A new membrane-based technique recovers ammonia from urine while removing it as a pollutant from waste streams. This innovation uses moderate temperatures and recycle the ammonia for reuse in fertilizer, providing a more sustainable approach to nitrogen production.
Di's project aims to develop a novel modeling and simulation platform to project future mixed-traffic dynamics and assist in socially optimal policy-making. She will leverage her expertise in travel behavioral modeling and network optimization to create a game-theoretic framework that incorporates game theory, dynamic control, data sci...
Researchers develop biocompatible ion-driven soft transistors that can perform real-time neurologically relevant computation. A mixed-conducting particulate composite enables the creation of electronic components out of a single material, allowing for non-invasive recording and processing of brain activity.
A new study from Columbia University reveals that the balance between soil water and energy availability determines whether plant growth is limited by precipitation or temperature. This finding highlights the crucial role of precipitation in supporting plant photosynthesis, particularly during the late growing season.
Researchers at Columbia University have used Electromechanical Wave Imaging (EWI) to localize cardiac arrhythmias more accurately than 12-lead ECGs alone, providing 3D visualization for easier anatomical location. The technique achieved a correct prediction rate of 96% compared to 71% for ECG.
Researchers have developed a low-power beam steering platform that enables scalable optical systems for ultra-small LiDAR on autonomous vehicles, AR/VR displays, trapped-ion quantum computers, and optogenetics. The technology reduces power consumption while maintaining operation speed and broadband low loss.
Researchers at Columbia Engineering have introduced a new robotic finger with a highly precise sense of touch over complex, multicurved surfaces. The finger uses overlapping light signals to detect contact and can localize touch with very high precision, making it suitable for dexterous hands.
Researchers develop a new method to manipulate light's phase without changing its amplitude, reducing optical loss and electrical power consumption. This breakthrough enables the scaling of photonic circuits and reduces power dissipation in applications like LIDAR and neural circuits.
Researchers at Columbia University have developed a new method to isolate atomic sheets from layered van der Waals crystals, producing large-area atomically thin layers with high quality. The monolayers can be stacked in any desired order and orientation to generate a whole new class of artificial materials.
Researchers have designed a novel probiotic strain that can seek out solid tumors and safely deliver immune checkpoint inhibitors, leading to tumor regression. The probiotic platform can also be used to deliver multiple immunotherapies simultaneously, enabling effective therapeutic combinations for difficult-to-treat cancers.
Researchers discovered that butterfly wings contain a network of living cells that require a constrained temperature range for optimal function. The wings also exhibit enhanced radiative cooling through nanostructures, which selectively reduces the temperature of living structures.
Researchers at Columbia Engineering and Law School develop a joint fault-based liability rule using game theory to regulate self-driving car manufacturers and human drivers. They find that an optimally designed liability policy is critical to prevent moral hazard and improve traffic safety.
A Columbia Engineering team has invented a robotic device called the Trunk-Support Trainer (TruST) that can help people with spinal cord injuries sit more stably. The study found that TruST enabled patients to expand their active sitting workspace by an average of 25%, improving their trunk control and balance limits.
Researchers at Columbia University have developed a new approach to create autonomous microrobots that can detect and repair defects in synthetic materials. The microrobots use shape-shifting materials to navigate and perform tasks such as distributed sensing, delivery of therapeutic cargo, and on-demand repairs.
A team led by biomedical engineer Kam Leong has received a $3.2 million NIH grant to develop efficient, noninvasive gene editing methods for the brain. The goal is to overcome current inefficiencies in delivering CRISPR-based gene editing elements to the brain and treat devastating diseases like Alzheimer's.
Researchers at Columbia University have developed a new way to control the properties of two-dimensional materials by adjusting the twist angle between them. By creating multiple moiré patterns in a graphene-boron nitride device, they were able to study the effects of coexisting moiré superlattices on a layer of graphene.
