NIST Researchers Look at What’s Next for 2024 and Beyond, From Diamonds in Your Computer to Safer Medicines

We questioned a few early-career NIST postdoctoral researchers who had just earned their Ph.D. D.s. for their opinions on issues pertaining to 2024 and beyond, such as: &nbsp,

• What impact will your current work have on society in the future?
• What advancements or changes in your field do you anticipate most for 2024 and beyond ?&nbsp

Here are their predictions and ideas. &nbsp,

Melinda Kleczynski,” Math Will Help Us Make Better Medicines,”

A significant component of the body’s immune defense is the production of antibodies. Your body produces antibodies to fight an illness, such as COVID- 19 or the flu, when you receive a vaccine. &nbsp,

These massive biomolecules have distinctive structures that control how they work. Antibodies have different appearances and functions depending on their roles in our bodies. Like a piece of modular furniture with various assembly options, they may also move or change form. &nbsp,

The full spectrum of shapes and movements an antibody can take is something my colleagues and I are working to explain to the biomedical community. Although you already have antibodies in your body, we’re working with a class of synthetic antibodies known as monoclonal antibodies, which can be injected into the body. &nbsp,

In order to better understand antibodies, Anthony Kearsley and I are using cutting-edge mathematical methods to measure small portions of the antibody, known as domains. We need to measure the empty space in the middle of domains that can occasionally have a donut-like shape with holes in it. &nbsp,

Working with chemist Christina Bergonzo, who simulates various antibody shapes in order to advance medical research, is a blessing for me. During these simulations, we can observe structural changes that take place. &nbsp,

We also need to understand the likelihood that an antibody will take a particular form or shape. We can then look for various configurations across many antibodies to find out how prevalent they are after calculating the variability of an antibody over the course of a simulation. &nbsp,

How helpful a variation might be in medical treatment depends on whether it is uncommon or common. We’re doing this because a domain’s shape variability affects how antibody-based drugs, like cancer treatments, function in our bodies. &nbsp,

I’m interested to see how our research contributes to a deeper comprehension of the evolving structure of antibodies. In the future, we hope that our work will encourage innovation and safety.

Quantum Developments Could Improve and Secure Our Devices — Akash Dixit&nbsp,

Sincerely, I’m not sure how our research into developing quantum computers will impact society in the future. That’s the marvel of science, really! &nbsp,

Simply put, quantum computing differs from conventional computers in that it makes use of the properties of quantum physics. Quantum bits, also referred to as “qubits,” can be used by quantum computers to enable new kinds of computation, communication, and encryption. If our work ended up being used in something I had never even considered, I would n’t be surprised. &nbsp,

I’m excited about all the ways quantum technology will be applied in fields for which it was n’t initially developed in the near future. For instance, the same quantum technology is being used to create better space-based cameras for studying the early universe, measure gravitational waves, and search the universe for invisible “dark” matter in addition to building quantum computers.

Computer chips will soon be AI-ready, according to William” Drew” Borders.

Finding ways to increase computer efficiency is part of what I do, and this is particularly crucial given the rise of artificial intelligence ( AI ) in popularity. More so than computers, our brains are incredibly efficient. I’m working on a project that shows how you can teach your computer chip to function in the brain’s neural network in order to reduce the amount of energy it uses. &nbsp,

For short-term tasks, such as storing your files, your computer has RAM, and a different kind of memory is used for long term storage. Because they must transfer data between the processing portion of the chip and memory, AI operations in traditional computers use a lot of power. If you’ve ever questioned a generative AI tool, you might have noticed that it can take some time to respond because all of the information shutting back and forth requires power. &nbsp,

According to our research, you can process AI operations directly on the chip’s memory without moving the data around, which consumes a lot of electricity. &nbsp,

By enabling computer memory to function on data like a neural network, we are looking into how the effectiveness of new computing approaches that can keep up with the demands of AI can be demonstrated. This device is known as the magnetic tunnel junction. When using AI data, computer memory can become more energy efficient by using these magnetic devices, which do n’t use as much power. &nbsp,

Chips may have more applications in fields like critical space applications if they can function more effectively. A typical chip could all but be destroyed in space by high temperatures, radiation, and electromagnetic fields. &nbsp,

I’m interested in some trends in this area that deal with the size of these networks using cutting-edge technology. A chip with 20,000 memory elements is in our possession. The memory elements of typical conventional computers range from millions to billions, and they can perform calculations on much larger scales. Therefore, we must keep learning how we can “scale up” this technology to make more computers more energy efficient. &nbsp,

It’s crucial to demonstrate the viability of these concepts for a variety of reasons. These novel memory elements are being used by numerous researchers at NIST and other labs to produce ever-larger chips, showing interest and effort in the potential they offer.

Could Silicon Valley develop into a diamond valley? — Trey Diulus & nbsp,

The public gained more knowledge about computer chips and how difficult it is to produce them during the pandemic. During that time, as global supply chains were stressed, cars and other consumer goods became more difficult to purchase and more expensive. &nbsp,

The majority of the silicon-based computer chips in our phones, cars, and other everyday items are made of silicon, hence the term” Silicon Valley.” Silicone devices can typically function at temperatures of 100 Celsius ( 25 degrees Fahrenheit ). Unfortunately, silicon’s energy efficiency starts to significantly decrease at 50 degrees Celsius ( or roughly 130 degrees Fahrenheit ). If your laptop gets hot and the battery dies shortly after, you may have noticed a less extreme version of this. It might not seem necessary for computer chips to work at such high temperatures. However, in cars, for instance, it becomes extremely hot close to the engine, where the electronics are located. &nbsp,

My research team is learning more about semiconductor device materials other than silicon, like the transistors in cars and the drills on oil rigs, as the United States works to increase domestic production of computer chips. &nbsp,

Many scientists think that one way to improve the material design of our transistors is to use lab-grown diamond instead of silicon. Unfortunately, there are a few reasons why creating electronic devices with diamond is difficult. Large, high-quality artificial diamond pieces must be produced. In contrast to how diamonds are treated to become jewelry, you must also treat the material for device applications. In order to perform this process in electronics, a high-energy hydrogen plasma must be exposed to the artificial diamond, which sticks hydrogen atoms on the diamond’s surface. &nbsp,

Instead of the current norm of buying pricey treated diamond samples from businesses, our lab is currently investigating ways to treat diamonds using standard lab equipment that most universities and research facilities can access. In this instance, our main objective is to give labs a way to prepare their own samples so that they would n’t otherwise be able to purchase these pricey samples. &nbsp,

Our next objective is to design the next generation of diamond devices that can be used in real-world industrial applications with freshly treated diamonds in our lab.

Having dependable electronic devices that wo n’t malfunction at the temperatures that silicon does excites me the most. The fact that these diamonds are completely transparent, like a piece of glass, is another benefit of this strategy. You can therefore see how close we are to realizing the sci-fi fantasy of our cars or other similar applications having clear touch-screen windows. Although there are promising designs for future technology, it is still not quite ready for 2024. &nbsp,