CU Technology and Discovery News

Light without electricity? Glowing algae could make it possible

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Wed, 06 May 2026 20:59:50 +0000

Light without electricity? Glowing algae could make it possible Daniel Corbin … Wed, 05/06/2026 - 14:59

Imagine a sea of glowing blue lights pulsing to the beat of the music. But instead of glow sticks filled with toxic chemicals, the luminescence comes from living algae, shimmering on demand.

In a new study published May 6 in Science Advances, CU 91��Ҹ� researchers and collaborators unveil a new technology that could make it possible. They’ve successfully turned on the “light switch” in algae and kept them lit up using simple chemical solutions. The finding opens the door for future technologies such as autonomous robots that can operate in dark environments and living sensors for water quality.

“This project was a moonshot idea,” said Wil Srubar, professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering. “I was curious if we could create a world in which we don’t use electricity but rather use biology to produce light. This discovery really paves the way for engineering other living light materials and devices.”

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CU 91��Ҹ� Today—91��Ҹ� 91��Ҹ� researchers have developed a method to activate and sustain glowing bioluminescent algae using simple chemical solutions, opening the door to future technologies such as living sensors and autonomous systems that operate in dark environments.

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The solar cell that moonlights as an LED, and does both better

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 19:12:02 +0000

The solar cell that moonlights as an LED, and does both better Daniel Corbin … Mon, 04/27/2026 - 13:12

CU 91��Ҹ� Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI)—Imagine a display that harvests ambient light when it is not actively in use, offsetting some of its own energy consumption. The materials physics shows that this is possible; the same semiconductor material can, in principle, emit and absorb light efficiently.

What has been missing is a device architecture that allows it to do both without reductions in efficiency of either application. A new study reports a perovskite diode that converts sunlight to electricity at 26.7% efficiency (a world record at the time of publication submission) and emits light at 31% efficiency, figures that would be high for a device designed to do only one of those things.

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Staple-like particles reveal new path to strong materials

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 18:23:19 +0000

Staple-like particles reveal new path to strong materials Daniel Corbin … Tue, 04/14/2026 - 12:23

A tightly packed ball of office staples can be surprisingly strong. Try to pull it apart, and the tangled metal resists like a solid object.

But with the right movement or vibration, that same bundle can quickly fall back into loose pieces.

A team of engineers and materials scientists in the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering at CU 91��Ҹ� is exploring how this uncanny combination of strength and flexibility could inspire a new class of materials built on interlocking particles. By mimicking the way staples lock together and release, the researchers believe these emerging materials can one day form structures that are strong, adaptable and even recyclable.

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CU 91��Ҹ� College of Engineering and Applied Science—91��Ҹ�ers at the 91��Ҹ� 91��Ҹ� are developing a new class of “entangled materials” inspired by the surprising strength of a tangled ball of office staples.

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How important is good sleep after a head injury?

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:25:58 +0000

How important is good sleep after a head injury? Daniel Corbin … Tue, 04/14/2026 - 10:25

Rachel Rowe, an assistant professor of integrative physiology at the 91��Ҹ� 91��Ҹ�, has investigated this question, along with a number of researchers from The Ohio State University and the University of Arizona College of Medicine, in a recent study linking low-quality sleep following traumatic brain injury to cognitive impairment, persistent inflammation and delayed healing.

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CU 91��Ҹ� College of Arts and Sciences—91��Ҹ� suggests that disrupted or fragmented sleep after a traumatic brain injury not only interferes with the healing process but also has long-term consequences for brain health. Rachel Rowe, an assistant professor of integrative physiology at the 91��Ҹ� 91��Ҹ�, has investigated this question in a recent study linking low-quality sleep following traumatic brain injury to cognitive impairment, persistent inflammation and delayed healing.

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Python blood could hold the secret to healthy weight loss

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 12:25:49 +0000

Python blood could hold the secret to healthy weight loss Daniel Corbin … Thu, 03/19/2026 - 06:25

The research, a collaboration with scientists at Stanford Medicine and Baylor universities, could inform new weight loss therapies that promote satiety without the nausea and muscle loss that can come with existing drugs.

“This is a perfect example of nature-inspired biology,” said senior author Leslie Leinwand, a distinguished professor of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology who has been studying pythons in her lab for two decades. “You look at extraordinary animals that can do things that you and I and other mammals can’t do, and you try to harness that for therapeutic interventions.”

The team has formed a startup, Arkana Therapeutics, to work toward commercializing some of the lessons they are learning from pythons.

