About 300 people gathered for the Research Days keynote lecture, which was titled “Stuffed and Starved: The Hidden Battle for the World Food System.”

Ann Marie Wilhelm, 15, a sophomore at Seton Catholic Central, has her brain waves measured with assistance from Binghamton University graduate student Mavi Ruiz-Blondet. Wilhelm and her classmates visited Sarah Laszlo’s neuroscience lab during Binghamton University Research Days.

Jeffrey Mativetsky, assistant professor of physics, welcomes students to his laboratory in Science II during Binghamton University Research Days.

Students from Seton Catholic Central visit the lab of Binghamton University biologist Anthony Fiumera during Research Days.

Biology graduate student Mei-Yi Zheng presents her research during the Binghamton University Research Days poster session, held April 24, 2015, in the Mandela Room.

Geography graduate student Abraham Motau discusses his research with Bahgat Sammakia, vice president for research, during the Binghamton University Research Days poster session.

Arwa Fraiwan, a graduate student in mechanical engineering, speaks about her research related to biological fuel cells during the Binghamton University Research Days poster session.

The four component materials (copper, zinc, tin and sulfur) are deposited onto the glass in layers in a sputtering chamber.

The cell is annealed, in a heating process akin to baking. At this point, the positive side of the diode is ready.

Now it’s time to prepare the negative part of the diode, which is almost 10 times thinner than the positive (CZTS) layer. Using chemical-bath deposition, a layer of cadmium sulfide is applied to the cell. (If you think of the positive side of the solar cell as a layer cake, this is the yellow frosting.)

Next, transparent conducting oxide is applied, using a sputtering system or atomic layer deposition.

At this point, scientists create a grid that they call “fingers,” providing a wire so the cell can be attached to a device.

Now the cell is ready for testing. Solar cells are evaluated based on the percentage of available solar energy that they convert to electricity. The materials CASP is using have the potential to reach 30 percent efficiency. A breakthrough like that would make solar energy a better option than coal or nuclear power.

Tara Dhakal, a research scientist with the Center for Autonomous Solar Power (CASP), discusses solar cells with U.S. Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand during her visit to the laboratory. CASP specializes in solar cells made with non-toxic, earth-abundant materials.

U.S. Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand speaks about the America Innovates Act, which would help scientists and researchers secure resources and training to turn discoveries into marketable products, high-tech companies and jobs.

Bahgat G. Sammakia, interim vice president for research at Binghamton University, discusses innovation and technology with U.S. Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand during her visit to the Analytical and Diagnostic Laboratory on campus.

U.S. Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand speaks with members of the news media after her Oct. 8 announcement at Binghamton University.

This high vacuum deposition tool made by CHA Industries was provided to the FlexTech Alliance with funding from the U.S. Army Research Laboratory.

John Pellegrino of the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, left, inspects the high vacuum deposition tool with help from Peter Moschak, CAMM facility manager.

Bahgat Sammakia, director of S3IP, left, and Binghamton doctoral student James Switzer discuss flexible electronics with John Pellegrino of the U.S. Army Research Laboratory in the CAMM clean room.

From left: Christopher Ober, Francis Band professor of materials engineering at Cornell University; Bahgat Sammakia, director of S3IP; John Pellegrino of the U.S. Army Research Laboratory; CAMM Technical Director Mark Poliks; David Morton of the U.S. Army Research Laboratory; CAMM Director Peter Borgesen; Michael Ciesinski, president and CEO of the FlexTech Alliance; and Eric Forsythe of the U.S. Army Research Laboratory toured the CAMM before the third-annual Symposium on Flexible Electronics.

CAMM Director Peter Borgesen opens the third-annual Symposium on Flexible Electronics with an overview of the Center of Excellence.

John Pellegrino of the U.S. Army Research Laboratory delivers the keynote address of the third-annual Symposium on Flexible Electronics in August 2010 at Binghamton University.

