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UVA engineering researcher earns $1.1M NIH award to advance single-cell analysis and disease detection

A UVA engineer is developing microfluidic devices and AI-powered computational tools to isolate and study rare circulating cells, which could lead to better treatments for diseases like cancer and infection. The technology aims to integrate with electronics and systems to measure single-cell physical properties on a microchip.

Toward artificial muscles that bend and twist on demand

Researchers create shape-morphing filaments using rotational multimaterial 3D printing, enabling programmable artificial muscles that bend and twist on demand. The breakthrough could accelerate the development of complex technologies such as soft robotics, energy damping, and biomedical devices.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 8, 2026

Printed oxygen "highways" shatter the 2D transistor speed limit

A research team has successfully removed the primary obstacle to post-silicon computing by creating a record-breaking electronic connection for atomic-thin materials. The new GaOx layer enables 'hybrid tunnelling' mechanism, reducing contact resistance and allowing transistors to operate at much lower voltages without sacrificing speed.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateMay 8, 2026

Programmable ‘smart stamp’ transfers microscopic chips to build 3D circuits

Researchers develop programmable system to selectively pick up and place delicate electronic components, enabling mass production of defect-free displays and 3D microchips. The 'smart stamp' technology uses localized heating to control a polymer's stickiness, allowing precise transfer of semiconductor chips and other materials.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateMar 24, 2026

Chungnam National University team pioneers defect-free high-quality graphene electrodes

Researchers introduce a novel fabrication technique to create high-resolution, low-resistance graphene electrodes for transparent and flexible devices. The method achieves exceptionally low electrical resistance and high pattern fidelity without etching-induced defects or chemical contamination.

SourceChungnam National University Evaluation Team·JournalMicrosystems & Nanoengineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 26, 2026

Fighting skin diseases with 3D bioprinting

Researchers at TU Wien developed a 3D bioprinting technique to create living biological tissue for studying skin diseases. The method offers a controlled and highly reproducible manner to produce tailor-made structures for different purposes, such as psoriasis and inflammatory models.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·TypeNews article·DateDec 18, 2025

Extreme manufacturing enables ultra-soft, ultra-small, high-density neural implants

Researchers propose a new design approach for intracortical electrodes that can record from many neurons at once without damaging them. The authors outline various manufacturing approaches, including advanced silicon micromachining and thermal fiber drawing, to create flexible devices with low stiffness.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateDec 17, 2025

Vibrating tools carve custom functional surfaces with precision and flexibility

Scientists at Tsinghua University introduce a new technique to carve complex shapes on material surfaces, enabling more design freedom and efficiency in surface design. The method uses high-speed vibrations to create convex microstructures that can change how a surface interacts with its environment.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateDec 3, 2025

Korean researchers’ single memristor replaces both the driving transistor and storage capacitor in micro-LED

A team of Korean researchers has successfully integrated a single memristor into micro-LED pixels, replacing the traditional driving transistor and storage capacitor. This innovation enables more efficient and easier-to-build displays with improved brightness and color accuracy.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateNov 6, 2025

A new post-processing route to improve tensile strength and ductility in 3d-printed alloys

A new post-processing route improves tensile strength and ductility in 3D-printed alloys by combining deep cryogenic treatment and laser shock peening. This method transforms the microscopic structure of 3D-printed metals, relieving internal stresses and enhancing mechanical resilience.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateOct 22, 2025

High-throughput inkless printing: Laser-generated dry aerosols enable green manufacturing of electronics

Researchers have developed Laser Ablation Dry Aerosol Printing (LADAP) that generates nanoparticles from solid targets using pulsed laser ablation, enabling the printing of metals and oxides without inks. The technique produces structures with fine-resolution microstructures and thick deposition within a high-throughput process.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateOct 16, 2025

Scientists use single-step laser ablation to fabricate ultra-uniform structures smaller than 50 nanometers

Researchers at Sun Yat-sen University create a new method for fabricating ultra-uniform surface structures with features as small as 46 nanometers. The technique uses a carefully tuned femtosecond laser under water immersion, overcoming the challenge of creating uniform nanostructures smaller than 100 nanometers.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateOct 16, 2025

Mixing metals, maximizing performance: recent advances on additive manufacturing of heterogeneous/gradient metallic materials

Researchers are making progress in overcoming technical hurdles to create layered structures, continuous gradients, and fully three-dimensional architectures with programmable material variation. Optimized laser parameters and build sequences can enhance strength, control heat flow, and improve energy absorption.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateSep 2, 2025

