5 Nanoscience Research Projects That Could Deliver Big Results

Berkeley Lab researchers are using the science of the very small to help solve big challenges. That's because, at the nanoscale'the scale of molecules and proteins'new and exciting properties emerge that can possibly be put to use. Here are five projects, now underway and recently highlighted in the news center , which promise big results from the smallest of building blocks: - 1. A DIY paint-on coating for energy efficient windows . This 'cool' DIY retrofit tech could improve the energy efficiency of windows and save money. Researchers are developing a polymer-based heat-reflective coating that makes use of the unusual molecular architecture of a polymer. It has the potential to be painted on windows at one-tenth the cost of current retrofit approaches.