Note: I am ranking and commenting with feedback from the rest of my team. I like the 3D look of Entry #4. Please think of variants which may include colors similar to the ones used by our current logo, adding more nodes to the network (unless it just becomes too busy), making the nodes 'irregular' in shape - think asteroids not spheres.
I've design the nanoparticles that looks like on SEM images and adjust the lighting effects as closely as possible #10. And this is 4 particles version #12 #13.
Upon discussion, the team felt that these designs are a) too reminiscent of molecular models and b) looks like 'tinker toys'. What we are trying to get across is the interaction between the particles are the polymer strands. In reality, the particles are highly irregular (not spherical) and the strands are not straight.