The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is developing testing standards for lab-on-a-chip devices to ensure accurate measurements and product quality. Key findings include the importance of controlling multiple factors, such as materials and measurement methods, in determining autofluorescence levels.
The NIST team has created a versatile measurement system that accurately measures the electric power output of solar energy devices. The new system uses LEDs and can measure spectral response in about 4 seconds, potentially speeding up manufacturing tests for quality control.
JILA researchers discovered that removing the gold coating on atomic force microscope (AFM) probes improves force measurements in liquid, reducing the error range by 10 times. This breakthrough enables precise measurement of fast processes like protein folding and unfolding.
Researchers at NIST have developed a novel clay-based coating that outperforms traditional flame retardants in polyurethane foam, reducing flammability by up to 17% while requiring only half the amount of chemicals.
Researchers measured PFC concentrations in five sea turtle species and found high levels approaching toxic effects in other animals. Hawksbills had the second-highest PFOS concentration, while loggerheads and Kemp's ridleys approached levels linked to liver and neurobehavioral toxicity.
Researchers at NIST and University of Maryland successfully created graphene quantum dots by manipulating the strain in graphene drumheads. By controlling the tension on the drumhead, they mimicked magnetic fields and created semiconducting regions with a band gap, crucial for computing and other applications.
Researchers use JILA's frequency comb to measure concentrations of reactive molecules in air streams, capturing complex chemical reactions and optimizing sterilization techniques. The system achieves high-level disinfection without liquid chemicals or high temperatures.
A team at NIST has developed a method to calibrate and optimize color-based imaging techniques for medical applications. This enhancement enables surgeons to detect specific cell types with improved accuracy. The NIST effort is part of a larger initiative to evaluate and validate optical medical imaging devices.
Researchers have developed an algorithm that can simulate particle collisions on a quantum computer, a feat currently beyond conventional supercomputers. This breakthrough could enable quantum computers to tackle challenging problems like breaking complex codes and studying the early universe.
A new NIST report summarizes efforts to advance indoor microbial sampling, highlighting challenges and future priorities for surface and aerosol analysis. The report explores cross-cutting issues such as education and public awareness, and provides a comprehensive overview of existing resources.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released a new standard reference material (SRM) to aid in detecting two explosive compounds used by terrorists. The SRM contains meticulously measured concentrations of PETN and TATP, allowing researchers to test and validate their detector designs.
Researchers at NIST have developed a novel method for generating superluminal light pulses through four-wave mixing, which can be used to improve communication timing and investigate quantum correlations. The technique introduces cleaner, less noisy pulses with increased speed, potentially enabling faster-than-light information transfer.
Researchers found that film casting methods can affect the ordering of block copolymers in thin films. Spin casting led to fewer residual stresses and improved cylinder alignment for computer memory devices, suggesting a potential route for enhanced device performance.
Scientists have extended the trapped particles' useful life more than tenfold by using a refined technique for trapping and manipulating nanoparticles. The new approach, which involves a control and feedback system that nudges the nanoparticle only when needed, increases the lifetime of the particle while reducing its tendency to wander.
Researchers at NIST developed a new protocol for communicating with biometric sensors over wired and wireless networks using web services. This protocol, WS-BD, simplifies setting up and maintaining secure biometric systems by enabling interoperability among devices.
Researchers at NIST created a novel bioreactor that stimulates and evaluates tissue as it grows using ultrasound technology, reducing the need for destructive sampling. The device has shown promise in creating three-dimensional engineered cartilage with improved structural properties.
Researchers found that reducing fishmeal in farmed fish diets leads to lower health and growth. The cobia fed with reduced fishmeal had higher levels of metabolites linked to physical stress and lower levels of primary energy sources. In contrast, the diet with full fishmeal showed more normal growth and energy production.
The NIST simulator, built with 350 beryllium ions, has passed benchmarking tests and can study complex problems in material science that conventional computers cannot model. Scientists are now poised to explore high-temperature superconductors using the simulator's controlled quantum interactions.
The NIST mini-sensor successfully measured alpha waves in the brain and signals resulting from hand stimulation, verifying its potential for biomedical applications. It may be useful in magnetoencephalography (MEG), a noninvasive procedure measuring magnetic fields produced by electrical activity in the brain.
Researchers have found evidence that engineered nanoparticles can accumulate in plants and cause DNA damage. The study tested cupric oxide nanoparticles on radish and ryegrass, finding increased DNA base lesions and cellular uptake of copper in plant root cells.
The new laser design relies on a million rubidium atoms doing synchronized line dances to produce dim but brighter laser light. The superradiant laser's stability is less sensitive to mirror motion, making it potentially 1,000-fold more stable than conventional lasers.
Researchers from NIST, University of Maryland and Royal Institute of Technology create method to detect defects in magnetic structures as small as a tenth of a micrometer. The technique uses spin waves to nondestructively measure the properties of magnetic materials and search for nanoscale defects.
A new iron-based metal-organic framework (MOF) can separate closely related components of natural gas, improving the distillation process. The material is capable of selectively adsorbing light hydrocarbons, reducing energy-intensive cooling steps and potentially eliminating them.
Scientists at NIST and NIH discovered that inhaled anesthetics may alter the organization of fat molecules in a cell's outer membrane, affecting nerve cell signaling. This finding opens up a new line of inquiry into the long-standing question of how anesthesia works.
Researchers at NIST and partners have demonstrated that the thickness of the electrolyte layer is crucial in determining the performance of nanoscale lithium batteries. The team found that below a threshold of 200 nanometers, electrons can cause a short circuit, leading to rapid discharge and breakdown of the electrolyte.
