A $1.4 million NIH grant will investigate a method to heal peripheral nerve damage by stimulating the growth of Schwann cells and axons, potentially restoring function in patients with severe injuries. Researchers aim to develop effective tools for nerve repair using electrical stimulation technologies.
Scientists have identified areas with extreme potential for forming complex organic molecules, a key ingredient for life. These 'sweet spots' are found around newly formed stars and have conditions that support high methanol production.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, have discovered a new process to manufacture ultra-low molecular weight heparin drug. The discovery uses chemicals and enzymes to reduce production steps from 50 to 10-12, increasing yield 500-fold and decreasing cost.
Researchers led by Robert Linhardt of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have sequenced the first complex carbohydrate biopolymer, bikunin. The discovery provides a fundamental new view of these vital biomolecules, which play roles in cell structure and development, disease pathology, and blood clotting.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a new way to decrease zinc oxide's thermal conductivity without reducing its electrical conductivity by adding aluminum. This innovation could lead to new technologies for harvesting waste heat and creating energy-efficient systems, such as cars, aircraft, and power plants.
Rensselaer's new Blue Gene/Q supercomputer will boost the university's leadership in high-performance computing and enable research in data science, computational modeling, and more. The system, funded by a $2.65M NSF grant, provides balanced computational power, fast data access, and visualization capabilities.
Researchers found that when just 10% of the population holds a strong belief, it will always be adopted by the majority. This discovery has implications for the study and influence of societal interactions, from innovation to political movements.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developed a graphene coating that harvests energy from flowing water, powering tiny sensors used to detect underground oil and gas. The technology enables cost-efficient oil exploration and could lead to autonomous microscale sensors for various applications.
Philip W. Robinson, a Rensselaer Ph.D. student, has been awarded a Fulbright grant to conduct research in architectural acoustics at Aalto University of Science and Technology in Helsinki, Finland. His research aims to understand how architectural enclosures transform sound to produce specific perceptual effects.
Gray's research focuses on cognitive strategies and decision-making under uncertainty. He will spend six months at the Max Planck Institute Center for Adaptive Behavior and Cognition (ABC) in Berlin to advance his work on heuristics and cognitive control.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute engineer Cynthia Collins will study the effects of microgravity on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis. The research aims to understand how biofilms form in space, which could help protect astronauts from infections.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developed a new process for analyzing bone tissue, providing insights into the fight against osteoporosis and aiding forensic studies. The technique uses laser-capture microscopy to determine protein signatures in nanoscale bone samples.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are developing a touch-sensitive virtual reality simulator for next-generation natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). The simulator aims to accelerate the development of scarless procedures, which show promise for reducing pain and post-operative complications.
Kinsley French receives NSF Research Fellowship to study protein aggregates and HIV transmission. Her research aims to understand how aggregates form, laying the groundwork for developing a new therapeutic against HIV transmission.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have created a closed-loop artificial pancreas that can automatically monitor blood sugar levels and administer insulin to individuals with Type 1 diabetes. The device aims to reduce the guesswork involved in daily insulin management, which is crucial for maintaining stable glucose levels.
Research published in Science finds that early ACC development impacted global climate, causing significant temperature differences between the equator and Antarctica. The study suggests that the ACC's formation led to the modern ocean structure and heat distribution system.
Renowned structural engineer Michael O'Rourke has been recognized with the American Society of Civil Engineers' 2011 Walter P. Moore Award for his significant contributions to snow load engineering, advancing building codes worldwide. His extensive research continues to inform design and safety standards.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a new method for manufacturing green-colored LEDs with significantly enhanced light extraction, internal efficiency, and light output. This breakthrough brings the team closer to their goal of developing high-performance, low-cost green LEDs.
The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has secured a five-year funding plan of $1.5 million from the U.S. Department of Energy Nuclear Criticality Safety Program to launch a new nuclear safety research program. The program aims to provide high-accuracy nuclear data for international nuclear community applications.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute assistant professor Xuegang (Jeff) Ban has received a prestigious NSF CAREER Award to study the potential of mobile devices in monitoring and optimizing traffic systems. His research aims to develop new methods for using cell phone and GPS data to improve traffic congestion and safety.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a new method to boost enzymatic activity by confining enzymes in carefully engineered nanoscale holes. The study found that embedded enzymes exhibited significant increases in activity and retained their 3-D structure.
Astronomer Heidi Newberg is using a new $382,000 NSF grant to map the distribution of dark matter in our galaxy. She will utilize the massive computing power of the international MilkyWay@Home project to simulate how stars in stellar streams got to their current positions.
A Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute doctoral student has developed a novel method to extend the distance of terahertz technology's effective detection range using sound waves. The technique allows for safer detection of hidden explosives, chemicals, and other materials from several meters away.
Deanna Thompson is utilizing NYSTEM funding to study adult neural stem cells for developing new stem cell therapies and research tools. Her research aims to understand how these stem cells proliferate and differentiate into new nerve cells, with potential applications in treating brain injuries, illnesses, and cancers.
Benjamin Clough, a doctoral student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, has developed a novel method for eavesdropping on terahertz information hidden in invisible plasma acoustic bursts. His technique uses sound waves to boost the distance from which researchers can use powerful terahertz technology to remotely detect hidden explosiv...
