NC State Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

🤯 What used to take human researchers years now takes AI just 12 hours.

Prof. Milad Abolhasani and his fellow researchers have unveiled PoLARIS, a self-driving lab that uses AI to rapidly discover and synthesize brighter, safer, lead-free nanomaterials for next-gen tech. 🔗 Read more here: http://ncst.at/qCay50Z68Ts

🥇 CBE grad student Md Shihabuzzaman Apon recently took home 1st place at the TARDISS NSF Engineering Research Center Piranha Pitch Competition at Texas Tech University.

Students, postdocs, faculty and early-career researchers pitched their research discoveries or emerging tech concepts in a Shark Tank™-style competition fueling innovation in natural rubber science and technology. Shihab (advised by Prof. Saad Khan) secured an invite to participant in the NSF Perfect Pitch Competition in Washington, D.C. this fall with his win.

📣 Introducing the 2026 CBE Research Art & Image Contest winners!

🥇Hexagonal Blues by Crystal Magezi Ndamira
🥈FIB-SEM Cross-Section of Alumina-Coated LPBF 316L by Cole Hodges
🥉Confetti at the Micro-Party by Toprak Eraslan

🎨 Read more about the images here: http://ncst.at/x91m50Z4bwT

🐺🗞️ CBE Howls: May 2026 is out now!

The latest digital newsletter has officially dropped. Say hello to the newest class of Wolfpack chemical engineers and catch up on all the latest student, faculty, staff and alumni news from the department.

👉 Read the full issue now: http://ncst.at/Plbk50Z3axW

🧬🔬 Think gene regulation is simple? Think again.

Prof. Albert Keung and fellow researchers discovered that the epigenome creates unique, dynamic patterns of gene expression from a single gene—opening new doors for synthetic biology. 🔗 Read more here: http://ncst.at/uaT950Z2hsB

💉🧬 Artificial intelligence is reshaping biopharmaceutical manufacturing at NC State. By combining machine learning with advanced sensing techniques, Prof. Menegatti and his researchers can rapidly and accurately quantify viral vectors to help accelerate the development of gene therapies and improve production efficiency.

🔗 Read more here: http://ncst.at/JQhP50YUHWQ

🎓👋 Congrats to the CBE class of 2026!

Please give a warm Wolfpack welcome to the newest CBE alumni: 132 BS, 25 MS, and 11 PhD students join our growing community of NC State chemical engineers.

Science at the speed of innovation ⚡ CBE self-driving labs are transforming research using AI to run experiments, analyze results and accelerate breakthroughs in materials, energy and more.

Profs. Abolhasani and Li have received $3 million from the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy for their project. 🔗 Read more here: http://ncst.at/HpVz50YUHQB

📸 Don't our seniors look amazing?!

Happy Senior Design Day to all of our hardworking, passionate students. Senior Design Day is an opportunity for students to showcase their research from the entire year to their peers, alumni, and faculty. 👋 🎓 See you at graduation!