What’s hot in science and engineering? Check out NSF news for the day of February 12, 2024
02/12/2024
Keep up with the latest from the U.S. National Science Foundation. This is a daily look at notable news, scientific findings and stories brought to you by NSF.
NSF News
This week with NSF Director PanchanathanFebruary 12, 2024
This week, NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan joined a Biden-Harris administration signing ceremony to launch new funding for "CHIPS and Science Act…
NSF News
NSF director joins heads of multiple government agencies in signing consortium agreement at ceremony hosted by the White House
February 9, 2024
Today, the U.S. National Science Foundation Director Sethuraman Panchanathan gathered with leaders from the White House; the departments of Commerce…
See all the latest NSF news.
For cool science bytes, explainers and more, visit Science Matters.
NSF invests nearly $10M to develop transformative bio-inspired solutions
02/13/2024
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NSF invests nearly $10M to develop transformative bio-inspired solutions
NSF Convergence Accelerator program awards 15 teams to pioneer innovative technologies and solutions addressing pressing societal and economical challenges
The U.S. National Science Foundation is investing $9.75 million to advance novel solutions for complex societal and economic challenges inspired by biological systems. NSF's investment awards 15 multidisciplinary teams to Phase 1 of the NSF Convergence Accelerator's Track M: Bio-Inspired Design Innovations.
The track leverages the understanding of living systems and utilizes expertise spanning scientists, engineers and practitioners to inspire novel approaches and technologies that reduce environmental deterioration and mitigate challenges related to infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture and food production, human health and more.
"Research in bio-inspired design has the potential to yield transformative solutions to complex challenges," said Erwin Gianchandani, NSF assistant director for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP). "With this investment, NSF is pleased to accelerate new concepts, tools, technologies and approaches that will positively impact the nation in a range of areas, from environmental preservation to advanced manufacturing and human health."
Over the next nine months, each Phase 1 team will refine their initial idea into a proof of concept, identify team members and partners, and actively participate in the Convergence Accelerator's Phase 1 innovation curriculum. This curriculum encompasses crucial fundamentals in human-centered design, team science, use-inspired research, early-state prototyping, and effective communication, storytelling and pitching. As Phase 1 concludes, the teams will participate in a formal Phase 2 proposal and pitch to demonstrate the viability of their solutions. Teams selected for Phase 2 will continue in the NSF Convergence Accelerator program.
"Bio-inspired design is very applicable to the NSF Convergence Accelerator program because it inherently draws approaches and techniques from the convergence of life sciences, physical sciences, engineering, and medicine," said Douglas Maughan, head of the NSF Convergence Accelerator program.
The awardees include:
A New Biomanufacturing Process for Precipitated Calcium Carbonate Inspired by Whiting Events, led by the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science.
AI-Designed Microbes for Efficient Food Protein Production, led by Terraferma Foods Inc.
Bio-Inspired and Biocatalytic Degradation of 'Forever Chemicals', led by Geosyntec Consultants.
Bio-Inspired Design of Robot Hands for Use-Driven Dexterity, led by Carnegie Mellon University.
Bio-Inspired Multispectral Imaging Technology for Intraoperative Cancer Detection, led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Bio-Inspired Scalable Colloidal Materials for Improving Crop Productivity on the Path to Climate Smart Sustainable Agriculture, led by Benanova Inc.
Bio-Inspired Surface Design for High-Performance Mechanical Tracking Solar Collection Skins in Architecture, led by Cornell University.
Biofilm-Based Corrosion Control Using 3D-Printed Biotechnology, led by Iowa State University.
Distributed Flexible Strain Sensors to Enable Proprioceptive Cochlear Implant Electrodes, led by Carnegie Mellon University.
Enabling Novel Photonic Neuromorphic Devices Through Bridging DNA-Programmable Assembly and Nanofabrication, led by Columbia University.
Nature-Inspired Biomanufactured Terminal Hydroxylated Fatty Acid Copolyesters, led by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Slime Mold-Inspired Self-Assembling Conveyor System for Flood Response, led by the New Jersey Institute of Technology
Soft Growing Robots for Mobility Support, led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
TANDEM: Tensegrity-based Assistive aND rehabilitation Exosuits to Complement Human BioMechanics, led by The University of Alabama.
