Articles by Liezel Labios
UC San Diego Partners with TSMC to Create Pipeline From the Classroom to Semiconductor Cleanroom
The University of California San Diego is partnering with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world’s leading chip manufacturer, to launch a program that will give undergraduate students hands-on experience with the equipment and processes used to make computer chips. The program will also provide students with training and mentorship on project development from UC San Diego engineering faculty and a pathway to apply for internships with TSMC Arizona.
Polymer binder advances sustainable battery design
A new battery binder — the glue that holds together a battery’s internal parts — could make lithium-ion batteries more environmentally friendly and easier to recycle without sacrificing performance. By creating a binder that is fluorine free and dissolves in water, engineers at the University of California San Diego showed that they can simplify both battery manufacturing and recycling by cutting down on toxic ingredients, energy use and waste.
Just add water: New binder simplifies battery manufacturing and recycling without sacrificing performance
This new battery binder could reduce the toxic ingredients, energy use and waste when building and recycling lithium-ion batteries. Credit: David Baillot/UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering A new battery binder—the glue that holds together a battery's internal parts—could make lithium-ion batteries more environmentally friendly and easier to recycle without sacrificing performance.
New battery glue could make lithium-ion batteries easier to manufacture and recycle
A new water-soluble battery binder matches conventional performance while reducing toxic solvents and enabling easier recycling of lithium-ion electrodes. (Nanowerk News) A new battery binder — the glue that holds together a battery’s internal parts — could make lithium-ion batteries more environmentally friendly and easier to recycle without sacrificing performance.
Temporary melting liquid could help build better perovskite solar cells and LEDs
Perovskite films—made with the new crystallization method involving the addition of a temporary melting liquid—on glass substrates. Credit: Connor Dolan A team co-led by researchers at the University of California San Diego has developed a new way to make perovskite solar cells—a promising next-generation solar technology—more efficient and durable.
Battery Manufacturing and Recycling Could Go Green With This ‘Glue’
This new battery binder could reduce toxic ingredients, energy use and waste when building and recycling lithium-ion batteries. Photos by David Baillot/UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering Published Date October 09, 2026 A new battery binder — the glue that holds together a battery’s internal parts — could make lithium-ion batteries more environmentally friendly and easier to recycle without sacrificing performance.
A Temporary Melting Liquid Could Help Build Better Perovskite Solar Cells and LEDs
Perovskite films — made with the new crystallization method involving the addition of a temporary melting liquid — on glass substrates. Photos by Connor Dolan Published Date October 08, 2026 A team co-led by researchers at the University of California San Diego has developed a new way to make perovskite solar cells — a promising next-generation solar technology — more efficient and durable.
Nanomedicine Pioneer Awarded MacArthur ‘Genius Grant’
UC San Diego chemical and nano engineering professor Liangfang Zhang has been named a 2026 MacArthur Fellow from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Zhang is recognized for pioneering a new kind of nanomedicine that uses nanoparticles disguised as the body's own cells to treat and prevent cancer, infectious diseases and inflammatory disorders. Known as the MacArthur “genius grant,” the award provides $800,000 in unrestricted funds over five years.
Scientists reshape light to control magnetic memory and a material’s magnetic properties
UC San Diego engineers showed that carefully shaped ultrafast laser beams can reverse magnetization in platinum-cobalt multilayers without an external magnetic field. Shrinking the laser spot changed the underlying switching behavior, allowing polarization-independent reversal in structures containing as many as nine Pt/Co repeats.
Shaped ultrafast light switches magnetism without an external magnetic field
Engineers reshape and focus ultrafast laser light to switch magnetic states without an external field, advancing prospects for faster optical data storage. (Nanowerk News) A new approach that uses light to switch the magnetic states of a material could lead to faster, smaller and more energy-efficient data storage. Engineers at the University of California San Diego published their findings in Nature Communications ("Optical beam shaping induced reconfigurable magnetic domains").
By Shaping and Shrinking Light, Engineers Alter a Material’s Magnetic Properties
Published Date September 25, 2026 A new approach that uses light to switch the magnetic states of a material could lead to faster, smaller and more energy-efficient data storage. Engineers at the University of California San Diego published their findings in Nature Communications. In hard drives and other data storage technologies, tiny magnetic regions represent the 1s and 0s that make up digital information. Switching between those magnetic states typically requires an external magnetic field.
This Thin Device Can Store Energy, Strengthen Structures and Be Recycled
Published Date August 20, 2026 Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a new type of supercapacitor that can do more than store electricity — it can also provide structural support and be quickly disassembled into reusable parts. The advance was published in ACS Energy Letters.
