Published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers have created realistic, skin-like replicas made of Ecoflex, a type of silicone rubber that can potentially serve as a platform to evaluate risks of bacterial infections from intravenous catheters and test wearable sensors, among other biomedical applications. The study found that EcoFlex-based skin replicas can be engineered to mimic actual skin textures, wettability, and elasticity, simulating the conditions where bacteria grow and adhere.

Led by Texas A&M University graduate students Samere Zade of the biomedical engineering department and Ting-Ching Wang of the chemical engineering department, an article released by the Lele Lab has uncovered new details about the mechanism behind cancer progression. Published in Nature Communications, the article explores the influence the mechanical stiffening of the tumor cell’s environment may have on the structure and function of the nucleus.

Research is advancing knowledge about why nanobubbles don’t burst in a solution, which has real-world applications ranging from batteries to agriculture. One application of this knowledge is in hydroponics—where nanobubbles can lead to larger, healthier crops.

By integrating smart capabilities such as sensing and energy harvesting, Dr. Jeeeun Kim is transforming passive interfaces — such as light switches and doorknobs — into adaptive interfaces, altering hardware to be used in non-traditional ways. These interfaces will assist people with disabilities, automate domestic tasks, and power millions of computers. Kim, assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science & Engineering at Texas A&M University, is a recipient of the National Science Foundation’s Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award, which will support this research.

◦ Seoul National University College of Engineering announced that a research team led by Prof. Seung-Kyun Kang from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Seoul National University (first authors: Dr. Jae-Hwan Lee and Ph.D. candidate Yoon-Nam Kim) has developed a strain sensor with record-breaking sensitivity in collaboration with researchers from Dankook University, Ajou University, and Purdue University. This groundbreaking study introduced an hypersensitive, flexible, and stretchable sensor by combining microcracks with meta-structures in an innovative way. The advanced technology enables real-time stroke diagnosis through continuous blood flow monitoring, opening new possibilities in the field of precision biomedical engineering.