Research

An artist’s rendering of a crewed Martian biomanufactory powered by photovoltaics

Solar beats nuclear at many potential settlement sites on Mars

04/27/22 — The high efficiency, light weight and flexibility of the latest solar cell technology means photovoltaics could provide all the power needed for an extended mission to Mars, or even a permanent settlement there, according to a new analysis led by Berkeley engineers

Study of aqueous salt solutions deepens our understanding of icy planets’ oceans

04/26/22 — New findings may help determine the possibility of extraterrestrial life in our solar system

Making the cut

04/15/22 — A new technique for making wearable sensors replaces photolithography with a $200 vinyl cutter.

3D-printed glass lattices and U.S. penny

Researchers develop innovative 3D-printing technology for glass microstructures

04/14/22 — New system enables faster production, greater optical quality and design flexibility

Examining the effects of chlorinated drinking water on the gut microbiome

04/14/22 — New research shows no negative impact on children's digestive bacteria from chlorinated drinking water

Graphic illustration of lithium ion crystal structure

Researchers discover pathway to safer lithium-ion batteries

04/13/22 — New study describes materials that offer stability and high conductivity in solid-state batteries

Illustration of engineered crystal structures that display an unusual physical phenomenon known as negative capacitance.

Engineered crystals could help computers run on less power

04/07/22 — New negative capacitance material reduces energy needed to control advanced silicon transistors

Researcher looking at brain scan images on computer monitors.

‘Off label’ use of imaging databases could lead to bias in AI algorithms, study finds

03/21/22 — Biased algorithms applied to clinical data may produce images in which pathological details are blurred or missed, researchers reveal.

Tiny switches give solid-state LiDAR record resolution

03/09/22 — Work led by UC Berkeley researchers could lead to new generation of powerful, low-cost 3D sensors for autonomous cars, drones, robots, smartphones and more.

simulation of axion formation in the early universe

Search for axions gets new target, new tools

02/25/22 — Nuclear engineering professor Karl van Bibber's research with plasmonic haloscopes could bolster physicists' new calculations of the mass of axions, a prime dark matter candidate

Slicing the way to wearable sensor prototypes

02/11/22 — A $200 vinyl cutter can replace a multistep clean room technique to churn out the prototypes researchers need to rapidly test new stretchable sensors.

Animation of placement of nanoparticles in a self-assembling material

With a little help, new optical material assembles itself

02/04/22 — Berkeley Lab: Breakthrough by materials scientist Ting Xu and her team could enable large-scale manufacturing of nanomaterials for industry

UC Berkeley partners with new Arc Institute to tackle complex diseases

12/21/21 — Patrick Hsu, Berkeley assistant professor of bioengineering, and Silvana Konermann, Stanford assistant professor of biochemistry, are founding researchers of a new institute that aims to accelerate breakthroughs in complex diseases.

Cesunica Ivey to lead EPA project to reduce wildfire smoke exposure

12/20/21 — EPA: Award to support engagement and better communication of health risks of underserved and marginalized groups in California’s San Francisco Bay Area.

petri dish with smart roof coating samples

New smart-roof coating enables year-round energy savings

12/16/21 — Berkeley Lab: Rooftop material that automatically switches between radiative cooling in the summer to heat retention in the winter could lower household energy costs

A first look inside the Bakar BioEnginuity Hub

12/09/21 — The wait for Berkeley’s bold new home for research and innovation is nearly over, with the Bakar BioEnginuity Hub, led by bioengineering professor Amy Herr, scheduled to open in February 2022

Boubacar Kante, superimposed over an illustration of a BICSEL laser

Making lasers more efficient, versatile and compact

12/07/21 — With support from his Bakar Fellowship, EECS associate professor Boubacar Kante is preparing to fabricate a prototype of a new laser with a range of applications from microsurgery to satellite telemetry.

Photo illustration of Michael Yartsev and a flock of bats

Right off the bats

11/15/21 — Researchers at the NeuroBat Lab are learning more about the brain by studying the world’s only flying mammal.

Illustration of hourglass, containing plastic transforming into compost

Back down to earth

11/15/21 — Materials science professor Ting Xu is re-engineering plastics for the age of sustainability.

Put to the test

11/15/21 — A method that uses a common machine learning algorithm can help detect cancer from a simple blood test, well before the first symptoms are present.