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Modular, scalable hardware architecture for a quantum computer

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Quantum computers hold the promise of being able to quickly solve extremely complex problems that might take the world’s most powerful supercomputer decades to crack.

But achieving that performance involves building a system with millions of interconnected building blocks called qubits. Making and controlling so many qubits in a hardware architecture is an enormous challenge that scientists around the world are striving to meet.

Toward this goal, researchers at MIT and MITRE have demonstrated a scalable, modular hardware platform that integrates thousands of interconnected qubits onto a customized integrated circuit. This “quantum-system-on-chip” (QSoC) architecture enables the researchers to precisely tune and control a dense array of qubits. Multiple chips could be connected using optical networking to create a large-scale quantum communication network.

By tuning qubits across 11 frequency channels, this QSoC architecture allows for a new proposed protocol of “entanglement multiplexing” for large-scale quantum computing.

The team spent years perfecting an intricate process for manufacturing two-dimensional arrays of atom-sized qubit microchiplets and transferring thousands of them onto a carefully prepared complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) chip. This transfer can be performed in a single step.

“We will need a large number of qubits, and great control over them, to really leverage the power of a quantum system and make it useful. We are proposing a brand new architecture and a fabrication technology that can support the scalability requirements of a hardware system for a quantum computer,” says Linsen Li, an electrical engineering and computer science (EECS) graduate student and lead author of a paper on this architecture.

Li’s co-authors include Ruonan Han, an associate professor in EECS, leader of the Terahertz Integrated Electronics Group, and member of the Research Laboratory of Electronics (RLE); senior author Dirk Englund, professor of EECS, principal investigator of the Quantum Photonics and Artificial Intelligence Group and of RLE; as well as others at MIT, Cornell University, the Delft Institute of Technology, the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, and the MITRE Corporation. The paper appears today in Nature .

Diamond microchiplets

While there are many types of qubits, the researchers chose to use diamond color centers because of their scalability advantages. They previously used such qubits to produce integrated quantum chips with photonic circuitry.

Qubits made from diamond color centers are “artificial atoms” that carry quantum information. Because diamond color centers are solid-state systems, the qubit manufacturing is compatible with modern semiconductor fabrication processes. They are also compact and have relatively long coherence times, which refers to the amount of time a qubit’s state remains stable, due to the clean environment provided by the diamond material.

In addition, diamond color centers have photonic interfaces which allows them to be remotely entangled, or connected, with other qubits that aren’t adjacent to them.

“The conventional assumption in the field is that the inhomogeneity of the diamond color center is a drawback compared to identical quantum memory like ions and neutral atoms. However, we turn this challenge into an advantage by embracing the diversity of the artificial atoms: Each atom has its own spectral frequency. This allows us to communicate with individual atoms by voltage tuning them into resonance with a laser, much like tuning the dial on a tiny radio,” says Englund.

This is especially difficult because the researchers must achieve this at a large scale to compensate for the qubit inhomogeneity in a large system.

To communicate across qubits, they need to have multiple such “quantum radios” dialed into the same channel. Achieving this condition becomes near-certain when scaling to thousands of qubits. To this end, the researchers surmounted that challenge by integrating a large array of diamond color center qubits onto a CMOS chip which provides the control dials. The chip can be incorporated with built-in digital logic that rapidly and automatically reconfigures the voltages, enabling the qubits to reach full connectivity.

“This compensates for the in-homogenous nature of the system. With the CMOS platform, we can quickly and dynamically tune all the qubit frequencies,” Li explains.

Lock-and-release fabrication

To build this QSoC, the researchers developed a fabrication process to transfer diamond color center “microchiplets” onto a CMOS backplane at a large scale.

They started by fabricating an array of diamond color center microchiplets from a solid block of diamond. They also designed and fabricated nanoscale optical antennas that enable more efficient collection of the photons emitted by these color center qubits in free space.

Then, they designed and mapped out the chip from the semiconductor foundry. Working in the MIT.nano cleanroom, they post-processed a CMOS chip to add microscale sockets that match up with the diamond microchiplet array.

They built an in-house transfer setup in the lab and applied a lock-and-release process to integrate the two layers by locking the diamond microchiplets into the sockets on the CMOS chip. Since the diamond microchiplets are weakly bonded to the diamond surface, when they release the bulk diamond horizontally, the microchiplets stay in the sockets.

“Because we can control the fabrication of both the diamond and the CMOS chip, we can make a complementary pattern. In this way, we can transfer thousands of diamond chiplets into their corresponding sockets all at the same time,” Li says.

The researchers demonstrated a 500-micron by 500-micron area transfer for an array with 1,024 diamond nanoantennas, but they could use larger diamond arrays and a larger CMOS chip to further scale up the system. In fact, they found that with more qubits, tuning the frequencies actually requires less voltage for this architecture.

“In this case, if you have more qubits, our architecture will work even better,” Li says.

The team tested many nanostructures before they determined the ideal microchiplet array for the lock-and-release process. However, making quantum microchiplets is no easy task, and the process took years to perfect.

“We have iterated and developed the recipe to fabricate these diamond nanostructures in MIT cleanroom, but it is a very complicated process. It took 19 steps of nanofabrication to get the diamond quantum microchiplets, and the steps were not straightforward,” he adds.

Alongside their QSoC, the researchers developed an approach to characterize the system and measure its performance on a large scale. To do this, they built a custom cryo-optical metrology setup.

Using this technique, they demonstrated an entire chip with over 4,000 qubits that could be tuned to the same frequency while maintaining their spin and optical properties. They also built a digital twin simulation that connects the experiment with digitized modeling, which helps them understand the root causes of the observed phenomenon and determine how to efficiently implement the architecture.

In the future, the researchers could boost the performance of their system by refining the materials they used to make qubits or developing more precise control processes. They could also apply this architecture to other solid-state quantum systems.

This work was supported by the MITRE Corporation Quantum Moonshot Program, the U.S. National Science Foundation, the U.S. Army Research Office, the Center for Quantum Networks, and the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program.

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The June 2024 issue of IEEE Spectrum is here!

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In August, NASA will launch the Psyche mission , sending a deep-space orbiter to a weird metal asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter. While the probe’s main purpose is to study Psyche’s origins, it will also carry an experiment that could inform the future of deep-space communications. The Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) experiment will test whether lasers can transmit signals beyond lunar orbit. Optical signals, such as those used in undersea fiber-optic cables, can carry more data than radio signals can, but their use in space has been hampered by difficulties in aiming the beams accurately over long distances. DSOC will use a 4-watt infrared laser with a wavelength of 1,550 nanometers (the same used in many optical fibers) to send optical signals at multiple distances during Psyche’s outward journey to the asteroid.

The Great Electric Plane Race

For the first time in almost a century, the U.S.-based National Aeronautic Association (NAA) will host a cross-country aircraft race . Unlike the national air races of the 1920s, however, the Pulitzer Electric Aircraft Race, scheduled for 19 May, will include only electric-propulsion aircraft. Both fixed-wing craft and helicopters are eligible. The competition will be limited to 25 contestants, and each aircraft must have an onboard pilot. The course will start in Omaha and end four days later in Manteo, N.C., near the site of the Wright brothers’ first flight. The NAA has stated that the goal of the cross-country, multiday race is to force competitors to confront logistical problems that still plague electric aircraft, like range, battery charging, reliability, and speed.

6-Gigahertz Wi-Fi Goes Mainstream

Wi-Fi is getting a boost with 1,200 megahertz of new spectrum in the 6-gigahertz band, adding a third spectrum band to the more familiar 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The new band is called Wi-Fi 6E because it extends Wi-Fi’s capabilities into the 6-GHz band. As a rule, higher radio frequencies have higher data capacity, but a shorter range. With its higher frequencies, 6-GHz Wi-Fi is expected to find use in heavy traffic environments like offices and public hotspots. The Wi-Fi Alliance introduced a Wi-Fi 6E certification program in January 2021, and the first trickle of 6E routers appeared by the end of the year. In 2022, expect to see a bonanza of Wi-Fi 6E–enabled smartphones.

3-Nanometer Chips Arrive

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) plans to begin producing 3-nanometer semiconductor chips in the second half of 2022 . Right now, 5-nm chips are the standard. TSMC will make its 3-nm chips using a tried-and-true semiconductor structure called the FinFET (short for “fin field-effect transistor”). Meanwhile, Samsung and Intel are moving to a different technique for 3 nm called nanosheet. (TSMC is eventually planning to abandon FinFETs .) At one point, TSMC’s sole 3-nm chip customer for 2022 was Apple , for the latter’s iPhone 14, but supply-chain issues have made it less certain that TSMC will be able to produce enough chips—which promise more design flexibility —to fulfill even that order.

Seoul Joins the Metaverse

After Facebook (now Meta ) announced it was hell-bent on making the metaverse real, a host of other tech companies followed suit. Definitions differ, but the basic idea of the metaverse involves merging virtual reality and augmented reality with actual reality. Also jumping on the metaverse bandwagon is the government of the South Korean capital, Seoul, which plans to develop a “metaverse platform” by the end of 2022. To build this first public metaverse, Seoul will invest 3.9 billion won (US $3.3 million). The platform will offer public services and cultural events , beginning with the Metaverse 120 Center, a virtual-reality portal for citizens to address concerns that previously required a trip to city hall. Other planned projects include virtual exhibition halls for school courses and a digital representation of Deoksu Palace . The city expects the project to be complete by 2026.

IBM’s Condors Take Flight

In 2022, IBM will debut a new quantum processor—its biggest yet—as a stepping-stone to a 1,000-qubit processor by the end of 2023 . This year’s iteration will contain 433 qubits, three times as much as the company’s 127-qubit Eagle processor, which was launched last year. Following the bird theme, the 433- and 1,000-qubit processors will be named Condor. There have been quantum computers with many more qubits; D-Wave Systems, for example, announced a 5,000-qubit computer in 2020. However, D-Wave’s computers are specialized machines for optimization problems. IBM’s Condors aim to be the largest general-purpose quantum processors.

New Dark-Matter Detector

The Forward Search Experiment (FASER) at CERN is slated to switch on in July 2022. The exact date depends on when the Large Hadron Collider is set to renew proton-proton collisions after three years of upgrades and maintenance. FASER will begin a hunt for dark matter and other particles that interact extremely weakly with “normal” matter. CERN, the fundamental physics research center near Geneva, has four main detectors attached to its Large Hadron Collider, but they aren’t well-suited to detecting dark matter. FASER won’t attempt to detect the particles directly; instead, it will search for the more strongly interacting Standard Model particles created when dark matter interacts with something else. The new detector was constructed while the collider was shut down from 2018 to 2021. Located 480 meters “downstream” of the ATLAS detector, FASER will also hunt for neutrinos produced in huge quantities by particle collisions in the LHC loop. The other CERN detectors have so far failed to detect such neutrinos.

Pong Turns 50

Atari changed the course of video games when it released its first game, Pong, in 1972. While not the first video game—or even the first to be presented in an upright, arcade-style cabinet—Pong was the first to be commercially successful. The game was developed by engineer Allan Alcorn and originally assigned to him as a test after he was hired, before he began working on actual projects. However, executives at Atari saw potential in Pong’s simple game play and decided to develop it into a real product. Unlike the countless video games that came after it, the original Pong did not use any code or microprocessors. Instead, it was built from a television and transistor-transistor logic.

The Green Hydrogen Boom

Utility company Energias de Portugal (EDP), based in Lisbon, is on track to begin operating a 3-megawatt green hydrogen plant in Brazil by the end of the year. Green hydrogen is hydrogen produced in sustainable ways, using solar or wind-powered electrolyzers to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. According to the International Energy Agency, only 0.1 percent of hydrogen is produced this way. The plant will replace an existing coal-fired plant and generate hydrogen—which can be used in fuel cells—using solar photovoltaics. EDP’s roughly US $7.9 million pilot program is just the tip of the green hydrogen iceberg. Enegix Energy has announced plans for a $5.4 billion green hydrogen plant in the same Brazilian state, Ceará, where the EDP plant is being built. The green hydrogen market is predicted to generate a revenue of nearly $10 billion by 2028 , according to a November 2021 report by Research Dive.

A Permanent Space Station for China

China is scheduled to complete its Tiangong (“Heavenly Palace”) space station in 2022. The station, China’s first long-term space habitat, was preceded by the Tiangong-1 and Tiangong-2 stations, which orbited from 2011 to 2018 and 2016 to 2019, respectively. The new station’s core module, the Tianhe, was launched in April 2021. A further 10 missions by the end of 2022 will deliver other components and modules, with construction to be completed in orbit. The final station will have two laboratory modules in addition to the core module. Tiangong will orbit at roughly the same altitude as the International Space Station but will be only about one-fifth the mass of the ISS.

A Cool Form of Energy Storage

Cryogenic energy-storage company Highview Power will begin operations at its Carrington plant near Manchester, England, this year. Cryogenic energy storage is a long-term method of storing electricity by cooling air until it liquefies (about –196 °C). Crucially, the air is cooled when electricity is cheaper—at night, for example—and then stored until electricity demand peaks. The liquid air is then allowed to boil back into a gas, which drives a turbine to generate electricity. The 50-megawatt/250-megawatt-hour Carrington plant will be Highview Power’s first commercial plant using its cryogenic storage technology, dubbed CRYOBattery. Highview Power has said it plans to build a similar plant in Vermont, although it has not specified a timeline yet.

Carbon-Neutral Cryptocurrency?

