Physicists at NIST recreate the historic double-slit experiment with atoms, demonstrating wave-particle duality and a novel technique for quantum computing. The researchers trap ultracold rubidium atoms in two overlapping lattices, creating a strobe-like effect that can be controlled.
Researchers at NIST developed a batch fabrication technique to create nanowire LEDs emitting ultraviolet light, which is crucial for data storage and biological sensing devices. The new method yields reliable, stable devices with excellent thermal stability and operational stability.
Researchers developed a technique to detect and sort different-sized polymer chains that pass through or block tiny pores in thin membranes. This non-destructive method measures individual biomolecules at the nanoscale level, enabling future applications in lab-on-a-chip molecular analyzers.
The new BEES 4.0 software tool from NIST provides a comprehensive evaluation of environmentally preferred and cost-effective building products, including biobased options that can offset greenhouse gas emissions. The updated software offers improved data on over 200 products, with additional features for scoring environmental impact.
A tiny spectrometer has been designed and demonstrated at NIST, offering precision laser calibration for atomic physics research. The device could replace table-top-sized instruments and improve instrumentation used to measure length, chemicals, or atmospheric gases.
A super stable fiber-optic network that can be tuned across a range of frequencies has been demonstrated at NIST. The network simplifies accurate comparisons of atomic clocks operating at different frequencies and locations, with potential applications in remote sensing and secure communications.
Scientists at NIST develop a flexible technique to mimic the desert beetle's warty wing covers, which can shift rapidly from hydrophobic to hydrophilic. The method uses ultraviolet light and photosensitive materials to control surface structure and chemistry, enabling rapid testing of paints, adhesives, and other coatings.
Researchers at NIST developed arrays of spin valves to trap and manipulate individual biomolecules. The arrays can apply torsional forces strong enough to alter the structure or shape of biomolecules, enabling parallel processing of single molecules.
Researchers have identified a lack of precise methods for studying nanostructured materials' atomic arrangements, dubbed the 'nanostructure problem.' A comprehensive solution requires coordination among multiple experimental methods and theory.
New nanocomposites may mean more durable tooth fillings, according to scientists at NIST. The researchers' technique solves a problem with standard composite resin fillings by producing stronger and more effective restorations.
Researchers at NIST have devised a system for manipulating and positioning individual nanowires using optical microscopy and conventional photolithographic processing. They can fabricate sophisticated test structures to explore the properties of nanowires with high control, enabling the creation of elaborate structures for testing.
Researchers have built micrometer-sized solid-state lasers where a single quantum dot plays a dominant role in device performance. Correctly tuned, these microlasers switch on at energies in the sub-microwatt range, enabling highly efficient optical devices for telecommunications and computing.
Physicists at NIST have devised a system to generate paired photons with great efficiency over a wide range of energy, reducing noise from extraneous photons. The new microstructured optical fiber increases light intensity, making pair production more likely.
A team of researchers from NIST and Northwestern University used advanced techniques to classify water in cement, distinguishing between physically bound and adsorbed water. This discovery has significant implications for predicting concrete properties and improving its durability.
The study reveals that nanobubbles formed by the collapse of one bubble become new nucleation sites for later bubbles, allowing them to form earlier and at lower temperatures. This discovery may impact technologies such as inkjet printing and thermal cancer therapies.
Researchers at NIST found that short DNA-wrapped single-walled carbon nanotubes can selectively absorb into human lung cells, posing a potential health risk. The team's study suggests that the length of the nanotube plays a significant role in determining cellular uptake and toxicity.
Researchers propose a novel method using ultraviolet light and titanium dioxide to cut proteins into manageable pieces for analysis. This technique offers advantages over conventional enzyme-based methods, including reduced sensitivity to temperature and acidity, ease of incorporation, and long-lasting material durability.
A new nanoscale apparatus developed at JILA measures the wiggling of a tiny gold beam using electrons, enabling faster scanning tunneling microscopes. The device offers a potential 500-fold increase in speed and can measure atomic vibrations in high definition.
NIST has created a new Standard Reference Material (SRM) to help diagnose chronic kidney disease more accurately. The SRM consists of frozen human blood serum with two different concentrations of creatinine, which is a metabolic by-product of muscles.
Researchers at NIST found that multiple robots' radio transmissions can interfere with each other, degrading search and rescue performance. The study identified ways to improve urban search and rescue wireless communications, including changes in frequency coordination and transmission protocols.
Researchers at NIST created a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) cell-stretcher to measure living cell mechanical properties like adhesion and elasticity. The device can study bulk mechanical properties of single cells while they spread and adhere to substrates.
Scientists at NIST have designed a computer-generated molecule that can cleanly remove fluorine from fluorocarbons. The new compound is designed to mimic the selectivity of enzymes and could potentially replace toxic organometallic compounds, which are currently used but highly inefficient.
Researchers at JILA propose using fibers to transfer ultra-stable time and frequency signals, offering improved accuracy over traditional GPS methods. This technology could enable synchronization of components in advanced X-ray sources and link geographically distributed radio telescopes to produce a giant telescope's power.
Researchers at NIST have developed a technique that uses noise patterns in ultracold atoms to reveal hidden structural patterns, including spacing between atoms and cloud size. This method has the potential to aid in designing more efficient quantum computers.
Researchers at NIST have created a nanoscale electronic switch that can be turned on and off like a binary switch. The switch works by using silver whiskers to form a short circuit, which is easily detectable. Key benefits include high electrical resistance ratios and simplicity in engineering large arrays of switches.
