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Shape-Shifting ‘Transformer Bots’ Inspired by Origami

Mick Kulikowski

Cotton field

Jun 11, 2025

Study Develops Optimal Cover Crop Adoption Thresholds

New model can help farmers decide whether or not cover crops can be a worthwhile investment. 
Brown rice on a plate.

Apr 30, 2025

Protein Sources Change the Gut Microbiome – Some Drastically

Protein sources appear to have major effects on both the population and function of the mouse gut microbiome. 
Image of four-step process of capturing microplastics from water.

Mar 26, 2025

New Water Microcleaners Self-Disperse, Capture Microplastics and Float Up for Removal

Proof-of-concept work uses unique, safe particles to remove microplastics in a single cycle. 
Wolves on Wolf Plaza

Mar 18, 2025

Kevin Howell Named NC State’s 15th Chancellor

Alumnus returns to NC State to helm North Carolina's largest university. 
An aerial photo of NC State's Centennial Campus with the Raleigh skyline behind it.

Mar 3, 2025

NC State Names Krista S. Walton Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation

Noted chemical engineer will lead research enterprise. 
Photo of factory floor.

Feb 3, 2025

NC State Experts Can Discuss Tariffs, Effects

International trade, economic sector and supply chain experts can comment on U.S. tariffs imposed on China. 
Potato leaf with late blight disease.

Jan 24, 2025

Study Points to South America – Not Mexico – as Birthplace of Irish Potato Famine Pathogen

Spud sleuth Jean Ristaino and lab members solve a longstanding mystery into the origin of the Irish potato famine pathogen. 
Powdery mildew on a blueberry plant.

Jan 8, 2025

Blueberries Beware: Powdery Mildew Spreading Across the Globe

Research on fungus spread could help growers predict, monitor and control disease affecting blueberries. 
Researchers with poplar trees in a greenhouse.

Oct 18, 2024

Finding Could Help Turn Trees Into Affordable, Greener Industrial Chemicals

Specific molecular property of lignin in trees determines difficulty of using microbial fermentation to turn trees and other plants into industrial chemicals. 
Ants on a plant in Peru.

Oct 14, 2024

Study Finds Mutualistic Relationships Changing With Climate

As temperatures heat up, the beneficial relationship between certain ants and plants in Peru cools down. 
Fireworks explode over the NC State belltower to close down Packapalooza 2022.

Sep 19, 2024

NC State CLAWS Hub to Lead $19 Million in ‘Leap Ahead’ Projects

Projects aim to improve the performance of transistors and switches used in important civilian and military technologies. 
A rendering of the new Integrative Sciences Building

Sep 6, 2024

New Building Will Take Familiar Name

The Integrative Sciences Building, scheduled to open in 2026, will be named in honor of Chancellor Randy Woodson. 
Picture of corn plant against the sky.

Aug 28, 2024

Diverse Crop Rotations Reduce Risk of Crop Loss Under Poor Growing Conditions

This post was written by Autumn Canady at the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service. Researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) are responding to the increasingly uncertain climate. The warmer and more unpredictable weather has been a source of instability on U.S. farms. ARS agroecologists turned to history for a solution to… 
Historic potato plant affected by pathogen.

Aug 5, 2024

Study Analyzes Potato-Pathogen ‘Arms Race’ After Irish Famine

Researchers examine both the pathogen's effector genes and the plant's resistance genes simultaneously in a first-of-its-kind analysis. 
Transformer bots can form more than 1,000 shapes.

Jul 29, 2024

Shape-Shifting ‘Transformer Bots’ Inspired by Origami

A single plastic cubed structure can transform into more than 1,000 configurations using only three active motors.