National Science Foundation (NSF)

One way to meet the enormous energy needs of AI is to generate more energy, but what about simply making chips more efficient? Not easy. However, researchers at University of Michigan and Oregon State University are experimenting with a new approach to chip design that could yield systems six times more efficient than most chips on the market today. The findings appeared in Nature Electronics, and you can read more at https://bit.ly/4iLxTRW 📸: Photo from ATE Centers Impact 2011

What's that in the sky? 👀 More mysterious than #drones — newly discovered enigmatic "dark comets" that resemble asteroids but move like comets. ☄️💫 A team of researchers from Michigan State University (MSU) has discovered seven new near-Earth objects called dark comets. This discovery doubles the number of known #darkcomets and categorizes them into two distinct types based on differences in their orbits and sizes. "Dark comets are a new class of near-Earth objects that may contain water, so they're a new potential source for delivering materials to Earth which were necessary for the development of life," said MSU researcher Darryl Seligman, who led the study and is a recipient of an NSF and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowship, supported in part by a gift from Charles Simonyi to NSF. "The more we can learn about them, the better we can understand their role in our planet's origin." Learn more about these fascinating finds: https://bit.ly/3DiLUpI 📷: KPNO/NSF NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/R. Sparks (NSF’s NOIRLab)

What better way to say “happy holidays” to someone you care about than through science?🧪 NSF 2024 holiday cards are now available for download and print. Pick from four options or download them all! Each card opens with a fun, colorful illustration and a “science-y” wordplay greeting — fun for friends, family and work colleagues!❄️🐧 Check them out!➡️ https://bit.ly/3BlC06o

Activate Anywhere is expanding the path to science #entrepreneurship in the U.S. with support from NSF. With a vision to create a virtual community that will empower scientists and engineers to tackle the world's most pressing challenges, no matter where they are located, Activate provides early-stage science entrepreneurs a two-year fellowship to help bring their research to market. The fellowship includes funding, mentorship, technical resources, #networking and a community of entrepreneurial fellows and alumni across the country to help fellows succeed and make a positive impact. NSF funding to Activate .org, a nonprofit organization, makes these entrepreneurial fellowships possible. #NSFSBIR For more information about Activate Anywhere, please visit https://bit.ly/4gkpUts. 📷: Activate Anywhere

The future of medicine is now. Kidneys are essential for keeping the body functioning by cleansing the blood, maintaining fluid and electrolyte pallets and helping to regulate pressure. 🩸 But modern diets and lifestyles stress the kidneys, which, unlike other organs and bones, cannot regenerate or heal themselves. #NSFfunded researchers are looking to use stem cells to create new kidney tissue to solve this problem in this "The Discovery Files" episode. https://bit.ly/3P2AJUF

Strategic partnerships play a pivotal role in fostering innovation and strengthening the nation's workforce. This week, NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan met with key leaders to advance current research and development initiatives while exploring future opportunities for impactful collaboration. On Tuesday, Dec. 10, the director traveled to Stockholm, Sweden, to attend the 2024 Nobel Prize award ceremony. The director joined scientists and leaders from around the world to commemorate the 2024 Nobel Prize laureates on their remarkable achievements in STEM and literature. NSF is proud to have supported seven of this year’s Nobel Prize laureates.  On Thursday, Dec. 12, Panchanathan welcomed Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) President Alejandro Adem to NSF headquarters. The director expressed his gratitude to Adem for his commitment to fostering collaboration between NSF and NSERC. The two also discussed bringing together global talent to translate knowledge into transformative actions. Later that day, the director sat down with Microsoft President Bradford Smith and Chief of Staff to the Vice Chair and President Carol Ann Browne. The group reviewed the progress of ongoing collaborations between NSF and Microsoft and explored new possibilities for building sustainable, long-term partnerships.

Several #NSFfunded small business leaders earned a spot on Forbes' "30 Under 30 List" for 2025. These entrepreneurs are taking research to market and changing the world in the process. 👏 From developing an artificial intelligence platform to help people living with undiagnosed and undertreated chronic diseases to making more efficient commercial HVAC and CO2-capture devices, these young leaders will shape technologies and industries for years to come. 🥼🧑🔬 NSF-supported startups that made the list this year include: ✅ Immergo Labs (Healthcare) https://bit.ly/4gzSg2B ✅ Carenostics (Healthcare) https://bit.ly/4gzSh6F ✅ Aluminio Inc (Energy & Green Tech) https://bit.ly/3D9qbAB ✅ Helix Earth Technologies (Energy & Green Tech) https://bit.ly/4gu00mA ✅ SixLine Semiconductor (Manufacturing & Industry) https://bit.ly/4fjtOkK ✅ FluxWorks (Manufacturing & Industry) https://bit.ly/4garIFe ✅ Phoenix Tailings (Manufacturing & Industry) https://bit.ly/3DduFpR ✅ LLume : by Organic Robotics Corporation (Manufacturing & Industry) https://bit.ly/3BdgwIQ ✅ Pascal Tags (Manufacturing & Industry) https://bit.ly/4gwzvN8 To learn more and see the full list, check out https://bit.ly/4gaJQyN. #NSFSBIR #ForbesUnder30 📷: Carenostics

The U.S. National Science Foundation has announced the new Arecibo Center for Culturally Relevant and Inclusive Science Education, Computational Skills, and Community Engagement (NSF Arecibo C3 Center). This groundbreaking initiative, located at the historic NSF Arecibo Observatory site in Puerto Rico, is set to open in 2025. This new multidisciplinary educational center will build on the observatory's legacy by expanding collaborative education and research opportunities for educators and students in Puerto Rico and the U.S. mainland. The center will house a research laboratory as well as an interactive science center for exhibitions and educational outreach activities, such as science talks, hands-on field trips and public events. Already in its pilot phase, the center is working closely with local students and educators to test new programs and workshops. According to Jason Williams, the center's lead investigator, this approach ensures the development of resources that truly serve the surrounding communities while honoring the observatory’s iconic history. Discover how the NSF Arecibo C3 Center is blending education, research, and community engagement to transform into a global hub for science and inspiration in the latest "Science Matters" story: https://bit.ly/41pw2Mg 📷: NSF

#NSFSBIR startup, AIR COMPANY, transforms carbon dioxide captured from the air into carbon-negative products and fuels. 🔁 Using technology that mimics photosynthesis, the company's AIRMADE system splits water into hydrogen and oxygen with #renewableenergy to transform carbon dioxide into valuable resources while reducing #greenhousegas emissions. This technology, funded by the NSF, represents a win-win for both the economy and the environment, promoting innovation and sustainability. Air Company makes a range of products, including its own perfume, vodka and hand sanitizer. They also produce food for astronauts and fuel for airplanes, cars and rocket ships. 🚀 To learn more, visit https://bit.ly/3ZMts1J. #greentech #SAF 📷: Air Company

NSF investments are supporting the technology of the future by investing in the most creative and impactful ideas across all markets and areas of science and engineering. NSF is leading the charge to ensure any deep technology startup or small business can guide basic science toward meaningful solutions that address tremendous needs. https://bit.ly/3ZHXUK7