U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

NANOSCALE SCIENCE RESEARCH CENTERS

The Nation's Premier Scientific User Facilities for Interdisciplinary Research at the Nanoscale

Center For Integrated Nanotechnologies Highlights
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Laser-driven ultrafast dynamics of a fractional quantum Hall system
A CINT User Team identified a possible optical route to access neutral geometric excitations of fractional quantum Hall fluids, complementing recent lightscattering experiments.
Center For Integrated Nanotechnologies Highlights
Center For Integrated Nanotechnologies Highlights
Flowchart illustrating the machine learning-driven approach to synthesizing ASI samples with precisely engineered frustration states.
Deep generative learning of magnetic frustration in artificial spin ice from magnetic force microscopy images
In this work published in npj computational materials a CINT User Team automated the calculation of net magnetic moments and directional orientations of spin-ice configurations microscopic images.
Center For Integrated Nanotechnologies Highlights
Center For Integrated Nanotechnologies Highlights
The polycrystalline mixed-phase Co2P-CoP branches are enriched with phase boundaries.
Phase Boundary Engineering of Co2P-CoP Branched Nanoparticles Enhances Cobalt Oxidation for Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalysis
In this study, a CINT User Team showed that mixed-phase Co2P-CoP branched nanoparticles enriched with boundaries between the Co2P and CoP phases can be synthesized by controlled phosphidation of Co branched nanoparticles.
Center For Integrated Nanotechnologies Highlights
Center For Integrated Nanotechnologies Highlights
Automatic image analysis and phase diagram construction using machine learning.
Machine Learning-Assisted Phase Diagram Determination in Aqueous Two-Phase Systems
In this study published in Langmuir, a CINT User Team developed an automated methodology integrating optical microscopy and machine learning to detect microscopic phase separation and define phase boundaries.
Center For Integrated Nanotechnologies Highlights
Center For Integrated Nanotechnologies Highlights
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Nonreciprocal scattering and implications for thermal emission control on a mid-infrared spatiotemporally modulated metasurface
A CINT User Team demonstrated spatiotemporally modulated metasurface (STMM) for nonreciprocal scattering, revealing a pathway to break time-reversal symmetry at thermal wavelengths for next-generation thermal radiation control.
Center For Integrated Nanotechnologies Highlights
Center For Integrated Nanotechnologies Highlights
Magneto-transport data for Ge0.92Sn0.08/Ge heterostructure field-effect transistor (inset) showing mobility versus density experimental data (points) in agreement with simulations results (lines) for a variety of temperatures.
Experimental Characterization and Modeling of High Hole Mobility GeSn Quantum Wells: The Role of Alloy Disorder Scattering
A CINT User Team achieved 4x improvement in mobility for GeSn/Ge quantum wells on a commercial 200 mm wafer platform, demonstrating reduced alloy scattering compared to similar systems.
Center For Integrated Nanotechnologies Highlights
Center For Nanoscale Materials Highlights
Nanoarchitectonic BiOCl–purple membrane hybrid converts O₂ to H₂O₂ while simultaneously upgrading ethylene glycol into value-added chemicals.
Hybrid bio-semiconductor nanosheets for hydrogen peroxide production
In a study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, researchers created a hybrid material combining bio-membranes and semiconductor nanosheets, greatly boosting hydrogen peroxide production and chemical conversion efficiency.
Center For Nanoscale Materials Highlights
The Molecular Foundry Highlights
Structural (IP-GID, XAS, TEM, SHG) and electrical measurements (PFM, PE loop, PUND) revealing robust ferroelectricity in atomic layer deposited (ALD) TiO, films below 3 nm thickness.
Ferroelectricity in atomic-scale titanium dioxide dielectric films
Researchers discovered that titanium dioxide films becomes ferroelectric when thinned below three nanometer, unlocking potential for next-generation energy-efficient computing chips.
The Molecular Foundry Highlights
The Molecular Foundry Highlights
Illustrations of the variables influencing absorption dissymmetry factor (gabs) and the tunable parameters (“knobs”) for optimization: optical; chemical; experimental; and structural.
