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Yams Benefit From Banana ‘Paper’ Cocoon

department of chemical and biomolecular engineering

SPEED’s robots coordinating AI-driven synthesis and characterization of small molecules

Jul 22, 2026

NC State To Lead National Effort To Accelerate Chemistry, Materials Research

North Carolina State University has been awarded a four-year, $20 million award from the National Science Foundation to leverage advances in artificial intelligence, robotics and autonomous labs to accelerate the pace of scientific discovery in chemistry and materials science.
a robotic arm inside a glassed lab carrying a small chemical tray

Jun 3, 2026

Speeding Up Scientific Discovery

In the chemical universe, a vast number of molecules and materials remain undiscovered. In this enormous and unmapped space, a self-driving lab is like a rocket ship that uses AI as its GPS to boldly chart the unknown. The combined technologies empower researchers to explore and arrive at scientific discoveries light-years faster than ever before.
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.
An AI-generated image depicting the intricacies of nanotechnology with clear and spherical molecules.

Nov 13, 2024

Creating a Brand-new Class of Materials

NC State researchers have created a new class of materials called “glassy gels” that possess properties that could make them an alternative to certain plastics commonly used in today’s products.
gloved hands are stretching a thin sheet of clear material over a nail; the material is stretching over the sharp nail without breaking

Jun 19, 2024

Researchers Create New Class of Materials Called ‘Glassy Gels’

Glassy gels are extremely hard, but not brittle – they can stretch up to five times their original length.
A red and gray machine is attached to wires and has clear bottles of liquid on top. A tray of test tubes is partially visible in the machine.

Mar 7, 2023

New Initiative Aims to Put NC State at the Forefront of Viral Vector Manufacturing

The North Carolina Viral Vector Initiative in Research and Learning builds partnerships among academia, industry and government to become a boon to the biomanufacturing of viral vectors in the state and beyond.
Yam seeds in banana paper ready for planting.

Feb 21, 2023

Yams Benefit From Banana ‘Paper’ Cocoon

"Wrap-and-plant" technique shows promise for increasing tuber size, yields and storage quality.