Water-Responsive Materials for Evaporation Energy Harvesting, led by the City University of New York Advanced Science Research Center.
About the NSF Convergence Accelerator
Launched in 2019, the NSF Convergence Accelerator — a TIP program — builds upon NSF's investment in basic research and discovery to accelerate solutions toward societal and economic impact. The program's multidisciplinary teams use convergence research fundamentals and innovation processes to stimulate innovative idea sharing and development of sustainable solutions. For more information about the program, visit new.nsf.gov/funding/initiatives/convergence-accelerator.
About TIP
TIP harnesses the nation's vast and diverse talent pool to accelerate critical and emerging technologies and address pressing societal and economic challenges. The directorate comprises three primary focus areas: fostering innovation and technology ecosystems; establishing translation pathways; and partnering across sectors to improve U.S. competitiveness, grow the U.S. economy and engage and train a diverse workforce for future, high-wage jobs. For more information about TIP, visit new.nsf.gov/tip/latest.
What’s hot in science and engineering? Check out NSF news for the day of February 13, 2024
02/13/2024
NSF News
NSF spurs technology development of biological and chemical sensing applications
Today, the U.S. National Science Foundation Director Sethuraman Panchanathan gathered with leaders from the White House; the departments of Commerce…
See all the latest NSF news.
For cool science bytes, explainers and more, visit Science Matters.
NSF invests nearly $10M to develop transformative bio-inspired solutions
02/13/2024
View as a web page
Contact Us
NSF invests nearly $10M to develop transformative bio-inspired solutions
NSF Convergence Accelerator program awards 15 teams to pioneer innovative technologies and solutions addressing pressing societal and economical challenges
The U.S. National Science Foundation is investing $9.75 million to advance novel solutions for complex societal and economic challenges inspired by biological systems. NSF's investment awards 15 multidisciplinary teams to Phase 1 of the NSF Convergence Accelerator's Track M: Bio-Inspired Design Innovations.
The track leverages the understanding of living systems and utilizes expertise spanning scientists, engineers and practitioners to inspire novel approaches and technologies that reduce environmental deterioration and mitigate challenges related to infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture and food production, human health and more.
"Research in bio-inspired design has the potential to yield transformative solutions to complex challenges," said Erwin Gianchandani, NSF assistant director for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP). "With this investment, NSF is pleased to accelerate new concepts, tools, technologies and approaches that will positively impact the nation in a range of areas, from environmental preservation to advanced manufacturing and human health."
Over the next nine months, each Phase 1 team will refine their initial idea into a proof of concept, identify team members and partners, and actively participate in the Convergence Accelerator's Phase 1 innovation curriculum. This curriculum encompasses crucial fundamentals in human-centered design, team science, use-inspired research, early-state prototyping, and effective communication, storytelling and pitching. As Phase 1 concludes, the teams will participate in a formal Phase 2 proposal and pitch to demonstrate the viability of their solutions. Teams selected for Phase 2 will continue in the NSF Convergence Accelerator program.
"Bio-inspired design is very applicable to the NSF Convergence Accelerator program because it inherently draws approaches and techniques from the convergence of life sciences, physical sciences, engineering, and medicine," said Douglas Maughan, head of the NSF Convergence Accelerator program.
The awardees include:
A New Biomanufacturing Process for Precipitated Calcium Carbonate Inspired by Whiting Events, led by the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science.
AI-Designed Microbes for Efficient Food Protein Production, led by Terraferma Foods Inc.
Bio-Inspired and Biocatalytic Degradation of 'Forever Chemicals', led by Geosyntec Consultants.
Bio-Inspired Design of Robot Hands for Use-Driven Dexterity, led by Carnegie Mellon University.
Bio-Inspired Multispectral Imaging Technology for Intraoperative Cancer Detection, led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Bio-Inspired Scalable Colloidal Materials for Improving Crop Productivity on the Path to Climate Smart Sustainable Agriculture, led by Benanova Inc.
Bio-Inspired Surface Design for High-Performance Mechanical Tracking Solar Collection Skins in Architecture, led by Cornell University.
Biofilm-Based Corrosion Control Using 3D-Printed Biotechnology, led by Iowa State University.
