Columbia engineers create a robot that learns what it is from scratch with zero prior knowledge of physics or motor dynamics. The robot uses deep learning to create a self-model, allowing it to adapt and learn from its own experiences.
A new study published in Nature reveals that the land's capacity to trap carbon may be declining due to changes in soil moisture, potentially accelerating global warming. The research highlights the urgent need for improved modeling of vegetation response to water stress and land-atmosphere coupling.
A study published in Nature reveals that gut tube formation is driven by collective cell movements of the endoderm, triggered by a molecular gradient converted into a force gradient. This process coordinates cells to form a hollow tube structure crucial for respiratory and gastrointestinal tract development.
Researchers found that activating the locus coeruleus (LC) improves sensory information transmission and perceptual performance. The study provides insights into new treatments for neurological disorders, including Parkinson's disease and depression.
A study by Columbia engineers and psychiatrists reveals that avoidant grievers unconsciously monitor and block their mental state to prevent painful thoughts. The researchers used neural decoding to track the interactions between mental processes, showing that this control occurs outside of conscious awareness.
A global analysis by Columbia Engineers reveals a significant increase in storm runoff extremes driven by both climate change and human-induced changes. The study suggests that projected responses of storm runoff extremes will dramatically increase, threatening ecosystem resilience and infrastructure systems.
Researchers at Columbia University developed a new method to quantify visual complexity in line charts, enabling easier decision-making in emergency settings. The 'Pixel Approximate Entropy' technique provides a score that automatically identifies difficult charts, facilitating the development of more intelligent data science systems.
Karen Kasza, a researcher at Columbia Engineering, has won a Packard Fellowship for her work on understanding tissue development and morphology. Her lab aims to use novel approaches to engineer functional tissues for medical applications.
Researchers developed a low-power chip that integrates lasers and frequency combs for the first time, enabling ultrafast processes in physics, biology and chemistry. The device can be powered by an AAA battery, opening up new possibilities for portable devices.
Researchers at Columbia University have created the first flat lens capable of focusing a range of colors and polarizations to the same focal spot. The ultra-thin 'meta-lens' offers performance comparable to conventional lenses but with significantly reduced size and weight.
Researchers create high-performance exterior PDRC polymer coating with nano-to-microscale air voids, which reflects sunlight and radiates heat to the sky. The coating can be fabricated, dyed, and applied like paint on various surfaces, achieving cooling capabilities in both desert and tropical climates.
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery in understanding the conversion of CO2 to electrofuels, shifting from trial-and-error to rational catalyst design. They found that CO2 activation begins with one common intermediate, carboxylate CO2, which is attached to the surface with C and O atoms.
The research demonstrates a novel device structure that allows for unprecedented control over the angular orientation in twisted-layer devices. The team used graphene/boron-nitride heterostructures to show that the energy gap observed in graphene is tunable and can be turned on or off by changing the orientation between the layers.
Researchers at Columbia University have developed a method to directly convert white fat to brown fat outside the body and then reimplant it in a patient. This technique uses fat-grafting procedures commonly performed by plastic surgeons, which is potentially safer than existing methods that use pharmaceuticals or chronic cold exposure.
Researchers at Columbia University have used Stimulated Raman Scattering microscopy to directly observe ion transport in electrolytes for the first time. They discovered a lithium deposition process with three stages: no depletion, partial depletion, and full depletion of lithium ions. The study also found a feedback mechanism between ...
Researchers used machine learning to improve cloud representation in climate models, which is crucial for predicting global warming and greenhouse gas concentrations. The approach, called Cloud Brain, demonstrates promising results in fully coupled climate models.
Researchers have discovered a new fundamental feature of brain oscillations: they actually move rhythmically across the brain, reflecting patterns of neuronal activity that propagate across the cortex. This movement is important for memory and cognition, and may provide a new type of signal for brain-computer interfaces.
Researchers at Columbia University have developed a single molecular insulator that can effectively block leakage current in transistors, paving the way for smaller and more efficient devices. The breakthrough uses quantum interference-based approach to create a novel technique for blocking tunnelling conduction at the nanoscale.
Researchers at Columbia University have developed a new non-invasive approach to permanently correct vision. The technique uses a low-powered ultrafast laser to alter biochemical and biomechanical properties of collagenous tissue, resulting in changes in corneal curvature and refractive power.
New research reveals tall Amazonian forests are more resilient to drought, with older trees having deeper root systems that access deeper soil moisture. This finding has implications for the future ability of rainforests to store carbon and withstand climate change.
Researchers have developed a novel cryogenic near-field optical microscope to study graphene plasmons at variable temperatures. They discovered that compact nanolight can travel along the surface of graphene without unwanted scattering, opening up new applications in sensors, imaging, and signal processing.
Columbia Engineering researchers have demonstrated a chip-based dual-comb spectrometer in the mid-infrared range, requiring no moving parts and acquiring spectra in under 2 microseconds. This breakthrough could lead to the development of a lab-on-a-chip for real-time sensing in nanoseconds.
Columbia University researchers develop a method to spin artificial fibers that mimic the nanostructures and optical properties of comet moth cocoon fibers, achieving exceptional cooling abilities and reflectivity. The new fibers can block sunlight and guide light signals with high efficiency.
FontCode embeds hidden information in ordinary text by imperceptibly changing font shapes, making it difficult to detect. The method works with most fonts and document types, allowing companies to prevent tampering and protect copyrights without altering the layout.
Researchers created a biomimetic surface that simulates antigen-presenting cell features and found that precise ligand spacing is crucial for T-cell triggering. The study sheds light on the role of CD45 exclusion in receptor activation, offering new insights into T-cell stimulation.
