Researchers at Colorado State University have developed a new way to predict how well antibacterial drugs will work in the body before they reach animal testing. The method links lab-based results to real-world effectiveness, helping scientists choose the most promising drug candidates earlier. It is already used across multiple research programs, including NIH-funded projects and industry collaborations. This approach improves decision-making in drug development for serious infections like tuberculosis and other high-risk bacterial diseases.
Researchers at Colorado State University have developed a new method to stop the spread of beet curly top virus by targeting the insect that carries it. Instead of using harmful pesticides, nanoparticles deliver RNA molecules that silence key insect genes. This reduces the leafhopper’s ability to reproduce and transmit the virus, offering a precise and environmentally friendly solution.
Researchers at Colorado State University, University of Nebraska, and the Agricultural Research Service have developed an innovative way to fight the wheat stem sawfly, a pest that causes $350 million in yearly crop losses. This method relocates beneficial parasitoid wasps by baling wheat straw that naturally contains their larvae and releasing them into infested fields at the proper time. Each bale can deliver thousands of wasps, which then attack the sawfly. This simple, scalable approach gives farmers a new, sustainable tool against a pest that has been nearly uncontrollable for decades.
Researchers at Colorado State University have developed a novel mechanism to quantify the level of radiation exposure on a SRAM chip without any active power requirement. This mechanism can be utilized to allow devices containing SRAM chips to act as real-time dosimeters. This can eliminate the time-delay between exposure and detection that occurs with traditional dosimeters and allow already ubiquitous devices, such as smartphones, to be used for radiation monitoring and tracking. The technology has garnered strong industry interest, backed by a formal letter of support from a major global aerospace and defense prime contractor evaluating the system for platform integration.
Researchers at Colorado State University and the University of California Berkeley have developed an innovative way to compute and store data using the orientation of light waves rather than their brightness. By pairing micro-optical tracks with an ultrathin, two-dimensional material, this technology allows electronic signals to dynamically switch light paths with almost zero wasted energy. The resulting system enables ultra-fast, high-capacity computing without the thermal overheating issues common in traditional processors. This breakthrough opens new avenues for compact hardware tailored for next-generation artificial intelligence and data networks.
Researchers at Colorado State University and University of Padua have developed EXPO (EXecutive Function Play Opportunities), a specialized intervention to support the development of thinking and problem-solving skills in young children with Down syndrome. The program focuses on strengthening “executive function” skills, which are the cognitive processes that allow individuals to remember information, plan, inhibit, and shift between tasks. Unlike previous methods, this program is designed to be implemented by caregivers within their existing daily routines. By targeting these skills in early childhood, the intervention aims to improve long-term independence and academic success for children with intellectual disabilities.
Researchers at Colorado State University have developed a graph-based deep learning framework named GATE that provides accurate, real-time indoor navigation on mobile devices. The framework models wireless reference points and their spatial relationships as an interconnected graph, enabling it to understand how locations relate to one another throughout an indoor environment. By evaluating these spatial relationships, GATE mitigates localization blind spots—areas where conventional systems lose accuracy due to signal obstruction, interference, or changing indoor conditions. It delivers highly responsive positioning while drawing minimal device power, making it perfectly suited for everyday smartphones.
Researchers at Colorado State University have developed a non-toxic, highly processable antibacterial gel that naturally sticks to surfaces without requiring extra chemical binders. Unlike current options that rely on potentially harmful metallic nanoparticles, this material uses safe silver ions woven into a natural amino acid framework. It acts as a molecular “Trojan Horse,” tricking bacteria into pulling the silver inside to effectively defeat antibiotic resistance. Because its thickness can be completely adjusted just by adding or removing water, this versatile material can be easily manufactured as a liquid spray, a stable powder, or a flexible solid sheet.
Researchers at Colorado State University have developed a novel method to produce trans-cinnamic acid (tCA) using engineered cyanobacteria. This technology offers a renewable and scalable alternative to fossil fuel-derived or plant-extracted tCA. Utilizing a rhamnose-inducible system, the engineered strain demonstrates up to a four-fold increase in tCA production. It advances sustainable bioproduction, addressing the growing demand for bioactive compounds in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and materials science.
Researchers at Colorado State University have developed a customizable material network that easily shifts between a liquid and a solid. This specialized plastic alternative bonds tightly using water but can completely rebuild its internal structure when moisture is introduced. The technology is highly adaptable and can be dried into diverse forms like films, powders, and porous foams. It offers a versatile, eco-friendly framework capable of self-repairing regular wear and tear.
Researchers at Colorado State University have developed a clever shoe design that can change sizes while keeping a sleek, high-quality look. This technology uses hidden, interlocking parts in the sole to expand or shrink the shoe based on the wearer’s needs. Whether it is for a growing child or an adult experiencing foot swelling, these shoes offer a custom fit without looking like medical equipment. By lasting through multiple size changes, this footwear helps consumers save money and reduces environmental waste
Researchers at Colorado State University have developed a second generation of universal dynamic crosslinkers (UDCs) that enable the transformation of incompatible mixed plastic waste into strong, flexible, and reprocessable materials. By creating star-like polymers in situ during a reactive extrusion process in the presence of a small of a UDC, the UDC eliminates the phase separation typically seen in mixed plastic blends. The innovation allows for the creation of new materials from recycling of plastic mixtures with reprocessability and properties that can be adjusted for different applications, from stiff, thermoset-like materials to flexible, thermoplastic-like materials.