the NNI. By clicking on the subject titles below, you can access individual files describing hundreds of achievements submitted by NNI member agencies in 2009. These examples provide perspective on what the NNI investment in R&D has resulted in over the last few years. In many instances, the combined efforts of multiple agencies have been needed to bring about these success stories.

 

Click on each individual gray bar to access the 2009 NNI Achievements (pdf):

Foundational Research

 

  1. 4D Electron Microscope for Directly Visualizing Atomic-Scale Motion
  2. An STM Study of Atomic Co Wires
  3. Bioinspired Templates for the Growth of Semiconductor Nanowires
  4. Combinatorial Discovery of Biomimetic Atomically Defined Soft Nanomaterials
  5. Core-Shell Particle Restruction during CO Oxidation Cycles: A DRIFTS Investigation
  6. Cross-Media Environmental Transport, Transformation, and Fate of Manufactured Carbonaceous Nanomaterials
  7. Current-Induced Resonant Vortex Motion
  8. Deciphering the Mechanisms of Bias-Induced Phase Transitions of a Single Defect Level
  9. Defect-Free Gallium Nitride Nanowires Fabricated with Superior Properties
  10. Deterministic Control of Polarization Switching in Multiferroic Materials Using Scanning Probe Microscopy
  11. Dirac Materials
  12. Direct Measurement of Conductance of a Single Molecule (with NYSTAR)
  13. Directed Assembly of Diblock Copolymer on Nano-Patterned Substrates
  14. Directional Etching of Graphene by Catalytic Silver Nanoparticles
  15. Discovery of Nanoscale Repulsion
  16. Discovery PlatformsTM for Nanoscience
  17. Dispensing & Surface-Induced Crystallization of Zeptoliter Liquid Metal Alloy Drops
  18. Dispersions of Nanoparticles in Polymers: Interfacial and Bulk Behavior
  19. DNA-Guided 3-D Assembly of Colloidal Gold Nanoparticles
  20. Dynamics of Pattern-Forming and Self-Assembling Soft Nanostructured Materials
  21. Electron Nanodiffraction Reveals Surface Structure of Nanocrystals
  22. Enabling Nanocrystal Science & Applications with WANDA, A Custom Robotic Laboratory
  23. Enhanced Mobility of Confined Polymers
  24. Experimental and Theoretical Studies of Molecular-Scale Quantum Dots at Carbon Nanotube Heterojunctions
  25. Extreme Ultraviolet Nanoscale Imaging Microscope: ERC Team Receives "R&D 100" Award
  26. First Electrically Pumped Semiconductor Room-Temperature Terahertz Radiation
  27. Flying-Head Plasmonic Imaging Lithography
  28. From Nanomechanical Science to Nanofabrication Technology: A New Route towards Nanotube Synthesis
  29. Guided Self-Assembling of Nanostructures Using Magnetic Fluids
  30. Hard X-ray Kinoform Lenses
  31. Heterogeneous Photophysics and Photochemistry of Luminescent Ruthenium Complexes: Implications in Sensor Design
  32. Hierarchical Assembly of Nanoparticle Superstructures from Block Copolymer-Nanoparticle Composites
  33. Hot Scanning Probe Tips Create Highly Ordered Polymer Monolayers
  34. Hybrid Plasmonics: New Routes to Imaging, Spectroscopy, and Efficient Energy Flow at the Nanoscale
  35. Imaging the Mechanical Properties of Spider Silk Fibers
  36. Internalization and Fate of Individual Manufactured Nanomaterial within Living Cells
  37. Investigation of Structure and Photocatalytic Activity for Water Splitting at the Aqueous-(Ga1-xZn)(N1-xOx) Alloy Interface
  38. Large-Scale Nanomanufacturing of Complex Single-Walled Nanotube Architectures
  39. Magnetic Resonance Imaging with Nanometer Resolution