A new cell therapy has been developed to aid heart recovery without implanting cells, using extracellular vesicles secreted by cardiomyocytes derived from human pluripotent stem cells. The therapy shows promising results in recovering cardiac function and reducing arrhythmias in rat models of myocardial infarction.
A study by Columbia University researchers found that social networking site Instagram's recommendation algorithms amplify homophily, making women less visible and reducing their popularity. The algorithms, which turn loose on a network with homophily, effectively make women less visible.
Five Columbia engineering professors have received NSF CAREER Awards for their groundbreaking research. Agostino Capponi develops a framework to increase resilience of global financial markets, while Daniel Esposito creates electocatalytic materials for abundant solar fuels.
The RoSE is a dynamic spine brace that measures 3-D stiffness of the human torso, enabling new treatments for children with spine deformities. The device applies controlled forces to correct abnormal curves, adapting to changes in the torso over time.
Columbia University engineers develop a novel approach to growing mature human heart muscle from blood-derived stem cells, achieving critical hallmarks of adult human heart function in just four weeks. The technique involves applying physical conditioning and electromechanical stimulation to drive rapid maturation of the tissue.
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that vegetation plays a dominant role in Earth's water cycle, regulating future dryness and water resources. Plants' physiological responses to increasing CO2 levels have a major impact on evapotranspiration, long-term runoff, and soil moisture.
A new audio-based interface called RAD enables visually impaired players to experience full 3D graphics and complex racetracks in racing video games. The system uses sonification techniques to provide players with relevant information, allowing them to form a plan of action and compete at the same level as sighted players.
Researchers miniaturized dual-frequency combs on a single chip using a single laser, enabling real-time sensing and spectroscopy in field environments. The device can detect a broad range of chemicals with high precision, paving the way for commercialization in the future.
Researchers have created a massive 13 million-person family tree using genealogy data, revealing trends in marriage, migration, and longevity. The study found that people are more likely to marry fourth cousins than seventh cousins, and that women in Europe and North America have migrated more than men.
A new optical imaging system uses red and near-infrared light to identify breast cancer patients who are likely to respond to chemotherapy. The system analyzes blood flow dynamics in response to a single breath hold and has been shown to correctly identify responders in 92.3% of patients.
A team of Columbia engineers, led by Michal Lipson, has developed a groundbreaking AR glass design that enables high-resolution projection and detection with no moving parts. The technology leverages recent work on engineered optical materials (EnMats) and silicon nitride integrated photonics to provide an ultrahigh-resolution see-thro...
Researchers at Columbia University have developed a flexible spine-like lithium-ion battery with high energy density, stable voltage, and excellent mechanical properties. The battery's design is inspired by the human spine and provides remarkable flexibility and durability, making it a promising candidate for wearable electronics.
The Blavatnik Family Foundation is providing a $10 million grant to Columbia University's Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science. The gift will support the Blavatnik Fund for Engineering Innovations in Health, which aims to attract graduate student talent and promote early-stage research across disciplines.
Researchers have developed a biomaterials-based system that uses soft microfibers to activate and expand T cells, increasing their number by nearly an order of magnitude. This approach simplifies processing compared to existing systems and has the potential to bring new hope to cancer patients for T-cell therapy.
The NYC Health Department has identified 10 outbreaks of foodborne illness through a computer system developed with Columbia University, tracking keywords in Yelp reviews to detect incidents. The system helps identify approximately 1,500 complaints annually, improving outbreak detection and prevention.
Researchers developed a wearable robotic system to improve balance and gait in Parkinson's disease patients. After a single training session, both groups showed improved response to perturbations and increased gait stability.
Researchers have developed a novel photovoltaic-powered electrolysis device that can operate as a stand-alone platform on open water, producing hydrogen fuel from sunlight and water. The device separates gases using buoyancy-driven product separation, resulting in high product purity without actively pumping the electrolyte.
Researchers have successfully engineered artificial graphene in a nanofabricated semiconductor structure, offering more versatile properties than natural graphene. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new electronic switches, transistors, and storage methods based on exotic quantum mechanical states.
Researchers developed a method to quickly and accurately identify people and cell lines from their DNA. The technology can flag mislabeled or contaminated cell lines in cancer experiments, potentially speeding up the discovery of new treatments.
Qiang Du, a leading applied mathematician at Columbia University, has been elected an AAAS Fellow for his distinguished work in applied and computational mathematics. His research focuses on theoretical analysis, numerical simulations, and mathematical modeling of various applications.
A new approach brings transparency to self-driving cars and other self-taught systems by automatically error-checking neural networks. Researchers found thousands of bugs missed by previous techniques, activating up to 100% of network neurons and improving accuracy up to 99%.
Researchers develop magnet-free non-reciprocal components on silicon chips for millimeter-wave frequencies, enabling full-duplex wireless communications, high-speed data transfer for self-driving cars and virtual reality, and transforming 5G networks.
Researchers at Columbia University have observed the even-denominator fractional quantum Hall state in bilayer graphene, surviving to much higher temperatures than previously thought. This discovery opens the door to new experimental tools and may finally solve the mystery of this phenomenon.
The Columbia Engineering team will design a methodology to test various adaptation strategies and their ability to protect interdependent infrastructure. They will investigate physical, protective options such as sea-walls and elevating houses to reduce damage from storm-induced flooding.
Researchers at Columbia University developed a 3D-printable synthetic soft muscle with intrinsic expansion ability, outperforming natural muscle in strain density and lifting capacity. The material can be shaped and reshaped to mimic natural motion, enabling the creation of lifelike robots for various applications.