Researchers have identified individual neurons in the entorhinal cortex that target specific memories during recall. These 'memory-trace cells' exhibit spatially tuned activity corresponding to remembered locations, suggesting a mechanism for selectively recalling past events.
Researchers used in vivo imaging to observe how cells move and generate forces in living tissues, revealing new clues on why MYH9 gene mutations lead to various diseases. The study demonstrates that altered myosin activity results in defects in epithelial morphogenesis due to slower cell movements.
An international team of researchers has been awarded a $10 million European Research Council Synergy Grant to develop machine learning algorithms for enhancing Earth observation datasets. They will also develop machine-learning-based parametrizations for clouds and land-surface processes to improve climate modeling.
Researchers have developed porous polymer coatings that can reversibly switch their optical transmittance in solar and thermal wavelengths, enabling dynamic control of light and heat in buildings. The coatings can regulate indoor temperatures and light levels, making them suitable for heating, cooling, and lighting applications.
A rapid microfluidic test can diagnose Lyme disease with similar performance to the standard 2-tiered approach in a much shorter time. The test uses a combination of three proteins to identify antibodies specific to the B. burgdorferi bacterium in the serum.
A team led by Keren Bergman is developing on-chip integrated photonic devices for interconnects that consume 100 times less energy than today's communication systems while delivering 100 times more communication bandwidths between computing nodes. The project aims to break the boundaries on available communications capabilities of comp...
Wu aims to build scalable techniques to generate visual database interfaces tailored to specific analysis tasks, making data analysis more accessible to industry and science users. His goal is to create customized visual analysis interfaces like specialized apps for various tasks, improving data-driven decision-making.
Joshua Jacobs has won a $558,865 NSF Faculty Early Career Development award to study how the human brain supports spatial navigation and memory. The project aims to identify fundamental types of brain signals that support these processes.
A new study found that concurrent soil drought and atmospheric aridity are driven by land-atmosphere processes and feedback loops, leading to increased frequency and intensity of extreme events. The researchers warn that future intensification of these events would be disastrous for ecosystems and human lives.
A novel robotic neck brace has been developed to assist ALS patients in holding their heads and supporting range of motion. The device incorporates sensors and actuators to restore approximately 70% of the active range of motion, allowing for improved eye contact and computer control.
Researchers at Columbia University School of Engineering developed a robotic cane that provides light-touch assistance in walking, improving stability and balance. The device, called CANINE, acts as a mobile assistant to track a person's gait and provide support, resulting in narrower strides and increased gait stability.
Kristin Myers, associate professor of mechanical engineering at Columbia University, has been awarded the Presidential Early Career Award (PECASE) for her research on pre-term birth. Her work focuses on determining the biomechanical mechanisms that cause premature cervical remodeling and softening.
Researchers engineer bacteria to target CD47 on cancer cells, inducing local inflammation and boosting T cell activation. The therapy leads to complete tumor regression and reduced metastasis in mouse models.
The study reveals the emergence of fractional quantum Hall effect in double-layer graphene, with new states exhibiting excellent agreement with composite fermion model. However, some features remain unexplained, suggesting pairing interaction between composite fermions and potentially hosting non-Abelian wave functions.
Researchers confirm that the tropical atmospheric circulation pattern, the Hadley cell, is weakening due to anthropogenic emissions. This finding has significant implications for predicting future subtropical rainfall and the drying of regions already receiving little rainfall.
The M2 system integrates various device features, allowing users to share apps with greater access for disabled users and enabling innovative experiences like Wii-like gaming and panoramic video recording. This innovation combines multiple devices without modifying existing unmodified mobile apps.
Researchers developed a novel technique using transcranial ultrasound and microbubbles to open the blood-brain barrier, enabling drugs to penetrate the brain and restore dopaminergic pathways. The method has been approved by FDA for clinical trials in Alzheimer's patients and shows promise for treating Parkinson's disease at early stages.
