The New York Center for Astrobiology will investigate the origins of life on Earth and conditions that lead to habitable planets. Researchers aim to detect evidence of current or past life on Mars, building on NASA missions.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developed a measurement technique to map nanomaterials as they grow, enhancing material efficiency. The new method allows for faster discovery of optimal nanomaterial structures, leading to potential breakthroughs in solar panels and magnetic data storage.
A new method for overcoming two major hurdles facing solar energy has been discovered and demonstrated by researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The antireflective coating boosts the amount of sunlight captured by solar panels, allowing them to absorb the entire solar spectrum from nearly any angle.
The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's new Smart Lighting Center will focus on developing novel materials, device technology, and systems applications for smart lighting technologies. The center aims to supplant traditional light bulbs with next-generation devices that are smarter, greener, and ripe for innovation.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have designed an adaptive liquid lens that captures 250 pictures per second and requires less energy than competing technologies. The lens uses vibrations to change the focus, allowing for high-fidelity miniature cameras.
The Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has received a $250,000 grant from the US Green Building Council to investigate the link between daylight design and student well-being. The project aims to quantify the impact of daylight on students' performance, sleep quality, and stress levels.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute professor Richard W. Siegel is bringing his nanotechnology expertise to the big screen with "Molecules to the MAX", a 40-minute film about molecular landscapes. The movie aims to boost global science literacy and has been praised by audiences, including Siegel's grandchildren.
The grant will allow researchers to investigate how different civil infrastructures interact with each other after a disaster, enabling better coordination and preparedness. The software will help emergency response officials formulate more effective plans by analyzing the interdependency of systems.
Research reveals that animals with forward-facing eyes have an advantage in dense environments, gaining X-ray vision. This allows them to visually survey a greater region around themselves, aiding in hunting and maneuverability.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a fully synthetic heparin alternative that is safer and more pure than traditional heparin. The new version uses a process called chemoenzymatic synthesis to replicate the natural biosynthesis of heparin, resulting in a higher dose and lower risk of contamination.
A new study has pinpointed genetic variations in European Americans, which may help isolate the genetic basis for disease and population variation. By analyzing DNA data from 1,521 individuals, researchers identified 200 positions within the DNA helix that capture much of the genetic diversity in this complex population.
A new technique developed by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute professor Mark Changizi harnesses the computing power of our visual system to generate perceptions of digital circuits. By using simple drawings and shading, the visual system can naturally carry out computations and generate outputs.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have discovered a method to induce, suppress 'branching' of nanorods using biomolecules. The new technique could lead to the development of smaller, more powerful heat pumps and devices that harness electricity from heat.
A new approach by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute researchers provides a framework for studying the effects of circadian disruption on various health problems. The device, called Daysimeter, measures daily rest and activity patterns, as well as exposure to circadian light, in both humans and rodents.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a new nano technique that significantly enhances boiling efficiency by up to 30 times. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize cooling methods for computer chips, improve heat transfer systems, and reduce energy costs in industrial applications.
Researchers found a general link between increased acidity and decreased bacterial diversity, but most dominant species were not directly impacted. Some rarer types of bacteria were strongly correlated to acidity and might be used as indicators of lake recovery.
A new study reveals that short-wavelength light, like natural blue sky light, is highly effective at stimulating the human circadian system. Exposure to multiple wavelengths of light simultaneously can result in less total stimulation compared to viewing individual colors separately, a phenomenon known as spectral opponency.
Researchers discovered over 50 types of visual illusions that help us perceive the present moment. Assistant Professor Mark Changizi organized these illusions into a 'periodic table' that can predict a broad pattern of future seeing powers.
Paul Morrow's innovations could improve magnetic data storage and sense extremely low-level magnetic fields in various applications. He developed a three-dimensional nanomaterial with promising magnetic properties, increasing data storage capability and spatial sensitivity.
A team of researchers led by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Robert J. Linhardt uncovered the source of deadly heparin contamination, a complex carbohydrate named oversulfated chondroitin sulfate. They are now developing stronger monitoring systems and exploring synthetic alternatives to ensure patient safety.
Fengyan Li, a Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute assistant professor, has been recognized as a 2008 Sloan Research Fellow. Her research focuses on developing computer algorithms for solving problems in sciences and engineering, with applications in various fields such as weather forecasting, pollution control, and image processing.
Researchers used advanced quantum-mechanical computer modeling to compare key characteristics of copper nanowires and carbon nanotube bundles. Carbon nanotubes boasted a much smaller electrical resistance, suggesting they would be better suited for interconnect applications.
Professor Toh-Ming Lu, a renowned nanomaterials expert at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, has been named a lifetime fellow of the Materials Research Society. His groundbreaking research on thin film morphological evolution and nanostructure development has earned him recognition as an outstanding contributor to the field.
A team of researchers from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has successfully created an AI character in Second Life that can reason about its own beliefs and predict the behavior of human players. The 'Eddie' character, a 4-year-old child avatar, demonstrates reasoning abilities consistent with those of human children of the same age.
A Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute student has developed a new type of LED that could allow for its widespread use in liquid crystal displays (LCDs), improving screen clarity and conserving energy. The polarized LED, invented by Martin Schubert, is expected to revolutionize the field of lighting technology.
