A universal method of micro-patterning solution-processed materials is highly desired by industry to enable the integration of these materials with optoelectronic devices. A team at the University of Washington demonstrated a dry photolithographic lift-off method for high-resolution patterning (~1 µm diameter) of quantum dots (QDs). They also achieved full-scale processing on a 100 mm wafer and multi-color integration of two different varieties of QDs. This method paves a way towards realization of high-resolution micro-LED displays.

Two Case Western Reserve University engineering faculty have been awarded U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) grants. Computer scientist An Wang and environmental engineer Bridget Hegarty were each awarded a five-year grant to support their research programs. Hegarty also received a $1 million grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

UC Berkeley astronomers searching for massive black holes shredding stars found one in an unusual place — 2,600 light years from the core of a galaxy. The roque black hole may be from an earlier merger with another galaxy, or have been tossed out of the core after interacting with two other black holes. This is the first ever optically discovered off-nuclear tidal disruption event. Eventually, the two could merge and produce ripples of gravitational waves.

Microorganisms in the water surrounding coral reefs provide valuable insights on the health state of reefs and surrounding ocean.

Sampling and analyzing reef water microbes can be done in a variety of ways ranging in cost and complexity, adding to their usability.

As many coral reefs experience prolonged bleaching due to heat stress, rising temperatures due to climate change, and other anthropogenic activities, having more accessible monitoring tools can improve coral conservation efforts.

The authors believe that microbe diagnostic techniques can be easily adopted by established organizations to bolster reef monitoring programs and add to a global database of knowledge about coral reef habitats that can inform policy decisions.

A new gene editor developed by Columbia and Broad Institute researchers may soon open the door to gene therapies for a wider array of diseases.

Sterols are among the most abundant lipids in eukaryotic cells, yet are synthesized through notoriously long, complex metabolic pathways. Researchers from UC San Diego  have used a novel approach to show how they interact with other lipids that help cells self-organize. 

New York University scientists are using artificial intelligence to determine which genes collectively govern nitrogen use efficiency in plants such as corn, with the goal of helping farmers improve their crop yields and minimize the cost of nitrogen fertilizers.