Scientists conducted precision comparisons among NIST's cesium fountain and mercury ion clocks, narrowing the range for a possible change in the fine-structure constant. These experiments aim to develop a more complete understanding of the history of the universe and test recent theories.
Researchers have developed a tiny, cold, and efficient cryogenic refrigerator operating at 120 cycles per second that achieves rapid cooling and low temperatures without moving parts. The device uses oscillating helium gas to transport heat, enabling faster cool-down and smaller size.
Researchers at NIST found a 40% reduction in critical current due to compressive strain, which can be accommodated in design but requires knowledge ahead of time for large-scale devices. The discovery provides new insights into the fundamental mechanism behind high-temperature superconductivity.
New study finds that electrons retain their spin alignment for up to three nanoseconds when confined around defects in semiconductors. This discovery presents a design challenge for spintronic devices, as optimal memory retention conditions are not conducive to efficient transport properties.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has created searchable databases of relevant product emission studies to estimate indoor pollutant sources and devise reduction strategies. The new electronic databases are linked with software tool ContamLink, accelerating the understanding of indoor air pollution.
Physicists at JILA have demonstrated that a surface's warmth increases its attractive force on nearby atoms, a finding with potential implications for devices like atom chips and MEMS. By using ultracold atoms and heated glass surfaces, researchers measured the temperature dependence of the elusive Casimir-Polder force.
Researchers at NIST have taken the first two-dimensional pictures of a frequency comb, revealing colors and intensity of all lightwaves simultaneously. The technique transforms the comb into a twodimensional brush, enabling scientists to measure and manipulate optical frequencies in a massively parallel manner.
Researchers have made a major breakthrough in understanding the unconventional superconductor URu2Si2 by studying its electron movements using neutron probes. The study reveals that the wandering particles work out an unexpected accommodation in the spacing of their energy levels, leading to a more orderly and cooperative behavior.
Researchers at NIST create molecular nanomagnets that offer consistent design and high contrast, improving MRI imaging. The new agents can be turned on only when bonded to a target molecule or cell, with no toxicity issues.
Researchers at NIST have developed a new method to rapidly assess the quality of carbon nanotubes by spraying coatings onto a quartz crystal, measuring resonant frequency changes to detect mass variations and gauge consistency among samples. The new technique outperforms standard analytic methods in speed and sample analysis.
Researchers at NIST created nanodot arrays with uniform response to magnetic fields, reducing variation by 5% and identifying key design cause. This breakthrough enhances prospects for commercially viable nanodot drives with increased storage capacity.
Researchers at NIST developed a copper bullet with unique markings to aid in tracing guns used in multiple crimes. The Standard Bullet enables crime labs to optimize their computerized optical imaging instruments, improving the quality of gun trace analysis.
Researchers at the Hollings Marine Laboratory have uncovered a subtle chemical pathway by which Pfiesteria piscicida can produce a lethal toxin. The discovery resolves a long-standing mystery surrounding occasional mass fish kills on the East Coast.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology has developed a new set of Standard Reference Materials to improve workplace safety by accurately measuring respirable quartz dust. These materials cover the range between 5 micrograms and 1000 micrograms of quartz per filter, typical of the field's range.
Researchers at NIST found that optimal work surface heights of 26 inches for image quality and 36 inches for speed can improve fingerprint capture. Participants preferred using their right hands, which reduced processing time.
Researchers at NIST have developed a miniaturized technique for separating minute samples of proteins, amino acids, and other chemical mixtures. The new 'gradient elution moving boundary electrophoresis' (GEMBE) method works by opposing the movement of mixture components with a stream of buffering solution flowing at a variable rate.
The Sistema Interamericano de Metrologia (SIM) network enables faster time comparisons between countries, allowing small nations to evaluate their measurements against world standards. National metrology institutes in member OAS nations participate in the network, which currently compares times between Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and the US.
Researchers at NIST and NREL demonstrate a simple laser-based method for purifying raw nanotube materials, significantly reducing impurities. The technique uses carefully calibrated laser pulses to react with contaminants, resulting in cleaner samples that can be used in various applications.
Physicists at JILA used vortex lattices to visualize defects in rotating patterns, which could aid in studying superconductors. The experiments simulated the behavior of superfluids and optical lattices, creating a new method for understanding material defects.
Scientists develop a technique to control DNA strand density on gold substrates using short adenine 'tails' as anchors. This allows for precise optimization of DNA sensor arrays by adjusting the spacing between strands.
A team of scientists has successfully observed rare particles of light emitted during the radioactive decay of a neutron, confirming theoretical predictions. The experiment, conducted at NIST's Center for Neutron Research, used novel instruments and techniques to minimize uncertainties and detect elusive photons.
Researchers at NIST have successfully used mechanical motion to induce rotation in rubidium atoms in a gas, generating an oscillating magnetic field. The technique allows for the detection of atomic spins with high precision, opening doors for applications such as high-performance magnetic sensors and quantum computer components.
A NIST-developed image enhancement technique, APEX, successfully sharpened details on distant galaxies in Hubble images. The method overcame limitations of traditional deblurring techniques by leveraging mathematical simplifications.
Researchers develop a new approach to creating stable glassy materials from organic molecules, which could enhance drug delivery and enable targeted therapy. The process uses vapor deposition at low temperatures, resulting in densely packed molecules with exceptional thermodynamic and kinetic stability.
Scientists at JILA have developed an ultra-stable laser system to manipulate strontium atoms, producing the most precise 'ticks' ever recorded in an optical atomic clock. This achievement enables improved time-keeping, precision measurements of high frequencies, and quantum computing using neutral atoms.