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National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)


New protocol for measuring background levels of drugs in crime labs

Scientists at NIST and Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division developed a protocol to measure background drug levels, which can affect test results. The study found detectable amounts of 13 substances, including fentanyl, on various surfaces, highlighting the need for regular cleaning and increased sensitivity in labs.

Many Arctic pollutants decrease after market removal and regulation

Levels of some persistent organic pollutants (POPs) regulated by the Stockholm Convention are decreasing in the Arctic, according to an international team of researchers. The biggest decreases were in a byproduct of the pesticide lindane and PCBs, with mean annual declines of 9% and 4% per year across the Arctic region.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateAug 27, 2018

Connecting the (nano) dots: Big-picture thinking can advance nanoparticle manufacturing

Researchers at NIST and WTEC advocate for a collaborative approach to nanoparticle manufacturing, highlighting the importance of sharing knowledge and resources across disciplines. The study identifies common challenges in material, process, and application, suggesting that solving these problems could advance the entire enterprise.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalACS Applied Nano Materials·DateAug 22, 2018

NIST unblinded me with science: New application of blue light sees through fire

Researchers at NIST demonstrate a new method for visualizing objects engulfed by large gas fires using ordinary blue light. This technique improves the accuracy of material testing by reducing image distortion and enhancing signal clarity. The study has potential applications in fire-resistance standards testing and could lead to more ...

Coining less expensive currency: bringing down the cost of making nickels

Researchers at NIST have developed a new material for making nickels that is 40% less expensive to produce, reducing the cost of materials from seven cents to five cents per coin. The new design uses an integrated computational materials engineering framework and advanced alloys to achieve this cost reduction.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalIntegrating Materials and Manufacturing Innovation·DateJun 21, 2018

Can this invasive exotic pest make better materials for industry and medicine?

Researchers at NIST have combined wood pulp and dried-up pieces of an invasive exotic pest to form a new composite material that is flexible, sustainable, nontoxic, and UV light-reflective. The material could be used in various applications, including food packaging, biomedical devices, and building construction.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateMay 4, 2018

NIST/NASA study shows one detector doesn't 'fit all' for smoke in spacecraft

A NASA and NIST study found that traditional smoke detectors may not effectively detect smoke particles in space due to unique microgravity properties. The study investigated five common materials used on spacecraft and found that some detectors struggled to detect smaller particles, posing a concern for fire safety.

Movable silicon 'lenses' enable neutrons to see new range of details inside objects

Researchers at NIST and NIH developed a new method that uses movable silicon gratings to focus neutron beams, allowing for the examination of objects at unprecedented scales. This breakthrough could complement existing scanning techniques, enabling scientists to probe the interiors of materials without damaging them.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 12, 2018

JILA team invents new way to 'see' the quantum world

JILA scientists invent a novel imaging technique that combines spectroscopy and high-resolution microscopy to create rapid, precise measurements of quantum behavior. The technique produces detailed spatial maps of energy shifts among atoms in a three-dimensional lattice, providing information about each atom's location and energy level.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 5, 2018

'Quantum radio' may aid communications and mapping indoors, underground and underwater

Researchers at NIST have demonstrated a quantum method for detecting digitally modulated magnetic signals that can travel through building materials and water. The technology has the potential to improve communication range and accuracy in environments where GPS signals are weak or unreliable.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateJan 2, 2018

NIST scientists discover how to switch liver cancer cell growth from 2-D to 3-D structures

Scientists at NIST have discovered a way to make tiny colonies of cells grow in three-dimensional structures inside petri dishes, paving the way for more realistic biological environments for testing pharmaceuticals. The method could help bridge the gap between lab and living creature testing, speeding up drug development.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering·DateNov 16, 2017

It's all about the mix

Researchers from NIST have developed a new material mix that combines metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with 3-D printer plastic, showing promise for sensing and storage applications. The mixture retains more than 50 times more hydrogen than plastic alone, suggesting the MOFs are still functioning effectively while inside the plastic.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPolymers for Advanced Technologies·DateOct 25, 2017