Seattle-based startup Nori is set to offer a cryptocurrency for carbon removal . Nori will mint 500 million tokens of its Ethereum-based currency (called NORI). Individuals and companies can purchase and trade NORI, and eventually exchange any NORI they own for an equal number of carbon credits. Each carbon credit represents a tonne of carbon dioxide that has already been removed from the atmosphere and stored in the ground. When exchanged in this way, a NORI is retired, making it impossible for owners to try to “double count” carbon credits and therefore seem like they’re offsetting more carbon than they actually have. The startup has acknowledged that Ethereum and other blockchain-based technologies consume an enormous amount of energy, so the carbon it sequesters could conceivably originate in cryptocurrency mining. However, 2022 will also see Ethereum scheduled to switch to a much more energy-efficient method of verifying its blockchain , called proof-of-stake, which Nori will take advantage of when it launches.

• Google's Quantum Tech Milestone Excites Scientists and Spurs ... ›
• 10 Exciting Engineering Milestones to Look for in 2021 - IEEE ... ›
• Top Tech 2022: A Special Report - IEEE Spectrum ›
• Tech Leaders on 5G, Robots, and the Future of Work - IEEE Spectrum ›
• 11 Intriguing Engineering Milestones to Look for in 2023 - IEEE Spectrum ›

Michael Koziol is the news manager at IEEE Spectrum. Previously, he was an associate editor covering telecommunications. He graduated from Seattle University with bachelor's degrees in English and Physics, and earned his master's degree in science journalism from New York University.

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Charge your laptop in a minute or your EV in 10? Supercapacitors can help; new research offers clues

Imagine if your dead laptop or phone could charge in a minute or if an electric car could be fully powered in 10 minutes.

While not possible yet, new research by a team of CU Boulder scientists could potentially lead to such advances. 

Published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science , researchers in Ankur Gupta ’s lab discovered how tiny charged particles, called ions, move within a complex network of minuscule pores. The breakthrough could lead to the development of more efficient energy storage devices, such as supercapacitors, said Gupta, an assistant professor of chemical and biological engineering . 

Gupta explained that several chemical engineering techniques are used to study flow in porous materials such as oil reservoirs and water filtration, but they have not been fully utilized in some energy storage systems.

The discovery is significant not only for storing energy in vehicles and electronic devices but also for power grids, where fluctuating energy demand requires efficient storage to avoid waste during periods of low demand and to ensure rapid supply during high demand.  

Supercapacitors, energy storage devices that rely on ion accumulation in their pores, have rapid charging times and longer life spans compared to batteries. 

“The primary appeal of supercapacitors lies in their speed,” Gupta said. “So how can we make their charging and release of energy faster? By the more efficient movement of ions.”

Their findings modify Kirchhoff’s law, which has governed current flow in electrical circuits since 1845 and is a staple in high school students’ science classes. Unlike electrons, ions move due to both electric fields and diffusion, and the researchers determined that their movements at pore intersections are different from what was described in Kirchhoff’s law.

Prior to the study, ion movements were only described in the literature in one straight pore. Through this research, ion movement in a complex network of thousands of interconnected pores can be simulated and predicted in a few minutes.

“That’s the leap of the work,” Gupta said. “We found the missing link.”

This work was funded by National Science Foundation CAREER Award # 2238412.

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AIM algorithm enhances super-resolution microscope images in real time

When trying to measure molecular structures with nanometer precision, every bit of noise shows up in the data: someone walking past the microscope, tiny vibrations in the building and even the traffic outside. A new processing technique removes noise from optical microscope data in real time, allowing scientists to track individual molecules over 10 times more precisely than was possible before.

A team of bioengineering researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has introduced an algorithm called adaptive intersection maximization, or AIM, that removes high-frequency noise from super-resolution optical microscope data much faster than standard methods and results in much higher image resolutions. The algorithm will enable scientists to study chemical and biological systems far more easily and precisely than was possible before. This research was published in the journal Science Advances.

"At first, we just wanted to develop a fast algorithm because our lab produces too much data for traditional algorithms to handle, but we found that AIM can also achieve sub-nanometer precision, which is unheard of in our field," said Hongqiang Ma, a research professor of bioengineering and the study's lead author. "In addition, it doesn't require immense computing power like traditional tools. It can run on a laptop. We want to make this a plug-and-play tool for all microscope users."

In recent decades, the single-molecule localization microscopy technique has enabled scientists to visualize molecular-scale structures, surpassing what was thought to be a fundamental limitation of optical microscopes. However, it is limited in practice by uncontrollable noise, or "drift," that essentially blurs the images and prevents super-resolution microscopy from reaching its highest resolution.

"Single-molecule localization actually uses a fairly simple instrument, but the tricky part that really impacts image resolution is drift," said Yang Liu, a bioengineering professor and the project lead. "Many researchers only remove low-frequency drift. Removing the high-frequency drift -- minute vibrations caused by environmental noise -- is computationally intensive and requires large amounts of time and resources."

Standard methods for removing drift are based on the mathematical correlations between image frames. According to Liu, the microscopes in her laboratory generate such a large volume of image data that image correlation methods take days even with supercomputing resources.

AIM also compares adjacent frames, but it proceeds by putting each data point at the center of a circle (defined by localization precision) and looking for points inside that circle in other frames. Overlapping points within the "radius of intersection" are condensed into a single localization. Then, the process is repeated once more with the condensed points. These steps use minimal computational resources, and they are faster than the acquisition time of a microscope camera. So, drift-corrected images can be produced in what is effectively real time.

The researchers tested AIM using both simulated data and structures called DNA origami that have well-defined features. The algorithm successfully localized the structures, and the degree of precision, less than 1 nanometer, turned out to be much higher than standard image correlation methods, about 10 nanometers.

Liu's laboratory will incorporate AIM into high-throughput microscopy techniques being developed for enhanced disease detection. However, Liu also believes that the algorithm will find uses throughout biology and bioengineering. "It's a fast and easy-to-use tool, and we want to make it widely accessible for the entire community," she said. "We are making our software publicly accessible. We want people to get the boost in their image resolution just from this one bit of post-processing."

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Story Source:

Materials provided by University of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering . Original written by Michael O'Boyle. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference :

• Hongqiang Ma, Maomao Chen, Phuong Nguyen, Yang Liu. Toward drift-free high-throughput nanoscopy through adaptive intersection maximization . Science Advances , 2024; 10 (21) DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adm7765

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The MIT Department of Mechanical Engineering researches and teaches at the interfaces of ideas, where several disciplines such as physics, math, electronics, and computer science, and engineering intersect in the nimble hands of broadly trained MIT mechanical engineers.

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MIT students head to the SpaceX Hyperloop Competition with a concept pod, and a vision for the future of transportation. The MIT Hyperloop Team will be firing their concept pod along a one-mile test track in Hawthorne, potentially bringing the world closer to what SpaceX CEO Elon Musk describes as a “fifth mode of transportation.”

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MIT researchers have introduced a direct-ink-write 3D printable tissue adhesive, offering a way to customize bio-adhesive patches or devices

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The field of Materials Science & Engineering is evolving dramatically as we enter the 21st Century. What began as the study of metals and ceramics in the 1960s has broadened in recent years to include semiconductors and soft materials. With this evolution and broadening of the discipline, current research projects span multiple materials classes and build on expertise in many different fields. As a result, current research in Materials Science and Engineering is increasingly defined by materials systems rather than materials classes.

At Cornell, the Department of Materials Science & Engineering (MS&E) has adopted this new systems-based vision of the field by defining four strategic areas which are considered to be critical for today’s emerging research. The four strategic research areas are Energy Production and Storage, Electronics and Photonics, Bioinspired Materials and Systems, and Green Technologies.

Materials Science & Engineering is an exciting and vibrant interdisciplinary research field. Cornell MS&E draws upon its world-class faculty, innovative researchers, state-of-the-art facilities and highly collaborative research environment to respond to challenging technological and societal demands both in the present and the future.

Energy Production and Storage

Energy research will prove to be the most prosperous growth area for the department, the College and the University. The inevitability of an energy crisis and global climate change has intensified efforts in alternative energy research around the world. The excitement building around this sector is reminiscent of the early years of the information technology revolution. Among the many possible sources of alternative energy, the following areas are particularly aligned with the current materials research at Cornell as they play to our existing strengths:  photocatalysis, photovoltaics, thermoelectrics, phononics, batteries  and  supercapacitors .

Relevant Research Areas: 

• Energy Systems
• Advanced Materials Processing
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• Nanotechnology
• Nonlinear Dynamics
• Polymers and Soft Matter
• Semiconductor Physics and Devices

Electronics & Photonics

The use of semiconductor devices and circuits will continue to play a major role in modern life. Therefore electronics and photonics are considered premier growth areas. As feature sizes decrease, incremental research based on current methods and materials is unlikely to enable Moore's Law to continue. New materials and processing techniques are needed. Advances in nanoscale fabrication have led to recent advances in this field. We have targeted the following areas: oxide semiconductors, 3D integration, materials beyond silicon, high K and low K dielectrics, plasmonics, spintronics, and multiferroics.

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Bioinspired Materials and Systems

Scientists and engineers are increasingly turning to nature for inspiration. The solutions arrived at by natural selection are often a good starting point in the search for answers to scientific and technical problems. Designing and building bioinspired devices or systems can tell us more about the original animal or plant model. The following areas are particularly aligned with the current materials research at Cornell:  bioinspired composites, engineered protein films for adhesion, lubrication and sensing applications , molecular tools for in-vitro and in-vivo imaging (C-Dots, FRET), as well as biomaterials for tissue engineering and drug delivery.

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Green Technologies

The 21st century has been called the "century of the environment." Neither governments nor individual citizens can any longer assume that social challenges such as pollution, dwindling natural resources and climate change can be set aside for future generations. Strategies for clean and sustainable communities need to be established now, community by community. A dawning era of creativity and innovation in "green technology" (also known as "clean technology") is bringing the promise of a healthier planet (as well as the prospect of growing businesses) that can sustain its health.  We have targeted green composites and new systems for CO2 capture and conversion as areas of future growth .

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Top 50 Emerging Research Topics in Aerospace Engineering

Research topics Aerospace Engineering

Aerospace engineering is a dynamic field that constantly evolves with technological advancements and the exploration of new frontiers. As we move further into the 21 st century, the aerospace industry faces an array of complex challenges and exciting opportunities. To help guide researchers and enthusiasts, iLovePhD has compiled a list of the Top 50 emerging research topics in the field of aerospace engineering. These topics encompass various aspects of aerospace engineering, including propulsion, materials, aerodynamics, space exploration, and sustainability.

Research Topics in Aerospace Engineering

A. advanced materials and structures.

1. Nanomaterials in Aerospace : Exploring the use of nanomaterials to enhance structural properties and create stronger, lighter, and more durable materials.

2. Bio-Inspired Materials : Research materials inspired by nature, such as biomimetic composites, to improve structural design and performance.

3. Self-Healing Materials : Investigating materials capable of autonomously repairing damage, crucial for increasing the lifespan of aerospace components.

4. 3D Printing in Aerospace : Enhancing the use of additive manufacturing for complex geometries and producing lighter, stronger, and customized components.

5. Smart Materials : Research adaptive materials that change properties in response to external stimuli to improve efficiency and safety in aerospace structures.

B. Advanced Propulsion Systems

6. Electric Propulsion : Studying electric propulsion systems, such as ion drives or electric turbofans, for efficiency and reduced environmental impact.

7. Hybrid Propulsion : Exploring combinations of traditional and alternative fuels for more efficient and environmentally friendly propulsion systems.

8. Micro-propulsion Systems : Researching miniaturized propulsion systems for small satellites and micro-spacecraft.

9. Hypersonic Propulsion : Investigating engines capable of sustained operation at hypersonic speeds for high-speed travel and space applications.

10. Green Propellants : Developing non-toxic, environmentally friendly fuels to reduce the environmental impact of aerospace missions.

C. Autonomous Systems and AI

11 . Autonomous Flight Control : Researching and implementing AI-driven systems for autonomous flight control in unmanned aerial vehicles and aircraft.

12. Decision-Making Algorithms : Developing AI algorithms for autonomous systems to make real-time decisions during complex flight scenarios.

13. Swarm Intelligence in Aerospace : Investigating swarm robotics and AI for coordinated operations of multiple drones or satellites.

14. Predictive Maintenance : Implementing AI to predict and prevent mechanical failures, reducing maintenance costs and enhancing safety.

15. AI in Space Exploration : Utilizing AI for autonomous exploration and decision-making in space missions, such as on Mars or other celestial bodies.

D. Space Debris Management

16. Active Debris Removal: Researching and developing technologies for actively removing space debris to reduce collision risks in orbit.

17. Orbital Traffic Management: Implementing systems to track and manage the growing number of satellites and spacecraft in orbit.

18. Debris Mitigation Strategies : Investigating techniques to design satellites with built-in capabilities to reduce debris creation.

19. Space Situational Awareness: Advancing technologies for better tracking and monitoring space objects to prevent collisions.

20. Deorbiting Technologies: Developing methods to safely deorbit defunct satellites and spacecraft to burn up in the Earth’s atmosphere.

E. Aero-elasticity and Aero-acoustics

21. Aero-elastic Tailoring : Studying how to design aircraft wings to adapt and reduce flutter or oscillations in flight.

22. Noise Reduction Technologies : Research advanced materials and designs to mitigate aircraft noise for improved environmental impact.

23. Structural Health Monitoring : Developing sensors and systems for continuous monitoring of aircraft structures to predict potential failures.

24. Sonic Boom Mitigation : Investigating techniques to reduce the intensity of sonic booms to enable supersonic commercial flights.

