Two of The Florida State University's most accomplished scientists recently joined forces on a collaborative research project that has yielded groundbreaking results involving an unusual family of crystalline minerals.

By creating diamond-based nanowire devices, a team at Harvard has taken another step towards making applications based on quantum science and technology possible.

Researchers in the US have succeeded in growing germanium nanoneedle arrays on flexible substrates for the first time. The arrays could be useful for making anti-reflective coatings as well as in high-performance photodetectors and photovoltaic devices.

Harvesting electricity from small temperature differences could enable a new generation of electronic devices that don’t need batteries

Physicists at JILA have for the first time observed chemical reactions near absolute zero, demonstrating that chemistry is possible at ultralow temperatures and that reaction rates can be controlled using quantum mechanics, the peculiar rules of submicroscopic physics.

A team of chemists from the University of New Hampshire has synthesized the first-ever stable derivative of nonacene, creating a compound that holds significant promise in the manufacture of flexible organic electronics such as large displays, solar cells and radio frequency identification tags.

Researchers at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have developed a way to make some notoriously brittle materials ductile—yet stronger than ever—simply by reducing their size.

Silver Nanoparticles May One Day Be Key to Devices That Keep Hearts Beating Strong and Steady

Like many throughout the country, you may be asking how the billions poured into science R&D has helped stimulate our economy. Well, look no further than the nanotechnology instrument manufacture, Nanovea based in Irvine, CA. 2009 just ended as their first branded year with new hires, new instruments and more business to send to their local machine shops and parts suppliers. From their Irvine, CA office Nanovea designs and manufactures 3D Profilometers, Mechanical Testers & Tribometers to combine the most advanced testing capabilities in the industry: Scratch, Adhesion, Hardness, Wear, Friction & 3D Non-Contact Metrology at Nano, Micro & Macro range. Unlike other manufactures Nanovea also provides Laboratory Services, offering clients availability to the latest technology and optimal results through improvements in material testing standards. So what does Nanovea have to do with the stimulus given to research in the United States? Well coincidently, everything and here’s how. The stimulus given to research labs, universities and companies was intended for the development of new innovations and materials to support growing industries such as solar, energy, biomedical etc. To create new, and or improve, material requires new instruments to measure and insure material characteristics during research and development. Then, instrumentation would also be needed to monitor the mass development of these new materials for quality control. Nanovea had been designing and manufacturing instruments for this very purpose since 2004 and had been preparing for a brand launch at the end of 2008. With the direction of a newly hired marketing manager Nanovea prepared its launch in one of the most challenging economic times the US may have ever faced. Nanovea embraced the challenge and took full advantage of the needs of the research community both in the US and Internationally. With three clear product lines and services Nanovea provided solutions throughout 2009 to high growth industries in need of nano through macro scale measurement needs. Now 2010 has already begun with several new projects throughout the world and with local solar, pharmaceutical and medical clients throughout California. “Being a US manufacturer of nano instruments and services during this time has provided us with some great opportunities to establish our brand. We are very thankful and also very proud that were able to support the economy with new hires and business to our local partners.” —Pierre Leroux, Nanovea President | Ceo -END-

9-cubic millimeter solar-powered sensor system developed at the University of Michigan is the smallest that can harvest energy from its surroundings to operate nearly perpetually.