Researchers at Columbia University have developed a new technique using reinforcement learning to train a neural network model to plan synthetic routes to any target molecule. This approach is more successful than existing strategies and can optimize user-specified objectives such as cost, time, and sustainability.
Researchers at Columbia Engineering developed a two-step, ultra-clean nanofabrication process that separates the pristine device from dirty fabrication processes. This method yields high-performance devices with improved stability and scalability for real-world engineering problems.
Computer scientists at Columbia University developed VisiBlends, a platform that combines human steps with AI to create visually blended images. The system enabled novice designers to produce 10 times as many creative results as unguided brainstorming sessions.
A multidisciplinary team from Columbia Engineering and Vanderbilt University has demonstrated regeneration of severely damaged lungs in a clinically relevant model. The researchers developed a cross-circulation platform that maintained lung viability and function, enabling the recovery of lungs unsuitable for transplant due to injury.
Researchers at Columbia University have developed a novel desalination approach called temperature swing solvent extraction (TSSE) for treating high-salinity brines. TSSE can efficiently remove salt and recover water, with the potential to transform the water industry by reducing energy consumption and costs.
Paul Sajda, a professor at Columbia University, has been awarded the Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship for his research on cognitive neuroscience. The fellowship will support his project to develop a testable model of human brain dynamics governing rapid decision-making in natural environments.
Columbia engineers develop a nano-coating of boron nitride to stabilize solid electrolytes in lithium metal batteries, increasing battery life while ensuring safety. The new method achieves record-thin protection layers without lowering energy density.
Researchers at Columbia University have discovered a new family of gravitational instabilities in granular particles, where lighter grains rise through heavier grains like 'fingers' and 'bubbles'. This phenomenon sheds light on geological processes and has potential applications in pharmaceutical production and carbon capture.
Researchers at Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science have developed a system called BSCC, which enables rapid screening of engineered bacterial therapies in vitro. They successfully tested a potent therapy for colon cancer using a novel bacterial toxin combined with an optimal drug delivery genetic circuit.
The new Easy Email Encryption (E3) app automatically encrypts incoming emails on trusted devices, providing real-world security without requiring technical expertise. With receiver-controlled encryption and per-device key pairs, E3 makes email protection accessible to non-technical users.
A team of researchers from Columbia University and MIT have developed a novel robotic system comprising billions of loosely coupled particles that can move collectively towards a light source. The particle robot's decentralized architecture allows it to maintain functionality even with individual component failures, opening up possibil...
Biomedical engineers at Columbia University have demonstrated that neurofeedback can modify an individual's arousal state to improve performance in sensory-motor tasks. The study used brain-computer interface technology to reduce participants' arousal levels, leading to improved task completion rates and duration.
Qi Wang, a neural engineer at Columbia University, has won a $500,000 NSF CAREER Award to develop closed-loop peripheral neural stimulation technology for enhancing perception and cognition. His project aims to use vagus nerve stimulation to control arousal levels and minimize side effects.
Shipra Agrawal, assistant professor of industrial engineering at Columbia University, has developed new learning frameworks and algorithms to account for consumer behavior in product pricing and recommendation. Her research aims to improve matching supply and demand, benefiting both consumers and sellers.
Omri Weinstein, assistant professor at Columbia University, has won a National Science Foundation CAREER Award to explore data structures and information retrieval. His research aims to develop new mathematical tools for proving lower bounds on data structure efficiency and scalable storage applications.
Researchers have developed biocompatible ion-driven transistors that can record high-quality neural signals, suitable for advanced data processing. The transistors' channel is made from fully biocompatible materials, enabling efficient communication with neural signals.
Steve WaiChing Sun, a civil engineering professor at Columbia University, has won a National Science Foundation CAREER award to develop an augmented intelligence approach for predicting material failures. His tool uses deep reinforcement learning to generate accurate predictions and improve complex analyses and designs for infrastructure.