Research on loggerhead turtles reveals significant levels of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) causing liver damage and immune system suppression. Exposure to PFCs may pose a similar risk to humans, with potential for immunocompromise.
Researchers at NIST, NCI, and SAIC developed a new method for detecting HER2 breast cancer using chicken immunoglobulin Y (IgY) antibody tagged with quantum dot. This approach improves the detection of HER2 biomarker by 40-50% compared to existing tests.
A super-sensitive mini-sensor developed at NIST can detect nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in tiny samples of fluids flowing through a novel microchip. This technology has wide application as a sensitive chemical analyzer for rapid screening to find new drugs.
Physicists at JILA demonstrate a next-generation atomic clock based on thousands of strontium atoms trapped in laser light grids, surpassing the current U.S. time standard by over 200 million years. The clock's precision enables synchronization of telecom networks and deep-space communications.
Researchers developed a testing apparatus to track air flow distribution in finned-tube heat exchangers, comparing results with CFD simulations. This could lead to improved heat pump efficiency by 5% and reduced material cost.
The NIST team will use the granted time to model concrete flow under various conditions, improving prediction and measurement of flow properties. The access to the Argonne machine allows for advanced computer modeling impossible with existing facilities.
A new approach extracts optically basic properties of liquid/gel interfaces in strong flows using video analysis, enabling measurements on biological and industrial systems. The researchers discovered that small amounts of 'mechanical noise' produce significant motion at the fluid/gel interface.
Scientists at JILA have found a way to suppress the 'blinking' issue in quantum dots, increasing their photon emission rate four- to fivefold. By using an antioxidant chemical solution, they reduced the average time delay between excitation and photon emission from 21 nanoseconds to 4 nanoseconds.
Researchers at NIST have developed a novel technique for measuring surface roughness, which could lead to more accurate models of deformation and lower tooling costs. The new method uses data from a scanning laser confocal microscope and challenges the traditional linear relationship between surface roughness and material deformation.
Researchers developed an open-source tool that catches programming errors using combinatorial testing, saving time and money for developers. The tool efficiently tests combinations of up to six variables, reducing the number of tests required by 99.9% compared to traditional methods.
The new NIST program will ensure that accredited laboratories perform tests on personal body armor in a reliable manner, reducing the risk of inaccurate or ineffective protection. Laboratories must submit applications and complete an assay process to demonstrate proficiency before receiving accreditation.
Millions of satellite television users in North Africa and the Middle East now have access to accurate atomic time, thanks to a custom-built time signal generator from NIST. The device provides both time data and audio reports, including Daylight Saving Time corrections and leap year warnings.
The NIST imaging system uses custom software and electronics to map mechanical properties of materials, enabling scientists to see variations in elasticity, adhesion, or friction. The system can produce high-resolution images in minutes, offering greater flexibility and cost-effectiveness than competing approaches.
Scientists at NIST made direct measurements of thin polymer film expansion and collapse in photolithography, revealing a complex chemistry that affects transistor performance. The findings offer new insights into modifying resist chemistry to control swelling and achieve optimal edge resolution.
Researchers at NIST have shown that silicon crystals can develop cracks and breakdown under mechanical stress, contrary to conventional wisdom. The team's findings have significant implications for the design of micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) devices, which are critical components in various industries.
Researchers developed an independent measurement system using cameras, microphones, and laser scanners to evaluate the performance of advanced collision warning systems. The NIST technology detected objects within eight-tenths of a meter from up to 60 meters away at speeds of up to 56 mph.
NIST nanowires have high Q factors, indicating stable vibrations, making them suitable as oscillators in nano-electromechanical systems. The wires' flat surfaces and material properties reduce noise and increase heat capacity.
Researchers at NIST create a stable superfluid flow in an ultracold atomic gas using laser light and magnetic fields. This breakthrough may lead to precise navigation gyroscopes and deeper physics insights.
Researchers at NIST and George Mason University have created a tiny microwave oven that can heat a pinhead-sized drop of liquid with precision. The micro microwave is designed for lab-on-a-chip devices, which perform rapid chemical analyses on tiny samples.
The new NIST mini-sensor is almost 1000 times more sensitive than the original chip-scale magnetometer and can detect magnetic fields in the range of 3-40 femtoteslas. The device has potential applications in non-invasive biomagnetic measurements, such as fetal heart monitoring and brain activity measurement.
Researchers at NIST have developed a method to selectively grow nanowires on sapphire wafers, allowing for the creation of transistors and other circuit elements with high accuracy. This technique has the potential to enable industrial-scale production of nanowire-based devices.
The NIST device can accurately count 1, 2 or 3 photons at least 83 percent of the time, a capability essential for advanced precision optical metrology. The detector has an internal quantum efficiency of 68 ± 18 percent and potential to operate at higher temperatures than other single-photon detectors.
A NIST study found that residential fire sprinklers are a cost-effective solution for new homes, with estimated benefits ranging from $704 to $6,048 over a 30-year period. The analysis also showed significant reductions in civilian fatalities and property damage.
The maximum transmission rate of quantum-encrypted messages is limited by detector dead times, which can compromise security. Researchers aim to reduce these times to increase speeds and enhance wireless cryptography.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has awarded $138.7 million in funding to 56 innovative technology projects, including medical diagnostic techniques and alternative energy sources. The projects were selected through a competitive, peer-reviewed process and represent a total potential investment of up to $342.7 ...
Scientists have developed a spectroscopic technique to measure magnetic properties of thin film edges, which become dominant at the nanoscale. The method allows for prediction of behavior in similar structures, impacting nanoscale electronics design.