25. Aero-acoustic Simulations : Improving computational models to simulate and predict noise generated by aircraft in different conditions.

F. Space Habitats and Life Support Systems

26. Regenerative Life Support Systems : Researching systems that recycle waste and support life sustainably in long-duration space missions.

27. Advanced Thermal Control : Developing efficient thermal management systems for space habitats in extreme conditions.

28. Bioastronautics : Investigating the effects of long-duration space travel on human physiology and mental health.

29. Closed Ecological Systems : Designing self-sufficient systems for life support that mimic Earth’s ecological cycles in space.

30. Space Agriculture : Researching methods to grow food sustainably in space for long-term missions.

G. Aerodynamics and Flow Control

31. Flow Control Technologies : Investigating techniques to control airflow over aircraft surfaces for enhanced efficiency and performance.

32. Drag Reduction Methods : Research ways to minimize drag through innovative design and flow control mechanisms.

33. Supersonic and Hypersonic Aerodynamics : Understanding aerodynamics at high speeds and developing efficient designs for supersonic travel.

34. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) : Advancing aerodynamics specific to drone technology and their varied applications.

35. Biologically Inspired Aerodynamics : Studying aerodynamic principles in nature for innovative aircraft designs.

H. Satellite Communication and Networking

36. 5G and Beyond in Space : Researching the implementation of advanced communication technologies in space for higher data rates and improved connectivity.

37. Inter-Satellite Communication : Studying methods for satellites to communicate with each other, forming constellations for better coverage and data sharing.

38. Secure Satellite Communication : Developing encryption methods and secure communication protocols for satellite networks.

39. Internet of Things (IoT) in Space : Exploring IoT applications for connected devices in space-based systems.

40. Quantum Communication in Space : Investigating the application of quantum technologies for secure and high-speed communication in space.

I. Orbital and Planetary Mechanics

41. Formation Flying and Swarming : Researching the dynamics and control strategies for formations of satellites or spacecraft.

42. Space Traffic Control : Developing methods to regulate the traffic of spacecraft in congested orbits.

43. Planetary Landing and Mobility : Improving landing techniques and mobility systems for planetary exploration missions.

44. Orbital Dynamics of Small Satellites : Studying the unique orbital behaviors and challenges faced by small satellites.

45. Space Weather and its Effects : Understanding the impact of space weather on spacecraft and developing strategies for protection.

J. Aerospace Cybersecurity

46. Avionic Systems Security : Securing critical avionic systems from cyber threats and potential attacks.

47. Satellite Cyber Resilience : Developing resilient and secure systems for satellites against cyber intrusions.

48. Flight Control Systems Security : Ensuring the integrity of flight control systems from cyber threats and vulnerabilities.

49. Secure Communication Networks : Implementing robust Cybersecurity measures in Aerospace communication networks.

50. AI-Powered Cyber Defence : Utilizing AI and machine learning for real-time threat detection and response in aerospace systems.

The aerospace engineering field is continually evolving, with research topics continually adapting to technological advancements , societal needs, and environmental considerations. These emerging areas represent only a fraction of the diverse and dynamic research landscape within aerospace engineering. As technology progresses and new challenges arise, researchers will continue to explore innovative solutions, paving the way for the future of aerospace engineering.

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Top 10 Bioengineering Trends for the 2020s

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Human organs-on-chips are used to develop personalized medicine. Photo: Wyss Institute

Date Published:

Jan 29, 2020

Mark Crawford

This story was updated on 10/14/2022.

Biomedical engineering is a rapidly evolving, cross-disciplinary field that involves medicine, biology, chemistry, engineering, nanotechnology, and computer science. Bioengineers are at the forefront of scientific discovery, creating innovative medical devices, vaccines, disease management products, robots, and algorithms that improve human health around the world.

Below are ten of the hottest bioengineering R&D trends happening this decade.

1. Tissue Engineering

The cells are printed in thin layers that accumulate into living tissue or body parts that can be implanted. Researchers at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine have used a special 3D printer to create tissues that thrive when implanted in rodents.

2. Transdermal Patches

For example, scientists at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore have created a transdermal patch filled with drugs that help fight obesity. Instead of being taken orally or through injection, these compounds are released through hundreds of biodegradable microneedles in the patch that barely penetrate the skin. As the needles dissolve, the drugs are slowly released into the body.

3. Wearable Devices

Find Out More in the Infographic: What Is Bioengineering?

Smart clothing controls body temperatures by using special polymers and humidity-responsive vents that open when needed. It has been proposed that individualized temperature control through clothing could reduce a building’s heating and cooling costs by up to 15 percent.

4. Robotic Surgeons and Rehabilitation

Robots are also extremely helpful to people who have suffered strokes or brain injuries when it comes to relearning motor tasks. For example, the Lokomat is a gait training system that uses a robotic exoskeleton and a treadmill to help patients regain basic walking functions. It also allows the therapist to control the walking speed and how much support the robotic legs give to the patient.

5. Nanorobots

Nanorobot designs include DNA-based structures containing cancer-fighting drugs that bind only with a specific protein found on cancer tumors. After attachment, the robot releases its drug into the tumor.

By delivering the pharmaceutical agents exactly where they are needed, the body is not overloaded with toxicity and the side effects are fewer or less intense, improving the patient experience.

6. Virtual Reality

Virtual reality, or VR, is an especially valuable tool in the medical field because of how it can present the data taken from 3D medical images in incredibly detailed views of a patient’s body, or area of medical concern—for example, the cardiovascular system.

Related Video: How Does a Robotic Cane Work?

The model can be examined from all angles and points of interest in order to determine the best way to perform a procedure. Surgeons can even practice a complex procedure multiple times before performing it.

VR is also a critical teaching tool—medical students, for example, can perform virtual dissections instead of using cadavers.

7. Microbubbles

Researchers continue to look for new ways to selectively deliver drugs to specific target areas, thereby avoiding damage to healthy cells and tissue. One unique approach is microbubbles, which are very tiny, micron-sized particles filled with gas.

“Microbubbles loaded with drugs can be injected into the body, and they will distribute everywhere, but I can then disrupt the microbubbles by an ultrasound beam and the drug will be delivered specifically where the drug is needed,” said Beata Chertok , Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan. Microbubbles can also be treated with a substance that will make them adhere to tumors without the need for ultrasound.

8. Prime Editing

This new gene-editing technique builds on the successes of base editing and CRISPR-Cas9 technology. Prime editing rewrites DNA by only cutting a single strand to add, remove, or replace base pairs. This method allows researchers to edit more types of genetic mutations than existing genome-editing approaches, including CRISPR-Cas9.

Further Reading: CRISPR Tech to Detect Ebola

To date, the method has only been tested with human and mouse cells.

“Potential impacts include being able to directly correct a much larger fraction of the mutations that cause genetic diseases and being able to introduce DNA changes into crops that result in healthier or more sustainable foods,” said David Liu , director of the Merkin Institute for Transformative Technologies in Healthcare at the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT.

9. Organ-on-a-Chip

Chip technologies allow the construction of microscale models that simulate human physiology outside of the body. Organs-on-chips are used to study the behavior of tissues and organs in tiny—but fully functional—sample sizes to better understand tissue behavior, disease progression, and pharmaceutical interactions.

For example, inflammation processes can be studied to determine how inflammation is triggered and its value as an early-warning indicator for underlying medical conditions, including autoimmune responses. Other physiological processes studied on chips include thrombosis, mechanical loading on joints, and aging.

10. Mini Bioreactors

Bioreactors are systems that support biologically active organisms and their by-products. Smaller bioreactors are easier to manage and require lesser sample volumes. Advances in microfluidic fabrication capabilities now make it possible to design microscale bioreactors that can incorporate enzymes or other biocatalysts, as well as precision extraction systems, to produce highly pure products.

These systems provide economic high-throughput screening, using only small amounts of reagents, compared to conventional bench-scale reactors. As 3D printing becomes more refined, it should be possible to manufacture miniature bioreactors with more unusual flow paths or specially designed culture chambers.

Future Trends

Miniaturization, material innovations, personalized medicine, and additive manufacturing are key engineering trends that biomedical researchers are eager to incorporate into their designs. These technologies, in fact, open up a vast array of new design options that were not possible using conventional manufacturing methods.

These R&D advances are also happening at an ever-increasing rate—bioengineers must keep pace with disruptive technology and innovations to make the best products and maintain or boost their market share and brand reputation.

Mark Crawford is a technology writer based in Corrales, N.M.

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Collection  12 March 2023

Top 100 in Engineering - 2022

This collection highlights our most downloaded* engineering papers published in 2022. Featuring authors from around the world, these papers showcase valuable research from an international community.

You can also view the top papers across various subject areas here .

*Data obtained from SN Insights, which is based on Digital Science's Dimensions. 

Generation mechanism and prediction of an observed extreme rogue wave

• Johannes Gemmrich

Wireless power transfer system with enhanced efficiency by using frequency reconfigurable metamaterial

• Dongyong Shan
• Haiyue Wang
• Junhua Zhang

Mining logical circuits in fungi

• Nic Roberts
• Andrew Adamatzky

Cuffless blood pressure monitoring from a wristband with calibration-free algorithms for sensing location based on bio-impedance sensor array and autoencoder

• Bassem Ibrahim
• Roozbeh Jafari

The footprint of ship anchoring on the seafloor

• Sally J. Watson
• Geoffroy Lamarche

Dental tissue remineralization by bioactive calcium phosphate nanoparticles formulations

• Andrei Cristian Ionescu
• Lorenzo Degli Esposti
• Eugenio Brambilla

Neuromorphic chip integrated with a large-scale integration circuit and amorphous-metal-oxide semiconductor thin-film synapse devices

• Mutsumi Kimura
• Yuki Shibayama
• Yasuhiko Nakashima

Near-infrared photoluminescence of Portland cement

• Sergei M. Bachilo
• R. Bruce Weisman

Investigating physical and mechanical properties of nest soils used by mud dauber wasps from a geotechnical engineering perspective

• Joon S. Park
• Noura S. Saleh
• Nathan P. Lord

Control of blood glucose induced by meals for type-1 diabetics using an adaptive backstepping algorithm

• Rasoul Zahedifar
• Ali Keymasi Khalaji

Cysteine metabolic engineering and selective disulfide reduction produce superior antibody-drug-conjugates

• Renée Procopio-Melino
• Frank W. Kotch
• Xiaotian Zhong

An optimizing method for performance and resource utilization in quantum machine learning circuits

• Tahereh Salehi
• Mariam Zomorodi
• Vahid Salari

The structure of microbial communities of activated sludge of large-scale wastewater treatment plants in the city of Moscow

• Shahjahon Begmatov
• Alexander G. Dorofeev
• Andrey V. Mardanov

Characterization of 3D-printed PLA parts with different raster orientations and printing speeds

• Mohammad Reza Khosravani
• Filippo Berto
• Tamara Reinicke

Hard polymeric porous microneedles on stretchable substrate for transdermal drug delivery

• Aydin Sadeqi
• Sameer Sonkusale

Ultrasounds induce blood–brain barrier opening across a sonolucent polyolefin plate in an in vitro isolated brain preparation

• Laura Librizzi
• Francesco Prada

Deep learning-based single image super-resolution for low-field MR brain images

• M. L. de Leeuw den Bouter
• G. Ippolito

Effective treatment of aquaculture wastewater with mussel/microalgae/bacteria complex ecosystem: a pilot study

• Yongchao Li
• Weifeng Guo

Ultrasound-guided femoral approach for coronary angiography and interventions in the porcine model

• Grigorios Tsigkas
• Georgios Vasilagkos
• Periklis Davlouros

Epidural anesthesia needle guidance by forward-view endoscopic optical coherence tomography and deep learning

• Qinggong Tang

PLA/Hydroxyapatite scaffolds exhibit in vitro immunological inertness and promote robust osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells without osteogenic stimuli

• Marcela P. Bernardo
• Bruna C. R. da Silva
• Antonio Sechi

Atrial fibrillation prediction by combining ECG markers and CMR radiomics

• Esmeralda Ruiz Pujadas
• Zahra Raisi-Estabragh
• Karim Lekadir

Small object detection method with shallow feature fusion network for chip surface defect detection

• Haixin Huang
• Xueduo Tang

High-precision robust monitoring of charge/discharge current over a wide dynamic range for electric vehicle batteries using diamond quantum sensors

• Yuji Hatano
• Jaewon Shin
• Mutsuko Hatano

Driver drowsiness estimation using EEG signals with a dynamical encoder–decoder modeling framework

• Sadegh Arefnezhad
• James Hamet
• Ali Yousefi

A compact two elements MIMO antenna for 5G communication

• Ashfaq Ahmad
• Dong-you Choi
• Sadiq Ullah

Skin wound healing assessment via an optimized wound array model in miniature pigs

• Ting-Yung Kuo
• Chao-Cheng Huang
• Lynn L. H. Huang

Smart textiles using fluid-driven artificial muscle fibers

• Phuoc Thien Phan
• Mai Thanh Thai
• Thanh Nho Do

Tile-based massively scalable MIMO and phased arrays for 5G/B5G-enabled smart skins and reconfigurable intelligent surfaces

• Manos M. Tentzeris

A hackable, multi-functional, and modular extrusion 3D printer for soft materials

• Iek Man Lei
• Yan Yan Shery Huang

Techno-economic analysis of rooftop solar power plant implementation and policy on mosques: an Indonesian case study

