University of Colorado Boulder

'Next Generation Wonder Material' Created for First Time

For over a decade, scientists have attempted to synthesize a new form of carbon called graphyne with limited success. That endeavor is now at an end, though, thanks to new research.

Polaris Program Aims to Advance Human Spaceflight

The Polaris Program is a first-of-its-kind effort to rapidly advance human spaceflight capabilities, while continuing to raise funds and awareness for important causes here on Earth. The program will consist of up to three human spaceflight missions that will demonstrate new technologies, conduct extensive research, and ultimately culminate in the first flight of SpaceX's Starship with humans on board.

CubeSat to Assess Origins of Hot Plasma in the Sun's Corona

NASA has selected the CubeSat Imaging X-Ray Solar Spectrometer, led by Southwest Research Institute, to measure the elemental composition of hot, multimillion-degree plasmas in the Sun's corona - its outermost atmosphere. The nanosatellite is expected to be launched in 2024 as a secondary payload on another satellite launch. CubIXSS will determine the origins of hot plasma - highly ionized gas - in solar flares and active regions.

Wearable Device Turns the Body into a Battery

Researchers have developed a new, low-cost wearable device that transforms the human body into a biological battery.

Solid Power

Solid Power is a spin-out from the University of Colorado Boulder developing sulfide-based all solid-state batteries (ASSB) and has been in operation since 2014.

Electronic Skin Promises Cheap and Recyclable Wearable Alternative

Researchers are developing a wearable electronic device that's "really wearable"—a stretchy and fully-recyclable circuit board that's inspired by, and sticks onto, human skin.

Ingestible Medical Devices can be Broken Down with Light

A variety of medical devices can be inserted into the gastrointestinal tract to treat, diagnose, or monitor GI disorders. Many of these have to be removed by endoscopic surgery once their job is done. However, engineers have now come up with a way to trigger such devices to break down inside the body when they are exposed to light from an ingestible LED.

Scientists can now manipulate brain cells using smartphones

A team of scientists have invented a device that can control neural circuits using a tiny brain implant controlled by a smartphone.

A computer that understands how you feel

Could a computer, at a glance, tell the difference between a joyful image and a depressing one? Could it distinguish, in a few milliseconds, a romantic comedy from a horror film? Yes, and so can your brain, according to research.

A high-performance battery for renewable energy storage

A low-cost, high-performance battery chemistry developed by researchers could one day lead to scalable grid-level storage for wind and solar energy that could help electrical utilities reduce their dependency on fossil fuels.

New Report Forecasts E-Textiles will Reach Over $2 Billion by 2029

IDTechEx have released the latest edition of the most comprehensive report on the e-textiles industry. "E-Textiles 2019-2029: Technologies, Markets and Players" compiles over 6 years of work. There are over 200 companies in the database supporting the report, and IDTechEx analysts have conducted primary research on over 100 companies in order to collate the data and contents for the report itself.

Low-cost, energy saving cooling system

Engineers have successfully scaled up an innovative water-cooling system capable of providing continuous day-and-night radiative cooling for structures. The advance could increase the efficiency of power generation plants in summer and lead to more efficient, environmentally-friendly temperature control for homes, businesses, utilities and industries.

Shape-shifting material can morph, reverse itself using heat, light

A new material can transform into complex, pre-programmed shapes via light and temperature stimuli, allowing a literal square peg to morph and fit into a round hole before fully reverting to its original form and could have broad applications for manufacturing, robotics, biomedical devices and artificial muscles.

Soft robotic fish swims alongside real ones

Even with many technological advances in recent years, it remains a challenging task to document marine life up close. But scientists believe they have a possible solution: using robots.

New malleable electronic skin: self-healable, recyclable

Researchers have developed a new type of malleable, self-healing and fully recyclable "electronic skin" that has applications ranging from robotics and prosthetic development to better biomedical devices.

Light-splitting greenhouse film

Engineers have received a $2.45 million grant to develop a scalable, cost-effective greenhouse material that splits sunlight into photosynthetically efficient light and repurposes inefficient infrared light to aid in water purification.

Next-gen flexible robots move and heal like us

Soft robots contain tremendous potential for future applications as they adapt to dynamic environments and are well-suited to closely interact with humans. The soft devices can perform a variety of tasks, including grasping delicate objects, such as a raspberry and a raw egg, as well as lifting heavy objects.

Shift in wind power by end of the century

In the next century, wind resources may decrease in many regions of the Northern Hemisphere and could sharply increase in some hotspot regions down south, according to a study by University of Colorado Boulder researchers.