Scientists at NIST have developed a new component for potential ultra-powerful quantum computers using a microfabricated aluminum cable with superconducting circuits. This 'quantum bus' can transport data between two or more qubits, enabling faster calculations and potentially solving complex mathematical problems.
JILA scientists discovered a flaw in the most common DNA elasticity model, leading to errors in measuring short DNA molecules. The finite worm-like chain (FWLC) model improves accuracy by incorporating length effects.
Researchers at NIST developed a novel annealing process that creates highly ordered nanostructured polymer thin films with controlled patterns. The 'cold zone' annealing system produces defect-free films with sub-30nm features, opening up new possibilities for microelectronics and data storage applications.
Physicists at NIST have demonstrated radio-frequency cooling of a large object by reducing its thermal motion with radio waves. They cooled a silicon cantilever to -228 C (-379 F) using an RF circuit, which may be more practical than optical techniques in some cases.
Researchers at NIST have discovered a highly sought-after type of atomic magnetic moment arrangement in antiferromagnets. The findings, published in Nature Materials, reveal evidence of a rare quantum paramagnetic spin state that weakly responds to external magnetic fields.
Researchers at NIST create a process to fine-tune the electrical resistance of individual layers in magnetic sensors, enabling faster and more efficient data storage. By using highly charged ions to create tiny pits, the team can tailor the resistance of the sensor without changing any other part of the device.
Researchers developed a method for layering biomaterials to create strong, porous units that can aid in bone reconstruction. The new approach mimics natural bone structure, combining the benefits of macroporous calcium phosphate cements with fiber-reinforced materials.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has issued a suite of Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) for ginkgo biloba, enabling the validation of analytical methods and support measurements associated with clinical trials or product label claims. The SRMs can also be used by dietary supplement manufacturers to improve p...
Researchers have measured concentrations of polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) in human blood serum, cod liver oil, and house dust using NIST's Standard Reference Materials (SRMs). The results provide a better understanding of the source and degree of PBDE contamination in humans and the environment.
A thin layer of ruthenium modulates interactions between ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic films, stabilizing the magnetization and enhancing device sensitivity. Thicker buffers result in more sensitive devices, while thinner buffers improve resistance to external fields.
The new Standard Reference Material (SRM) 955c provides a more effective tool for detecting lead poisoning, particularly in children. With its improved accuracy and expanded uncertainty, SRM 955c enables the development of next-generation clinical methods to accurately measure blood lead levels.
The study identifies dominant damping mechanisms in iron, cobalt, and nickel, pointing to improved material design techniques. This discovery enhances the prediction of magnetic materials' dynamics, crucial for high-performance electronic devices.
Physicists at NIST induce thousands of atoms to swap spins, creating logical connections for quantum computing. The demonstration advances prospects for using neutral atoms as qubits, which could provide extraordinary power for applications like encryption code-breaking.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has improved a real-time magnetic microscopy system to analyze magnetic audio and video tapes with four times the resolution previously available. This faster and more accurate system reduces risk of contaminating tapes and offers enhanced forensic capabilities.
NIST researchers evaluated prototype two-way translation systems in laboratory and outdoor tests with English-speaking U.S. Marines and Iraqi Arabic speakers. The TRANSTAC program focuses on English and Iraqi Arabic translation capabilities, aiming to improve field translators and enable real-time communication in critical situations.
Researchers from NIST and Georgia Tech created detailed maps of electron interference patterns in graphene to understand how single-atom defects affect charge flow. The results show that missing carbon atoms cause strong scattering, unlike irregularities in the underlying silicon carbide.
Researchers at JILA discovered a previously unseen type of collective electronic behavior in semiconductors, shedding light on interactions between microscopic particles. The study used ultrafast lasers to analyze the phase shift of light, confirming the importance of collective exciton behavior and its superiority over simpler models.
The NIST/NCSU team observed the spontaneous assembly of organosilane molecules into a monolayer film, finding wavelike ordering with an expanded interface. The findings support recent theoretical modeling and have implications for understanding self-propagating chemical reactions and ordering phenomena.
The exercise will test robot performance on emerging standard test methods using actual training scenarios for emergency responders. Robots will face challenges such as searching for victims in a simulated structural collapse and investigating a train wreck, utilizing various sensors like laser scanners and thermal imagers.
Researchers at NIST have built a prototype high-speed quantum key distribution (QKD) system that can transmit secure keys in real-time over distances of at least 10 kilometers. The system achieves dramatically lower noise levels than similar systems, enabling theoretically unbreakable encryption and decryption.
A new report from NIST and EPA offers building owners retrofit options to improve safety against airborne chemical and biological hazards. The report evaluates 14 alternative techniques, including filtration and air cleaning systems, and provides a life-cycle cost analysis tool.
Researchers have fabricated a novel memory device combining silicon nanowires with traditional SONOS technology, enabling more reliable data storage and easier integration into commercial applications. The device boasts simple read, write, and erase capabilities, high memory retention, and large on/off current ratio.
Researchers from NIST, NTT Corp., and Stanford University have set a record for sending 'quantum keys' over a 200-kilometer fiber-optic link. The experiment demonstrated the feasibility of practical inter-city terrestrial quantum communications networks and long-range wireless systems using communication satellites.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed a new reference material for peptide analysis, which will improve the performance and reliability of experiments to measure peptides in biomolecular samples. The peptide standards project committee designed three synthetic peptides with varying lengths and net char...