• Fadhil Ahmad Qamar

Seismic wave simulation using a 3D printed model of the Los Angeles Basin

• Sunyoung Park
• Changsoo Shin
• Robert W. Clayton

Banana stem and leaf biochar as an effective adsorbent for cadmium and lead in aqueous solution

• Gaoxiang Li
• Xinxian Long

Potential risk assessment for safe driving of autonomous vehicles under occluded vision

• Denggui Wang
• Jincao Zhou

Natural quantum reservoir computing for temporal information processing

• Yudai Suzuki
• Naoki Yamamoto

A compact and miniaturized implantable antenna for ISM band in wireless cardiac pacemaker system

• Li Gaosheng

Experimental and simulation analysis of biogas production from beverage wastewater sludge for electricity generation

• Anteneh Admasu
• Wondwossen Bogale
• Yedilfana Setarge Mekonnen

Mapping the wildland-urban interface in California using remote sensing data

• Tirtha Banerjee

Design and implementation of a terahertz lens-antenna for a photonic integrated circuits based THz systems

• Shihab Al-Daffaie
• Alaa Jabbar Jumaah
• Thomas Kusserow

Preliminary investigation on stability and hydraulic performance of geotextile sand container breakwaters filled with sand and cement

• Kiran G. Shirlal

Detection of volatile organic compounds using mid-infrared silicon nitride waveguide sensors

• Junchao Zhou
• Diana Al Husseini
• Pao Tai Lin

Coastal flooding and mean sea-level rise allowances in atoll island

• Angel Amores
• Marta Marcos
• Jochen Hinkel

Integration of life cycle assessment and life cycle costing for the eco-design of rubber products

• Yahong Dong
• Yating Zhao
• Guangyi Lin

Estimating mangrove forest gross primary production by quantifying environmental stressors in the coastal area

• Yuhan Zheng
• Wataru Takeuchi

COVID-19 waves: variant dynamics and control

• Abhishek Dutta

Increased flooded area and exposure in the White Volta river basin in Western Africa, identified from multi-source remote sensing data

• Chengxiu Li
• Jadunandan Dash

Sentinel-1A for monitoring land subsidence of coastal city of Pakistan using Persistent Scatterers In-SAR technique

• Muhammad Afaq Hussain
• Zhanlong Chen

A Lab-in-a-Fiber optofluidic device using droplet microfluidics and laser-induced fluorescence for virus detection

• Helen E. Parker
• Sanghamitra Sengupta
• Fredrik Laurell

Transplantation of 3D adipose-derived stem cell/hepatocyte spheroids alleviates chronic hepatic damage in a rat model of thioacetamide-induced liver cirrhosis

• Yu Chiuan Wu
• Guan Xuan Wu
• Shyh Ming Kuo

Hidden costs to building foundations due to sea level rise in a changing climate

• Mohamed A. Abdelhafez
• Bruce Ellingwood
• Hussam Mahmoud

Mapping native and non-native vegetation in the Brazilian Cerrado using freely available satellite products

• Kennedy Lewis
• Fernanda de V. Barros
• Lucy Rowland

Graphene-based metasurface solar absorber design with absorption prediction using machine learning

• Juveriya Parmar
• Shobhit K. Patel
• Vijay Katkar

Experimental study of reasonable mesh size of geogrid reinforced tailings

• Lidong Liang

Stromal-vascular fraction and adipose-derived stem cell therapies improve cartilage regeneration in osteoarthritis-induced rats

• Wan-Ting Yang
• Chun-Yen Ke
• Ru-Ping Lee

Planar ultrasonic transducer based on a metasurface piezoelectric ring array for subwavelength acoustic focusing in water

• Hyunggyu Choi
• Yong Tae Kim

Sample-efficient parameter exploration of the powder film drying process using experiment-based Bayesian optimization

• Kohei Nagai
• Takayuki Osa
• Keisuke Nagato

Predicting the splash of a droplet impinging on solid substrates

• Yukihiro Yonemoto
• Kanta Tashiro
• Tomoaki Kunugi

Designing a new alginate-fibrinogen biomaterial composite hydrogel for wound healing

• Marjan Soleimanpour
• Samaneh Sadat Mirhaji
• Ali Akbar Saboury

Machine learning in project analytics: a data-driven framework and case study

• Shahadat Uddin
• Stephen Ong

Multi-state MRAM cells for hardware neuromorphic computing

• Piotr Rzeszut
• Jakub Chȩciński
• Tomasz Stobiecki

Flexible, self-powered sensors for estimating human head kinematics relevant to concussions

• Henry Dsouza
• Juan Pastrana
• Nelson Sepúlveda

Technical feasibility analysis and introduction strategy of the virtually coupled train set concept

• Sebastian Stickel
• Moritz Schenker
• Javier Goikoetxea

Ultrasound does not activate but can inhibit in vivo mammalian nerves across a wide range of parameters

• Hongsun Guo
• Sarah J. Offutt
• Hubert H. Lim

Iron oxide nanoflowers encapsulated in thermosensitive fluorescent liposomes for hyperthermia treatment of lung adenocarcinoma

• Maria Theodosiou
• Elias Sakellis
• Eleni Efthimiadou

Piezoelectric energy harvester with double cantilever beam undergoing coupled bending-torsion vibrations by width-splitting method

• Jiawen Song
• Guihong Sun
• Xuejun Zheng

Laser slice thinning of GaN-on-GaN high electron mobility transistors

• Atsushi Tanaka
• Ryuji Sugiura
• Hiroshi Amano

Superabsorbent cellulose-based hydrogels cross-liked with borax

• Supachok Tanpichai
• Farin Phoothong
• Anyaporn Boonmahitthisud

A new severity classification of lower limb secondary lymphedema based on lymphatic pathway defects in an indocyanine green fluorescent lymphography study

• Akira Shinaoka
• Kazuyo Kamiyama
• Yoshihiro Kimata

Vagus nerve stimulation using a miniaturized wirelessly powered stimulator in pigs

• Iman Habibagahi
• Mahmoud Omidbeigi
• Aydin Babakhani

One step fabrication of aligned carbon nanotubes using gas rectifier

• Toshihiko Fujimori
• Daiji Yamashita
• Jun-ichi Fujita

Use of InSAR data for measuring land subsidence induced by groundwater withdrawal and climate change in Ardabil Plain, Iran

• Zahra Ghorbani
• Ali Khosravi

Bioinspired gelatin based sticky hydrogel for diverse surfaces in burn wound care

• Benu George
• Nitish Bhatia
• Suchithra T. V.

The design of an inkjet drive waveform using machine learning

• Seongju Kim
• Sungjune Jung

The usefulness of dual mobility cups in primary total hip arthroplasty patients at a risk of dislocation

• Nam Hoon Moon
• Won Chul Shin

Phenomic data-facilitated rust and senescence prediction in maize using machine learning algorithms

• Aaron J. DeSalvio
• Thomas Isakeit

Polarization and angular insensitive bendable metamaterial absorber for UV to NIR range

• Md Mizan Kabir Shuvo
• Md Imran Hossain
• Mohammad Tariqul Islam

Numerical analysis on the effects of microfluidic-based bioprinting parameters on the microfiber geometrical outcomes

• Ahmadreza Zaeri
• Robert C. Chang

Kinematics and kinetics comparison of ultra-congruent versus medial-pivot designs for total knee arthroplasty by multibody analysis

• Giovanni Putame
• Mara Terzini
• Cristina Bignardi

A new generative adversarial network for medical images super resolution

• Waqar Ahmad
• Shoaib Azmat

Reliable P wave detection in pathological ECG signals

• Lucie Saclova
• Andrea Nemcova
• Marina Ronzhina

Gain and isolation enhancement of a wideband MIMO antenna using metasurface for 5G sub-6 GHz communication systems

• Md. Mhedi Hasan
• Md. Shabiul Islam

Design and implementation of compact dual-band conformal antenna for leadless cardiac pacemaker system

• Deepti Sharma
• Binod Kumar Kanaujia
• Ladislau Matekovits

Enhancing the decoding accuracy of EEG signals by the introduction of anchored-STFT and adversarial data augmentation method

• Muhammad Saif-ur-Rehman
• Christian Klaes

Propagation rules of shock waves in confined space under different initial pressure environments

Wave attenuation through forests under extreme conditions

• Bregje K. van Wesenbeeck
• Guido Wolters
• Tjeerd J. Bouma

Multi-fidelity information fusion with concatenated neural networks

• Suraj Pawar
• Trond Kvamsdal

Wearable flexible body matched electromagnetic sensors for personalized non-invasive glucose monitoring

• Jessica Hanna
• Youssef Tawk
• Assaad A. Eid

Portable magnetic resonance imaging of patients indoors, outdoors and at home

• Teresa Guallart-Naval
• José M. Algarín
• Joseba Alonso

Combined effects of body posture and three-dimensional wing shape enable efficient gliding in flying lizards

• Pranav C. Khandelwal
• Tyson L. Hedrick

Road damage detection algorithm for improved YOLOv5

• Zhenyu Zhang

A pavement distresses identification method optimized for YOLOv5s

• Sudong Wang

Regeneration of collagen fibrils at the papillary dermis by reconstructing basement membrane at the dermal–epidermal junction

• Shunsuke Iriyama
• Satoshi Amano

Bio-actuated microvalve in microfluidics using sensing and actuating function of Mimosa pudica

• Yusufu Aishan
• Shun-ichi Funano

Uncovering emergent phenotypes in endothelial cells by clustering of surrogates of cardiovascular risk factors

• Iguaracy Pinheiro-de-Sousa
• Miriam H. Fonseca-Alaniz
• Jose E. Krieger

Degenerative joint disease induced by repeated intra-articular injections of monosodium urate crystals in rats as investigated by translational imaging

• Nathalie Accart
• Janet Dawson
• Nicolau Beckmann

High gain DC/DC converter with continuous input current for renewable energy applications

• Arafa S. Mansour
• AL-Hassan H. Amer
• Mohamed S. Zaky

Sensitive asprosin detection in clinical samples reveals serum/saliva correlation and indicates cartilage as source for serum asprosin

• Yousef A. T. Morcos
• Steffen Lütke
• Gerhard Sengle

Scalp attached tangential magnetoencephalography using tunnel magneto-resistive sensors

• Akitake Kanno
• Nobukazu Nakasato

3D modelling and simulation of the dispersion of droplets and drops carrying the SARS-CoV-2 virus in a railway transport coach

• Patrick Armand
• Jérémie Tâche

Accurate determination of marker location within whole-brain microscopy images

• Adam L. Tyson
• Mateo Vélez-Fort
• Troy W. Margrie

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A 3D bioprinter in the Skylar-Scott lab prints a sample of heart tissue in 2022. (Image credit: Andrew Brodhead)

Under a new $26.3 million federal contract from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), a multidisciplinary team of researchers at Stanford University aims to bioprint a fully functioning human heart and implant it in a living pig within five years.

“It’s truly a moonshot effort, but the raw ingredients for bioprinting a complete and complex human organ are now in place for this big push,” said Mark Skylar-Scott , assistant professor of bioengineering in the Schools of Engineering and Medicine , a member of the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute , and principal investigator on the project.

The vision of fabricating bespoke, patient-specific human organs – livers, lungs, kidneys, brain, and, yes, a human heart – has been a tantalizing dream of modern medicine for years, but only recently has stem cell science, the scale of cell production, and 3D bioprinting advanced to a point where the dream is within reach.

Bioprinting is a 3D printing technology that, instead of using plastic or metal, prints living tissues cell by cell. The key development, Skylar-Scott said, is that we can now print cells and blood vessels into those tissues.

“With vasculature comes the ability to make large and thick tissues that can be implanted and survive,” Skylar-Scott said. “Thus begins the era of organ biofabrication.”

Leap in scale

That bioprinting expertise is coupled with a dramatic leap in scale in cell production, from the petri dish of old to today’s reactors able to turn out heart-specific cells billions at a time. These will become the bioprinter’s “ink.”

“We are going to use an automated bank of bioreactors to produce the different cell types of the heart,” Skylar-Scott said.

This bank of bioreactors will turn out billions of ventricular and atrial cardiomyocytes, specialized conduction cells that form the Purkinje fibers, nodal cells that are the heart’s pace-making cells, as well as smooth muscle cells, macrophages that support tissue development, and, of course, the blood vessel endothelial cells needed to keep the tissue alive. Skylar-Scott estimates that the team will be able to generate sufficient cells for a heart every two weeks.

“We will use these vast numbers of cells to practice, practice, practice and learn all the design rules of the heart and optimize viability and function at the whole-heart scale for eventual implantation into a pig,” he said. The bioprinted human heart will be transplanted into a pig with severe congenital immunodeficiency to prevent rejection. However, the team’s approach uses patient-specific stem cells that, when transplanted into that same patient, may not require immunosuppression. “Your own heart, made out of your own cells; that is the dream,” Skylar-Scott added.

The dramatic scope of the project prompts vision of a day when similar biofabrication plants manufacture new hearts, lungs, livers, and other organs for implantation into ailing humans – each bioprinted organ a perfect genetic match for its patient. Such aspirations are to be expected, Skylar-Scott said, but he adds that he believes that day is still decades off, if not more. Still, this bioprinting initiative will serve as a necessary and powerful proof-of-concept to accelerate the commercialization and translation of organ engineering.

Ecosystem of expertise

Discussion of such possibilities brings Skylar-Scott full circle to the challenge ahead. Bioprinting and implanting a heart into a living creature will require a profound collection of expertise well beyond the skills of any one researcher. In that regard, Skylar-Scott returns to the Stanford research ecosystem that makes this project a possibility.