A Data-Driven Approach to Unravel the Synthesis Knobs of Chiral 2D Perovskites
Statistical optimization of chiral 2D metal halide perovskite thin films reveals solvent choice, film thickness, and annealing temperature as key drivers of chiroptical performance.
The Molecular Foundry Highlights
Center For Integrated Nanotechnologies Highlights
Gold nanorods (AuNRs) modified by HER2-specific affibody molecules (ZHER2:2891- Cys) are internalized specifically by HER2-positive cancer cells and promote HER2- specific photothermal cytotoxicity when irradiated by an 808 nm LED array.
Gold Nanorod-Affibody Conjugates Mediate Cancer Photothermal Therapy under 808 nm LED Irradiation
A CINT User Team modified gold nanorods with affibody molecules to drive HER2-specific cancer photothermal therapy.
Center For Integrated Nanotechnologies Highlights
Center For Nanoscale Materials Highlights
Scanning electron microscopy image of the patterned hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ) nanogratings with TiO2 cladding. Scale bar, 400 nm.
Achieving room-temperature supersolidity
In a study published in Nature Nanotechnology, researchers achieved room-temperature supersolidity by integrating perovskite crystals with nanograting photonics, paving the way for accessible quantum technologies and exotic quantum phase exploration.
Center For Nanoscale Materials Highlights
Center For Integrated Nanotechnologies Highlights
a) Scheme of PbS QD and PbS/CdS core/shell synthesis. b) PbS core absorption versus CdS shell thickness in the three core/shell series. c) Calculated biexciton Auger lifetimes of the series, showing their correlation with PbS core radius.
Synthesis of Monodisperse PbS/CdS Colloidal Quantum Dots Emitting at Telecommunication Wavelengths with suppressed Auger Rates and Gain Threshold
A CINT User Team refined synthetic protocol gives access to high-quality, monodisperse PbS/CdSe quantum dots (QDs) to the C- and L-telecommunications bands (1530-1625 nm).
Center For Integrated Nanotechnologies Highlights
Center For Integrated Nanotechnologies Highlights
(a, b) Pre-irradiation TEM images of LPBF 316L and LDED CoCrFeNi high-entropy alloy (HEA), respectively. (a1, a2) and (b1, b2) Corresponding TEM images of LPBF 316L and LDED CoCrFeNi HEA after He irradiation at 600 °C to 10 dpa. (c, d) Statistical results of helium bubbles, including mean bubble size and bubble area density.
Comparative Study on Helium Ion Irradiation Resistance in Additively Manufactured 316L Stainless Steel and CoCrFeNi High-Entropy Alloy
A CINT User Team reveals how AM-induced microstructure, alloy chemistry, and temperature collectively influence irradiation damage and provides guidance for radiation-tolerant alloy design.
Center For Integrated Nanotechnologies Highlights
Center For Nanoscale Materials Highlights
The average unit cell of the high-entropy borate structure, highlighting the presence of an average mirror symmetry element when the Ba site is disordered, as shown by split Ba atoms across the average mirror plane. Stochastic fluctuations in this disorder will, however, break the mirror symmetry on a local scale. The lower subpanel isolates the boron–oxygen bonding network, revealing planar hexagonal motifs characteristic of the borate layers.
Advancing nonlinear optics with high-entropy borates
In a study published in Advanced Functional Materials, researchers synthesized high-entropy rare-earth borate crystals with enhanced optical transparency, broadband luminescence, and superior nonlinear optical properties for next-gen UV laser systems.
Center For Nanoscale Materials Highlights
Center For Functional Nanomaterials Highlights
Left: metal powder particle coated with silicate nanocages exposed to Xe plasma. Top-right: sample holder during plasma exposure. Bottom-right: sample in the center of the holder.
Simple Method for Trapping of Xenon in Nanocages
Demonstrated the trapping of xenon (Xe) atoms at room temperature in high–surface-area silica nanocages supported on metal powders using a simple plasma ionization method.
