Helping Robots Collaborate to Get the Job Done Mon, September 20, 2021 George Pappas (GAFOE 2007) at the University of Pennsylvania has engineered an algorithm to ensure the fruitful cooperation of information-gathering robot teams in complex, unpredictable environments such as mapping or search-and-rescue. Read More
Using Affordable Gold Leaf to Diagnose Infections Thu, September 16, 2021 FOE alum Catherine Klapperich at Boston University is engineering gold leaf electrodes that, in combination with a CRISPR-based assay, could sensitively detect human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in human samples. The method also could be modified to diagnose other viral infections. Read More
Machine Learning and Earthquake Risk Prediction Mon, September 13, 2021 At the University of Texas at Austin, Ellen Rathje (JAFOE 2000) is using machine learning to study geotechnical engineering responses to liquefaction, when solid ground turns to liquid during earthquakes, which can topple buildings and bridges. Read More
Acoustoelectronic Nanotweezers Thu, September 09, 2021 Duke University's Tony Jun Huang (EU-US FOE 2014) is engineering a label-free, dynamically controllable method of moving and trapping nanoparticles over a large area, which holds promise for applications in fields ranging from condensed matter physics to biomedicine. Read More
Has the Carbontech Revolution Begun? Thu, September 02, 2021 Columbia University's Julio Friedmann (IAFOE 2008) discusses carbon-removal engineering that can pull carbon out of the air at a profit, supporting a circular carbon economy. Read More
Accelerating the Discovery of COVID-19 Therapeutics Mon, August 30, 2021 FOE alum Peter Tessier at the University of Michigan is speeding up the process to engineer nanobodies with properties suitable for treating human diseases ranging from cancer to COVID-19. Read More
A Test That Predicts Brain Cancer Patient Response Thu, August 26, 2021 FOE alum Matthew Gevaert at KIYATEC announced clinically meaningful prediction of patient-specific responses to standard of care therapy, prior to treatment, in newly diagnosed glioblastoma and other high-grade glioma patients. Read More
Safer Ultra-low Temperature Batteries Mon, August 23, 2021 Zheng Chen (CAFOE 2019) at the University of California, San Diego has engineered a new technology that could dramatically improve the safety of lithium-ion batteries, with future applications to power vehicles in the extreme cold, such as spacecraft, satellites, and deep-sea vessels. Read More
A Smartwatch That Can Predict Blood Tests Thu, August 19, 2021 FOE alum Jessilyn Dunn at Duke University is engineering commercial smartwatches that can predict simple blood test results by flagging early signs of dehydration, anemia, or illness, and in some cases are able to give more consistent and precise vital signs than those taken at doctor’s offices. Read More
AI Tool Calculates Based on Photos Mon, August 16, 2021 FOE alum Markus Buehler at MIT has engineered a technique that quickly determines certain properties of a material and could one day eliminate the need for arduous physics-based calculations, instead relying on computer vision and machine learning to generate estimates in real time. Read More
Inequity Extends to Pollution Thu, August 12, 2021 Bioproducts and biosystems engineer Jason Hill (GAFOE 2013) at the University of Minnesota found that deadly air pollutant disproportionately and systematically harms Americans of color, who face higher levels of exposure to fine particulate matter from traffic, construction, and other sources. Read More
Revealing New Key Insight Into Human Brain Activity Mon, August 09, 2021 Razi Haque at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has engineered thin-film electrodes that generate never-before-seen recordings of brain activity in the hippocampus, a region responsible for memory and other cognitive functions. Read More
Wearable Technologies for Hydration Management Thu, August 05, 2021 Roozbeh Ghaffari (CAFOE 2015) of Epicore Biosystems is engineering a new class of wearable biochemical sensors that will optimize performance and reduce injury rates in the workplace and beyond. Read More
Would You Like to Keep Your Shoes On at the Airport? Mon, August 02, 2021 Mark Jones (CAFOE 2015) at Pacific Northwest National Lab has engineered new shoe scanning technology that is more accurate at detecting threats than current systems. Read More
New Voices in Science, Engineering, and Medicine Thu, July 29, 2021 FOE alumni Behnam Bastani, Darshan Karwat, and Hussam Mahmoud were selected for this National Academies initiative that will bring diverse perspectives from early-career US leaders to important dialogues about shaping the global future. Read More
Taking the Long View on Driver Safety Mon, July 26, 2021 Thomas Dingus (USFOE 2002), a human factors engineer who has led the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute for a quarter century, knows how to keep Americans alive on the road, but many are not listening. Read More
This is Not Your Mother's Rubik's Cube Thu, July 22, 2021 Dave Garrett (USFOE 2012) at Syntiant has engineered the Heykube smart puzzle, an upgrade to the popular 80's toy. Heykube guides users to solve it or make patterns, and there's an app for additional training. Read More
The Fastest Researcher in the Optical World Mon, July 19, 2021 Xi (Vivian) Chen (JAFOE 2021) at Nokia Bell Labs has engineered optical transmitters to blink faster with increased efficiency and advanced the experimental state of the art with new classes of optical components. Read More
Neural Implant Hints at Whole Brain Function Thu, July 15, 2021 Duygu Kuzum (USFOE 2017) at the University of California, San Diego has engineered a neural implant that monitors the activity of different parts of the brain at the same time, showing how cognition and behavior rapidly adapts to changing environments. Read More
Freeze-Dried Vaccines Thu, July 01, 2021 Northwestern University's Michael Jewett (USFOE 2012) has engineered a new way to make shelf-stable vaccines by cracking open a cellular membrane, significantly broadening access to potentially lifesaving medicines. Read More