While he is the principal investigator on the project, the full team of Stanford experts needed to make the dream a reality is remarkable in its depth and breadth (see sidebar). It includes experts in engineering, biochemistry, computer modeling, cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, biology, materials science, and more. Only Stanford concentrates leadership in all these disparate but interrelated fields within walking distance of one another.

Stanford is a real center of excellence for cardiovascular medicine, Skylar-Scott said – the Cardiovascular Institute, stem cell derivation expertise, and vascular experts to provide the raw materials combined with a great ecosystem of 3D bioprinting and materials faculty to think how to use and assemble the materials.

“When you have all these resources in one place, it makes it easier to collaborate and to do some pretty amazing things,” Skylar-Scott said.

Media Contacts

Jill Wu, Stanford University School of Engineering: (386) 383-6061, [email protected]

New research could help predict the next solar flare

When will we be able to see the northern lights again this study could help predict the exact phenomena that caused the bewitching phenomena in the first place..

Newly published research could help predict when there will be "powerful solar storms."

According to Northwestern's McCormick School of Engineering, an international team of researchers found that the sun’s magnetic field starts around 20,000 miles below its surface. Previously, the magnetic field was thought to have originated 130,000 miles below its surface.

According to NASA , the sun's magnetic field is created by a magnetic dynamo that is inside of it. This study aimed to prove that the dynamo actually begins near the sun's surface. Researchers hope that a better understanding of the sun's dynamo could help predict future solar flares.

“This work proposes a new hypothesis for how the sun’s magnetic field is generated that better matches solar observations, and, we hope, could be used to make better predictions of solar activity," said the study's co-author Daniel Lecoanet, an assistant professor of engineering sciences and applied mathematics, researcher at the McCormick School of Engineering and a member of the  Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics .

It's an age-old question that astronomer Galileo Galilei tried to answer, but hundreds of years later, researchers say they found the answer and published the findings in the journal , Nature .

“Understanding the origin of the sun’s magnetic field has been an open question since Galileo and is important for predicting future solar activity, like flares that could hit the Earth,” Lecoanet said.

What is a solar flare?

A solar flare is an explosion of radiation that is produced by the sun and can result in solar storms

Recently, the same powerful solar storm that created the bewildering Northern Lights seen across North America , affected farmers' equipment at the height of planting season. Machines and tools that rely on GPS, like tractors, glitched and struggled with navigational issues.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration also warned that it could disrupt communications.

Pretty and damaging

While solar flares can cause phenomena such as the aurora borealis that captured attention at the beginning of May, they can cause a lot of damage, too. This is why it's important for researchers to be able to predict when they will hit.

"Although this month’s strong solar storms released beautiful, extended views of the Northern Lights, similar storms can cause intense destruction," said the school in a statement.

According to the university, solar flares can damage the following:

• Earth-orbiting satellites
• Electricity grids
• Radio communications.

How was it calculated?

For their study, researchers ran complex calculations on a NASA supercomputer to discover where the magnetic field is generated.

To figure out where these flares originated, researchers developed "state-of-the-art numerical simulations to model the sun’s magnetic field," states the school.

This new model now takes torsional oscillations into account. It correlates with magnetic activity and is a phenomenon in the sun "in which the solar rotation is periodically sped up or slowed down in certain zones of latitude while elsewhere the rotation remains essentially steady," states a different study .

The sun is super active

The sun is at its solar maximum, meaning it is reaching the height of its 11-year cycle and is at the highest rate of solar activity.

Folks can expect to see more solar flares and solar activity, including solar storms.

Contributing: Eric Lagatta , USA TODAY

Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. She has covered various topics, from local businesses and government in her hometown, Miami, to tech and pop culture. You can connect with her on  LinkedIn  or follow her on  X, formerly Twitter ,  Instagram  and  TikTok : @juliamariegz

200+ Civil Engineering Research Topics: Exploring Promising Topics

Civil engineering research is the driving force behind the development of sustainable infrastructure and innovative construction methods. It plays a crucial role in shaping our world, from designing earthquake-resistant buildings to developing advanced transportation systems. 

In this blog post, we will explore the importance of choosing the right civil engineering research topics and provide a list of promising research areas to inspire your academic journey.

Why Choose the Right Research Topic?

Table of Contents

Before delving into the exciting world of civil engineering research topics, it’s important to understand why selecting the right research topic is critical.

• Impact of the Research Topic Selection: The choice of your research topic can have a profound impact on your academic and professional career. A well-defined, relevant topic can lead to groundbreaking discoveries, publications, and recognition in the field.
• Facilitation of the Research Process: A clearly defined research topic serves as your roadmap. It guides your literature review, data collection, experimentation, and analysis. Without a focused topic, research can become directionless and overwhelming.
• Benefits of a Relevant and Engaging Topic: An engaging topic keeps you motivated throughout your research journey. It’s much easier to stay dedicated when you’re passionate about your subject matter.

How to Select the Perfect Civil Engineering Research Topics?

Choosing the right research topic in civil engineering is a crucial step in your academic and professional career. Here are some steps to help you make the best choice:

• Consider Your Interests and Passion: Think about what aspects of civil engineering interest you the most. Are you fascinated by structural design, transportation systems, environmental issues, or construction management? Choosing the civil engineering research topics that align with your interests will make the research process more enjoyable and meaningful.
• Review Recent Developments in the Field: Stay updated with the latest trends and breakthroughs in civil engineering. Browse through academic journals, magazines, and websites to identify emerging issues and areas of interest.
• Assess the Feasibility and Resources Available: Ensure that your chosen topic is feasible given the resources and facilities at your disposal. You should have access to the necessary equipment, data, and expertise to conduct your research effectively.
• Discuss with Professors and Mentors: Seek advice from your professors and mentors. They can provide valuable insights, suggest potential research questions, and guide you in the right direction.
• Explore Interdisciplinary Possibilities: Civil engineering is often interconnected with other fields. Consider exploring interdisciplinary research topics that combine civil engineering with subjects like materials science, environmental science, or computer science for a unique perspective.

200+ Civil Engineering Research Topics: Category Wise

Structural engineering.

• Innovative materials for earthquake-resistant buildings.
• Advancements in bridge design and construction.
• Sustainable skyscraper designs.
• Application of nanotechnology in structural engineering.
• Rehabilitation of historic structures using modern techniques.
• Seismic retrofitting of critical infrastructure.
• Wind and earthquake-resistant building designs.
• Performance-based design of structures.
• Structural health monitoring for bridges and buildings.
• Resilient design for extreme weather conditions.

Geotechnical Engineering

• Soil stabilization techniques for foundation support.
• Geotechnical investigation methods in urban areas.
• Landslide prediction and prevention.
• Seismic site characterization and liquefaction assessment.
• Innovative foundation systems for high-rise buildings.
• Soil-structure interaction in deep foundations.
• Geotechnical challenges in offshore engineering.
• Sustainable slope stabilization methods.
• Ground improvement techniques for soft soils.
• Geothermal energy extraction from the Earth’s crust.

Transportation Engineering

• Traffic management and congestion reduction strategies.
• High-speed rail systems and urban development.
• Autonomous vehicles and their role in future transportation.
• Sustainable urban transportation planning.
• Transportation network optimization using AI.
• Public transportation infrastructure development.
• Pedestrian and cyclist-friendly city design.
• Environmental impact assessment in transportation projects.
• Intelligent transportation systems for smart cities.
• Emergency evacuation and traffic management.

Environmental Engineering

• Water treatment and purification methods.
• Green infrastructure and urban stormwater management.
• Wastewater treatment plant optimization.
• Air quality monitoring and pollution control technologies.
• Groundwater contamination assessment and remediation.
• Solid waste management in urban areas.
• Renewable energy generation from waste.
• Climate change adaptation in infrastructure design.
• Eco-friendly construction materials and practices.
• Sustainable urban planning and design.

Construction Management

• Learn construction techniques and practices.
• Building Information Modeling (BIM) applications in construction.
• Safety management in construction projects.
• Risk management in construction projects.
• Quality control and assurance in construction.
• Sustainable construction materials and methods.
• Project scheduling and time management.
• Cost estimation and budget management in construction.
• Construction contract management and dispute resolution.
• Innovative prefabrication and modular construction techniques.

Materials Engineering

• Development of advanced construction materials.
• Durability of concrete in harsh environments.
• Recycling and reuse of construction materials.
• Nano-materials in construction.
• Sustainable construction materials.
• Corrosion protection for infrastructure.
• High-performance concrete mix design.
• Materials for lightweight and high-strength structures.
• Fire-resistant building materials.
• Testing and quality control of construction materials.

Water Resources Engineering

• River basin management and flood control.
• Watershed modeling and management.
• Sustainable urban water supply systems.
• Urban drainage system design and management.
• Dams and reservoir engineering.
• Water resource optimization and allocation.
• Water quality modeling and management.
• Climate change impact on water resources.
• Groundwater recharge and management.
• Desalination technologies for freshwater production.

Coastal and Ocean Engineering

• Coastal erosion control and beach nourishment.
• Offshore wind energy farms and their impact.
• Design of marine structures for port facilities.
• Coastal zone management and resilience.
• Coastal hydrodynamics and wave modeling.
• Tidal energy harnessing and environmental considerations.
• Coastal protection against storm surges and tsunamis.
• Oceanography and marine environmental studies.
• Design of breakwaters and seawalls.
• Harbor and navigation channel design.

Earthquake Engineering

• Seismic hazard assessment and mapping.
• Retrofitting of existing structures for earthquake resistance.
• Seismic design of lifeline systems (water, gas, power).
• Soil-structure interaction in seismic events.
• Non-destructive testing for seismic damage assessment.
• Seismic behavior of innovative materials.
• Performance-based earthquake engineering.
• Post-earthquake reconnaissance and lessons learned.
• Seismic risk assessment and mitigation strategies.
• Earthquake early warning systems.

Bridge Engineering

• Innovative bridge designs and aesthetics.
• Long-span bridge construction and materials.
• Cable-stayed and suspension bridge technology.
• Bridge health monitoring and maintenance.
• Bridge inspection and assessment techniques.
• Advanced seismic retrofitting of bridges.
• Smart bridges and sensor technology.
• Bridge management and asset management systems.
• Innovative bridge construction techniques.
• Load rating and capacity evaluation of existing bridges.

Traffic Engineering

• Traffic flow modeling and simulation.
• Adaptive traffic signal control systems.
• Pedestrian and cyclist safety studies.
• Intelligent transportation systems for traffic management.
• Congestion pricing and traffic demand management.
• Driver behavior analysis and safety measures.
• Intermodal transportation planning.
• Traffic impact assessment of new developments.
• Transportation planning for urban and rural areas.
• Sustainable transportation infrastructure.

Urban Planning and Design

• Sustainable urban development and planning.
• Smart city infrastructure and technology integration.
• Urban revitalization and brownfield redevelopment.
• Transit-oriented development (TOD) planning.
• Green building and urban design.
• Affordable housing design and policy.
• Historical preservation and urban conservation.
• Mixed-use development and zoning.
• Resilient urban planning for climate change.
• Inclusive and accessible urban design.

Surveying and Geospatial Engineering

• Land surveying and cadastral mapping advancements.
• Remote sensing and GIS applications in civil engineering.
• 3D laser scanning and point cloud data analysis.
• Geodetic surveying for infrastructure projects.
• UAVs (drones) in geospatial data collection.
• GPS technology for precise positioning in construction.
• BIM integration with geospatial data.
• Underground utility mapping and detection.
• Geospatial analysis for disaster management.
• Geospatial data privacy and security.

Energy-Efficient Buildings

• Net-zero energy building design.
• Energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems.
• Passive solar design for buildings.
• Green roofs and living walls in urban design.
• Building energy modeling and simulation.
• Building envelope insulation and materials.
• Daylight harvesting and control systems.
• Carbon footprint reduction in building design.
• Sustainable building certification (LEED, BREEAM, etc.).
• Building-integrated renewable energy systems.

Advanced Computational Techniques

• Finite element analysis in structural design.
• Computational fluid dynamics for hydraulic modeling.
• Artificial intelligence in civil engineering applications.
• Machine learning for predictive maintenance in infrastructure.
• Optimization algorithms for infrastructure design.
• High-performance computing in engineering simulations.
• Data analytics for infrastructure asset management.
• Digital twins in civil engineering projects.
• 3D modeling and visualization tools for design.
• Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in construction.

Disaster Resilience and Risk Management

• Disaster risk reduction strategies for infrastructure.
• Post-disaster recovery and reconstruction planning.
• Seismic and tsunami hazard mitigation measures.
• Floodplain mapping and management.
• Climate change adaptation for infrastructure.
• Resilience of lifeline systems (water, power, etc.).
• Risk assessment and vulnerability analysis.
• Emergency response planning for natural disasters.
• Insurance and financing for disaster recovery.
• Public awareness and education for disaster preparedness.

Sustainable Transportation Technologies

• Electric and hybrid vehicles in transportation.
• Hydrogen fuel cell technology in transport.
• Sustainable fuels for aviation and shipping.
• High-speed magnetic levitation (maglev) trains.
• Hyperloop transportation system feasibility.
• Green infrastructure for urban transportation.
• E-mobility and charging infrastructure.
• Sustainable transportation policy development.
• Impact of ride-sharing and carpooling on traffic.
• Multi-modal transportation integration.

