Researchers from Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have demonstrated the first planar lens that works with high efficiency within the visible spectrum of light. The lens can resolve nanoscale features separated by distances smaller than the wavelength of light.
Researchers have developed a system that allows RoboBees to perch in flight, saving energy. The electrostatic adhesion mechanism attracts the robot to surfaces, enabling it to extend its operational life significantly.
Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have discovered a new phase transition in an oxide material, enhancing the performance of solid oxide fuel cells. This breakthrough could lead to more robust and efficient fuel cells with reduced emissions.
Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have created compact holograms using nanostructures sensitive to light polarization, improving anti-fraud holograms and wearable optics. These holograms can encode multiple images and protect against counterfeiting.
Researchers have identified a core group of neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus that share information during resynchronization, while those outside this central hub behave like acquaintances. Understanding the SCN's neural network structure is crucial for tackling illnesses like diabetes and posttraumatic stress disorder.
A new study from Harvard predicts that regions of the US could experience up to nine additional days of unhealthy ozone levels per year by 2050. Global climate change is expected to exacerbate heat waves and increase ozone episodes.
Researchers identified a pattern of anomalies in the Pacific Ocean's surface temperature that consistently precedes heat waves in the eastern US by up to seven weeks. The 'Pacific Extreme Pattern' is linked to a lack of precipitation, diverting moisture away from the region and drying the land surface.
Tunable windows can change transparency in under a second using geometry and silver nanowires. The technology is simpler and potentially cheaper than existing methods.
Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences designed a tunable, self-actuated 3-D material that can alter its size, volume and shape. The structure is inspired by origami techniques and can be programmed to deform specific hinges using embedded pneumatic actuators.
Researchers develop new material to collect condensed water droplets using bio-inspired approach combining multiple natural systems. The material harnesses the power of desert beetles' bumps, cactus spines and slippery surfaces to facilitate condensation, promising applications in thermal power plants.
The EPA underestimated mercury emissions' benefits, which far exceed the cost to industry. Research shows that reducing coal-fired power plant emissions can result in tens of billions of dollars in health benefits.
Researchers at Harvard have advanced graphene's understanding by observing electrons behaving like a fluid, defying classical physics expectations. The findings pave the way for novel thermoelectric devices and provide a model system to explore exotic phenomena.
A team of researchers has successfully replicated the folding of a human brain in three-dimensional form using a simple mechanical principle. The study suggests that the unique shape of the human brain plays a crucial role in determining its folds, which are essential for maintaining proper brain function.
Microtubules can spontaneously form large networks through the interaction of motor proteins. This self-organization is crucial for cell division and may inspire new materials and drug designs. Researchers developed a model describing this behavior, which could lead to breakthroughs in biology and material science.
A new research by L. Mahadevan and his team discovered a fundamental origami fold, the Miura-ori, that can be used to create almost any three-dimensional shape. The team developed an algorithm that can create certain shapes using the Miura-ori fold, repeated with small variations.
Researchers at Harvard are using a $28 million grant to study the brain's visual cortex in unprecedented detail and map its connections. The goal is to inspire better computer algorithms for learning and pattern recognition, enabling computers to outperform humans in recognizing patterns from limited data inputs.
Researchers developed soft robotic grippers that can collect delicate underwater specimens without destroying them. These grippers are designed for use in deep-sea exploration and could enhance biodiversity research by allowing scientists to sample largely unexplored habitats.
Researchers at Harvard have built a polarimeter on a microchip, shrinking the widely used instrument to make it more accessible for various applications. The device provides high-performance polarization measurements at reduced size and cost, promising enhanced network security and real-time monitoring.
Researchers are conducting one of the largest-ever long-term clinical trials of an artificial pancreas system to regulate blood sugar levels in individuals with type 1 diabetes. The trial aims to test the safety and efficacy of the system, which uses advanced algorithms and sensors to mimic a healthy person's glucose regulating function.
Researchers have developed a new system to track nanometer-sized viruses at sub-millisecond time scales, shedding light on the spontaneous self-assembly of viruses. This breakthrough could help design drugs that prevent viruses from forming in the first place.
Researchers at Harvard developed a new technique to control stem cell differentiation into bone cells, mimicking the viscoelasticity of living tissue. The method increased osteogenic differentiation and allowed cells to grow into bone cells weeks after initial differentiation.
Researchers found that prediction markets correctly predicted replicability in 71% of cases studied, highlighting the need for timely methods to identify reproducibility challenges. The study used a pool of psychologists as traders and provided them with $100 to invest in 'reproducible' or 'not-reproducible' shares.
Researchers at Harvard's John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have created a flying, swimming robotic bee that can transition between air and water. The microrobot, smaller than a paperclip, uses flapping motions inspired by puffins to propel itself through both mediums.
Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a way to make steel stronger, safer and more durable by creating a surface coating made from rough nanoporous tungsten oxide. The new material is capable of repelling any kind of liquid even after sustaining intense structural abuse.
Researchers at Harvard have created the first on-chip metamaterial with a refractive index of zero, allowing for infinitely fast light manipulation. This discovery has exciting applications in quantum computing and integrated optics.
Harvard scientists have developed a rechargeable battery that can store electricity from renewable sources like solar and wind power. The new technology uses non-toxic, abundant elements dissolved in water solution, making it safer and cheaper than traditional batteries.
A new Harvard study finds that the supply of wind and solar power could be increased tenfold without additional storage, making gas turbines cost-effective carbon mitigation candidates. Low capital cost and good emissions performance also make them a viable alternative to intermittent renewables.