This Fingertip Patch Tracks Parkinson’s Medication Using Sweat
Back view of the wearable levodopa monitoring device, where the circuit board is housed. Credit: David Baillot/UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering A battery-free sweat sensor could make levodopa monitoring faster and more personalized for people with Parkinson’s disease. For people with Parkinson’s disease, the effect of a levodopa dose can fade abruptly, allowing movement problems to return before the next scheduled dose.
This Smart Ring Tracks Glucose, Alcohol, and More Through Your Sweat
In one half of the ring is housed the sensor array (orange stripes), the sweat extraction component, and the fluidic channel. Credit: David Baillot/UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering A new smart ring could reveal far more than how well someone slept or how fast their heart is beating.
Sweat-Powered Fingertip Patch Accurately Monitors Parkinson’s Medication
Published Date July 27, 2026 A wearable fingertip patch could improve personalized care for people living with Parkinson’s disease by continuously tracking levels of Parkinson's medication through their sweat. The device operates using chemicals in the patient’s sweat — no batteries required. Its measurements were comparable to those obtained by standard laboratory blood tests.
New wearable ring tracks glucose, ketone and other biomarkers in sweat simultaneously
In one half of the ring is housed the sensor array (orange stripes), sweat extraction component and fluidic channel. Credit: David Baillot/UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering Engineers at the University of California San Diego created a smart ring that simultaneously and continuously monitors up to four different chemical biomarkers from finger sweat. The biomarkers the smart ring can monitor in sweat are glucose, ketones, vitamin C, uric acid, lactate and alcohol.
New Wearable Ring Tracks Glucose, Ketone and Other Biomarkers in Sweat Simultaneously
UC San Diego engineers share results from the first fully integrated smart ring for continuous biochemical monitoring from sweat A new smart ring continuously tracks multiple biomarkers at the same time, including glucose, ketones, vitamin C, uric acid, lactate and alcohol.
Open-Access Genetic Map Provides Reference for What Almost Every Stem Cell Gene Does
A team led by bioengineers at the University of California San Diego has developed a genome-scale reference map that details how individual genes control the functions and identities of human stem cells. This open-access resource could help researchers build virtual cell models for complex diseases, as well as design patient-specific treatments for these diseases. The study was published in Nature Biotechnology.
Immune cells get transformed into fungus-fighting nanoparticles
Nanoparticles made from the membranes of human immune cells could offer a promising way to fight fungal infections that are becoming harder to treat. (Nanowerk News) Tiny particles made from the membranes of human immune cells could offer a promising new way to fight fungal infections that are becoming harder to treat.
Immune Cells Get Transformed into Fungus-Fighting Nanoparticles
Published Date July 09, 2026 Nanoparticles made from the membranes of human immune cells could offer a promising way to fight fungal infections that are becoming harder to treat. The antifungal nanoparticles target Candida albicans, a fungus responsible for oral and vaginal yeast infections as well as life-threatening bloodstream infections. In mice with severe Candida infections, the nanoparticles greatly reduced the amount of fungus in major organs and significantly improved survival.
Spent EV Batteries Get Second Life as Higher-Performance Battery Material
UC San Diego engineers have developed a method to upcycle material from spent lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries into a higher-performing component. Their method starts with an end-of-life LFP battery pack (left), from which the cathode is isolated as a powder (center) and transformed into a more energy-dense cathode, called lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP).
Nanoscale metasurface could sharpen future views of the Sun
A tiny optical component captures multiple polarization images at once, helping telescopes track solar magnetic fields with simpler hardware. (Nanowerk News) A new telescope technology — measuring just six millimeters in diameter — could improve how future space missions study and monitor the Sun while simplifying onboard hardware and reducing costs.
Breakthrough Ultrasound Patch Tracks Blood Flow and Fetal Health in Real Time
A new wearable ultrasound patch could provide continuous monitoring of the fetus and umbilical cord during pregnancy. Credit: Geonho (Tom) Park A new soft ultrasound patch is designed to provide long-term, hands-free monitoring of fetal health in real time.
Plants could be used to grow medicines in space, study shows
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Plants could be used to grow medicines in space, study shows
UC San Diego engineers are growing plants in simulated space conditions to explore their potential for producing pharmaceuticals in space. Credit: David Baillot/UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering Astronauts on long space missions may one day use plants to produce fresh stocks of medicines on demand, thanks to new research by engineers at the University of California San Diego.
Plants Could Be Used to Grow Medicines in Space, Study Shows
UC San Diego engineers are growing plants in simulated space conditions to explore their potential for producing pharmaceuticals in space. Photos by David Baillot/UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering Published Date June 05, 2026 Astronauts on long space missions may one day use plants to produce fresh stocks of medicines on demand, thanks to new research by engineers at the University of California San Diego.
