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Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science


Doctors may now see the hidden signs of sudden cardiac death

Columbia researchers have developed a new technique to capture electrical activity and mechanical motion within the heart using cardiac ultrasound images. This technology allows for early detection and risk assessment of Mitral Valve Disease and arrhythmias, transforming care for those suffering from these conditions.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 17, 2026

Silicon chips on the brain: Researchers announce a new generation of brain-computer interface

A new generation of brain-computer interface offers high-throughput information link to and from the brain, transforming treatment possibilities for neurological conditions like epilepsy and ALS. The single silicon chip implant is orders of magnitude faster and smaller than today's state-of-the-art devices.

Columbia researchers take the temperature of integrated photonics

Researchers at Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science have discovered that a thin-film metallic resistor used to thermally tune photonic devices can also measure temperature. This finding may help integrated photonics reach its full potential by eliminating the need for bulky external temperature sensors.

Plugging nanoscopic cracks to make hydrogen cleaner and cheaper

Researchers at Columbia University have created a novel approach to producing hydrogen from water electrolysis, utilizing ultra-thin, PFAS-free oxide membranes. This breakthrough reduces the industry's reliance on toxic chemicals and enhances energy conversion efficiency, paving the way for a cleaner and cheaper source of hydrogen.

Tissue origami: Using light to study and control tissue folding

Researchers at Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science developed a novel way to use light to control tissue folding in live embryos. By manipulating proteins that generate mechanical forces, they can now study 3D tissue biology outside developing embryos or build and control tiny machines made out of living biolog...

With AI, researchers can now identify the smallest crystals

Researchers at Columbia University have developed an AI algorithm that can accurately determine the atomic structure of materials with minimal sample size. The technique uses diffusion generative modeling to augment the diffraction data from nanocrystals, enabling near-perfect reconstruction of the crystal's atomic-scale structure.

Robots learn how to move by watching themselves

Researchers at Columbia University developed a way for robots to autonomously model their own 3D shapes using a single camera, enabling them to understand and adapt to their movements. This breakthrough allows robots to overcome damage to their bodies, making them more reliable and resilient for various applications.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·TypeNews article·DateFeb 25, 2025

A tour de force: Columbia engineers discover new “all-optical” nanoscale sensors of force

Researchers create nanosensors that can measure piconewton and micronewton forces remotely using light, enabling multiscale sensing capabilities. These sensors operate in previously inaccessible environments with benign infrared light, revolutionizing technologies from robotics to medicine and space travel.

New battery technology could boost renewable energy storage

Researchers have created a new electrolyte that enhances the energy density and power density of intermediate-temperature K/Na/S batteries, enabling them to operate at lower temperatures while achieving maximum possible energy storage capacity. This breakthrough could provide a stable and reliable power supply from renewable sources.

A pulse of innovation: AI at the service of heart research

Researchers at Columbia University developed BeatProfiler, an AI-based software that automates the analysis of heart cell function from video data, significantly speeding up the process and reducing errors. The tool can accurately analyze cardiomyocyte function, outperforming existing tools by being faster and more reliable.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalIEEE Open Journal of Engineering in Medicine and Biology·DateApr 8, 2024

Brain waves travel in one direction when memories are made and the opposite when recalled

Researchers at Columbia University discovered that brain waves move from back to front while forming new memories, but reverse direction when recalling information. The study's findings advance fundamental neuroscience research and may lead to diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for memory-related disorders.

Study finds new inhalable therapy is a big step forward in lung cancer research

Researchers at Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science have developed a new inhalable therapy that delivers IL-12 mRNA directly to the lungs, demonstrating potential as a tumor suppressor. The therapy uses nanobubbles called exosomes to deliver the mRNA, which kickstarts lung immune cells to fight cancer.