Center For Functional Nanomaterials Highlights
Center For Functional Nanomaterials Highlights
The MOSES mapping algorithm takes a target 3D lattice as input and, via inverse design, outputs a minimal materials design and a color-coded (chromatic) bond map — a complete assembly recipe.
Arbitrary Design of DNA-Programmable 3D Crystals through Symmetry Mapping
CFN researchers and collaborators developed a symmetry-mapping algorithm, MOSES, that streamlines the design of DNA voxels and can be generalized to patchy particles. These voxels are capable of self-assembling into complex three-dimensional superlattices.
Center For Functional Nanomaterials Highlights
Center For Nanoscale Materials Highlights
Multimodal spectroscopy improves defect inference over any single edge.
Machine learning powered multimodal spectroscopy for advanced battery material characterization
In a study published in ACS Nano, researchers developed a machine learning powered framework combining multimodal spectroscopy and simulations to characterize atomic-scale defects in battery materials, for applications in energy storage technologies.
Center For Nanoscale Materials Highlights
The Molecular Foundry Highlights
A thermodynamic computer can perform a simple computer vision task using orders of magnitude less energy than a digital neural network.
Nonequilibrium thermodynamic computing for ultra low-energy AI
We developed computational methods to train thermodynamic computers, networks of fluctuating nonlinear units, to do AI inference at designated observation times. By tuning parameters with genetic algorithms, our computational thermodynamic neurons correctly classify 93% of handwritten number samples in the MNST test set.
The Molecular Foundry Highlights
Center For Nanoscale Materials Highlights
The calculated electronic bandgaps of (BA)2PbI4 plotted as a function of in-plane (β) and out-of- plane (δ) distortions, highlighting the tetragonal, ortho-LT and ortho-HT phases.
Optically driven phase transitions in 2D perovskites via Higgs mode
In a study published in Nature Materials, researchers showed the first optically driven Higgs mode in 2D halide perovskites, revealing how light-induced phonon dynamics transiently stabilize a tetragonal phase for advanced optoelectronic applications.
Center For Nanoscale Materials Highlights
Center For Nanoscale Materials Highlights
Schematic of the coupling of Er3+ spins (yellow) in CeO2 film (glassy green) with the niobium (gray) superconducting LC resonator on sapphire (dark blue).
Er3+ spin coherence in CeO2 films for quantum networks
In a study published in Physical Review Letters, researchers demonstrated Er3+ spin coherence in CeO2 films on silicon, achieving up to 176.4 μs coherence times. This research paves the way for scalable quantum networks and advanced quantum technologies. Image: in box folder with title as n
Center For Nanoscale Materials Highlights
The Molecular Foundry Highlights
Schematic of the PONb-based selective sequestration process.
Ultraselective sequestration of Li+ and Mg2+ from brines via a reusable polyoxoniobate-based ion sponge
Researchers developed a new material that selectively captures magnesium ions from a Lithium-rich brine, achieving over 99.9% magnesium removal in under one minute.
The Molecular Foundry Highlights
Center For Nanophase Materials Sciences Highlights
CO2 methanation was studied on Al2O3-supported Ni catalysts with 4.6 to 8.4 nm particles. The reaction rate was found to increase with Ni particle size, accompanied by variations in surface species observed through in situ IR spectroscopy.
Spectroscopic investigation of the influence of Ni particle size in CO2 methanation
This study shows that larger nickel nanoparticles speed up $CO_2$ conversion by shifting the chemical reaction pathway, rather than by altering the catalyst's surface basicity.
Center For Nanophase Materials Sciences Highlights
Center For Nanoscale Materials Highlights
Schematic of the mechanism of chemomechanical evolutions for cobalt (top) and manganese (bottom) single-crystal Ni-rich Li metal coin cells during electrochemical cycling.
Single-crystal battery materials: redefining strain and stability
In a study published in Nature Nanotechnology, researchers uncovered how strain evolves in single-crystal Ni-rich battery electrodes, refining cobalt and manganese roles. This breakthrough paves the way for durable, high-performance lithium-ion batteries.