Innovative Bridge Materials

• Self-healing concrete in bridge construction.
• Carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRP) in bridges.
• Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) for bridge connections.
• Bamboo as a sustainable bridge building material.
• Bridge cable materials and corrosion resistance.
• Innovative composites for bridge components.
• Timber bridge construction and sustainability.
• Green bridge design with vegetation integration.
• Recycled and upcycled materials in bridge building.
• Smart materials for real-time bridge health monitoring.

Smart Infrastructure and IoT

• Internet of Things (IoT) applications in infrastructure.
• Sensor networks for structural health monitoring.
• Smart traffic management systems and IoT.
• Predictive maintenance of infrastructure using IoT.
• Asset tracking and management in construction.
• Smart city infrastructure development.
• Energy-efficient street lighting systems.
• Environmental monitoring with IoT.
• Remote control and automation of infrastructure.
• Data analytics for smart infrastructure decision-making.

Nanotechnology in Civil Engineering

• Nanomaterials for enhanced construction materials.
• Nanosensors for structural health monitoring.
• Nanotechnology applications in water treatment.
• Nano-coatings for corrosion protection.
• Nanomaterials in geotechnical engineering.
• Nanoparticles for pollutant removal in soil and water.
• Nanofibers in lightweight and high-strength materials.
• Nanostructured materials for earthquake resistance.
• Nanorobotics for infrastructure inspection and repair.
• Nanotechnology in sustainable building design.

Examples of Recent Research Breakthroughs

To illustrate the impact of research in civil engineering, let’s look at a few recent breakthroughs in the field:

• 3D-Printed Concrete Structures: Researchers have developed 3D-printing technology that can construct complex concrete structures, offering cost-effective and sustainable building solutions.
• Self-Healing Materials: Self-healing materials , such as concrete that can repair its own cracks, have the potential to extend the lifespan of infrastructure.
• Smart Transportation Systems: Smart transportation systems use real-time data and sensors to optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion, making transportation more efficient and sustainable.
• Zero-Energy Buildings: Research into zero-energy buildings has led to the development of structures that produce as much energy as they consume, reducing the environmental impact of construction.

Challenges and Considerations

As you embark on your civil engineering research topics journey, consider these challenges and important factors:

• Ethical Considerations: Ensure that your research is conducted with the highest ethical standards, considering the safety and well-being of both people and the environment.
• Funding Opportunities and Grants: Seek out funding sources and grants to support your research endeavors. Many organizations offer financial support for innovative civil engineering projects.
• Collaboration and Networking: Collaborate with fellow researchers, attend conferences, and join professional organizations to network and stay updated with the latest developments in the field.

Selecting the right civil engineering research topics are the first and most crucial step in your journey as a civil engineering researcher. The choice of topic can define the impact and success of your research. The field of civil engineering is vast, dynamic, and full of exciting possibilities. 

Whether you’re interested in structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, transportation systems, environmental engineering, or construction management, there are countless avenues to explore. 

As you embark on your research, remember that every innovation in civil engineering contributes to a more sustainable and advanced world.

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Genetic engineering feat coaxes yeast to produce valuable vaccine compound

By James Urquhart 2024-05-30T08:30:00+01:00

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Yeast has been engineered to perform the complete biosynthesis of QS-21, a potent and highly sought-after saponin-based adjuvant that boosts the immune response to certain vaccines.

Source: © Getty Images

Currently, the important vaccine adjuvant QS-21 is isolated from the soapbark tree that can only be found in Chile

The work represents one of the longest biosynthetic pathways ever transplanted into an organism, introducing 38 enzyme-encoding genes from six different species into yeast. The approach promises to enable a scalable, sustainable and cheaper way to make QS-21, as well as aid the design of new adjuvants.

Researchers have focused on the soap-like compound QS-21 as a vaccine adjuvant since the late 1990s for its ability to activate the immune system. Currently, it’s the only saponin-based vaccine adjuvant approved for clinical use in commercial vaccines, including ones for shingles, malaria and Covid-19, something which prompted concerns about QS-21 availability during the pandemic.

’From a world health perspective, there’s a lot of need for an alternative source of this adjuvant,’ says Jay Keasling at the University of California, Berkeley, US, who spearheaded the work with an international team of collaborators.

QS-21 is usually isolated from the bark of the soapbark tree, Quillaja saponaria , which is only found in Chile. Demand for QS-21 is high but supplies are limited because harvesting the bark requires mature trees and is tightly regulated. What’s more the isolation and purification of QS-21 from the mixture of compounds in bark extract is laborious, costly, uses toxic chemicals and has low yields.

Total synthesis of QS-21 has been previously achieved. However, it required the synthesis of an intermediate chemical first, takes 76 steps owing to the molecule’s complex structure – a glycosylated triterpene scaffold core coupled to a complex glycosylated 18-carbon acyl chain – and yields are poor.

One company, Botanical Solution in California, claims to have solved the supply and cost issues by devising and commercialising a plant tissue culture method to extract QS-21 using soapbark seedlings grown in the lab. Meanwhile, industry-led research published in March this year involving a number of biotech companies, presented another viable production route via cultured plant cells.

Keasling, however, thinks yeast offers the ideal alternative. ‘I want to make everything from a single sugar,’ he says. ‘I’d like to start with glucose, so when the production is performed in large tanks, they’re able to produce QS-21 as easily and inexpensively as possible.’

Pathway to success

The bioengineering feat of making QS-21 in yeast was possible following work published in January this year by some of the same team, including Keasling and Anne Osbourne at the John Innes Centre in Norwich, UK. They identified the complete 20-step biosynthetic pathway of QS-21, reproducing it in tobacco.

To reconstitute this pathway in yeast and make QS-21 from just glucose and galactose, the team first upregulated and fine tuned the passage of metabolites in the yeast strain’s native mevalonate pathway to produce quillaic acid, a key component of QS-21 synthesis. Meanwhile, using Crispr genome editing, enzyme-encoding genes from six other organisms, including plants that produce structurally similar saponins, fungi and bacteria were inserted. In total 38 enzymes spanning seven enzyme families were introduced, while ensuring critical metabolic pathways were unaffected for the yeast’s growth and survival.

‘This is a masterpiece of metabolic engineering, which shows how recent advances in synthetic biology like Crispr–Cas9 can be used to accelerate the discovery and engineering of pathways for the production of highly valuable molecules,’ says synthetic biologist Rodrigo Ledesma Amaro at Imperial College London, UK. ‘This is also a fantastic example of how microbial bioproduction can be an alternative to unsustainable plant extraction practices.’

‘The scale of the work undertaken in the study is quite extraordinary. It’s certainly up there as one of the most complex feats of metabolic engineering,’ says Paul Race , who researches natural product biosynthesis at Newcastle University, UK. ‘Work of this type is fraught with complications and I am in no doubt that a Herculean effort has been needed to get the system working as well as it does.’

However, both Amaro and Race note that low yields are an issue. Currently, it takes three days for the engineered yeast to produce around a third of the amount of QS-21 that the cells of the soapbark tree produces. Nevertheless, Keasling points out that yeast is around 1000 times faster than trees because only mature trees produce QS-21. ‘Even at the levels we’re producing it, it’s cheaper than producing it from the plant.’

‘Significant optimisation of the yeast platform is still required to achieve the yields needed to make this a viable route for QS-21 production at scale,’ Race comments. ‘This study represents the start of a journey that will hopefully result in access to this important molecule via a route that is uncoupled from the well-documented issues of isolation from the soapbark tree.’

Y Liu et al , Nature , 2024, DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07345-9

• biosynthesis
• Biotechnology
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Penn Engineering’s Ottman Tertuliano receives a 2024 CAREER Award

Tertuliano’s research on bone fractures at the nanoscale allows for research on two separate time scales: the forming of cracks in a fracture at 1 micrometer/second, and the cellular response and repair time scale, a much lengthier process..

Scientists have been studying bones and how they break for over a century, but they’ve primarily been doing so on the large scale, examining entire femur fractures through X-rays. To accurately model the dynamic, living system of bone and cells, scientists must examine and understand these structures on the fundamental length scale of the tissue: the nanoscale.

Ottman Tertuliano , the AMA Family Assistant Professor in mechanical engineering and applied mechanics, is the recipient of a 2024 National Science Foundation CAREER Award for his work studying the characteristics of bones and external forces that affect their likelihood of breaking by examining fractures on the nanoscale.

“We all have a bone story,” says Tertuliano. “Whether it be through fractures, osteoporosis, or repeated wear and tear, bones bear the brunt of our active lives. Models built from the bottom on nanoscale observations will give us insight into the fundamental mechanics involved in bone fracture and repairs, fueling innovations to improve health and quality of life for everyone.”

In order to initiate this work, Tertuliano and his lab had to first assemble a system that enables them to observe dynamic cracks at the nanoscale in 3D, then they got to work performing experiments with real human bone from organ donors and those received from collaborating biologists and surgeons working with patients undergoing total joint replacements.

“One of the major goals of this work is to define the fundamental differences between healthy and unhealthy tissue,” says Tertuliano. “By working with these two types of bone, we can examine how healthy tissue from donors with no history of bone diseases versus diseased tissue from surgery patients respond to exogenous stresses.”

This story is by Melissa Pappas. Read more at Penn Engineering Today .

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150+ Best Engineering Research Topics for Students To Consider

Table of Contents

Engineering is a wide field of study that is divided into various branches such as Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Electronics, Chemical, etc. Basically, each branch has thousands of engineering research topics to focus on. Hence, when you are asked to prepare an engineering research paper or dissertation for your final year assignments, you might experience difficulties with identifying a perfect topic. But hereafter, you need not worry about topic selection because to make the topic selection process easier for you, here we have suggested some tips for choosing a good engineering research topic. Additionally, we have also shared a list of the best 150+ engineering research paper topics on various specializations. Continue reading this blog to get exclusive ideas for engineering research paper writing.

Engineering Research Paper Topic Selection Tips

When it comes to research in the field of engineering, identifying the best engineering research topic is the first step. So, during that process, in order to identify the right topic, consider the following tips.

• Choose a topic from the research area matching your interest.
• Give preference to a topic that has a large scope to conduct research activities.
• Pick a topic that has several reference materials and evidence supporting your analysis.
• Avoid choosing an already or frequently discussed topic. If the topic is popular, discuss it from a different perspective.
• Never choose a larger topic that is tough to complete before the deadline.
• Finalize the topic only if it satisfies your academic requirements.

List of the Best Engineering Research Topics

Are you searching for the top engineering project ideas? Would you have to complete your academic paper on the best engineering research topic? If yes, then take a look below. Here, we have suggested a few interesting engineering topics in various disciplines that you can consider for your research or dissertation.

Mechanical Engineering Research Topics

• How does the study of robotics benefit from a mechanical engineering background?
• How can a new composite substitute reduce costs in large heat exchangers?
• Which will become the predominant energy technology this century?
• Why structural analysis is considered the foundation of mechanical engineering?
• Why is cast iron used in the engines of large ships?
• What is the finite element approach and why is it essential?
• Why is the flow of fluids important in mechanical engineering?
• What impact does mechanical engineering have in the medical field?
• How do sports incorporate mechanical engineering theories?
• What is the process of thermal heat transfer in machines?
• How can solar panels reduce energy costs in developing countries?
• In what ways is mechanical engineering at the forefront of the field?
• How do various elements interact differently with energy?
• How can companies improve manufacturing through new mechanical theories?

Additional Research Paper Topics on Mechanical Engineering

• Power generation: Extremely low emission technology.
•   Rail and wheel wear during the presence of third-body materials.
•  Studying the impact of athletic shoe properties on running performance and injuries
• Evaluating teeth decay using patient-specific tools
•   Nanotechnology.
• Describe the newly developed methods and applications in Vibration Systems
• Perspective or general Commentaries on the methods and protocols relevant to the research relating to Vibration Systems
• Software-related technology for Visibility of end-to-end operations for employee and management efficiencies
• What should be the best strategies to apply in the planning for consumer demand and responsiveness using data analytics
• Analysis of the monitoring of manufacturing processes using IOT/AI
• Critical analysis of the advancing digital manufacturing with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) Data Analytics
• Pyrolysis and Oxidation for Production and Consumption of Strongly Oxygenated Hydrocarbons as Chemical Energy Carriers: Explain
• Explore the most effective strategies for fatigue-fracture and failure prevention of automotive engines and the importance of such prevention
• Explore the turbomachinery performance and stability enhancement by means of end-wall flow modification
• Production optimization, engine performance, and tribological characteristics of biofuels and their blends in internal combustion engines as alternative fuels: Explain

Civil Engineering Research Topics

• The use of sustainable materials for construction: design and delivery methods.
• State-of-the-art practice for recycling in the construction industry.
• In-depth research on the wastewater treatment process
• Building Information Modelling in the construction industry
• Research to study the impact of sustainability concepts on organizational growth and development.
• The use of warm-mix asphalt in road construction
• Development of sustainable homes making use of renewable energy sources.
• The role of environmental assessment tools in sustainable construction
• Research to study the properties of concrete to achieve sustainability.
• A high-level review of the barriers and drivers for sustainable buildings in developing countries
• Sustainable technologies for the building construction industry
• Research regarding micromechanics of granular materials.
• Research to set up remote sensing applications to assist in the development of sustainable construction techniques.
• Key factors and risk factors associated with the construction of high-rise buildings.
• Use of a single-phase bridge rectifier
• Hydraulic Engineering: A Brief Overview
• Application of GIS techniques for planetary and space exploration
•   Reengineering the manufacturing systems for the future.
• Production Planning and Control.
•   Project Management.
•   Quality Control and Management.
•   Reliability and Maintenance Engineering.