Nanoparticles have been shown to enhance the performance and stability of liquids when exposed to electric fields, leading to potential applications in miniature camera lenses, cell phone displays, and other microscale fluidic devices. The findings could enable new types of heat transfer systems that don't require a pump.
Researchers develop inexpensive, quick-drying polymer PES for improved photolithography processes, enabling lower-cost, on-chip nanoimprinting lithography technology. PES offers advantages over existing materials in terms of cure temperature, water uptake, and adherence to copper.
Scientists at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute created a coating with low-density, vertically-aligned carbon nanotube arrays that absorb more than 99.9 percent of light, making it the darkest material ever made by man. This breakthrough could lead to improved solar energy conversion and detection capabilities.
Theoretical physicists at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have uncovered a simple mechanism describing how an HIV peptide penetrates cell membranes. The discovery could help treat other human illnesses by exploiting similar molecules.
Theoretical physicists use mathematical modeling to describe interstellar shock waves, which could provide insights into the formation of stars, planets, and life. The study's findings have implications for NASA's upcoming missions and may shed light on the solar system's history and chemical origins.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed new modeling tools to create accurate computer simulations of the human body during pregnancy. This breakthrough enables safer and more effective radiation therapy and nuclear medicine imaging procedures for expecting mothers.
Researchers developed two biochips, MetaChip and DataChip, to test chemical and drug compound toxicity on human cells and organs without animal testing. The combined chips provide efficient and accurate way to screen compounds for toxicity earlier in the discovery process.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developed a method to remotely deactivate protein-wrapped carbon nanotubes using light, rendering them harmless. This technique holds promise for new antibacterial coatings and cancer treatment methods.
A graduate student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has made important findings on deep Earth interactions, suggesting a new mechanism for metal movement between the core and mantle. The research could have broad implications for geology and potentially lead to valuable deposits of gold and platinum.
Researchers will create detailed computer models of a new proposed type of nuclear reactor, the sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR), which can burn highly radioactive materials and operate without using new fuel. The project aims to improve understanding of the physics of the system to design safer reactors.
A new study by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute reveals that blocks of carbon nanotubes can be used to create effective and powerful pressure sensors. The material's unique electrical and mechanical properties make it suitable for applications such as automobile tire pressure gauges and semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
A $2.5 million NSF grant will support an international collaboration between American and Korean researchers, with a focus on student education and exchange at both graduate and undergraduate levels. The program aims to develop global perspectives and foster collaboration among researchers.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute aim to alleviate daytime traffic congestion by shifting truck deliveries to off-hours, reducing emissions and increasing business competitiveness. The project will use technology and economic incentives to persuade businesses to participate in the program.
Researchers develop technique to identify and repair small cracks in high-performance aircraft wings and polymer composites. A structure infused with electrically conductive carbon nanotubes can detect and repair stress-induced cracks, regaining 70% of its original strength.
A computer program developed by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute can trace genetic ancestry in minutes using just a cheek swab, with 99% accuracy. The algorithm uses single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and has potential applications for understanding complex diseases and tailoring medical treatments.
Argon atoms are found to be tenaciously bound in the Earth's mantle and move slowly, contradicting widely held theories. This suggests that early degassing was incomplete and primordial gases still remain trapped at great depth.
Researchers created methods to study millions of stem cells on devices the size of a microscope slide, enabling thousands of individual stem cell experiments to be carried out quickly. A platform was also developed to understand how different genes impact stem cell function or development, allowing for rapid screening of genetic sequen...
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are developing a personal device to measure daily light intake and activity, predicting optimal timing for light therapy to synchronize the circadian clock. The device aims to alleviate psychosocial stress and sleep-related ailments caused by inadequate or irregular light exposure.
Researchers discovered that heparan sulfate is a receptor for the malaria parasite, allowing it quick transport through the body. This finding could lead to an environmentally safe and inexpensive way to block infection in mosquitoes, preventing malaria spread without drug side effects.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute researchers develop nanocomposite paper-based energy storage device that meets tricky design requirements of gadgets and implantable medical equipment. The device can function as both a high-energy battery and a high-power supercapacitor, using human blood or sweat to power it.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have made a breakthrough in graphene's conductive properties, demonstrating that length and width impact conduction. This finding could enable mass production of metallic graphene for use in computer chips, replacing copper as primary interconnect material.
A new study from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute reveals that carbon nanotubes exhibit fatigue resistance similar to soft tissue, making them suitable for creating synthetic muscle or electro-mechanical systems. The researchers successfully compressed the nanotube block over 500,000 times without significant degradation.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and AT&T Labs found that treating all traffic identically would need an extra 60% capacity in modestly loaded networks, increasing to 100% or more during heavy demand. This suggests that differentiated services are more efficient and cost-effective.
Scientists developed a flexible patch that can stick and unstick repeatedly like a gecko foot, featuring carbon nanotube hairs for improved properties. The material has potential applications in robotics, electronic devices, and outer space.
Scientists discovered that minor changes in laser intensity can distinguish between healthy and dead cells. The new technique allows for precise microinjection of live single cells, enabling research on drug toxicity and cancer treatment.