News

2025

Nanoparticles that self-assemble at room temperature could transform vaccine delivery

August 14, 2025

Researchers at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering and their collaborators have developed polymer-based nanoparticles that self-assemble with a temperature shift, offering a simple method for delivering protein-based medicin

Stuart Rowan and researchers from UChicago Pritzker Molecular Engineering created drug delivery nanoparticles that self-assemble with a simple temperature shift.


Introducing a new 2-year thesis track for the MS in Applied Data Science Program

August 14, 2025

Photo of Greg Green.

In the Autumn of 2026, students will be able to pursue a new 2-year thesis track to earn an MS in Applied Data Science.


Dark matter hunters search for hidden-sector particles using specialized “camera” deep beneath the French Alps

August 13, 2025

Installation of the Low Background Chamber prototype detector

The mysterious substance called dark matter is intrinsically invisible. It cannot be directly observed; its presence is inferred by its gravitational influence on the universe, such as binding galaxy clusters together and moving stars around their galaxy faster than they should. Yet new research published in Physical Review Letters uses a “camera” to look for dark matter interactions, thereby probing the nature of this elusive stuff.


People like extroverted robots — but they relate to the neurotic ones

August 9, 2025

Robots with neurotic personalities, a la C-3PO of Star Wars fame, can come off as relatable to people, a new study finds.

A neurotic robot in a University of Chicago study was seen as more human and relatable, sparking emotional connections—despite extroverted robots being preferred.


AI chatbots’ content rules often frustrate users, study finds

August 9, 2025

Illustration of a keyboard with the icons of the major AI companies.

A new study finds vague AI chatbot rules frustrate users, while Grok shows the risk of fewer guardrails.


Finding the “Goldilocks” solution to a classic math problem: a breakthrough in numerical integration

August 9, 2025

Assistant Professor Haotian Jiang and Patrick C. Fischer Professor of Theoretical Computer Science Nikhil Bansal.

UChicago CS Assistant Professor Haotian Jiang and collaborator Nikhil Bansal develop a new algorithm that addresses the problems and surpasses the performance of both existing methods of numerical integration, including Monte Carlo and Quasi-Monte Carlo.


Metal-sulfur active sites hold promise for safer hydrogen transport and storage

August 9, 2025

Synthesis of M2(SH)2BBTA.

Integrating sulfur into crystalline nanostructures utilizes previously untapped active sites.


Researchers zero in on a new material for quantum information storage

August 9, 2025

Magnesium atoms (orange) and oxygen atoms (red) surround the nitrogen-vacancy center in magnesium oxide, shown by a transparent representation of a nitrogen atom under the missing magnesium atom. The yellow and blue spots show how electrons localize aroun

An irregularity in magnesium oxide, a commonly used material in microelectronics, may be suited for qubits.


Ten years of MSCAPP: where public policy meets coding

August 9, 2025

Combined photo of Anne Rogers, Associate Professor of Computer Science,  Mitsue Iwata, MSCAPP’16, Nora Hajjar, MSCAPP’20, and Mario Moreno Zepeda, MSCAPP’19.

UChicago’s MSCAPP blends public policy and computer science, empowering graduates to impact diverse fields with data-driven solutions for a better future.


Fermilab partners with community colleges to develop technical talent

August 9, 2025

KeAndre Worthy, left, is an electronics technician in Fermilab’s Booster Accelerator Group, and Susanna Stevenson is a high-level radiofrequency engineer at Fermilab.

Fermilab is forging innovative partnerships with community colleges to develop the next generation of technical talent. Through hands-on internships and collaborative curriculum development, students are gaining access to real-world experiences that launch meaningful careers in science and engineering.


Moderation at the crossroads: how generative AI platforms manage creativity and content safety

August 9, 2025

Lead phd student, Lan Gao.

A new study from Computer Science researchers explores how content moderation policies in generative AI tools both protect and sometimes hinder users—offering insights on the path to safer, more creative, and user-friendly platforms.


Congratulations to outgoing Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Fellows

August 9, 2025

Collective photo of the fellows Yihang Wang, Madeleine Torcasso, Colm Talbot, Shailaja Seetharanman, Ludwig Schneider, Aditya Nandy, Peter Lu, and Thomas Callister.

Eight members of the Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Fellows head on to new roles across academia and industry.


Engineering the summer: From exploring life’s origins to saving lives

August 9, 2025

School of Molecular Engineering Dean Emeritus Matthew Tirrell and UChicago Chemistry Prof. Jack Szostak, is spending his summer researching how to save lives as an intern for the life sciences company Bruker in Bremen, Germany.

Jack Szostak's laboratory is featured in an annual series following students' summer internships and career experiences. 


NSF invests over $74 million in 6 mathematical sciences research institutes

August 4, 2025

IMSI logo

From improving medical care to detecting planets in other solar systems, the institutes, including the Institute for Mathematical and Statistical Innovation, will explore mathematical sciences with a broad range of applications. 


Galactic Rosetta Stone

July 29, 2025

Sagittarius C

Study measuring magnetic field near the center of the Milky Way helps to decode the precise astrophysical dynamics at the heart of our galaxy.