  40. Measurement Suite Established for Carbon Nanotube Standards
  41. Mechanics of Nanoporous Metals
  42. Nanoantenna Arrays with Visible/Near-infrared Resonances
  43. Nanocrystalline Coating Technology
  44. Nano-Crystalline Zinc Oxide for High-Performance Thin Film Transistors
  45. Nanofabrication of High-Aspect-Ratio Zone Plates for Hard X-rays
  46. Nanoimprint and Nanoprint - Based Routes for Producing Organized Few-Layer-Graphene Nano/Microstructures
  47. Nanoscale Heterogeneous Catalysis at the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences
  48. Nanostructure Characterization of Resistive Oxides
  49. Nanotechnology to Replace Copper-Based Electrical Wiring
  50. Nanowire Thermoelectrics
  51. New Ways of Seeing - Developing and Understanding Sensors for Scanning Probe Microscopy (New Ways of Seeing)
  52. NIST Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology Established to Support Nanotechnology from Discovery to Production
  53. Optical Nanotomography of Anisotropic Fluids
  54. Optimizing Supercapacitor Electrodes for a Green Energy Future
  55. Path towards Nanofocusing of X-rays: Multilayer Laue Lenses
  56. Photon-Plasmon-Electron Conversion Enables A New Class of Imaging Cameras
  57. Polyamic Acid Motifs Facilitate Intra and Intra-Molecular Cross-Linking in Flexible Membranes
  58. Programmable Nanoscale Machines Achieved by DNA Self-Assembly
  59. Quantitative Imaging Analysis Using the Aberration Corrected Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope (Hitachi HD2700C)
  60. Quantum Cascade Laser Nano-Antenna for Future Identification of Biological Threats
  61. Recent Progress in Scanning Probe Microscopy at Argonne's CNM
  62. Role of Cel7A Linker in Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Cellulose Chains: A Simulation Study
  63. Self-Assembled, Nanostructured Carbon for Energy Storage and Water Treatment
  64. Single Molecules Junctions: Conductance, Formation and Evolution Statistics
  65. Solvent Vapor-Assisted Self-Assembly of Patternable Block Copolymers
  66. Spatially Patterned Chemistry on Nanomechanical Resonators for Targeted Sensing
  67. Submicron Ferroelectric Domain Patterning with Real-Time Feedback
  68. Surface Properties of Electrospun Chitosan Nanofibers
  69. Teleporting Quantum Information from One Atom to Another
  70. The Interplay of Theory and Experiment in Nanoscience
  71. Toward Complete Control of Localized Light and its Interactions with Matter
  72. Tracking Single Quantum Dots in Three Dimensions: Following Receptor Traffic and Membrane Topology
  73. Transport and Retention of Fullerene (C60) Nanoparticles in Porous Media
  74. Two-Armed Nanorobot Manipulates Molecules within a DNA Device
  75. Unconventional Donor-Acceptor Molecules for Supramolecular Assembly and Electronics
  76. Uncooled Infrared Detector Made Possible with Controlled Carbon Nano-Tube Array
  77. Understanding the Conductance of Single-Molecule Junctions from First Principles
  78. Using Living Cells as Nanotechnology Factories
  79. Using Surface Plasmon Resonance Coupled Emission and Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence to Detect Single Molecule Conformational Changes
  80. Visualizing 3-D Directed Assembly of Block-Copolymer Thin Films on Nanoparticle Substrates using Neutron Scattering
  81. X-ray Photoemission Spectroscopy and Scanning Tunneling Microscopy of Model Catalysts at Elevated Pressure Conditions

