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The Hidden Cost of AI: Organizations That Agree Too Fast
Julio M. Ottino, Walter P. Murphy Professor and former dean, writes in Fast Company that as AI removes friction from decision-making, organizations risk losing the productive disagreement that drives innovation.May 21, 2026|from Fast Company
Omar Farha Receives Inaugural Reticular Science Prize
The honor is for major advances in the design, discovery, and application of molecularly defined materials.May 20, 2026|from Northwestern Engineering News
Jeffrey Richards Wins Arthur B. Metzner Early Career Award
The recognition highlights Richards’ work to advance soft materials for next-generation energy technologies.May 19, 2026|from Northwestern Engineering News
Antonio Daniels, Aaron W. Saak to Speak at 2026 Graduation Ceremonies
On June 15, the two respected alumni will address graduates at the McCormick Undergraduate Convocation and PhD Hooding and Master’s Degree Recognition Ceremony, respectively.Apr 30, 2026|from Northwestern Engineering News
Bottled Lightning Makes a Cleaner Fuel
Professor Dayne Swearer found that bursts of plasma convert methane into methanol without high heat and pressures.Apr 15, 2026|from Northwestern Engineering News
Engineering Reliable Water
The projects by Ethan Halingstad and Joaquina Noriega combine fieldwork, data analysis, and community collaboration to address water access and quality.Mar 25, 2026|from Northwestern Engineering News
Studying Nanoparticle Shedding to Improve Targeted Therapies
Professor Lisa Volpatti studied how surface chemistry shapes delivery, stability, and targeting in experimental medicines, with implications for safer and more effective cancer and genetic therapies.Mar 23, 2026|from Northwestern Engineering News
Notestein Named McCormick’s Associate Dean for Research and Doctoral Education
Effective September 1, 2026, Professor Justin Notestein will succeed Erik Luijten, who will be the University’s Provost.Mar 12, 2026|from Northwestern Engineering News
AI-Designed Modular Robots Keep Moving When Damaged
The Engineer wrote about the work by Professor Sam Kriegman, who developed a modular robotic system designed to operate outdoors and maintain mobility, even when damaged.Mar 11, 2026|from The Engineer
Evolved Robots Are Born to Run and Refuse to Die
Developed by Professor Sam Kriegman, AI-designed metamachines can run in the wild, recover from damage, and transform into new shapes.Mar 6, 2026|from Northwestern Engineering News
New Electrified Method Captures Carbon Dioxide from Air
A proof-of-concept system developed in the lab of Professor Ted Sargent uses manganese oxide and electricity to pull CO₂ efficiently from real-world air conditions.Feb 13, 2026|from Northwestern Engineering News
Spinal Cord Organoids Help Test Paralysis Treatment
The Scientist profiled work by Professor Samuel Stupp that provides a powerful in vitro tool to evaluate regenerative therapies for CNS injuries.Feb 12, 2026|from The Scientist
HPV Cancer Vaccine Slows Tumor Growth, Extends Survival in Preclinical Model
Professor Chad Mirkin found that the vaccine’s carefully organized structure dramatically boosts cancer-fighting immunity.Feb 11, 2026|from Northwestern Engineering News
Ryan Family Research Acceleration Fund Fuels Pioneering Life Science Discoveries
The latest round of strategic seed funding is propelling innovations in imaging, brain health, autoimmune therapies, and more, bringing total support to $8 million.Feb 10, 2026|from Northwestern Engineering News
Repurposing “Bad Cholesterol” to Precisely Target Inflammation in Atherosclerosis
Professor Lisa Volpatti developed a targeted approach that directs anti-inflammatory proteins to diseased arteries, reducing immune cell activity and improving therapeutic effectiveness.Feb 4, 2026|from Northwestern Engineering News