Tracking Airborne Particles on Their Journey Through Your Lungs
In a paper published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, “Real time single particle imaging of functional lungs reveals mosaic-like patterns of aerosol deposition in alveoli,” Gabrielle Grifno, a doctoral student in Nia Lab, used the Crystal Ribcage to identify previously unrecognized details in the lung at the level of individual alveoli (air sacs).
“The crystal ribcage technology was essential to this discovery, as it enabled single-particle imaging of the intact, functioning lung in real-time at a scale not previously possible,” said Nia.
New Professorship Honors Innovator Behind the iLet Bionic Pancreas
The Edward Damiano Professorship in Biomedical Engineering will support the recruitment of a senior faculty member whose work reflects the same commitment to scientific excellence, innovation, and societal impact that has defined its namesake’s career.
Distinguished Fellows Launch Sustainability Summer Projects
This summer, students are working on technologies that might lead to stronger and longer-lasting lithium-ion batteries, more affordable water purification and desalination systems, and more energy-efficient computer chips.
Better Home Insulation Through AR
In some older homes, 25 percent of heating energy is lost through the walls. Sharon and colleagues are testing a potential solution: customized, highly insulated panels that can be added to existing walls with the help of augmented reality.
Xin Zhang Makes “World Changing Ideas” List for Second Straight Year
Zhang’s technology, which the magazine named a 2026 “World-Changing Idea,” could make air conditioners, airplanes, and data centers quieter.
ENG faculty awarded research funding from Hariri Institute
ENG faculty are well-represented in the latest round of the Hariri Institute’s Focused Research Programs, which provide seed funding for convergent research efforts in multi-disciplinary teams to coalesce in sustainable ways. The mission is to evolve and advance discoveries and innovations in computing and AI, with the goal of accelerating research that leads to future funding and broad impact.
Fictional Bibliographies
Stringhini’s open-source tool helps peer reviewers catch hallucinated citations
Cultivating Computational Excellence
Hariri Institute recognizes ECE researchers.
A Squid-Inspired Fluid Pump Might Make Labs Greener and Less Costly
The ENG team’s fluid pump—which can be used to help study biological tissues, environmental samples, and cell cultures—was inspired by the mechanism squid use to propel themselves through water.
ENG Researcher Helps Launch New Clean Energy Tools
Associate Professor Emily Ryan (ME, MSE) is part of a convergent research across Boston University. Ryan collaborated with BU faculty to design tools meant to enhance collaboration between state and local officials in Massachusetts, show progress toward clean energy goals, and help leaders identify communities that may need additional resources. The work was developed through […]