Senator Toby Ann Stavisky meets with President Lois B. DeFleur; Darryl Wood, president of the United University Professions Binghamton Chapter; Gary Beach, executive vice president of CSEA; 2009 Exemplary Student winner Jessica Falzone; and Meredith Coles, associate professor of psychology.

State Sen. Thomas W. Libous talks with Peter Moschak and Theresa Taro, representatives from Endicott Interconnect Technologies, at their display in Albany.

State Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo and President Lois B. DeFleur tour the displays in Albany. Mechanical Engineering student Yang Gao, left, greets them at the S3IP display.

James Burns, assistant professor of music, seated at left, leads his African drumming ensemble in Albany.

Chemistry majors Dan McCurry, Lili Karam and Abigail Oakes were among the students, faculty and staff who offered the community an opportunity to learn more about the campus and its activities on March 6 at the Oakdale Mall in Johnson City.

Gerald Sonnenfeld, vice president for research, stands in a hallway of the Biotechnology Building.

Stephen Gilje, associate vice president for research, stands in one of the Biotechnology Building’s signature flexible labs.

Flexible laboratories are designed with as much of the infrastructure as possible — plumbing, electricity and HVAC — in the ceilings.

Flexible laboratories are furnished with lab benches that can be moved with a motorized hand-truck.

Karin Sauer, associate professor of biology, is one of several biofilms researchers who have laboratories in the Biotechnology Building.

The Clinical Science and Engineering Research Center is a resource for Binghamton University faculty members interested in undertaking clinical studies.

Companies that occupy the Start-Up Suite must have their roots in technology developed at the University.

Work continues on a new $66 million Engineering and Science Building at the Innovative Technologies Complex.

Lab instrumentation includes light microscopy, laser microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, focused ion beam, atomic force microscopy, mesoscale machining, thermal machining, electronics instrumentation and a microfabrication facility.

The lab is staffed by PhD-level scientists, and its equipment is available to University and industry researchers.

Anju Sharma, senior scientist, talks with a student in the laboratory.

The ADL, a centralized, interdisciplinary research facility, enables the commercialization of microelectronic technologies and supports life sciences research applications.

Lab instrumentation includes X-ray diffraction and small angle X-ray.

Lab instrumentation includes light microscopy, laser microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, focused ion beam, atomic force microscopy, mesoscale machining, thermal machining, electronics instrumentation and a microfabrication facility.

Qinru Qiu, a faculty member in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, serves as associate director of CASE.

The Ultra-Sensitive Portable Capillary Sensor, or U-PAC, was designed by a team of chemists, biologists and engineers.

Research at CASE is focused on the development of all aspects of sensors, sensor systems and devices including acoustical, visual, chemical and biologically based sensor technologies and their applications for civilian and military use.

Graduate student Fred Wafula uses an atomic force microscope to evaluate the surface roughness of a sample.

CASE brings together a multidisciplinary team with a diverse set of skills to create sensors and sensor systems that will surpass existing technology in terms of sensitivity, response time and portability.

CASE, established in 2004 as a Binghamton University Organized Research Center, is a national leader in interfacial science and engineering and functional sensing devices and systems as well as a regional economic development hub.

CASE research emphasizes advances in basic sensor research, functional sensing materials, characterization, enhanced signal transduction and laboratory testing.

Chemistry doctoral student Naumih Noah’s research focuses on pain biosensors.

The material is cleaned.

The roll is inspected again to verify the cleaning process.

The roll goes to the General Vacuum tool for metallization. The machine precleans (or “wets”) the surface just before coating to improve the adhesion of the metal.

In the resist-apply phase, a photoresist material is applied with a spray system or through a slot-die wet coating. Now there’s an ultraviolet-sensitive roll of material ready to be exposed, much like a roll of film. The material goes through a projection lithography system, which can expose up to 24 linear inches per minute of web.

The material goes through a developer and is rinsed and dried. The material is etched, removing the exposed metal that’s not needed. A stripping process removes the remaining photoresist material.

The metal-patterned roll of material is ready. Possible applications include smart fabrics, sensors and medical devices as well as consumer electronics.