 

Environmental-Health-Safety-Related-Research

 

  1. Bioavailability, Toxicity, and Trophic Transfer of Manufactured ZnO Nanoparticles (with U. Georgia, U. Kentucky)
  2. Bioluminescence to Determine Sub-lethal Toxicity of Buckminster Fullerenes: Potential for Bacterial Bioaccumulation
  3. Carbon-Based Nanomaterials in the Environment (with Indiana Water Resources Research Ctr.)
  4. Characterizing the Scientific Literature on Nanotoxicology
  5. Chemical Transformation of C60 Cluster in Aqueous Phase by Oxidants and UV
  6. Determination of Manufactured Nanoparticles Toxicity Using Novel Rapid Screening Methods
  7. Ecotoxicology of C60 Fullerenes in Fish
  8. Effects of Ingested Nanoparticles on Gene Regulation in the Colon
  9. Effects of Manufactured Nanoparticles on the Immune System of Macrophages
  10. Evaluating the Potential for Metal Nanoparticles to Enter Food Webs
  11. Fate of Carbon Nanomaterials in Natural Waters and Water Treatment Processes
  12. How do nanoparticles get into cells?
  13. Impact of Ambient Ultrafine Particles on Atherosclerosis and Asthma Exacerbation: The Role of Oxidative Stress
  14. Impact of Physicochemical Properties on Skin Absorption of Manufactured Nanomaterials
  15. Integrated Approach Toward Understanding the Toxicity of Inhaled Nanomaterials
  16. Lung-Deposition of Highly Agglomerated Nanoparticles
  17. Mechanisms of Inhaled Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Immune Suppression
  18. Nanoparticle Fate for a Safer Work Environment
  19. Nanoparticles Leach from Commercial Products into Sewage, but Can be Removed during Wastewater Treatment
  20. Nanoparticles Tracked in a Model Food Chain
  21. Nanostructured Materials for Environmental Decontamination of Chlorinated Compounds
  22. Non-Water-Soluble Quantum Dots Dissolve in Water
  23. Penetration and Translocation of Nanoparticles through Skin
  24. Photochemical Fate of Manufactured Carbon Nanomaterials in the Aquatic Environment
  25. Photochemical Reactivity of C60 Depends on its Dispersion Status in the Aqueous Phase
  26. Preparation and Screening of Membranes to Control NOM Fouling via High Throughput UV Graft Polymerization
  27. Removal of Engineered Nanoparticles During Drinking Water Treatment
  28. Responses of Lung Cells to Metals in Manufactured Nanoparticles
  29. Role of White Rot Fungi in the Environmental Fate of C60-Fullerols
  30. Safer Carbon Nanotubes through Targeted Removal of Bioavailable Metal
  31. Safety/Toxicity Assessment of Ceria (a Model Engineered Nanomaterial) to the Brain
  32. Towards Methodologies to Assess Occupational Exposure to Engineered Nanomaterials
  33. UC Center for Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology (UC CEIN): Early Progress
  34. Ultrahigh Sensitivity Biosensors Based on Nanoscale Field-Effect Transistors
  35. Understanding and Predicting the Toxicity of Manufactured Nanomaterials
Electronics
  1. 2-D Electron Gas Piezoelectric Sensors
  2. Active and Passive Metamaterials Research at CINT
  3. Carbon Nanotubes for Photo-Thermo-Mechanical Actuators
  4. CNT FET (Carbon Nanotube Field Effect Transistor) Technology to Support National Security Space System Applications
  5. Critical Advances Made in Nanomagnetics for New Technologies
  6. Dualband Quantum Well Infrared Camera for Target Identification
  7. Efficient Electrical Spin Injection into Silicon
  8. Electrodeposition of Patterned Metal and Semiconductor Micro- and Nanowires on Ultrananocrystalline Diamond Electrodes
  9. Electron Donor-Acceptor Interactions Directed Self Assembly of Organic Nanostructures
  10. Electron Spins in Single-Electron Transistors
  11. Electronic Conduction Mechanisms in Thin Wires and Nanoscale Contacts
  12. Electrons (and Holes) Move Faster in Graphene than in Any Other Material
  13. Excited Atoms Advance Quantum Computing
  14. Fabrication of Carbon Nanotube Field-Effect Transistors with Semiconductors as Source and Drain Contact Materials
  15. Fundamental Properties of Graphene Revealed for Device Applications
  16. Generation, Manipulation and Detection of Pure Spin Currents in Silicon
  17. Giant Nanocrystal Quantum Dots: Suppressed Blinking and Auger Recombination Through Solution-Phase Physical and Electronic-Structure Engineering
  18. Growth of Single-Crystalline B12As2 on m-plane (1-100) 15R-SiC
  19. Intershell Exchange in Spin-polarized Semiconductor Quantum Dots
  20. Light Scattering of Periodic β-Aligned Carbon Nanotubes--Antennae Effect in Aligned CNTs
  21. Measurement Solutions Delivered to Industry for Optical Nanolithography
  22. Molecular Labeling Diagnostic for Self-Assembled Nano-Electronics
  23. Nano-Column Fabrication for Gallium Nitride Radio Frequency Electronics
  24. Nano-Layer Midwave Infrared Detectors and Cameras
  25. Nano-Membrane Flexible Electronics for Surveillance Radar
  26. Nanowires Memorize by Changing Phase
  27. New Materials Approach to Spintronics (Selective Doping of Antiferromagnetic Semiconductors)
  28. Nonlinear optical signatures of semiconducting-nanowire orientation
  29. Quantum Dot Thermometry
  30. Receiving and Transmitting Light-Like Radio Waves: Antenna Effect in Arrays of Aligned Carbon Nanotubes (CO2 Laser Fibers)
  31. Revolutionary Electronics through Carbon Nanotube Nano-Electro-Mechanical Switches
  32. Revolutionary Memories from Carbon Nanotube Technology
  33. Revolutionary Method Generates New Template for Microelectronics
  34. Semiconductor Quantum Well Lasers for Aircraft Self Protection
  35. Single-Photon Detectors Developed for Quantum Communications and Computing
  36. Surface Modification of Semiconductor Nanowires and Their Properties
  37. Synthesis and Science of Correlated Complex Oxides at the Nanoscale
  38. Synthesis of Plasmonic Nanoparticles for Hybrid Nanophotonic Materials
  39. Tracking Carrier Dynamics in Semiconductor Nanostructures Through Space and Time
  40. Tunable Ferroelectric Photonic Crystals Using Epitaxial Barium Titanate Thin Films as the Nonlinear Medium
  41. Using Low-Cost Nanofabrication to Make the Most of a Scarce but Technologically Precious Metal
Nanomaterials

