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University of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering


Researchers take heat sink experiments to space

A team of researchers has developed a heat sink system using a wax-based phase change material to efficiently cool electronics in space. The system has shown promising results in its first satellite experiments, with the melting wax significantly increasing the time that electronics can operate within a safe temperature range.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalInternational Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer·DateJul 3, 2025

New chemical engineering application expands possibilities for targeted drug delivery

A team of researchers from the University of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering has successfully applied metabolic labeling to platelets, enabling targeted drug delivery systems. The innovation uses chemical tags to track platelet activity, allowing for precise cargo loading and reduced long-term exposure.

Nanophotonic platform boosts efficiency of nonlinear-optical quantum teleportation

Researchers have developed a nanophotonic platform that improves the efficiency of nonlinear-optical quantum teleportation by reducing light levels and operating with single photons. The technology transmits quantum information with 94% fidelity, outperforming theoretical limits of linear optical components.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 24, 2025

New CRISPR-based diagnostic test detects pathogens in blood without amplification

Researchers developed a CRISPR-based diagnostic test that rapidly detects low levels of pathogen genetic material in blood without nucleic acid amplification. The test demonstrated unprecedented sensitivity and could be used to develop highly sensitive CRISPR-based diagnostic tests for detecting pathogens in minutes.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 14, 2025

Ordered defects may be key for solution-deposited semiconductors, enabling high-speed printable circuits and next-generation displays

A process yielding record-high performing transistors from solution-deposited semiconductors has been developed, despite higher defect concentrations in the material. The researchers' work enables large-area applications and efficient processing, paving the way for high-performance electronics.

Simulating blood flow dynamics for improved nanoparticle drug delivery

A team of engineers has created a new mathematical model to accurately simulate the effects of blood flow on the adhesion and retention of nanoparticle drug carriers. The model, developed by University of Illinois professors Arif Masud and Hyunjoon Kong, was tested in vitro and demonstrated promising results.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 27, 2024

Simulating diffusion using 'kinosons' and machine learning

By recasting diffusion as a sum of individual contributions called 'kinosons,' researchers developed a new method to model alloy behavior. Machine learning is used to compute the statistical distribution of these contributions, allowing for fast and accurate simulation of diffusion. This breakthrough enables significant improvements in...

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 14, 2024

What heat can tell us about battery chemistry: using the Peltier effect to study lithium-ion cells

A team of researchers at the University of Illinois has demonstrated a technique to study chemical properties of lithium-ion battery cells by exploiting the Peltier effect. This allows them to experimentally measure the entropy of the lithium-ion electrolyte, which could inform lithium-ion battery design.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalPhysical Chemistry Chemical Physics·DateMar 8, 2024

Reimagining electron microscopy: Bringing high-end resolution to lower-cost microscopes

Scientists have developed a new technique called electron ptychography that boosts the resolution of electron microscopes using computation, allowing for record-breaking resolution without expensive aberration correctors. This breakthrough enables state-of-the-art resolution at a fraction of the cost, making microscopy more accessible.

Vlasov and Bashir groups develop nanoscale device for brain chemistry analysis

The University of Illinois has developed a new nanoscale sensor that can monitor areas 1,000 times smaller than traditional technology, tracking subtle changes in brain chemistry with sub-second resolution. The device takes advantage of silicon-based manufacturing techniques to achieve 100% efficiency and high spatial resolution.

Mind the (green) gap

Scientists have discovered a new path to overcome the significant challenge of creating efficient green LEDs. By utilizing cubic III-nitride materials with an innovative aspect ratio phase trapping technique, researchers have successfully synthesized a green-emitting layer achieving up to 32% internal quantum efficiency.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJan 23, 2024

Next generation semiconductors: Diamond device shows highest breakdown voltage

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a diamond semiconductor device with the highest breakdown voltage and lowest leakage current. The device operates at high voltages and currents without losing electrical performance, making it suitable for applications such as solar panels and wind turbines.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalIEEE Electron Device Letters·DateNov 27, 2023

The Long Jump: Athletic, insect-scale long jumping robots reach where others can't.

A team of engineers from the University of Illinois has developed a long-jumping robot with a lightweight elastomer body and artificial muscle made from coiled nylon fishing line. The robot can jump 60 times its body size in horizontal distance, opening up new possibilities for sensing and exploration applications.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalSmart Materials and Structures·DateNov 13, 2023

Nondestructive measurement realized in ytterbium qubits, aiding the development of scalable neutral atom quantum computing

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a procedure for measuring ytterbium-171 qubits that preserves them for future use, enabling long multistage calculations and multistage operations. This breakthrough paves the way for scalable neutral atom quantum computing.