Distributed Flexible Strain Sensors to Enable Proprioceptive Cochlear Implant Electrodes, led by Carnegie Mellon University.
Enabling Novel Photonic Neuromorphic Devices Through Bridging DNA-Programmable Assembly and Nanofabrication, led by Columbia University.
Nature-Inspired Biomanufactured Terminal Hydroxylated Fatty Acid Copolyesters, led by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Slime Mold-Inspired Self-Assembling Conveyor System for Flood Response, led by the New Jersey Institute of Technology
Soft Growing Robots for Mobility Support, led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
TANDEM: Tensegrity-based Assistive aND rehabilitation Exosuits to Complement Human BioMechanics, led by The University of Alabama.
Water-Responsive Materials for Evaporation Energy Harvesting, led by the City University of New York Advanced Science Research Center.
About the NSF Convergence Accelerator
Launched in 2019, the NSF Convergence Accelerator — a TIP program — builds upon NSF's investment in basic research and discovery to accelerate solutions toward societal and economic impact. The program's multidisciplinary teams use convergence research fundamentals and innovation processes to stimulate innovative idea sharing and development of sustainable solutions. For more information about the program, visit new.nsf.gov/funding/initiatives/convergence-accelerator.
About TIP
TIP harnesses the nation's vast and diverse talent pool to accelerate critical and emerging technologies and address pressing societal and economic challenges. The directorate comprises three primary focus areas: fostering innovation and technology ecosystems; establishing translation pathways; and partnering across sectors to improve U.S. competitiveness, grow the U.S. economy and engage and train a diverse workforce for future, high-wage jobs. For more information about TIP, visit new.nsf.gov/tip/latest.
What’s hot in science and engineering? Check out NSF news for the day of February 13, 2024
02/13/2024
NSF News
NSF spurs technology development of biological and chemical sensing applications
February 13, 2024
The U.S. National Science Foundation is investing $10.4 million to develop innovative technologies and solutions to address a wide range of challenges…
NSF News
New NSF-funded infrastructure will transform ability to study elemental processes in living systems
The U.S. National Science Foundation is investing $10.4 million to develop innovative technologies and solutions to address a wide range of challenges…
NSF News
New NSF-funded infrastructure will transform ability to study elemental processes in living systems
February 13, 2024
Today, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) announced a nearly $20 million award that will support the construction of novel infrastructure to…
See all the latest NSF news.
For cool science bytes, explainers and more, visit Science Matters.
NSF BIO Winter 2023/2024 Quarterly Newsletter
02/14/2024
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A Message from the Assistant Director for NSF’s Biological Sciences Directorate
Dear Colleagues,
Over the last few months, we have been working to compile and analyze summary data on NSF's, and specifically BIO's, awards and investments in Fiscal Year 2023, which ended on September 30. The work and community that BIO funds is broad and extensive -- in Fiscal Year 2023, we funded more than 14,000 individuals across the career continuum at over 425 institutions and through over 1,000 awards. What those numbers don't show, however, are two things: the great science that those awards support and where in the country those people and institutions are.
From the smallest scales to the largest, BIO has funded science that cuts across biology and across other disciplines, as well. Some new highlights from that work are linked below, but there are countless more on NSF.gov. BIO has supported advances in basic science from the discovery of new species, to understanding how neurons direct behavior and molecular pathways direct the opening and closing of plant stomata. BIO-funded research also is having impact on and contributing to new understanding of critical aspects of societal challenges -- from molecular studies that are helping to advance health and wellness (see the part on molecular glue, specifically) to ecological research aiding in mitigating the negative impacts of wildfires to studies of plant-biotic interactions that are helping ensure we can feed our growing population sustainably by protecting crops from disease. Our infrastructure investments are providing data and tools that enable new types and avenues of research; see the story on the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) below. In short, BIO-funded research is transforming science, our nation, and our world.
In terms of geography, NSF is charged with supporting the whole of the U.S. science and engineering enterprise and that charge filters down to BIO to support the whole of the biological sciences community. The first goal in our Strategic Plan is to "empower STEM talent to fully participate in science and engineering." One of the key ways we achieve that goal is through supporting research in EPSCoR — short for Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research — jurisdictions. There are currently 28 jurisdictions identified as eligible for EPSCoR. By awarding resources and grants to science and engineering research in EPSCoR jurisdictions, NSF and BIO advance on our goal of supporting opportunities everywhere, while also empowering researchers in EPSCoR jurisdictions to advance the nation in the biological sciences.
