NSF Energy Storage Engine enters second phase with ambitious plans
Grant and Award Announcement
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 22-May-2026 20:15 ET (23-May-2026 00:15 GMT/UTC)
The National Science Foundation Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York, which aims to transform upstate into America's battery tech capital, will receive $45 million over three years for the second phase of the program.
The initiative, led by Binghamton University and its core partners — Cornell University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Syracuse University, Griffiss Institute, Launch-NY, and NY-BEST — is one of nine inaugural Engines launched under NSF’s Regional Innovation Engines program.
Toward sustainability in the polyolefin field, this perspective focuses on two key aspects: (1) the mechanical or catalytic upcycling of polyolefin waste into valuable products and feedstocks; and (2) the redesign of polyolefins for more efficient production, improved properties, and enhanced degradability for sustainability.
Cryopreservation is not a new technology, but there is still much to explore and perfect in the field. Current methods use slow freezing, a method that is conducive to ice formation, cell dehydration and an increase in cryoprotective agents (CPAs). These are not ideal circumstances for achieving immaculately cryopreserved cells. Researchers from the University of Tokyo use vitrification, a process that transforms a substance into a noncrystalline solid by rapid cooling. This cooling yields favorable outcomes in biological samples, even those that are typically difficult to freeze and thaw successfully. Despite challenges within this method, the future of regenerative medicine research may be greatly, and positively, impacted by the use of vitrification for cell cryopreservation.
Junge Zhang et al., at Jiangsu University, China, provide a comprehensive review published by Frontiers of Materials Science on the challenges and opportunities in the field of hydrogenation catalysis. Despite its fundamental importance in producing everything from pharmaceuticals to fuels, current hydrogenation methods often fall short, struggling with efficiency, selectivity, and durability, leading to higher costs, more waste, and environmental concerns. Researchers are constantly seeking ways to make these reactions greener, more precise, and more sustainable.
Chemistry: A sophisticated process stacks dye molecules in such a way that their luminosity increases significantly as their size grows – a significant step forward for the electronics of tomorrow.