Dopamine, a neurotransmitter in our brains, not only regulates our emotions but also serves as a biomarker for the screening of certain cancers and other neurological conditions. UCF researchers, led by UCF NanoScience Technology Center Professor Debashis Chanda, have developed an integrated optical sensor capable of detecting dopamine directly from an unprocessed blood sample. This…

In an effort to reduce the environmental impact of carbon dioxide emissions, a UCF researcher has developed a new technology that captures carbon dioxide and outputs useful fuels and chemicals. Yang Yang, an associate professor in UCF’s NanoScience Technology Center, created an innovative device that captures carbon dioxide with a microsurface comprised of a tin…

UCF physics doctoral graduate Tianyi Guo ’23PhD earned an international doctoral thesis award from Springer Nature and was published through the book series, Springer Theses. His thesis, Low Energy Photon Detection, was nominated after his final semester in fall 2023 at UCF by his supervisor, UCF NanoScience Technology Center Professor Debashis Chanda. Guo and Chanda…

Mangroves and palm trees are hallmarks of the Sunshine State not just for their beauty but for their immense importance to Florida’s coastlines. Mangroves are crucial because they naturally protect coastal shores from storm damage and serve as vital wildlife habitats around the world. Scientists at the University of Central Florida are working to preserve…

Some of the brightest minds in micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) from around the globe will gather in South Carolina at the beginning of June for the Hilton Head Workshop 2024: A Solid-State Sensors, Actuators and Microsystems. UCF’s presence in this field has dramatically increased in recent years. From organizers to sponsorship to the presenters, the workshop will…

Gold may be a coveted precious metal, but it could also be the key to cleaner drinking water. A team of UCF researchers is exploring the use of the metal to develop a novel method to rid drinking water of harmful algal blooms, or HABs, which occur when colonies of algae grow out of control…

Determination is the guiding principle that resonates through Kamal Harrison’s heart and mind from childhood to UCF’s labs and post-graduate aspirations. His undergraduate research – identifying the properties of a unique type of quantum material known as a topological insulator – garnered significant interest and was published recently in the highly regarded journal ACS Nano. The…

For his research breakthroughs in energy saving paint, NanoScience Technology Center Professor Debashis Chanda was presented with the UNC Cleantech Award for Academic Innovation! “I hope this award can draw attention to sustainability & our impactful research,” says Chanda. 2024 UNC Cleantech Summit… “University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Institute of Environment would like…

Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t just used to power electronics, apps or self-driving cars — it’s also driving key innovations in agriculture. From sensors that can monitor soil and water to autonomous robots that can harvest crops, AI is making farming more efficient, sustainable and cost effective. In an effort to expand the use of AI…

Promising UCF technology is illuminating new ways to examine molecules with precision, an advancement that can help enhance drug development and new therapies. The new technology, a plasmonic platform that significantly improves the detection of the chirality of molecules, was developed by UCF NanoScience Technology Center Professor Debashis Chanda. The work is detailed in a new study…