Arkana won a top prize of $127,500 at the 2025 Lab Venture Challenge, where top innovators from CU 91��Ҹ�, Denver and Colorado Springs compete for grants to fund projects that address a commercial need, have a clear path to a compelling market and have strong scientific support. The LVC grants are funded by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) Advanced Industries Program, as well as CU 91��Ҹ�.

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Secure non-dilutive funding to translate your invention into real-world impact

The Center for Translational 91��Ҹ� (CTR) accelerates CU 91��Ҹ� innovations to market through non-dilutive funding. It supports university-affiliated startups with market research, industry analysis and proposal development—helping secure funding to translate campus discoveries into real-world impact.

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CU 91��Ҹ� Today—CU 91��Ҹ� researchers have discovered an appetite-suppressing compound in python blood that helps the snakes consume enormous meals and go months without eating yet remain metabolically healthy. The research, a collaboration with scientists at Stanford Medicine and Baylor universities, could inform new weight loss therapies that promote satiety without the nausea and muscle loss that can come with existing drugs.

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Could 3D-printed livers make transplant lists a thing of the past?

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:10:09 +0000

Could 3D-printed livers make transplant lists a thing of the past? Daniel Corbin … Tue, 03/17/2026 - 06:10

CU 91��Ҹ� Today—It weighs 3 to 4 pounds, includes seven different cell types and features an intricate web of blood vessels that help it filter toxins, guard against pathogens, metabolize nutrients and carry out hundreds of other biological functions.

The human liver, experts say, is an architectural wonder. But its complexity has also made it immensely difficult to replicate in the lab.

Now, a multi-institution team, including scientists at the 91��Ҹ� 91��Ҹ�, MIT, Harvard and Columbia universities, is taking on the challenge. Supported by a new five-year, up to $25 million award from the Advanced 91��Ҹ� Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) Personalized Regenerative Immunocompetent Nanotechnology Tissue (PRINT) program, they’re working to develop 3D-printed liver tissue made of human cells and able to be transplanted into anyone without their body rejecting it.

“There are many patients out there that either never get a transplant or are stuck on the waiting list for years,” said Jason Burdick, a professor of chemical and biological engineering whose lab at CU’s BioFrontiers Institute will lead the 3D printing part of the project.

“If there were an off-the-shelf alternative, once a patient needs a liver they could get a transplant almost immediately,” he said. “That’s our goal.”

Full Story at CU 91��Ҹ� Today

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CU 91��Ҹ� Today—Supported by a new five-year, up to $25 million award from the Advanced 91��Ҹ� Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) Personalized Regenerative Immunocompetent Nanotechnology Tissue (PRINT) program, a team of CU 91��Ҹ�, MIT, Harvard and Columbia researchers is working to develop 3D-printed liver tissue made of human cells and able to be transplanted into anyone without their body rejecting it.

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91��Ҹ� grants license to Cirena for RNA-synthesis technology

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 21:04:51 +0000

91��Ҹ� grants license to Cirena for RNA-synthesis technology Daniel Corbin … Tue, 03/10/2026 - 15:04

Life Science Newswire–Cirena has secured a license to the 91��Ҹ� 91��Ҹ�’s patented RNA synthesis technology, giving researchers scalable access to high-purity 100-400nt RNA constructs for next-generation therapeutics. The agreement brings to market an approach developed at CU 91��Ҹ�, enabling reliable synthesis of long RNA needed to support rapidly developing applications in CRISPR, functional genomics, and emerging RNA-therapeutic modalities.

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Patents and Licensing Opportunities for CU Bioscience Technologies

Biosciences are crucial for advancing medical knowledge and improving patient care. At the 91��Ҹ�, cutting-edge research in these fields is driving significant breakthroughs. The university's advanced facilities and collaborative environment enable researchers to delve into areas such as molecular medicine, regenerative therapies and personalized healthcare. By translating scientific discoveries into innovative treatments and technologies, CU is at the forefront of improving health outcomes and enhancing the quality of life for people around the world.

CU’s focus on bioscience research discoveries stems from a strong ecosystem of interdisciplinary collaboration that facilitates the transition from laboratory discoveries to market-ready technologies.

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Life Science Newswire–Cirena has secured a license to the 91��Ҹ� 91��Ҹ�’s patented RNA synthesis technology, enabling reliable synthesis of long RNA needed to support rapidly developing applications in CRISPR, functional genomics, and emerging RNA-therapeutic modalities.