Environmental Engineering Research Paper Topics

• Design and development of a system for measuring the carbon index of energy-intensive companies.
• Improving processes to reduce kWh usage.
• How can water conductivity probes help determine water quality and how can water be reused?
• A study of compressor operations on a forging site and mapping operations to identify and remove energy waste.
• A project to set up ways to measure natural gas flow ultrasonically and identify waste areas.
• Developing a compact device to measure energy use for a household.
• What are carbon credits and how can organizations generate them?
• Production of biogas is from organic coral waste.
• Analyzing the impact of the aviation industry on the environment and the potential ways to reduce it.
• How can voltage reduction devices help organizations achieve efficiency in electricity usage?
• What technologies exist to minimize the waste caused by offshore drilling?
• Identify the ways by which efficient control systems using information systems can be introduced to study the energy usage in a machining factory.
• The process mapping techniques to identify bottlenecks for the supply chain industry.
• Process improvement techniques to identify and remove waste in the automotive industry.
• In what ways do green buildings improve the quality of life?
• Discussion on the need to develop green cities to ensure environmental sustainability
• Process of carbon dioxide sequestration, separation, and utilization
• Development of facilities for wastewater treatment

Read more topics: Outstanding Environmental Science Topics for You to Consider

Electrical Engineering Research Topics

• Research to study transformer losses and reduce energy loss.
• How does an ultra-low-power integrated circuit work?
• Setting up a control system to monitor the process usage of compressors.
• Integration of smart metering pulsed outputs with wireless area networks and access to real-time data.
• What are the problems of using semiconductor topology?
• Developing effective strategies and methodical systems for paying as-you-go charging for electric vehicles.
• A detailed review and investigation into the key issues and challenges facing rechargeable lithium batteries.
• Trends and challenges in electric vehicles technologies
• Research to investigate, develop and introduce schemes to ensure efficient energy consumption by electrical machines.
• What is meant by regenerative braking?
• Smart charging of electric vehicles on the motorway
• Research to study metering techniques to control and improve efficiency.
• Develop a scheme to normalize compressor output to kWh.
• Research to introduce smart metering concepts to ensure efficient use of electricity.
• What is the most accurate method of forecasting electric loads?
• Fundamentals of Nanoelectronics
• Use of DC-to-DC converter in DC (Direct Current) power grid
• Development of Microgrid Integration

Electronics and Communications Engineering Research Topics

• Developing the embedded communication system for the national grid to optimize energy usage.
• Improvement of inter-symbol interference in optical communications.
• Defining the boundaries of electrical signals for current electronics systems.
• The limitation of fiber optic communication systems and the possibility of improving their efficiency.
• Gaussian pulse analysis and the improvement of this pulse to reduce errors.
• A study of the various forms of errors and the development of an equalization technique to reduce the error rates in data.
• Realizing the potential of RFID in the improvement of the supply chain.
• Design of high-speed communication circuits that effectively cut down signal noise.
• Radiation in integrated circuits and electronic devices.
• Spectral sensing research for water monitoring applications and frontier science and technology for chemical, biological, and radiological defense.

Computer and Software Engineering Research Topics

• How do businesses benefit from the use of data mining technologies?
• What are the risks of implementing radio-controlled home locks?
• To what extent should humans interact with computer technologies?
• Are financial trading systems operating over the web putting clients at risk?
• What challenges do organizations face with supply chain traceability?
• Do chatbot technologies negatively impact customer service?
• What does the future of computer engineering look like?
• What are the major concepts of software engineering?
• Are fingerprint-based money machines safe to use?
• What are the biggest challenges of using different programming languages?
• The role of risk management in information technology systems of organizations.
• In what ways does MOOD enhancement help software reliability?
• Are fingerprint-based voting systems the way of the future?
• How can one use an AES algorithm for the encryption of images?
• How can biological techniques be applied to software fault detection?

Read more: Creative Capstone Project Ideas For Students

Network and Cybersecurity Engineering Research Topics

• Write about Cybersecurity and malware connection.
• How to detect mobile phone hacking.
• Discuss Network intrusion detection and remedies.
• How to improve network security using attack graph models.
• Explain Modern virus encryption technology.
• Investigate the importance of algorithm encryption.
• Discuss the role of a firewall in securing networks.
• Write about the global cybersecurity strategy.
• Discuss the Privacy and security issues in chatbots.
• Write about Cloud security engineering specifics

Industrial Engineering Research Paper Topics

• The application of lean or Six Sigma in hospitals and services-related industries.
• The use of operation research techniques to reduce cost or improve efficiency.
• Advanced manufacturing techniques like additive manufacturing.
• Innovation as a Complex Adaptive System.
• CAD-based optimization in any manufacturing environment.
• Gap analysis in any manufacturing firm.
• The impact of 3D printing in the manufacturing sector.
• Simulating a real-life manufacturing environment into simulating software
• The rise of design and its use in the developing world.
• Building a network-based methodology to model supply chain systems.
• Risk optimization With P-order comic constraint
• Technology and its impact on mass customization
• How project management becomes more complex with disparate teams and outsourced functions?
• Scheduling problem for health care patients.

Biomedical Engineering Research Ideas

• How does the use of medical imaging help patients with higher risks?
• How can rehabilitation techniques be used to improve a patient’s quality of life?
• In what ways can biomaterials be used to deliver medications more efficiently?
• What impact does medical virtual reality have on a patient’s care?
• What advancements have been made in the field of neural technology?
• How does nanotechnology pave the way for further advancements in this field?
• What is computational biology and how does it impact our lives?
• How accurate are early diagnosis systems in detecting heart diseases?
• What does the future hold for technology-fueled medications?
• What are the guiding principles of biomedical engineering research?

Read more: Top Biology Research Topics for Academic Writing

Chemical Engineering Research Topics

• How can epoxy resins withstand the force generated by a firing gun?
• The use of software affected design aspects in chemical engineering.
• What challenges are there for biochemical engineering to support health?
• The advancements of plastic technology in the last half-century.
• How can chemical technologies be used to diagnose diseases?
• What are the most efficient pathways to the development of biofuels?
• How can charcoal particles be used to filter water in developing countries?
• Increased production of pharmacy drugs in many countries.
• How do complex fluids and polymers create more sustainable machinery?

Miscellaneous Engineering Research Ideas

• Sensing and controlling the intensity of light in LEDs.
• Design and development of a pressure sensor for a solar thermal panel.
• Development of microsensors to measure oil flow rate in tanks.
• How can organizations achieve success by reducing bottlenecks in the supply chain?
• Research to identify efficient logistics operations within a supply chain.
• Developing frameworks for sustainable assessments taking into account eco-engineering measures.
• Research to identify process improvement plans to support business strategies.
• What can engineers do to address the problems with climate change?
• The impact of training on knowledge performance index within the supply chain industry.
• Research to introduce efficiency within information systems and support the timely transfer of knowledge and information.

Out of the 150+ engineering research paper topics and ideas suggested in this blog, choose any topic that is convenient for you to conduct research and write about. In case, you have not yet identified a good topic for your engineering research paper, reach out to us immediately.

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140 Unique Geology Research Topics to Focus On

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• Science and Technology Directorate

Feature Article: FloodAdapt Will Help Protect Flood-prone Communities

The Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has partnered with Deltares USA to conduct demonstrations, trainings, and performance testing for the new accessible compound flood and impact assessment tool, which will help at-risk communities better prepare for and respond to severe weather events.

Our coastal communities have taken a real hit in recent years. With extreme weather events on the rise, learning from past incidents and emerging trends is the key to protecting lives and property. Having the right compound flood modeling systems and data in place to study, simulate, and predict threats makes collaboration and critical decision-making that much easier, so when the time comes, response can be swift.

S&T has been working with Deltares USA and the city of Charleston, South Carolina, for two years to develop and pilot a state-of-the-art suite of community-oriented flood-hazard modeling and impact assessment technologies and software that will soon be available to inform field operations and emergency response before and after any events make landfall. The tools, now collectively known as FloodAdapt , will provide responders, emergency managers, and policy makers in flood-prone communities with capabilities to establish stronger planning and preparation strategies.

“Our efforts in Charleston have played a critical role in the ongoing development of FloodAdapt,” said S&T Program Manager Ron Langhelm. “Thanks to engagement with local emergency managers, first responders, and community decision makers, along with continual performance and user testing, we’ve been able drastically improve upon FloodAdapt’s tools, and enhance their capabilities and scope of use.”

FloodAdapt has unique, user-friendly components that help users create community-specific flood simulations, study related impacts, and investigate the efficacy of potential preventive and mitigative efforts and responses.

SFINCS is an open-source modeling tool that rapidly and dynamically simulates compound flooding events that impact large-scale coastal environments, and calculates interactions between related phenomena such as rainfall, storm surges, and river discharge. Delft-FIAT is an open-source flood impact assessment modeling tool that evaluates flood damage to buildings, utilities, and roads.

FloodAdapt incorporates innovative decision-support features, helping bring them into practice. These include an equity-weighting tool that (optionally) incorporates income data in determining equity-weighted damages and risk, infographics that use social vulnerability data to evaluate the equitable distribution of impacts and benefits, and a benefits calculator to assess the risk-reduction benefits of measures or strategies that will help lessen the impact of future flood events.

“With these advanced capabilities, FloodAdapt is able to provide some of the most accurate flood-related models, infographics, and infometrics that are currently available,” explained Langhelm. “Users can integrate FloodAdapt into their own toolsets and plug in publicly available data or use their own. They can then study past weather events, simulate hypothetical scenarios, and evaluate vulnerabilities, risks, and mitigation strategies that are the most relevant to their needs or interests.”

While it is currently being piloted for coastal flooding research in Charleston, Langhelm and the Deltares team are working hard to raise awareness about and further improve FloodAdapt before it transitions to the field.

“Continuing to spread awareness about, improve, and develop new innovations for FloodAdapt are major priorities for us,” said Langhelm. “We want to make sure that it will always be accessible and useful to anyone who may want to use it—whether they are government organizations, academia, emergency managers and responders, or just everyday citizens who have their own interest in learning about flood modeling and research.”

To meet these goals, in March 2024 the Deltares team conducted demonstrations, trainings, and performance testing with members of the flood research and response communities in Charleston and Baltimore. Both trips were a great success.

“FloodAdapt made quite an impression in Charleston and Baltimore,” said Langhelm. “Our emergency managers in South Carolina were impressed with the improvements we’ve made and the capabilities we’ve added and are looking forward to using them with their current models and datasets as a part of their future flood research and planning efforts.”

“Our colleagues in Maryland weren’t as familiar with FloodAdapt,” continued Langhelm. “However, they found it to be a powerful, user-friendly tool, and believe that it can play a key role in their current flood research and mitigation efforts. We are preparing additional training materials for them so that they can continue to get more comfortable with FloodAdapt and eventually teach their regional partners how to use it as well.”

The team has also been consulting with academia to make FloodAdapt even more effective in the field.

“We’re working with the George Washington University to study income, population, and other related factors, and looking at how these social indicators should be better accounted for when implementing flood-related policies,” explained Langhelm. “And our colleagues at Dartmouth College’s School of Engineering have created an uncertainty framework for damage modeling, that, if incorporated into FloodAdapt, will help users more accurately predict the probability of a flood occurring in any given area.”

A growing number of international partners in the European Union, including the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts and emergency responders in Ireland and Denmark, are also interested in exploring ways to implement FloodAdapt into their regional and local coastal communities.

“All of these partnerships are critical,” said Langhelm. “Ultimately, we all have the same shared goal: to raise awareness about FloodAdapt and teach interested users how to effectively use it to enhance their communities’ resilience to flood events.”

In the coming year, the team will implement two new FloodAdapt capabilities to address technical gaps identified during recent user engagements: the ability to evaluate accessibility impacts (like access to a hospital) when roads are flooded and the ability to evaluate the damage-reduction effectiveness of coastal nature-based solutions (like coral reefs and coastal wetlands that serve as buffers from waves and high-tides).

Findings from the Charleston pilot will be documented in a peer-reviewed paper. The team is also creating and disseminating a series of FloodAdapt tutorial videos and technical manuals.

“The paper will serve as another means of spreading the word about FloodAdapt and its utility, while the videos and manuals will be valuable resources to anyone who is interested in accessing and using FloodAdapt,” explained Langhelm.

Each video will provide a brief overview of a specific functionality and demonstrate how it can be used, while the online technical manuals, which can be accessed directly from within FloodAdapt, will offer complementary written instruction.

S&T and Deltares plan to make FloodAdapt available to the public this October and will continue to expand upon, enhance, and promote it based on continual feedback from stakeholders in the flood research community.

For related media requests, please contact [email protected] . Visit S&T’s Community and Infrastructure Resilience page to learn more about our ongoing flood-related research and development efforts.

• Science and Technology

9 Undergraduate Research Projects That Wowed Us This Year

The telegraph. The polio vaccine. The bar code. Light beer. Throughout its history, NYU has been known for innovation, with faculty and alumni in every generation contributing to some of the most notable inventions and scientific breakthroughs of their time. But you don’t wind up in the history books—or peer-reviewed journals—by accident; academic research, like any specialized discipline, takes hard work and lots of practice. 

And at NYU, for students who are interested, that training can start early—including during an undergraduate's first years on campus. Whether through assistantships in faculty labs, summer internships, senior capstones, or independent projects inspired by coursework, undergrad students have many opportunities to take what they’re learning in the classroom and apply it to create original scholarship throughout their time at NYU. Many present their work at research conferences, and some even co-author work with faculty and graduate students that leads to publication. 