What can you do?Keep proposing great science in every facet and discipline of biology and science that makes use of NSF-supported data from NEON, the Ocean Observatories Initiate, and elsewhere. Take a moment to see our current funding opportunities and then reach out to our program officers or engage with institutional representatives to find more information on how you can apply to NSF funding.
Tell your program director when you've made a discovery, have a publication in press, or have any great news to share. Don't wait until your annual report.
If you work in an EPSCoR jurisdiction, we hope to receive proposals from you and we are happy to field your questions about how to apply. If you do not work in an EPSCoR jurisdiction, please consider potential collaborators in EPSCoR jurisdictions with whom you might partner.
We look forward to your proposals and the exciting possibilities they hold.
Sincerely,
Susan Marqusee, MD, PhD
NSF Assistant Director for Biological Sciences
View BIO-funded Highlights
Today, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) announced a nearly $20 million award that will support the construction of novel infrastructure to…
See all the latest NSF news.
For cool science bytes, explainers and more, visit Science Matters.
NSF BIO Winter 2023/2024 Quarterly Newsletter
02/14/2024
View as a web page
Contact Us
A Message from the Assistant Director for NSF’s Biological Sciences Directorate
Dear Colleagues,
Over the last few months, we have been working to compile and analyze summary data on NSF's, and specifically BIO's, awards and investments in Fiscal Year 2023, which ended on September 30. The work and community that BIO funds is broad and extensive -- in Fiscal Year 2023, we funded more than 14,000 individuals across the career continuum at over 425 institutions and through over 1,000 awards. What those numbers don't show, however, are two things: the great science that those awards support and where in the country those people and institutions are.
From the smallest scales to the largest, BIO has funded science that cuts across biology and across other disciplines, as well. Some new highlights from that work are linked below, but there are countless more on NSF.gov. BIO has supported advances in basic science from the discovery of new species, to understanding how neurons direct behavior and molecular pathways direct the opening and closing of plant stomata. BIO-funded research also is having impact on and contributing to new understanding of critical aspects of societal challenges -- from molecular studies that are helping to advance health and wellness (see the part on molecular glue, specifically) to ecological research aiding in mitigating the negative impacts of wildfires to studies of plant-biotic interactions that are helping ensure we can feed our growing population sustainably by protecting crops from disease. Our infrastructure investments are providing data and tools that enable new types and avenues of research; see the story on the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) below. In short, BIO-funded research is transforming science, our nation, and our world.
In terms of geography, NSF is charged with supporting the whole of the U.S. science and engineering enterprise and that charge filters down to BIO to support the whole of the biological sciences community. The first goal in our Strategic Plan is to "empower STEM talent to fully participate in science and engineering." One of the key ways we achieve that goal is through supporting research in EPSCoR — short for Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research — jurisdictions. There are currently 28 jurisdictions identified as eligible for EPSCoR. By awarding resources and grants to science and engineering research in EPSCoR jurisdictions, NSF and BIO advance on our goal of supporting opportunities everywhere, while also empowering researchers in EPSCoR jurisdictions to advance the nation in the biological sciences.
What can you do?Keep proposing great science in every facet and discipline of biology and science that makes use of NSF-supported data from NEON, the Ocean Observatories Initiate, and elsewhere. Take a moment to see our current funding opportunities and then reach out to our program officers or engage with institutional representatives to find more information on how you can apply to NSF funding.
Tell your program director when you've made a discovery, have a publication in press, or have any great news to share. Don't wait until your annual report.
If you work in an EPSCoR jurisdiction, we hope to receive proposals from you and we are happy to field your questions about how to apply. If you do not work in an EPSCoR jurisdiction, please consider potential collaborators in EPSCoR jurisdictions with whom you might partner.
We look forward to your proposals and the exciting possibilities they hold.
Sincerely,
Susan Marqusee, MD, PhD
NSF Assistant Director for Biological Sciences
View BIO-funded Highlights