3D-printed bone scaffolds unlock superelasticity and tunable performance

Researchers developed novel artificial bone scaffolds with high deformation recovery capabilities, exceeding those of natural bone and conventional metallic scaffolds. These scaffolds allow for flexible adjustments of properties like strength and modulus to meet specific implantation site requirements.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateSep 2, 2025

Bee-stinger-inspired microneedle deliver drugs, stimulate healing, and monitor wounds in real time

Researchers have created a wearable system that combines drug delivery, electrical stimulation, and continuous monitoring to treat diabetic foot ulcers. The microneedle platform anchors securely into the skin and adjusts therapy in real-time to prevent severe tissue damage.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateAug 18, 2025

Neuromorphic devices and machine learning combine to make brain-like devices possible

Researchers are combining machine learning algorithms with neuromorphic hardware to build brain-like devices that can learn from data and adapt in real-time. These devices have the potential to revolutionize industries such as manufacturing by enabling machines to sense their environment, adapt to new tasks, and make decisions without ...

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateAug 11, 2025

Exploring scalable pathways for cost-effective memristors using solution-processed 2D materials

The article discusses the use of solution-processed 2D materials to fabricate memristors, offering a scalable alternative to traditional methods. Recent breakthroughs have overcome manufacturing limitations, producing larger and less-damaged nanosheets with improved device performance.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateJul 2, 2025

Smart supramolecular assemblies

The researchers synthesized supramolecular polymers with the ability to form larger complexes in response to external stimuli, which may shed light on biomolecular self-assembly and other ‘smart’ materials. The resulting shape of the assemblies can be controlled based on the concentration of a specific additive.

SourceOsaka University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 12, 2024

Stacked up against the rest

Researchers at Kyoto University have developed a new method to reduce optical interference and measure the quantum coherence time of moiré excitons, which are electron-hole pairs confined in moiré interference fringes. This breakthrough enables the realization of quantum functionality in next-generation nano-semiconductors.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 1, 2024

Micro/nanoscale 4D printing revolution: Manufacturing high-resolution transformable 3D structures

Researchers introduce a game-changing technology that enables fabrication of high-resolution, transformable 3D structures at the micro/nanoscale using Two-photon polymerization-based (TTP-based) 4D printing. The technology has vast potential for applications in biomedicine, flexible electronics, soft robotics, and aerospace.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateOct 9, 2023

Researchers recycle CDs into flexible biosensors

Binghamton University researchers have developed a way to turn CDs into flexible biosensors that can monitor electrical activity in human hearts and muscles, as well as lactate, glucose, pH, and oxygen levels. The sensors are fabricated in 20-30 minutes without toxic chemicals or expensive equipment, costing around $1.50 per device.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 26, 2022

Demonstration of a highly efficient modulator using the organic electro-optic polymer for visible light

Researchers at NICT developed an organic electro-optic polymer for visible light, significantly improving efficiency and miniaturization. The new modulator has lower absorption loss and higher electro-optic coefficient in visible light compared to conventional optical modulators.

SourceNational Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)·JournalOptics Express·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2022

Artificial cilia could someday power diagnostic devices

Cornell researchers have designed a micro-sized artificial cilial system using platinum-based components that can control the movement of fluids at a scale similar to biological cilia. The technology could enable low-cost diagnostic devices for testing blood samples, manipulating cells or assisting in microfabrication processes.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature·DateMay 25, 2022

Rice ‘metalens’ could disrupt vacuum UV market

Researchers at Rice University have created a 'metalens' that transforms long-wave UV-A into a focused output of vacuum UV radiation. The technology uses nanophotonics to impart a phase shift on incoming light, redirecting it and generating VUV without the need for specialized equipment.

SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 5, 2022

Cantilever? New findings are far too sensitive for that!

Researchers have developed a new generation of microcantilever technology that enables precise hydrogen sensing with low humidity cross-sensitivity. The new design integrates a microcantilever beam into an optical fiber, resulting in smaller and cheaper devices with stronger signal processing capabilities.

Tough new probe developed for nanotechnologists

Scientists from Northwestern University and Argonne National Laboratory have created a new type of atomic force microscopy (AFM) probe made from ultra-nano-crystalline diamond, exhibiting properties similar to single-crystal diamond. The development enables improved durability and scalability for high-resolution imaging.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalSmall·DateAug 10, 2005