Researchers at Harvard's John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have created a new multimaterial printhead that enables the simultaneous control of composition and geometry during printing, paving the way for entirely 3D-printed wearable devices, soft robots, and electronics.
Research from Harvard University suggests that flooding for hydroelectric development can increase methylmercury levels in Arctic ecosystems by up to 200 percent. The study found that freshwater from melting ice mixing with salt water creates a feeding zone for plankton that accumulates mercury and magnifies its effects on the food chain.
Researchers suggest increased low clouds in the Arctic due to rising temperatures could slow the formation of frigid air masses, explaining past and future continental warming. This mechanism may have allowed crocodiles to thrive in Wyoming during the Cretaceous and Eocene periods.
Researchers have developed a system to produce stable, amorphous nanoparticles that dissolve quickly and can be made from a wide range of materials, including inorganic substances with high crystallization propensity. These nanoparticles exhibit different electronic, magnetic, and optical properties than their crystalized counterparts.
Researchers at Harvard have engineered a new soft actuator that utilizes unstable responses to create fast-moving instabilities. These snap-through instabilities can trigger large changes in internal pressure, shape, and exerted force without significant volume change, enabling fast, untethered motion for soft robots.
A team of polymer physicists and chemists at Harvard developed a way to create an ultra-soft dry silicone rubber by eliminating entanglements. The material features tunable softness to match various biological tissues, opening new opportunities in biomedical research and engineering.
Harvard engineers create a 3D-printed, soft robot that combines autonomy and speed with adaptability and resilience. The robot's design allows for the integration of rigid electronic components with its soft body, increasing robustness and reducing stress points.
Researchers have created and controlled surface plasmon wakes of light-like waves on a metallic surface, demonstrating a new technology with potential applications in nanotechnology and optics. The discovery uses a faster-than-light running wave of charge along a metamaterial to create and steer the wakes.
A new system developed by Joanna Aizenberg's lab uses phase separation to create dynamic designer polymers with self-relubrication and regulated anti-fouling behavior. The system can adapt to its surroundings and respond to fluid consumption, enabling responsive and long-lasting material applications.
A Harvard scientist has developed a new microfluidic design that can detect and extract biomolecules from fluid mixtures more efficiently than current techniques. The approach uses microscopic fins embedded in a hydrogel that responds to different stimuli, allowing for the selective separation of target biomolecules.
Researchers at Harvard University have discovered the secret to the velvet worm's rapid and perfectly aimed slime attack, which could inspire new microfluidic devices. The unique anatomy of the worm's papillae and elasticity of its slime allow for a wide-spraying jet that entraps prey with great speed.
A novel class of materials has been developed to remove greenhouse gas from power plant emissions, offering a safer and more energy-efficient process. The microcapsules contain liquid sorbents encased in highly permeable polymer shells, achieving an order-of-magnitude increase in CO2 absorption rates.
A Harvard-led study reveals that up to 2.7% of the gas delivered to Boston households escapes into the atmosphere, with emissions accounting for 60-100% of regional methane release depending on the season. The findings highlight the need for innovative policymaking to address methane loss from natural gas infrastructure.
Researchers from Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences propose a controlled experiment to test the risks and benefits of solar radiation management, aiming to reduce uncertainty in climate engineering. The 'stratospheric perturbation experiment' would involve a tiny amount of material to measure key aspects of atmospheric ...
The Soft Robotics Toolkit offers downloadable plans, how-to videos, and case studies to assist users in designing, fabricating, modeling, characterizing, and controlling soft robotic devices. The toolkit aims to stimulate innovation and learning in the field of soft robotics.
Harvard researchers have engineered a material to perform comparably with the best silicon switches, achieving an on/off ratio of greater than 10^5. The discovery uses solid-state chemical doping and exploits chemistry rather than temperature to achieve dramatic results.
The cytoplasm of mammalian cells is actually an elastic gel that creates random waves due to energetic processes in the cell. This new understanding provides a snapshot of the metabolic state of the cell and raises questions about cellular dynamics.
A self-organizing swarm of 1,024 robots creates complex shapes by following simple programmed rules, showcasing collective artificial intelligence. The Kilobots overcomes individual limitations through a smart algorithm, guaranteeing task completion and demonstrating the potential for large-scale robotics.
A team of engineers has created a portable device for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy using minuscule chips, reducing the footprint for multidimensional analysis of molecules. The devices can operate accurately over a wide temperature range and may be assembled into a massively parallel array to accelerate analysis of com...
Researchers developed cellular composite materials with unprecedented light weight and stiffness using epoxy-based resins and 3D printing techniques. The materials mimic balsa wood's mechanical properties and offer improved performance over commercial 3D-printed polymers and polymer composites.
Harvard-led researchers successfully measured the collective mass of 'massless' electrons in motion in graphene, shedding light on fundamental kinetic properties. The discovery has implications for designing more sophisticated plasmonic devices with graphene and miniaturizing electronic circuitry.
A Harvard-led team identified a possible mechanism by which normal cells turn malignant in mammary epithelial tissues. They discovered that the physical forces and chemical environment in dense breast tissue can drive cells into an invasive, proliferating mode.
The project aims to create rapidly configurable metasurfaces that can be tuned in real-time, enabling the development of advanced optical technologies and quantum information devices. The research team will combine nanophotonics with quantum photonics to achieve unprecedented control over photon emission.