National Science Foundation

Could houses of the future be made by bacteria?

Imagine if we could grow a building the way coral polyps grow a reef, or if living cells in our clothes could break down sweat and body odor. It’s not science fiction, says associate professor Neel Joshi. It’s the future of scientific research in the U.S.

by Laura Castañón February 5, 2020

‘How do we break the supply chain?’

Three Northeastern researchers are hoping to disrupt human trafficking in U.S. agriculture with an unusual approach: They are focused on the victims.

by Ian Thomsen November 18, 2019

A whole new way to measure pain

Doctors often ask patients to rate their pain using a zero-to-10 scale that ranks more intense pain with higher numbers. But putting a number to pain can be difficult. Yingzi Lin, a Northeastern professor of mechanical and industrial engineering, is developing a new system to estimate pain more accurately and help people who cannot (or do not) communicate their level of pain objectively.

by Roberto Molar Candanosa October 25, 2019

Northeastern University launches the Institute for the Wireless Internet of Things

The internet of things is the interface that allows people to connect the physical world with the cyber world, using tools like Alexa or a smart thermostat. Now, Northeastern researchers are taking that concept to the next level to solve some of the most pressing problems in the world with the new Institute for the Wireless Internet of Things.

by Roberto Molar Candanosa October 18, 2019

Get ready for the next Industrial Revolution

Manufacturing is undergoing a revolution thanks to the internet, but the industry's workforce is struggling to keep up, says Sagar Kamarthi, a professor of mechanical and industrial engineering at Northeastern. A new program he is leading with other Northeastern data science and mechanical engineering researchers is helping people working in manufacturing modernize their skillset and prepare for the revolution.

by Roberto Molar Candanosa October 11, 2019

A close up of a radio and server system in the lab of Tommaso Melodia, the William Lincoln Smith Chair Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Northeastern. Colosseum, a massive testbed for wireless systems, will arrive at Northeastern in November. It can process more information in a single second than is estimated to be held in the entire print collection of the Library of Congress. Photo by Ruby Wallau/Northeastern University

Northeastern to design the wireless networks of the future

The National Science Foundation and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency have selected Northeastern to run a massive data center that will enable researchers around the country to build and test the next generation of wireless technology and find new ways to use artificial intelligence to shape the smart devices of the future.

by Laura Castañón September 19, 2019

How gender bias excludes women from international scientific collaboration

International collaboration among scientists is on the rise, but even such broad collaboration is subject to gender biases, says Kathrin Zippel, who is a professor of sociology at Northeastern University.

by Molly Callahan August 7, 2019

Cracking the mystery of cracks

Northeastern physics professor Alain Karma studies cracks. His work could lead to better batteries, tougher materials, and an improved understanding of how people age.

by Kerry Benson - contributor July 2, 2019

How jello-like cubes can help fight cancer

Sidi Bencherif, an assistant professor of chemical engineering at Northeastern, recently received a CAREER award from the National Science Foundation to develop biomaterials that generate oxygen. These materials could help researchers understand how low oxygen environments affect the immune system and potentially be used to supply oxygen to help train immune cells to fight cancer.

by Laura Castañón April 4, 2019

What makes high school students want to study science, technology, engineering, and math?

Northeastern researchers have received a grant from the National Science Foundation to study an experiential education program in Kansas to find out what motivates high school students, particularly women and underrepresented minorities, to pursue careers in the STEM fields.

by Greg St. Martin March 11, 2019