Imagine a material that can be stretched and pulled out of shape that not only returns to its original shape but also grows stiffer and stronger each time. University of Washington researchers have developed a new “strain learning” metamaterial. Inspired by how nature strengthens materials—like how bones repair themselves or how spider silk becomes stronger when stressed—this innovation could significantly impact industries that rely on durable, adaptable materials, especially medicine.
Author: Bekka Coakley
NanoES congratulates David Baker, recipient of the Nobel Prize
Biochemist David Baker was named a Nobel Prize recipient yesterday (Oct. 9). The computational biologist, professor of biochemistry at the University of Washington School of Medicine, and director of the UW Medicine Institute for Protein Design has been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work in computational protein design. By harnessing the power of computing, Baker has transformed biological research.
Ankush Nandi wins honorable mention in NNCI “Plenty of Beauty at the Bottom,” 2024 image contest
Sites from across the National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI) contributed stunning, unique, and whimsical images of the micro and nanoscale for the Plenty of Beauty at the Bottom 2024 image contest. Ankush Nandi, a mechanical engineering Ph.D. student in the Vashisth Research Lab, was recognized for his photo, “Shai-Hulud and the Ripples in Sand,” which he took with an Apreo1 SEM by ThermoFisher Scientific. Nandi’s photo received honorable mention in the “most stunning” category.
UW researchers develop a stretchable, wearable device that lights up an LED using only the warmth of your skin
One of the drawbacks of fitness trackers and other wearable devices is that their batteries eventually run out of juice. But what if in the future, wearable technology could use body heat to power itself?
UW researchers have developed a flexible, durable electronic prototype that can harvest energy from body heat and turn it into electricity that can be used to power small electronics, such as batteries, sensors or LEDs. This device is also resilient — it still functions even after being pierced several times and then stretched 2,000 times.
Rui Chen wins 2024 UW NanoES Student Achievement Award for Pioneering Work in Nanophotonics
August 5, 2024
The University of Washington (UW) Institute of Nano-Engineered Systems (NanoES) awarded Electrical & Computer Engineering Ph.D. student Rui Chen its 2024 Student Achievement Award. Chen was recognized at the NanoES Symposium on May 23.
Nominated by NanoES member and Electrical & Computer Engineering professor Arka Majumdar for his “remarkable productivity and innovation,” Chen has authored 18 journal publications or in-press articles. He was the first author of seven publications, and his work has been featured in prestigious journals such as Nature Nanotechnology, Nature Communications and ACS Nano. He has also amassed over 360 citations.
Chen’s primary research area is nanophotonics, which involves exploring photons, or light, at the nanoscale for a range of applications, including optical communications, miniaturized spectroscopy, optical computing, and more. His focus has been on developing a programmable nanophotonic platform, which is essential for many of these applications.
“This platform’s programmability is enabled by a special type of material called phase-change material, which consumes zero static power once programmed,” said Chen. “With this programmable photonic platform, we anticipate a significant transformation in how people develop new ideas and commercialize products in the photonics field.”
Chen said he became fascinated with how small structures and devices can be beneficial, comparable, or superior to their bulky counterparts.
“After entering this field, I realized how strongly it is related to our lives—all smartphones and laptops have billions of nano-electronic devices,” he said. “That’s the key enabler of our current lifestyle. Moreover, it’s just so cool to think about these tiny structures in the nanoscale.”
According to Mujumdar, Chen’s faculty advisor, Chen has an outstanding research aptitude and enjoys challenging problems.
“From day one in my group, Rui has demonstrated his capability to get things done,” said Majumdar. “He is also very inquisitive and self-critical of his work. In addition to his research accomplishments, Rui has shown a profound commitment to mentoring and guiding over five undergraduate and master’s students in our group.”
Nominations for the next student achievement award will be accepted in spring 2025.
Winners announced for the 2024 Nanotechnology Entrepreneurship Challenge
The National Center for Earth and Environmental Nanotechnology Infrastructure (NanoEarth) hosted the tenth annual NanoTechnology Entrepreneurship Challenge (NTEC) on April 30th. This year, 15 teams competed from seven separate sites, incorporating 18 students. The Northwest Nanotechnology Infrastructure (NNI) supported one team. The NNI Team was led by student Saowaluk Soonthornkit, researching “Durable Double Perovskite SrColrO3 Electrocatalyst for Acidic Media Water Electrolyzer”. Zhenxing Feng, Ph.D, Associate Professor at Oregon State University, served as the team mentor.
UW researchers find electrons uniting into entities with fractions of electric charge without a magnetic field
Despite 127 years of being studied, electrons are still surprising researchers. A UW-led team including NanoES members Matthew Yankowitz and Xiaodong Xu, found electrons behaving like quasiparticles with a fractional charge in a unique setup, a first without a magnetic field.
NanoES announces 2024 Northwest Nanotechnology Seed Grant awardees
The UW Institute for Nano-engineered Systems (NanoES) has awarded three seed grants to UW researchers to use nanotechnology tools to develop new, innovative technologies and devices. Shijie Cao, professor of pharmaceutics, Ali Sadeghi, postdoctoral scholar in neurological surgery, and Shijing Sun, professor of mechanical engineering will receive up to $10,000 to carry out work in the UW’s Washington Nanofabrication Facility (WNF) and Molecular Analysis Facility (MAF).
UW leads international group in semiconductor research and workforce development
The University of Washington is at the forefront of an international effort to innovate the semiconductor industry while building a skilled U.S.-based workforce to design and manufacture chip technology.
Creating tougher sustainable materials
ME Assistant Professor Lucas Meza received an NSF CAREER Award to study how to create tough, sustainable materials using nanoengineering.