Daniel Lewis, a young Rensselaer professor, has received the prestigious NSF CAREER Award to study grain growth in metallic and ceramic materials. His research aims to understand how environmental factors affect material properties and behavior.
Researchers Peter Fox and James Hendler outline a new vision for scientific data visualization, encouraging scientists to adopt web-based approaches. They highlight the advantages of interactive and dynamic visualizations, such as those found on the web, which can facilitate collaboration, reduce costs, and increase accessibility.
Researchers are developing new tools to analyze vast amounts of data from ocean sensors, cameras, and sonar. The collaboration aims to integrate and enhance this data to make it more easily consumable by scientists and the public.
The LRC will test LED-based off-grid lighting products, evaluating performance and reliability criteria. The results will help manufacturers and buyers identify good quality products and prevent market spoiling.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute develop liquid pistons using oscillating ferrofluid droplets to pump small volumes of liquid. These devices can function as adaptive lenses for camera applications and precise drug delivery systems.
The new nanoscoop material can withstand extremely high rates of charge and discharge, making it ideal for high-power rechargeable lithium-ion batteries for electric automobiles. The technology could potentially be ramped up to suit the demanding needs of batteries for electric vehicles.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a system that analyzes and responds to the complex musical structures of improvised avant-garde performances, using interconnecting elements of cognition such as perception/action, reasoning, decision-making, planning, and memory.
A new technique aims to open the blood-brain barrier, allowing targeted delivery of drugs to the brain. The goal is to reduce side effects and increase effectiveness of current treatments for Alzheimer's disease and other brain illnesses.
Georges Belfort has made seminal contributions in liquid-phase pressure-driven membrane-based processes, bioseparations engineering, interfacial science, and affinity separations. He is honored by the American Chemical Society for his outstanding research and practice contributions to the advancement of science and technology.
A new explanation of how humans solve problems creatively has been introduced, providing a roadmap for building systems that perform like humans. The theory proposes the coexistence of two types of knowledge and processing: explicit and implicit. By incorporating this principle, computers can now mimic human creativity in problem-solving.
Rensselaer students Casey Hoffman and Jaron Kuppers won the top prize with their SET process, which offers a new method for curing advanced composites using less energy and cost. The process has the potential to trim manufacturing costs and widen the playing field of businesses that can afford to research and manufacture these materials.
Professor Matthew Oehlschlaeger at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has received the PECASE award for his research on combustion chemistry of aviation fuels. He aims to understand fuel combustion chemistry for alternative and traditional aviation fuels.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a new method to tune the band gap of graphene using water. By exposing graphene to humidity, they created a band gap in the nanomaterial, opening the door to new graphene-based transistors and nanoelectronics.
Rensselaer researcher Lee Ligon has won a $720,000 Research Scholar Grant from the American Cancer Society to investigate interactions between breast cancer cells and their surroundings. Her research focuses on how cancerous and non-cancerous cells communicate with each other, potentially shedding light on new treatments.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute professors Jonathan Dordick and Leonard Interrante have been named ACS Fellows for their groundbreaking work in biocatalysis, bioengineering, nanobiotechnology, and materials science. Their discoveries have the potential to protect thousands of people from bacterial infections and transform the modern d...
A $1.76 million study at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute investigates the role of two proteins, osteocalcin and osteopontin, in bone fractures over time. The research aims to develop new methods of diagnosing osteoporosis and treating related bone diseases.
Scientists at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute used nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to understand and improve an important protein purification process. The study validated the effectiveness of multimodal chromatography, a method that separates proteins from their surrounding materials using molecular glue.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute researchers are developing a novel ceramic material for energy storage, aiming to overcome a key bottleneck in large-scale wind and solar power generation. The goal is to create nanoengineered capacitors that can store energy quickly and efficiently.
Rensselaer researchers discovered that delayed communication in networks can lead to a decline in performance, even if initial coordination is increased. The study's findings have implications for various network systems, including computer networks and social media.
Mohammed J. Zaki, a Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute professor, has been selected for the 2010 HP Labs Innovation Research Program for his groundbreaking work on graph patterns and link analysis. His research aims to uncover hidden connections between entities and data, enabling more comprehensive insights into complex phenomena.
A new coating, combining carbon nanotubes with the natural enzyme lysostaphin, has been created to safely eradicate MRSA from surfaces. The coating is effective, selective and stable, and does not rely on antibiotics or leach chemicals into the environment.
Professor Minoru Tomozawa has developed a new technique using infrared spectroscopy to determine the fictive temperature of glass, enabling more accurate prediction of its properties. This breakthrough has significant implications for glass manufacturers and researchers alike.
Researchers found that an enzyme in the cholera bacteria uses a previously unknown mechanism to provide energy. This discovery offers insights into creating drugs to target the bacteria without harming humans. The study provides new understanding of how living organisms convert energy and transport ions.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are developing new technology to push drugs through the blood-brain barrier, directly targeting brain tumors. The goal is to deliver treatments for diffuse malignant glioma, a lethal type of brain cancer with no cure.
Research at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Lighting Research Center finds that extended daylight hours in spring delay melatonin onset, leading to teen sleep deprivation. Teenagers should increase morning daylight exposure year-round and decrease evening daylight exposure to ensure sufficient sleep before school.