 

  1. Amplifying Fluorescent Polymers for Detecting Hazardous Substances
  2. Bulk Nanostructured Aluminum Composites
  3. Cable Harnesses from Carbon Nanotube Materials
  4. Carbon Nanotube [Conductive] Yarns and Sheets for Structural Components
  5. Catalysis and Corrosion on Transition Metal Nanocluster
  6. Coating Nano-Architecture Leads to Improved Engine Performance
  7. Collaborative Partnerships with Oak Ridge National Laboratory for the Discovery of Functional Charged Macromolecules
  8. Commercialization of Nano-Composites for Space Systems Insulation
  9. Deformation Physics of Ultrafine Scale Materials
  10. DNA Nano-Taggants for Covert Watermarking, Tracking, and Communication
  11. Edge Effects in Nanoindentation Measurements of Biological Materials
  12. Electrospun PMMA Fibers Demonstrate Migration of Nanoscale Self-Stratifying Additives
  13. Exothermic Nanocomposite for Self-Contained Ration Heater
  14. Formation of Carbon Nanotubes in Bulk Carbonaceous Solid
  15. Freezing as a Path to Build Complex Composites
  16. Functional Nanofibrous Membrane Assemblies Towards Biological Sensing
  17. Functional Soft Interfaces Based on Reactive Polymer Scaffolds
  18. Linear and Nonlinear Properties of Large-Area Metamaterials
  19. Mechanical Properties of Materials with Nanoscale Microstructures
  20. Methods for the Synthesis of Defined Protein Nanotubes
  21. Multicomponent Nanoscale Systems Fabricated with a Macromolecular Toolbox
  22. Multiscale Nanoengineered Trimodal Aluminum Composites Manufacturing
  23. Nano-Additive Demonstrates Potential for JP-900 Fuel
  24. Nano-Aluminum Alloy to Replace Titanium in Liquid Rocket Engines
  25. Nano-Coating Enables New Class of High-Power Microwave Devices
  26. Nano-Composite Coatings for F-35 LiftFan and RL-10 Rocket Engine Turbopump
  27. Nanocomposite Fire Retardants Dramatically Improve Fire Safety
  28. Nanoengineered Self-Segregating Additives for Self-Detoxifying Coatings
  29. Nanofiber Filtration of Lunar Dust Simulant
  30. Nanofiber Thermal Insulation
  31. Nano-Jet Microthrusters for Space Propulsion
  32. Nanoparticle Lubricant Produced by Biosynthesis
  33. Nanoparticle Transformations: From Solid Solution to Nanoscale Phase Segregation
  34. Nanoparticles with Different Functionalities and Their Periodic Structures
  35. Nanoporous Polymer Networks: Potential Adsorbents for Hydrogen Storage
  36. Nano-scale Inorganic-Organic Fiber Sizings for Enhanced Energy Absorption in Structural Composite Materials
  37. Nano-Taggants for Biological Threat Detection
  38. Nanotech Water-Repellent Breathable Fabric Treatments
  39. Nickel Nano-Strands for Aircraft Lightning Strike Protection and Electro-Magnetic Shielding
  40. Optical Properties of Phthalocyanine and Naphthalocyanine Compounds
  41. Polymer Nano-Layer Coatings for Optical Applications
  42. Processing of Explosive Formulations with Nano-Aluminum Powder
  43. Pulse Thermal Processing Technology for Rapid Thermal Annealing of Thin Films Receives 2009 R&D 100 Award
  44. Resolving the Mysteries of Electron Beam Resist Exposure and Development
  45. Reversible Wet/Dry Adhesive Inspired by Mussels and Geckos
  46. Role of Surface Effects on the Electro-Optical Properties of Nanocrystalline ZnO
  47. Self-Protection and Self-Healing of Polymer Nano-Composites
  48. Surface Passivated Air and Moisture Stable Mixed Zirconium Aluminum Metal-Hydride Nanoparticles
  49. Synthesis, Characterization, and Fabrication of Ultrananocrystalline Diamond-Based NEMS
  50. Tailored Nanopost Arrays for Nanophotonic Ion Production
  51. Thermochromism of Poly (Phenylene) Vinylene: Untangling the Role of Polymer Aggregate and Chain Conformation
  52. Thermodynamically Stable CNT
  53. Transition Metal Catalyzed Graphene
  54. U.S. Forest Products Industry and Nanotechnology-the Green Connection (Basic nanotechnology research agenda)
  55. Wood and Paper as Materials for the 21st Century (more on research agenda; examples)