Optical device uses humidity to unlock hidden information and offers new option for data storage
Illustration of the optical device with the bottom layer of antimony trisulfide and top layer of azido-grafted carboxymethyl cellulose. The UCSD Tritons logo appears at low humidity levels, while the UCSD library logo appears at high humidity levels. Credit: University of California - San Diego Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed an optical device that reveals hidden images and changes colors in response to different levels of humidity.
Optical Device Uses Humidity to Unlock Hidden Information, Offers New Option for Data Storage
Published Date May 27, 2026 Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed an optical device that reveals hidden images and changes colors in response to different levels of humidity. The technology, published in Light: Science & Applications, could lead to the development of new anti-counterfeiting labels, secure data storage, interactive displays and environmental sensors. The device works by displaying different images depending on moisture levels in the air.
Wearable Ultrasound Patch Could Improve Care for High-Risk Pregnancies
A new wearable ultrasound patch could provide continuous monitoring of the fetus and umbilical cord during pregnancy. Photos by Geonho (Tom) Park Published Date May 26, 2026 Engineers at the University of California San Diego have created a soft, wearable ultrasound patch that can continuously monitor a fetus for hours at a time — and it can do so consistently even as the fetus and umbilical cord constantly move during pregnancy.
Stick-on gel offers new way to treat and monitor plants
Stick-on gel delivers drugs and nanoparticles directly into plant tissues, clearing bacterial infections in 48 hours for safer, targeted crop protection. (Nanowerk News) A stick-on gel for plants could one day offer a simple, safe and targeted way to treat diseases and pests.
Stick-on gel delivers drugs directly to plants to clear infections quickly
Side-by-side views of the gel attached to a plant leaf under normal light (left) and UV light (right). Credit: University of California - San Diego A stick-on gel for plants could one day offer a simple, safe and targeted way to treat diseases and pests. Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed an adhesive gel that can be loaded with substances, such as small molecule drugs or nanoparticles, and applied directly onto a plant to deliver those materials into its tissues.
AI-enhanced microscopy produces crisp, real-time video inside live cells
Schematic diagram of the unrolled blind-SIM algorithm. Credit: Zachary Burns Using artificial intelligence, engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a new way to watch the inner workings of living cells in real time. The process both captures images that are twice as sharp as conventional microscopes and is fast enough to play as smooth video.
Conversational AI uses trusted medical protocols to help people decide when to seek care
Overview of the AI-powered self-triage system. Left: An example of a simulated conversation between a hypothetical 35-year-old male patient and the chatbot regarding abdominal pain. Right: A self-triage flowchart by the American Medical Association for abdominal pain in adults. Credit: Yujia Liu A new type of chatbot could reliably help people decide what to do about their symptoms—and do so based on guidance that is both medically sound and easy to understand.
New Conversational AI Tool Uses Trusted Medical Protocols to Help People Decide When to Seek Care
Published Date April 23, 2026 A new type of chatbot could reliably help people decide what to do about their symptoms — and do so based on guidance that is both medically sound and easy to understand. The chatbot could help reduce unnecessary hospital visits and ensure that those who need care seek it sooner. A team co-led by engineers at the University of California San Diego published their work in Nature Health.
AI-enhanced microscopy produces crisp, real-time video inside live cells (w/video)
Using artificial intelligence, engineers have developed a new way to watch the inner workings of living cells in real time. The process both captures images that are twice as sharp as conventional microscopes and is fast enough to play as smooth video. (Nanowerk News) Using artificial intelligence, engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a new way to watch the inner workings of living cells in real time.
AI-enhanced Microscopy Produces Crisp, Real-time Video Inside Live Cells
To overcome these challenges, a team led by Zhaowei Liu, professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering, developed an upgraded version of the technique, called unrolled blind-SIM (UBSIM). By integrating artificial intelligence into the image reconstruction process, UBSIM produces high-quality images hundreds to thousands of times faster while maintaining simpler hardware.
New chip design reduces energy waste in data centres
In an effort to meet the rising energy demands of data centres, engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a new chip design that could improve how graphics processing units (GPUs) convert and manage power. The technology demonstrates a more efficient way to perform a critical task in electronics: converting high voltages into lower levels required by computing hardware.
Using Physics, Engineers Create Fentanyl Test Strips That Are 100 Times More Sensitive
Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed fentanyl test strips that are about 100 times more sensitive than current commercial versions. They achieved this feat by creating a new physics-based model that explains, for the first time, how these widely used paper-strip tests work and how to systematically improve them. The findings were published in Biophysics Reviewsand featured by the American Institute of Physics (AIP).
