Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a technology which could improve VLSI testing by allowing for non-destructive testing of VLSI circuits under bias for electronic systems. With this new technology, researchers have focused on improving testing output as chip density increases along with decreasing chip sizes. Terahertz radiation (and related radiation at other frequencies – RF, sub-THz) is used to illuminate the chip under the test.

Using raw materials (thermoplastic pellets and rolls of fiber tows), this invention will continuously impregnate fiber tows with molten thermoplastic resin for fabrication of custom composite shapes, unlike current methods, which do not use raw materials and are extremely expensive processes. The ‘In Situ’ process can be used to either directly “print” composite parts in an additive manufacturing approach or to manufacture pre-impregnated (prepreg) composite material for use in other manufacturing technologies.

Rensselaer inventors created a multi-launch system and capture method to effectively clean up debris in a cost-effective manner. Operationally, the method consists of deploying a small-sized object called the CubeSat. This is a small satellite with a low mass and can be part of the launch of another larger satellite or other space-based object. The CubeSat is launched into space at the same orbit as the main payload. From there, it uses its built-in capabilities to maneuver itself to the desired orbit where space debris of the right size are present that need to be captured and destroyed.

Rensselaer inventors created a hybrid fiber UV photodetector with a completely new internal gain mechanism which can achieve extremely high external quantum efficiency for ultrasensitive UV sensing while at the same time only require low voltage supply. The new photodetector has a high potential for system integration; the size of hybrid fiber UV photodetector is comparable to a 2 cm long human hair, with negligible weight. It is highly flexible, can bend to any angle with a great flexibility and potential for smart system integration, such as Micro Robot, Lab on a Chip, etc.

Researcher Ge Wang and team created imaging systems and methods using excited nanoparticles coupled between CT and MRI to provide faster localization information for targeted, high resolution imaging. The study of biological systems is a complex pursuit that requires sufficient models and tools to measure responses to controlled changes in the system, however, there has been a lack of appropriate microscopy allowing insight into deep 3D models of molecular and cellular function due to the diffusive properties of optical light. Wang and his team overcame limitations in the field by using nan

Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) created a 3D computer simulation tool to assess the behavior/interaction of a hydrophobic membrane material with waste/feed water particles to assist membrane manufacturers/end-users in identifying a high performing membrane filtration/separation system. This simulation protocol could represent a viable, more cost-effective technique for membrane system designers within the wastewater treatment, desalination, food processing, pharmaceutical biotech, and oil/gas industries.

Commonly implanted medical devices containing metal parts (i.e., dental fillings, coils, hip replacements) generate streaks in computed tomography (CT) images, thereby impeding diagnosis and interfering with radiation therapy planning. Inventors at RPI created a novel technique to boost the efficacy of neural networks for metal artifact reduction (MAR) in CT images. Currently, deep neural network-based techniques need to be trained on synthetic, paired images. Unfortunately, these images may not accurately reflect clinical reality and technical factors.

Lithium ion batteries (LIB) have proven a key enabling technology for consumer electronics and are setting the stage for a revolution in transportation. Electric vehicles (EV), whether on land, sea, or air, are increasingly gaining market share over vehicles powered by the traditional combustion engine.

The terahertz (THz) band shows promise in terms of providing improved communications capabilities, including the ability for power-enhanced beam-forming and spatial multiplexing and reconfigurable array architectures that meet the capacity demands for 5G applications. All of these attributes of line of sight (LoS) systems in the THz spectral regime allow for wireless bit rates to be augmented without typical issues such as latency or noise complicating the picture.

Metabolic engineering and synthetic biology have enabled the use of microbial production platforms for the renewable production of many high-value natural products. Titers and yields, however, are often too low to result in commercially viable processes. Microbial co-cultures have the ability to distribute metabolic burden and allow for modular specific optimization in a way that is not possible through traditional monoculture fermentation methods. Rensselaer Inventors created a new type of E.