Researchers at NIST create a nanoscale fluidic channel, dubbed the 'nanoslinky,' to control DNA molecule movement and measure its size. The system uses entropophoresis, a phenomenon resembling a Slinky's motion, allowing for separation, concentration, and organization of mixtures.
Researchers at NIST and NRL developed a better understanding of how to optimize organic solar cell performance by varying layer thickness. The ideal layer thickness of 2 nanometers results in the best current generation, but further engineering challenges remain to be addressed.
NIST researchers studied the self-assembly of quantum dots using DNA origami, determining critical factors and error rates. They found that simple structures take up to 24 hours to assemble with an error rate of about 5 percent.
Researchers at NIST have created a method to directly correlate particle size, shape, and agglomeration with redox chemical properties of nanoparticles. This allows for the observation of structural changes in nanoparticles during important chemical reactions.
The NIST/CU laser frequency comb has been used to calibrate measurements of starlight from stars other than the Sun, achieving precision comparable to established techniques. This technique may help detect Earth-like planets, which are hard to detect with conventional technology.
Researchers at NIST discovered a new switching mechanism for layered switching devices, which retain information even when power is turned off. The discovery could enable computers that boot up in seconds and use far less energy.
A team of researchers has discovered an iron-based superconductor that operates at the highest known temperature for its class, reaching 47 degrees Kelvin. The crystal's unusual property is that it can collapse by up to 10% when a smaller atom is substituted for calcium in some of its hubs.
The new device, created by Javier Atencia, features a diffusion-based gradient generator that reduces the risk of cell damage and offers simplicity. In experiments, cells were exposed to cycloheximide, resulting in increased fluorescence levels as the chemical concentration decreased.
A NIST biophysicist and CU collaborator developed a microfluidic system that records biochemical reactions over milliseconds to seconds in living human cells modified as FRET sensors. The system measures sensor signals at two points in time at a rate of up to 15 cells per second, enabling the study of protein folding or neural activity.
Researchers at JILA have created the first 'frequency comb' in the extreme ultraviolet band of the spectrum, allowing for precise measurements and unlocking new scientific avenues. This breakthrough enables the development of 'nuclear clocks' and studies of previously unexplored behavior in atoms and molecules.
Researchers at NIST developed a new software to quantify the friction of graphene, finding that the material becomes more slippery when stacked. The study provides new quantitative data and sheds light on the differences in graphene's friction compared to three-dimensional graphite-like materials.
Researchers have demonstrated a prototype device capable of absolute measurements of optical power delivered through an optical fiber, outperforming existing devices with improved temperature control and speed. The new radiometer can measure power levels as low as 10 nanowatts with high accuracy, paving the way for ultraprecise calibra...
Researchers at NIST have developed a new device that can perform neutron interferometry in a much smaller space, increasing its sensitivity and speed. This innovation could enable the technique to be used in industries such as materials science and manufacturing.
Physicists at NIST have developed a method to manipulate atoms' internal states using lasers, revealing new interactions that could aid in designing materials for quantum computing. This technique allows researchers to simulate complicated systems and observe their behavior in slow motion.
The NIST SCUBA-2 camera is the world's largest submillimeter camera, containing over 10,000 superconducting sensors. It will enable faster and more accurate mapping of the sky, producing better images and sky maps.
Researchers at NIST tracked and analyzed ultrafine particles emitted by household appliances, revealing that coagulation, deposition, and ventilation play a significant role in their fate. The study provides valuable insights into the dynamics of these tiny air contaminants and their impact on indoor environments.
Researchers discovered that temperatures and heat fluxes exceeding polycarbonate performance limits can cause lens degradation, exposing firefighters to toxic gases and burns. The study aims to inform efforts to improve the match between standard requirements and real-life conditions.
Researchers have integrated a highly efficient piezoelectric material into a silicon microelectromechanical system, enabling significant advances in sensing, imaging, and energy harvesting. The new material, PMN-PT, delivers two to four times more movement with stronger force than rival materials, while using only 3 volts.
Researchers have created an alloy that exhibits a strong magnetoresistive effect, enabling sensitive magnetic field detection and tiny actuators. The alloy's unique structure and processing techniques make it a promising next-generation material for microelectromechanical machines.
A research team at NIST has identified the genetic structure of the infectious salmon anemia virus (ISAV), which may play a critical role in its reproduction. This discovery could lead to new approaches for interfering with the replication of these viruses, potentially mitigating the effects of ISAV on the aquaculture industry.
Researchers analyzed neutron decay patterns, placing constraints on theories explaining the universe's matter-antimatter imbalance. While no clear answer emerged, improved detector sensitivity limited possible explanations, offering a fresh perspective for future investigations.
Researchers from NIST and UVA successfully demonstrated the use of electron tweezers to move, position and assemble tiny particles at the nanoscale. Electron tweezers have the potential to offer a thousand-fold improvement in sensitivity and resolution compared to traditional laser optical tweezers.
The NIST team uses analytical ultracentrifugation to simultaneously sort and measure light absorption of nanoparticle clusters by size. This allows for the measurement of individual cluster sizes without being confounded by other components, enabling more accurate experiments in EHS and biosensors research.
Researchers at NIST have developed a compact laser frequency comb, the first to use a cavity made of fused silica. The micro-comb is about the size of a shoebox and relies on a low-power laser and the cavity's unusual properties. It has wide spacing between teeth, allowing scientists to easily measure and manipulate them.
Researchers have engineered a highly ordered version of a magnetic oxide compound, revealing the influence of electrons near additional lanthanum layers. The study provides crucial insights into the emerging field of oxide spintronics and its potential for fast memory devices with reduced power consumption.