News Archive - Liezel Labios

‘Plug and Play’ Nanoparticles Could Make It Easier To Tackle Various Biological Targets

UC San Diego engineers have developed modular nanoparticles that can be easily customized to target different biological entities such as tumors, viruses or toxins. The nanoparticles can be tailored for various applications, ranging from targeted drug delivery to neutralizing biological agents.

Smartphone Attachment Could Increase Racial Fairness in Neurological Screening

This smartphone attachment could enable people to screen for a variety of neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease and traumatic brain injury, at low cost—and do so accurately regardless of their skin tone.

Soft, Living Materials Made With Algae Glow Under Stress

Researchers have developed soft yet durable 3D-printed materials that glow in response to mechanical stress, such as compression, stretching or twisting. The materials derive their luminescence from single-celled algae known as dinoflagellates, which are embedded within the materials.

Electron-rich Metals Make Ceramics Tough to Crack

UC San Diego engineers have developed a recipe to make a certain class of ceramics tougher and more resistant to cracking. The newfound toughness of these ceramics paves the way for their use in extreme applications, such as spacecraft and other hypersonic vehicles.

Nanoparticle Vaccine Could Curb Cancer Metastasis to Lungs by Targeting a Protein

UC San Diego engineers have developed an experimental vaccine that could prevent the spread of metastatic cancers to the lungs. Its success lies in targeting a protein known to play a central role in cancer growth and spread, rather than targeting the primary tumor itself.

UC San Diego Mechanical Engineer Awarded Packard Fellowship for Next-generation Imaging Technology

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation has named Lisa Poulikakos, an assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at UC San Diego, as a 2023 Packard Fellow for Science and Engineering. Poulikakos develops novel nanomaterials to address key challenges in imaging science.

Wireless, Battery-free Electronic ‘Stickers’ Gauge Forces Between Touching Objects

Engineers developed electronic “stickers” that measure the force exerted by one object upon another. The force stickers are wireless, run without batteries and fit in tight spaces, making them versatile for a wide range of applications, from surgical robots to smart implants and inventory tracking.

New Energy-storing Material Could Also Be Used To Build Electronic Gadgets

Gadgets and vehicles powered by the very materials they’re built from may soon be possible, thanks to a new structural supercapacitor developed by UC San Diego engineers. The device doubles as structural support and energy storage, potentially adding more energy capacity without adding weight.

Nanoparticles Made From Plant Viruses Could Be Farmers’ New Ally in Pest Control

UC San Diego engineers have devised a new solution to control a major agricultural menace, root-damaging nematodes. Using plant viruses, they created nanoparticles that can deliver pesticides to previously unreachable soil depths. This could potentially minimize environmental toxicity and costs.

3D-Printed ‘Living Material’ Could Clean Up Contaminated Water

A "living material," made of a natural polymer combined with genetically engineered bacteria, could offer a sustainable and eco-friendly solution to clean pollutants from water.