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CU 91��Ҹ� biomedical engineering startup brings cancer care technology to the Lab Venture Challenge

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 18:34:07 +0000

CU 91��Ҹ� biomedical engineering startup brings cancer care technology to the Lab Venture Challenge Daniel Corbin … Mon, 03/02/2026 - 11:34

CU 91��Ҹ� College of Engineering & Applied Science—William Frantz didn’t walk away with the top prize at this year’s Lab Venture Challenge (LVC), but his research may still be a winner for future cancer patients. Frantz is developing microscopic droplets designed to help doctors track radiation therapy in real time, technology that could one day make cancer treatment more precise and less harmful, particularly for pediatric patients.

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CU 91��Ҹ� scientists develop ultra-low energy optical devices for new generation of green sensor tech

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 18:50:08 +0000

CU 91��Ҹ� scientists develop ultra-low energy optical devices for new generation of green sensor tech Daniel Corbin … Tue, 02/24/2026 - 11:50

CU 91��Ҹ� researchers have designed microscopic “racetracks” that trap and amplify light with exceptional efficiency. By using smooth curves inspired by highway engineering, they reduced energy loss and kept light circulating longer inside the device. Fabricated with sub-nanometer precision, the resonators rank among the top performers made from chalcogenide glass. The technology could lead to compact sensors, microlasers, and advanced quantum systems.

Licensing Opportunities for Quantum and Photonics Technologies

Quantum technology represents one of the most promising frontiers of modern science, potentially revolutionizing industries from computing to healthcare and beyond. The 91��Ҹ� is at the forefront of this exciting field, leveraging its robust academic and research capabilities to push the boundaries of what quantum technologies can achieve. CU's focus on commercializing quantum research discoveries stems from a robust ecosystem of interdisciplinary collaboration that facilitates the transition from laboratory discoveries to market-ready technologies.

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ScienceDaily—CU 91��Ҹ� researchers have designed microscopic “racetracks” that trap and amplify light with exceptional efficiency. By using smooth curves inspired by highway engineering, they reduced energy loss and kept light circulating longer inside the device. Fabricated with sub-nanometer precision, the resonators rank among the top performers made from chalcogenide glass. The technology could lead to compact sensors, microlasers, and advanced quantum systems.

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What causes chronic pain? A new study identifies a key culprit

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 17:44:24 +0000

What causes chronic pain? A new study identifies a key culprit Daniel Corbin … Tue, 01/27/2026 - 10:44

CU 91��Ҹ� Today—A neural circuit hidden in an understudied region of the brain plays a critical role in turning temporary pain into pain that can last months or years, according to new 91��Ҹ� 91��Ҹ� research. The animal study, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, found that silencing this pathway, known as the caudal granular insular cortex (CGIC), can prevent or halt chronic pain.

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Partnering Opportunities with CU Technologies

Venture Partners manages a portfolio of over 1,000 technologies from university investigators and manages licensing partnerships with companies of all sizes—from startups to the Fortune 500—to bring these inventions to market. Discover how CU’s solutions can power your next breakthrough.

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CU Technology and Discovery News

Light without electricity? Glowing algae could make it possible

What could you do with a CU technology?

Turn your discovery into real-world impact

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The solar cell that moonlights as an LED, and does both better

What could you do with a CU technology?

Turn your discovery into real-world impact

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Staple-like particles reveal new path to strong materials

What could you do with a CU technology?

Turn your discovery into real-world impact

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How important is good sleep after a head injury?

What could you do with a CU technology?

Turn your discovery into real-world impact

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Python blood could hold the secret to healthy weight loss

What could you or your business do with a CU technology?

Secure non-dilutive funding to translate your invention into real-world impact

Off

Could 3D-printed livers make transplant lists a thing of the past?

What could you or your business do with a CU technology?

Secure non-dilutive funding to translate your invention into real-world impact

Off

91���Ҹ� grants license to Cirena for RNA-synthesis technology

Patents and Licensing Opportunities for CU Bioscience Technologies

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CU 91���Ҹ� biomedical engineering startup brings cancer care technology to the Lab Venture Challenge

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CU 91���Ҹ� scientists develop ultra-low energy optical devices for new generation of green sensor tech

Licensing Opportunities for Quantum and Photonics Technologies

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What causes chronic pain? A new study identifies a key culprit

Partnering Opportunities with CU Technologies

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91��Ҹ� grants license to Cirena for RNA-synthesis technology

CU 91��Ҹ� biomedical engineering startup brings cancer care technology to the Lab Venture Challenge

CU 91��Ҹ� scientists develop ultra-low energy optical devices for new generation of green sensor tech