Engineering groundbreaking research

Advanced computational tool for understanding quantum materials

A new computational tool describes how the atoms within quantum materials behave when they absorb and emit light. The tool will help scientists better understand and engineer new materials for quantum technologies.

Optimized material extracts 50% more water from air than previous version

Researchers in Prof. Laura Gagliardi’s lab have guided the design of a material that can act as a “sponge” to pull water from the air. The key innovation was a designed material called a metal-organic framework (MOF), a hybrid structure of metal ions and organic linkers that can be tuned at the molecular level.

Unconventional water sources may be the key to powering America’s lithium energy demands

Asst. Prof. Chong Liu and her team analyzed more than 122,000 unconventional water sources such as oil- and gas-produced water and geothermal brines, discovering there is enough lithium within these sources to make it worthwhile to extract.

Researchers manipulate liquid crystals defects to explore new optical technologies

Using high-powered simulations, postdoctoral researcher Viviana Palacio-Betancur and other researchers have created new shapes within chiral liquid crystal assemblies that could ultimately form the basis for new optical technologies.

Zooming in on battery wear and tear

Using high-powered microscopy and computational modeling to understand how particles inside lithium-ion batteries change over time, Prof. Y. Shirley Meng and fellow researchers shed new light on what occurs when lithium-ion batteries degrade, taking a step toward more efficient and sustainable battery technology.

Developing better ways of diagnosing disease at the intersection of disciplines

PhD student Susan Okrah conducts research in the lab of Prof. Savas Tay, developing a new kind of microfluidic device to test for respiratory diseases. She also co-founded the UChicago chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and leads science demos at events like the South Side Science Festival.

From postdoctoral scholar to professor

After working as a postdoctoral scholar at Pritzker Molecular Engineering with Prof. Jeffrey Hubbell, Lisa Volpatti joined Northwestern University as an assistant professor with a joint appointment in both biomedical engineering and chemical and biological engineering. 

Bridging biology and computer science

An expert in computational biology, Asst. Prof. Samantha Riesenfeld develops and uses machine learning methods to investigate hidden processes driving biological systems.

To cure food allergies, treat the microbiome

Prof. Cathryn Nagler studies the human microbiome as the key to curing allergies and other disorders. Her startup, ClostraBio, is poised to bring new therapeutics to market.

Pivoting to engineering to help clean up the environment

Alumna Sonia Vohra chose UChicago Pritzker Molecular Engineering’s master’s degree to pursue her passion. Vohra is currently pursuing a PhD in chemical and environmental engineering at Brown University.

Working on the cutting edge of quantum research

Graduate student Anchita Addhya designs nanophotonic and nanoplasmonic structures—ultra-small devices used for controlling light—in the Pritzker Nanofabrication Facility at UChicago’s Eckhardt Research Center. She then brings these devices and characterizes them at her high-tech optical bench in High Lab.

Innovative research sheds light on how lung cancer advances

Asst. Prof. Huanhuan Joyce Chen received a new Department of Defense grant to drive research on genetic mutations of pulmonary carcinoids, a form of lung cancer that generally can only be treated by surgery.