National Science Foundation (NSF)

Hundreds of life-saving medications may no longer need refrigeration with the development of a new way to preserve protein-based drugs. Led by Scott Medina at Penn State University, a recipient of an NSF Faculty Early Career Development grant, researchers created an oil-based solution using a naturally sterile oil that protects against bacteria, fungi and viruses, which need water to grow and survive. The work could eventually reduce the cost of refrigerating drugs like insulin, monoclonal antibodies and viral vaccines throughout the supply chain and allow more protein-based therapies to be used where constant refrigeration isn't possible, including military environments.  "Keeping these drugs stable without refrigeration could simplify our supply chain and improve healthcare in a wider range of conditions," says Nitsa Rosenzweig, program director in the NSF Division of Materials Research. 📷: Penn State (CC By-NC-ND 4.0) https://bit.ly/3DVhWch

MedMicroMaps, an #NSFfunded company, develops an interactive and immersive learning platform to help users learn about microbiology and infectious diseases. Nursing students at Montana State University Billings tried out a prototype for a new virtual reality game developed by the company that allows students to see and interact with microbes, bacteria and viruses to cure a patient with a sore throat. 🦠 In the virtual reality game, the user can grab bacteria or cells to look closer and ask an avatar about microbes to learn more. MedMicroMaps aims to advance science education in microbiology through an engaging learning platform for all ages using artificial intelligence and extended reality. To learn more, visit https://bit.ly/4ceWbkd. 📷: MedMicroMaps #NSFSBIR

#NSFfunded researchers are harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to advance exoskeleton technology, improving and restoring human mobility. Engineers at North Carolina State University have developed a groundbreaking method utilizing a learn-in-simulation framework to save on time and cost in creating exoskeleton suits. This framework incorporates a human model, a robot model and a model of human-robot interaction to control the exoskeleton without requiring the intended users to be involved. "This marks a major advance in exoskeleton engineering by eliminating one of its biggest hurdles: individualized calibration," said Alexander Leonessa, program director for the NSF Mind, Machine and Motor Nexus program. "Using AI and human-robot simulations, the team developed a scalable, adaptable system that assists a wide range of users without lengthy setup. It is a key step toward making exoskeletons practical, versatile and accessible for both industry and mobility-impaired individuals — smart, human-centered engineering at its best." https://bit.ly/4c6CgUt 📷: Weibo Gao/North Carolina State University

The U.S. National Science Foundation joins The White House in congratulating Michael Kratsios as the new White House Office of Science and Technology Policy director. "Michael Kratsios' distinguished career advancing the progress of science, including as Chief Technology Officer at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy during the first Trump administration, make him the ideal person to lead our country's science policy," said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. "His work advancing policies around artificial intelligence, 5G and other emerging technologies has been key to ensuring the competitiveness, health and growth of our nation's scientific enterprise. I look forward to working with him to unleash scientific breakthroughs and ensure America's continued leadership in science and technology." https://bit.ly/3XwPyns

The U.S. National Science Foundation announces a joint investment through the U.S.-Ireland Research and Development Partnership program. Four funding awards spanning 10 higher education institutions will increase collaborations among researchers and industry in communication networks and health care in the United States, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland (NI). The funding agencies include Research Ireland, Health Research Board (HRB), Department for the Economy NI, the Health and Social Care R&D Division of the Public Health Agency (PHA), U.S. NSF and The National Institutes of Health. "The U.S.-Ireland R&D Partnership program provides a unique opportunity to advance world-class technological innovations," said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. "Working together, we are furthering a global ecosystem of innovation — one that not only responds to today's challenges but anticipates the needs of tomorrow." https://bit.ly/4kYi5Mt

Since the 1960s, NSF has funded research breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (#AI) that laid the foundation for technologies Americans use every day, including digital assistants like Alexa and Siri, Face ID, image generators and chatbots like ChatGPT. NSF was pivotal in AI advancements like neural networks (computation models inspired by the human brain), reinforcement learning (a type of machine learning where an AI system learns from trial and error) and the language-learning app Duolingo. 🗣️ Learn how in NSF Impacts: Building the Foundations of Artificial Intelligence: https://bit.ly/41wmSvY 📸: Alice Kitterman/National Science Foundation

Yesterday, NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan joined Research Ireland to congratulate this year's St. Patrick's Day Science Medal recipients and to sign a new NSF-Research Ireland memorandum of understanding. The memorandum expands on the robust and enduring cooperation between the United States, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, unlocking new opportunities for U.S.-Irish research teams to develop critical and emerging technologies that will help shape our future.

NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory, funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Office of Science, has achieved a major milestone with the installation of the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) Camera, and entered its final phase of testing before capturing the long-awaited and highly-anticipated "first look" images, followed by the start of the LSST. Weighing over 3,000 kilograms, the 3,200-megapixel camera is at the center of NSF-DOE Rubin Observatory’s optical system. Using the LSST Camera, Rubin Observatory will repeatedly scan the southern night sky for a decade, creating an ultra-wide, ultra-high-definition time-lapse record of the universe. This endeavor will bring the night sky to life and the data will be used by researchers around the world, enabling groundbreaking scientific discoveries and advancements that will help us understand our universe better, chronicle its evolution, delve into the mysteries of dark energy and dark matter and reveal answers to questions we have yet to imagine. "This is the last major step in the construction of one of the most ambitious scientific facilities ever created,” said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. "It's a testament to the technical prowess and dedication of the entire NSF-DOE Rubin Observatory team — and the scientific community that has been striving to get to this point for over two decades.” https://bit.ly/4kKBArJ 📸:NSF-DOE Rubin Observatory/B. Quint

Semiconductors are essential for powering devices we use daily, from smartphones and home appliances to pacemakers and satellites. They also play a crucial role in advancing technologies such as artificial intelligence, electric vehicles and advanced wireless networks. Since the 1950s, the U.S. National Science Foundation has supported critical breakthroughs in semiconductor research, design and manufacturing. The tiny but mighty materials in a semiconductor insulate or conduct the flow of electricity — blocking it when necessary and allowing it to flow. Their ability to operate these switches, done through chemical doping or light absorption, is fundamental to their role in electronic materials. Read the latest NSF Impacts story to learn more about how NSF has pioneered the progress of this crucial technology that powers our modern world. https://bit.ly/4iv1Bt8 📸: David Baillot/UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering

🎉 Congratulations to Andrew Barto and Richard Sutton on receiving the 2024 ACM, Association for Computing Machinery A.M.Turing Award. Their groundbreaking work in reinforcement learning has revolutionized artificial intelligence, leading to innovations like AlphaGo and ChatGPT. Barto's research, significantly funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), exemplifies the importance of sustained federal investment in basic research. To learn more visit https://bit.ly/41vOzoE.