UNL has received nearly $2 million in federal stimulus funds from the National Science Foundation for renovations to expand its high-power laser research capabilities. The $1,825,345 grant will enable UNL to renovate the sub-basement and basement of Behlen Laboratory. The project will convert outdated physics labs and offices into a state-of-the-art, high-power laser collaborative laboratory, […]
Materials science and nanotechnology researchers at UNL are getting some much-needed equipment that will help enhance and expedite their studies. UNL’s Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience received a $1.3 million grant from the National Science Foundation to purchase a state-of-the-art transmission electron microscope. This Major Research Instrumentation grant is funded by the American Recovery […]
Building a better light bulb, harnessing nuclear fusion or even researching the beginning of life on Earth requires magnetized electrons. To date, creating these special “spin-polarized electrons” is difficult and time-consuming. UNL physicist Tim Gay is developing a turnkey source of spin-polarized electrons with a $610,000 grant from the National Science Foundation funded by the […]
Some genes tend to jump around in our DNA, inserting themselves where they can cause trouble. Eating foods with enough biotin can help keep these “jumping genes” in place. UNL nutrition scientist Janos Zempleni has made important discoveries about how biotin suppresses jumping genes, which may one day lead to better prevention of some cancers […]
Nearly every adult carries the Epstein-Barr virus. Most will never know it, but for some, the virus will lead to cancer. UNL biologist Luwen Zhang has identified a gene that the virus targets to cause disease. His research may one day lead to better treatments against Epstein-Barr virus-related lymphomas. Zhang received $545,682 from the National […]
It’s well known that sunlight fuels plants. But exactly how plants convert photons of light into energy is a mystery. The first molecular step in conversion takes less than one-trillionth of a second, far too fast for scientists to see the process. Unlocking the mystery could lead to better green energy sources. Martin Centurion, an […]
UNL College of Engineering is a partner on a grant of more than $4.8 million in a project to provide “green jobs” training in Nebraska. The grant is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Jonathan Shi, professor and department chair with Construction Management, and associate professor Kevin […]
The brain, which helps us understand the world, is itself the least understood organ. Mathematics is helping to reveal some of the brain’s mysteries. UNL mathematician Carina Curto’s research into neural networks is expanding understanding of the brain. Her work eventually could help other researchers develop new treatments for brain disorders, such as autism and […]
UNL has received $6.9 million of federal stimulus funding from the National Institute of Standards and Technology to help fund construction of a new nanoscience research facility. The grant will cover half the $13.8 million cost to construct the Nanoscience Metrology Facility. It will be adjacent to the north end of the new Physical Sciences […]
If you’ve ever tried to quit smoking, understanding how you got hooked in the first place probably seems irrelevant. But UNL psychologist Rick Bevins believes those first experiences play a key role in nicotine’s grip on you today, and understanding that role will eventually help you quit. With a $534,413 two-year grant from the National […]
