From lifesaving treatments to electronics that improve work and play—many innovations often begin as inventions in university labs.
At Duke University, researchers across campus and the medical system are hard at work, often with the support of federal funding, to bring benefits to humanity. Their research has helped lay the groundwork for life-changing innovations, including cochlear implants, the modern ultrasound and better helmets, among others.
To showcase the researchers driving innovations forward, the Duke Office for Translation & Commercialisation organised the 7th edition of Invented at Duke in November 2025 to share some of these exciting developments.
A Sweet Discovery to Fight Obesity
Researchers at the Duke University School of Medicine have discovered a special sugar molecule that helps mice lose weight quickly and safely. When taken by mouth, the sugar starts working within a day or two, and the weight loss continues for nearly three weeks after just one dose.
If successful, this sugar could become a safer, more targeted way to treat obesity.
A New Frontier in Smart Materials
Ni Xiaoyue’s lab is pioneering a breakthrough in programmable materials—substances that can change their stiffness, shape and function in real time, all with digital signals. This innovation opens the door to a new class of smart devices that adapt to their environment and user needs.
The team is also exploring how these materials could help underwater robots move more efficiently. By mimicking how fish interact with water, they hope to reduce drag and improve propulsion.
Duke’s Beyond the Horizon initiative provided financial support. Ni is now seeking strategic partners to help identify high-impact applications and scale manufacturing.
The Future of Home Inspections
Imagine being able to see inside your walls—pipes, wires, moisture, even hidden damage — without tearing anything down. That’s the promise of researchers David Smith and Aaron Diebold.
The technology, created by Smith and Diebold, is the latest innovation from a lab with deep roots in the use of metamaterials. Metamaterials are engineered to have properties not found in nature. Powered by these special materials, the technology promises to deliver new levels of efficiency in identifying problems that may be lurking behind a building’s walls.
“We’re hoping to target a device that can be usable by contractors, home inspectors and eventually consumers alike,” said Diebold.
Measuring Photosynthesis in Real Time
Duke Nicholas School of the Environment researchers have developed an instrument for real-time measurements of ocean photosynthesis they hope will transform how underwater photosynthesis—a process in which organisms, such as plankton, convert carbon dioxide into organic matter—is measured.
From monitoring water quality and detecting algal blooms to training satellite algorithms for global ocean mapping, the instrument opens new frontiers in environmental science. Its precision is especially valuable in sensitive ecosystems such as coral reefs, where daily fluctuations in photosynthesis can signal changes in reef health, noted postdoctoral researcher Ali Merikhi.
Funded by the National Science Foundation, the project began in early 2022 and has already demonstrated cost-effective, high-impact results.
*All images are credited to Duke University
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