Department of Chemistry

Interpretation of Neurons

Synthetic Neurons Open the Door for More Intelligent Robots

An interdisciplinary collaboration between Northwestern University and Georgia Tech has created a novel high-performance organic electrochemical neuron that responds within the frequency range of human neurons. The researchers also built a complete perception system by designing other organic materials and …



Malapit Lab Scientist

Green Battery Discovery Turns Trash Into Treasure

Northwestern researchers leverage industrial waste to store energy

The batteries used in our phones, devices and even cars rely on metals like lithium and cobalt, sourced through intensive and invasive mining. As more products begin to depend on battery-based energy



microscope view of bacterium

How ‘Conan the Bacterium’ Withstands Extreme Radiation

New discovery finds simple metabolites combine to form a powerful antioxidant

Dubbed “Conan the Bacterium” for its extraordinary ability to tolerate the harshest of conditions, Deinococcus radiodurans can withstand radiation doses thousands of times higher than what would kill a


gloved fingers holding tiny sensor

Shaking Sensor Continuously Monitors Inflammation

Implantable device works like a tree branch to grab and fling proteins

Northwestern University scientists have designed a new implantable device that can monitor fluctuating levels of proteins within the body in real time.

Inspired by fruit shaking off the




Microstructure of the new bioactive material. The fibers are in pink; hyaluronic acid is shown in purple. Image by the Stupp Group

New biomaterial regrows damaged cartilage in joints

A crucial component in joints, cartilage is notoriously difficult to repair

Northwestern University scientists have developed a new bioactive material that successfully regenerated high-quality cartilage in the knee joints of a large-animal model.

Although it looks like a rubbery goo, …