Center For Nanoscale Materials Highlights
Center For Nanoscale Materials Highlights
Autonomous multi-agent AI system coordinates specialized agents to perform complex materials property calculations from natural language prompts.
AI agents assisted end-to-end materials simulations
In a study published in Digital Discovery, researchers developed a multi-agent artificial intelligence framework that acts as a team of virtual experts, streamlining the use of simulations for materials discovery and design.
Center For Nanoscale Materials Highlights
Center For Nanophase Materials Sciences Highlights
STEM image of the Ni2.9 Gd0.4/SiO2 catalyst.
Gadolinium-Modified Nickel Catalysts for Enhanced CO2 Methanation
This study shows that adding gadolinium to nickel catalysts triples CO2 conversion speeds and prevents catalyst deactivation by shifting the reaction to a combined CO and formate pathway that suppresses strong CO buildup.
Center For Nanophase Materials Sciences Highlights
Center For Nanoscale Materials Highlights
An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) device design incorporating a new electron transport layer (ETL) polymer and cathode layers.
Breakthrough in stretchable OLED technology: achieving rigid-device performance in flexible displays
In a study published in Nature Materials, researchers built stretchable, high-performance OLEDs by innovating stretchable electron transport layers and cathodes, paving the way for high-efficiency, flexible displays in wearable and medical technologies.
Center For Nanoscale Materials Highlights
Center For Nanoscale Materials Highlights
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Quantum dot concentration effects on radioluminescence efficiency
In a study published in Nano Letters, researchers demonstrated a quadratic increase in radioluminescence efficiency with quantum dot concentration for applications in nanoparticle-based scintillators in radiation detection and imaging technologies.
Center For Nanoscale Materials Highlights
The Molecular Foundry Highlights
The main graph shows a close-up view of the probe apex placed above the bubble at the interface between a WSe2 and h-BN substrate.
Probing and Tuning Strain-Localized Exciton Emission in 2D Material Bubbles at Room Temperature
Researchers used dielectric probes to visualize and reversibly tune exciton emission inside nanoscale bubbles in WSe₂ monolayers by precisely controlling strain.
The Molecular Foundry Highlights
The Molecular Foundry Highlights
Exemplary 3D representations of volumes assigned to motifs.
Identification of short-range ordering motifs in semiconductors
A team of researchers confirmed the presence of short-range order (SRO) in a germanium-silicon-tin semiconductor and identified the actual atomic structure of the SRO motifs.
The Molecular Foundry Highlights
The Molecular Foundry Highlights
An AI-driven robotic workflow predicts synthesis-property relationships to accelerate experiment design.
Accelerating Experiment Design Through AI-Driven Robot
An AI-driven robotic workflow was built to accelerate experiment design and fabricate halide perovskites under less stringent atmospheric control.
The Molecular Foundry Highlights
The Molecular Foundry Highlights
Overview of scanning nanobeam electron diffraction.
Imaging the Progression of Radiolytic Damage in Molecular Crystals
Discovery of two consequences of radiation damage. Internal structure is constantly rearranged en route to destruction and radical propagation is delocalized from initial scattering event.
The Molecular Foundry Highlights
The Molecular Foundry Highlights
Illustration of the formation of crystalline polymer fibers via antisolvent-driven self-assembly and subsequent polymerization in aggregates.
Unlocking topochemical polymerization in single crystals, polycrystals, and solution aggregates
This work uncovered the mechanisms of TCP using X-rays, developed a new strategy for controlling TCP synthesis. It opens a new pathway for cost-effective polymer manufacturing.
The Molecular Foundry Highlights
The Molecular Foundry Highlights
Scientific graph.
Intrinsic optical bistability of photon avalanching nanocrystals
Demonstration of intrinsic optical bistability (IOB) in avalanching nanoparticles. The nanoparticles exhibit optical memory and high contrast switching between luminescent and non-luminescent states.
The Molecular Foundry Highlights