Beautiful colors are all around us in nature. But how do we recreate all these colors in the lab without complicated dyes and pigments? Let’s learn about a new way to observe colors using only light and tiny droplets!
Author: Charlie Crowe
I am a graduate researcher in the Keating Group at Pennsylvania State University. My research focuses on studying biological reactions inside of biomimetic systems. I love reading and learning about new scientific developments wherever I can find them!
Using Polymer Coatings to Change how Bacteria Move
Featured Image: Micrograph of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Courtesy: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Title: Mechanical Properties and Concentrations of Poly(ethylene glycol) in Hydrogels and Brushes Direct the Surface Transport of Staphylococcus aureus Authors: K. W. Kolewe, S. Kalasin, M. Shave, J. D. Schiffman,…
New Materials to Recover Gold from Recycled Electronics
Gold is one of the most important metals since it’s used in electronics. Let’s learn from Charlie about a new material than can help recycle gold from discarded devices!
Making New Batteries Using Burnt Plants
We use lithium-ion batteries in our electronics every day, but getting the materials to build them isn’t very environmentally friendly. Let’s learn about a new way to recover one of these materials from burnt plants!
Using Machine Learning to Discover New Fluorescent Proteins
Fluorescent proteins are incredibly useful for exploring the inside of living cells. Let’s learn about a new way to find better-performing proteins using machine learning!
Monitoring Glucose Levels in Sweat with a Wearable Sensor
Measuring blood sugar levels by pricking your finger is painful and inconvenient. Learn about a new wearable device that measures your glucose levels with just your sweat!
Using Erasable Codes to Stop Fake Medical Tests
Fake medical tests are a huge problem in many poorer countries. Let’s learn about a way to print erasable codes on these devices so they can’t be counterfeited!
Making surfaces oil repelling with a coating of tannic acid!
Making surfaces that oil can’t stick to is important for cleaning up oil spills and other pollution. Let’s find out about a new way to coat surfaces that makes them repel oil!
Controlling Adhesives with Light!
Let’s learn about a new material that can be made sticky or not sticky with just light!
Using lasers to make graphene on the surface of food!
Graphene is a wonder-material that is nearly indestructible, conducts electricity, and flexible enough to be worn. Let’s learn how to make it with lasers on the surface of carbon-based materials!
Targeting Cancer Cells with Different Drugs…in the Same Pill!
Tailoring treatment for a specific patient is the future of medicine. Let’s learn about making tiny pills that are “smart” enough to know where to dissolve in the body!
Flexible iPhones and Wearable Touch Screens: Transparent Conductors with Silver Nanowires
Flexible touch screens and see-through electronics could be closer than you think! Let’s learn about a new way to make transparent conductors with silver nanowires!
Finding a New Way to Cook Using Every Part of the…Seaweed?
Ever taken a bite of ice cream and wondered why it’s so smooth? In this paper, the chemical responsible for that is extracted from seaweed and nothing is wasted!
Controlling Nano-Sized Machines to Deliver Drugs in the Body
Tiny machines fixing disease inside the body may not be science fiction for much longer! Let’s learn about making and controlling nanomotors that could one day deliver drugs from within!
Using Green Chemistry to Make Fertilizer from Minerals
One of the most important types of chemicals in agriculture is fertilizer. This paper shows a new way to cleanly make fertilizer from a very common mineral!
Testing for HIV using only a smartphone
Fast, cheap, and easy medical testing devices can help diagnose diseases across the world. Let’s learn about one recently developed to detect HIV!