Prototype chip could boost efficiency of power management in data centers
A chip designed to convert high voltages into lower levels in electronics—a process known as DC-DC step-down conversion—more efficiently using a piezoelectric resonator. Credit: David Baillot/UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering In an effort to meet the rising energy demands of data centers, engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a new chip design that could improve how graphics processing units (GPUs) convert and manage power.
New Chip Design Could Boost Efficiency of Power Management in Data Centers
A chip designed to convert high voltages into lower levels in electronics — a process known as DC-DC step-down conversion — more efficiently using a piezoelectric resonator. Photos by David Baillot/UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering Published Date April 08, 2026 In an effort to meet the rising energy demands of data centers, engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a new chip design that could improve how graphics processing units (GPUs) convert and manage power.
Eight UC San Diego Researchers Elected 2025 AAAS Fellows
Eight UC San Diego researchers have been elected 2025 Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). L-R: Andrew D. Chisholm, Farinaz Koushanfar, Albert P. Pisano and Ravi Ramamoorthi (top); JoAnn Trejo, Emily Troemel, Meenakshi Wadhwa and Sheng Zhong (bottom).
Sound Waves Could Be Used to Remotely Reprogram Material Stiffness, Study Shows
In collaboration with study co-corresponding authors Xiaoming Mao at University of Michigan and Georgios Theocharis at CNRS at Laboratory of Acoustics of Le Mans University, Boechler and colleagues have shown a way to move a kink in a controlled manner using sound waves. They modeled a material in which moving the kink costs no energy, which is an unusual and rare property. This was achieved by designing a material whose behavior is dictated by its structure rather than its composition.
Brain-inspired Device Could Lead to Faster, More Energy-efficient AI Hardware
Published Date March 11, 2026 A team led by engineers at the University of California San Diego has developed a new brain-inspired hardware platform that could help computer hardware keep pace with the explosive growth of artificial intelligence.
Six UC San Diego Faculty Elected to National Academy of Inventors for 2026
Six UC San Diego researchers have been named Senior Members by the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) in 2026. Clockwise from top left: Omar Akbari, Brian P. Head, Abdoulaye Ndao, Yunde Zhao, Edward Wang and Kenneth Vecchio. Published Date February 26, 2026 Six professors from the University of California San Diego have been named Senior Members of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) in recognition of their outstanding achievements in innovation.
A Smarter Way for AI to Understand Text and Images
Traditionally, AI models are rewarded only for getting the right answer. “They are graded much like students taking a multiple-choice test,” said study senior author Pengtao Xie, professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering. “If they select the right answer, they still receive full credit, even if they guessed.” In contrast, his team’s approach grades the model for showing its work.
ARPA-H project aims to end liver transplant shortage with 3D bioprinting
Led by 3D bioprinting expert Shaochen Chen, a professor in the Aiiso Yufeng Li Family Department of Chemical and Nano Engineering at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering, the project brings together a multidisciplinary team of specialists across the UC San Diego campus in engineering, liver biology, liver imaging, liver surgery and artificial intelligence. The goal is to create “made-to-order” livers grown from a patient’s own cells.
By Building Virtual Cells, Researchers Aim to Design Better Microbes and Drugs
With new funding provided by prime contractor CFD Research Corporation as part of a new Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) program, bioengineers at the University of California San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering are taking computational biology to the next level: creating comprehensive digital twins of bacterial cells and putting them to practical use.
ARPA-H Project Awarded at UC San Diego Aims to End Liver Transplant Shortage with 3D Bioprinting
Published Date January 14, 2026 Liver failure is one of the most serious and deadly medical conditions, claiming thousands of lives each year as patients in the United States wait for a donor organ. An up to $25.8 million research project at the University of California San Diego, funded by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), aims to change that by developing a fully functional, patient-specific, 3D bioprinted liver.
UC San Diego is Strengthening U.S. Semiconductor Innovation and Workforce Development
Kahng has served as principal investigator of OpenROAD, a nationwide project led by UC San Diego that is making chip design more accessible through free, open-source tools. Launched in 2018, the OpenROAD project — short for Foundations and Realization of Open, Accessible Design — created the first open-source software capable of automating many of the most complex and time-consuming parts of the chip design process.
Spray-on Antibacterial Coating Offers New Protection for Plants Against Disease and Drought
Published Date December 18, 2025 Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a spray-on polymer coating that could help plants resist harmful bacterial infections and survive drought. The advance, published in ACS Materials Letters, could help strengthen global food security as increased environmental stresses continue to intensify plant disease pressures. Bacterial infections are a growing threat to agriculture as they contribute to major crop losses worldwide.
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