NSF's Discovery Files

Imaging is central to biology and medicine, but light refracts and scatters as it hits tissues and lipids. Zihao Ou, associate professor of physics at The University of Texas at Dallas, discusses his paper demonstrating a new technique to achieve optical transparency in live tissue, a project he worked on in Guosong Hong's research group as a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University.

At the U.S. National Science Foundation Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure Wall of Wind Experimental Facility, researchers seek to better understand wind effects on civil infrastructure systems and to prevent wind hazards from becoming community disasters. Arindam Chowdhury, director and principal investigator at the facility, discusses hurricane-force winds and how they are studied.

People who enjoy birdwatching can provide valuable citizen science observation. An application called Merlin Bird ID can help users of all experience levels. Miyoko Chu, senior director of communications at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, discusses Merlin Bird ID, its development, and how new features have impacted birding and conservation efforts.

A quantum-educated workforce will be essential in the future; however, most students are not introduced to quantum mechanics until taking physics courses late into their college careers. Karen Jo Matsler, assistant professor at The University of Texas at Arlington,  joins to discuss the Quantum for All initiative to expose K-12 students to the principles of quantum mechanics.

More than 8 million species call Earth home, but we only understand the language of one. Mickey Pardo, a postdoctoral associate at the K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, discusses research into how elephants are using vocalizations to communicate with each other.

Dangerous storms such as hurricanes can cause billions of dollars in damage and cost hundreds to thousands of lives. Rebecca Morss, a senior scientist at the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research, discusses weather risk communication and response.

As next-generation technologies, such as robots, are developed, operational challenges come to light that need specialized solutions. Hao Zhang, associate professor of computer science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, discusses perception strategies, ethics and other challenges in human-centered robotics.

The future of the nation's leadership in science and technology discovery requires the engagement of diverse groups of students in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. Michele Yatchmeneff, a professor of civil engineering and executive director for Alaska Native Education and Outreach at the University of Alaska Anchorage, discusses supporting Alaska Native students in their STEM interests.

Electricity is the backbone of modern civilization and the increased demand due to extreme weather-related events is causing system failures and blackouts. Kyri Baker, assistant professor in the civil, environmental and architectural engineering department at the University of Colorado, Boulder joins to discuss optimization and control techniques for electricity systems and power grids.

Semiconductors are the backbone of modern electronics and energy-efficient ones will be critical for the future of artificial intelligence and quantum computing. Matthew Panthani, a professor of chemical and biological engineering from Iowa State University, discusses developing next-generation semiconductors.