As 2023-2024 drew to a close, the NYU News team coordinated with the Office of the Provost to pull together a snapshot of the research efforts that students undertook during this school year. The nine featured here represent just a small fraction of the impressive work we encountered in fields ranging from biology, chemistry, and engineering to the social sciences, humanities, and the arts. 

These projects were presented at NYU research conferences for undergrads, including Migration and Im/Mobility , Pathways for Discovery: Undergraduate Research and Writing Symposium , Social Impact: NYU’s Applied Undergraduate Research Conference , Arts-Based Undergraduate Research Conference , Gallatin Student Research Conference ,  Dreammaker’s Summit , Tandon’s Research Excellence Exhibit , and Global Engagement Symposium . Learn more about these undergrad research opportunities and others.

Jordan Janowski (CAS '24)

Sade Chaffatt (NYU Abu Dhabi '24)

Elsa Nyongesa (GPH, CAS ’24 )

Anthony Offiah (Gallatin ’26)

Kimberly Sinchi (Tandon ’24) and Sarah Moughal (Tandon ’25)

Rohan Bajaj (Stern '24)

Lizette Saucedo (Liberal Studies ’24)

Eva Fuentes (CAS '24)

Andrea Durham (Tandon ’26)

Jordan Janowski (CAS ’24) Major: Biochemistry Thesis title: “Engineering Chirality for Functionality in Crystalline DNA”

Jordan Janowski (CAS '24). Photo by Tracey Friedman

I work in the Structural DNA Nanotechnology Lab, which was founded by the late NYU professor Ned Seeman, who is known as the father of the field. My current projects are manipulating DNA sequences to self-assemble into high order structures.

Essentially, we’re using DNA as a building material, instead of just analyzing it for its biological functions. It constantly amazes me that this is possible.

I came in as a pre-med student, but when I started working in the lab I realized that I was really interested in continuing my research there. I co-wrote a paper with postdoc Dr. Simon Vecchioni who has been a mentor to me and helped me navigate applying to grad school. I’m headed to Scripps Research in the fall. This research experience has led me to explore some of the molecules that make up life and how they could be engineered into truly unnatural curiosities and technologies.

My PI, Prof. Yoel Ohayon , has been super supportive of my place on the  NYU women’s basketball team, which I’m a  member of. He’s been coming to my games since sophomore year, and he’ll text me with the score and “great game!”— it’s been so nice to have that support for my interests beyond the lab.

Anthony Offiah (Gallatin ’26) Concentration: Fashion design and business administration MLK Scholars research project title: “project: DREAMER”

Anthony Offiah (Gallatin '26). Photo by Tracey Friedman

In “project: DREAMER,” I explored how much a person’s sense of fashion is a result of their environment or societal pressures based on their identity. Certain groups are pressured or engineered to present a certain way, and I wanted to see how much of the opposing force—their character, their personality—affected their sense of style. 

This was a summer research project through the MLK Scholars Program . I did ethnographic interviews with a few people, and asked them to co-design their ideal garments with me. They told me who they are, how they identify, and what they like in fashion, and we synthesized that into their dream garments. And then we had a photo shoot where they were empowered to make artistic choices. 

Some people told me they had a hard time conveying their sense of style because they were apprehensive about being the center of attention or of being dissimilar to the people around them. So they chose to conform to protect themselves. And then others spoke about wanting to safeguard the artistic or vulnerable—or one person used the word “feminine”—side of them so they consciously didn’t dress how they ideally would. 

We ended the interviews by stating an objective about how this co-designing process didn’t end with them just getting new clothes—it was about approaching fashion differently than how they started and unlearning how society might put them in a certain box without their approval.  

My concentration in Gallatin is fashion design and business administration. In the industry some clothing is critiqued and some clothing is praised—and navigating that is challenging, because what you like might not be well received. So doing bespoke fashion for just one person is freeing in a sense because you don’t have to worry about all that extra stuff. It’s just the art. And I like being an artist first and thinking about the business second.

Lizette Saucedo (Global Liberal Studies ’24) Major: Politics, rights, and development Thesis title: “Acknowledging and Remembering Deceased Migrants Crossing the U.S.-Mexican Border”

Lizette Saucedo (Global Liberal Studies '24). Photo by Tracey Friedman

My thesis project is on commemorating migrants who are dying on their journey north to cross the U.S.–Mexican border. I look at it through different theoretical lenses, and one of the terms is necropolitics—how politics shapes the way the State governs life and especially death. And then of the main issues aside from the deaths is that a lot of people in the U.S. don’t know about them, due to the government trying to eschew responsibility for migrant suffering. In the final portion of the thesis, I argue for presenting what some researchers call “migrant artifacts”—the personal belongings left behind by people trying to cross over—to the public, so that people can become aware and have more of a human understanding of what’s going on. 

This is my senior thesis for Liberal Studies, but the idea for it started in an International Human Rights course I took with professor Joyce Apsel . We read a book by Jason De León called The Land of the Open Graves , which I kept in the back of my mind. And then when I studied abroad in Germany during my junior year, I noticed all the different memorials and museums, and wondered why we didn’t have the equivalent in the U.S. My family comes from Mexico—my parents migrated—and ultimately all of these interests came together.

I came into NYU through the Liberal Studies program and I loved it. It’s transdisciplinary, which shaped how I view my studies. My major is politics, rights, and development and my minor is social work, but I’ve also studied museum studies, and I’ve always loved the arts. The experience of getting to work one-on-one on this thesis has really fortified my belief that I can combine all those things.

Sade Chaffatt (Abu Dhabi ’24) Major: Biology Thesis title: “The Polycomb repressive component, EED in mouse hepatocytes regulates liver homeostasis and survival following partial hepatectomy.”

Sade Chaffatt (NYU Abu Dhabi '24). Photo courtesy of NYUAD

Imagine your liver as a room. Within the liver there are epigenetic mechanisms that control gene expression. Imagine these epigenetic mechanisms as a dimmer switch, so that you could adjust the light in the room. If we remove a protein that is involved in regulating these mechanisms, there might be dysregulation—as though the light is too bright or too dim. One such protein, EED, plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression. And so my project focuses on investigating whether EED is required in mouse hepatocytes to regulate liver homeostasis and to regulate survival following surgical resection.

Stepping into the field of research is very intimidating when you’re an undergraduate student and know nothing. But my capstone mentor, Dr. Kirsten Sadler , encourages students to present their data at lab meetings and to speak with scientists. Even though this is nerve-wracking, it helps to promote your confidence in communicating science to others in the field.

If you’d asked 16-year-old me, I never would’ve imagined that I’d be doing research at this point. Representation matters a lot, and you often don't see women—especially not Black women—in research. Being at NYUAD has really allowed me to see more women in these spaces. Having had some experience in the medical field through internships, I can now say I’m more interested in research and hope to pursue a PhD in the future.

Kimberly Sinchi (Tandon ’24) Major: Computer Science Sarah Moughal (Tandon ’25) Major: Computer Science Project: Robotic Design Team's TITAN

Sarah Moughal (Tandon '25, left) and Kimberly Sinchi (Tandon '24). Photo by Tracey Friedman

Kimberly: The Robotic Design Team has been active at NYU for at least five years. We’re 60-plus undergrad and grad students majoring in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, and integrated design. We’ve named our current project TITAN because of how huge it is. TITAN stands for “Tandon’s innovation in terraforming and autonomous navigation.”

Sarah: We compete in NASA’s lunatics competition every year, which means we build a robot from scratch to be able to compete in lunar excavation and construction. We make pretty much everything in house in the Tandon MakerSpace, and everyone gets a little experience with machining, even if you're not mechanical. A lot of it is about learning how to work with other people—communicating across majors and disciplines and learning how to explain our needs to someone who may not be as well versed in particular technologies as we are. 

Kimberly: With NYU’s Vertically Integrated Project I’ve been able to take what I was interested in and actually have a real world impact with it. NASA takes notes on every Rover that enters this competition. What worked and what didn’t actually influences their designs for rovers they send to the moon and to Mars.

Eva Fuentes (CAS ’24) Major: Anthropology Thesis title: “Examining the relationship between pelvic shape and numbers of lumbar vertebrae in primates”

Eva Fuentes (CAS '24). Photo by Tracey Friedman

I came into NYU thinking I wanted to be an art history major with maybe an archeology minor. To do the archeology minor, you have to take the core classes in anthropology, and so I had to take an intro to human evolution course. I was like, this is the coolest thing I’ve learned—ever. So I emailed people in the department to see if I could get involved. 

Since my sophomore year, I’ve been working in the Evolutionary Morphology Lab with Scott Williams, who is primarily interested in the vertebral column of primates in the fossil record because of how it can inform the evolution of posture and locomotion in humans.

For my senior thesis, I’m looking at the number of lumbar vertebrae—the vertebrae that are in the lower back specifically—and aspects of pelvic shape to see if it is possible to make inferences about the number of lumbar vertebrae a fossil may have had. The bones of the lower back are important because they tell us about posture and locomotion.

I committed to a PhD program at Washington University in St. Louis a few weeks ago to study biological anthropology. I never anticipated being super immersed in the academic world. I don’t come from an academic family. I had no idea what I was doing when I started, but Scott Williams, and everyone in the lab, is extremely welcoming and easy to talk to. It wasn't intimidating to come into this lab at all.

Elsa Nyongesa (GPH, CAS ’24 ) Major: Global Public Health and Biology Project: “Diversity in Breast Oncological Studies: Impacts on Black Women’s Health Outcomes”

Elsa Nyongesa (GPH, CAS '24). Photo by Tracey Friedman

I interned at Weill Cornell Medicine through their Travelers Summer Research Fellowship Program where I worked with my mentor, Dr. Lisa Newman, who is the head of the International Center for the Study of Breast Cancer Subtypes. I analyzed data on the frequency of different types of breast cancer across racial and ethnic groups in New York. At the same time, I was also working with Dr. Rachel Kowolsky to study minority underrepresentation in clinical research. 

In an experiential learning course taught by Professor Joyce Moon Howard in the GPH department, I created a research question based on my internship experience. I thought about how I could combine my experiences from the program which led to my exploration of the correlation between minority underrepresentation in breast oncological studies, and how it affects the health outcomes of Black women with breast cancer.

In my major, we learn about the large scope of health disparities across different groups. This opportunity allowed me to learn more about these disparities in the context of breast cancer research. As a premedical student, this experience broadened my perspective on health. I learned more about the social, economic, and environmental factors influencing health outcomes. It also encouraged me to examine literature more critically to find gaps in knowledge and to think about potential solutions to health problems. Overall, this experience deepened my philosophy of service, emphasizing the importance of health equity and advocacy at the research and clinical level.

Rohan Bajaj (Stern ’24) Major: Finance and statistics Thesis title: “Measuring Socioeconomic Changes and Investor Attitude in Chicago’s Post-Covid Economic Recovery”

Rohan Bajaj (Stern '24). Photo by Tracey Friedman

My thesis is focused on understanding the effects of community-proposed infrastructure on both the socioeconomic demographics of cities and on fiscal health. I’m originally from Chicago, so it made a lot of sense to pay tribute back to the place that raised me. I’m compiling a list of characteristics of infrastructure that has been developed since 2021 as a part of the Chicago Recovery Plan and then assessing how neighborhoods have changed geographically and economically. 

I’m looking at municipal bond yields in Chicago as a way of evaluating the fiscal health of the city. Turns out a lot of community-proposed infrastructure is focused in lower income areas within Chicago rather than higher income areas. So that makes the research question interesting, to see if there’s a correlation between the proposed and developed infrastructure projects, and if these neighborhoods are being gentrified alongside development.

I kind of stumbled into the impact investing industry accidentally from an internship I had during my time at NYU. I started working at a renewable energies brokerage in midtown, where my main job was collecting a lot of market research trends and delivering insights on how these different energy markets would come into play. I then worked with the New York State Insurance Fund, where I helped construct and execute their sustainable investment strategy from the ground up. 

I also took a class called “Design with Climate Change” with Peter Anker in Gallatin during my junior year, and a lot of that class was focused on how to have climate resilient and publicly developed infrastructure, and understanding the effects it has on society. It made me start thinking about the vital role that physical surroundings play in steering communities.

In the short term I want to continue diving into impact-focused investing and help identify urban planners and city government to develop their communities responsibly and effectively.

Andrea Durham (Tandon, ’26)  Major: Biomolecular science Research essay title: “The Rise and Fall of Aduhelm”

Andrea Durham (Tandon '26). Photo by Tracey Friedman

This is an essay I wrote last year in an advanced college essay writing class with Professor Lorraine Doran on the approval of a drug for Alzheimer’s disease called Aduhelm—a monoclonal antibody therapy developed by Biogen in 2021, which was described as being momentous and groundbreaking. But there were irregularities ranging from the design of its clinical trials to government involvement that led to the resignation of three scientists on an advisory panel, because not everybody in the scientific community agreed that it should be approved.

When I was six years old, my grandmother was diagnosed. Seeing the impact that it had over the years broke my heart and ignited a passion in me to pursue research. 

When I started at NYU, I wasn’t really sure what I was going to do in the future, or what opportunities I would go after. This writing class really gave me an opportunity to reflect on the things that were important to me in my life. The September after I wrote this paper, I started volunteering in a lab at Mount Sinai for Alzheimer's disease research, and that’s what I’m doing now—working as a volunteer at the Center for Molecular Integrative Neuroresilience under Dr. Giulio Pasinetti. I have this opportunity to be at the forefront, and because of the work I did in my writing class I feel prepared going into these settings with an understanding of the importance of conducting ethical research and working with integrity.