Kate McAlpine

Walking and slithering aren’t as different as you think

A mathematical model links up slithering with some kinds of swimming and walking, and it could make programming many-legged robots easier.

Laser pulse development paves the way for processing quantum information

University of Michigan researchers have found how quantum materials emit light as though it were only a positive pulse, rather than a positive-negative oscillation.

Nanotech OLED could cut power consumption

An electrode that could free up 20% more light from organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) could help extend the battery life of smartphones and laptops and other devices, making them more energy efficient.

Bird-like wings could help drones keep stable in gusts

3D morphing wings developed by University of Michigan researchers could help small aircraft safely navigate windy streets and other close-corridor situations.

Expanded funding for COVID-19 wastewater monitoring

University of Michigan researchers are surveying wastewater systems for COVID-19 will continue until 2023 after receiving an additional $5 million in funding.

Self-erasing chips stop counterfeit electronics

Self-erasing chips developed relies on a material that temporarily stores energy, changing the color of the light it emits and it self-erases in a matter of days or erased on demand.

Mirror-like photovoltaics get more electricity out of heat

Heat-harnessing solar cells that reflect 99% of the energy they can’t convert to electricity could help bring down the price of storing renewable energy as heat and improve overall energy efficiency.

How biomorphic batteries can provide more power for robots

Rechargeable batteries that store energy the way animals store fat could help robots operate for longer periods according to a research team at the University of Michigan.

Making plastic more transparent while adding electrical conductivity

University of Michigan researchers have made plastic conductive while also making it more transparent, which can improve large touchscreens, LED light panels and window-mounted infrared solar cells.

Electron energy distribution measured for improved storage, conversion

Researchers at the University of Michigan, Purdue University, and the University of Liverpool in the UK have figured out a way to measure how many hot charge carrier are present in a metal nanostructure for improved energy storage and conversion.

Digital twins could reduce nuclear energy costs

University of Michigan researchers are leading a project to develop virtual copies of nuclear reactors with digital twins, which could enable smarter maintenance for current reactors and more automation for advanced reactors.

Approved face shield design addresses PPE shortage through 3D printing

Michigan Medicine and the U-M College of Engineering have offered a recommended design that is effective and straightforward to produce that addresses the PPE shortage for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bioscience company offers free coronavirus test kits to researchers

University of Michigan startup Arbor Biosciences is providing free kits to capture the genetic code of COVID-19 (coronavirus) to better understand how the disease became infectious and prevent future outbreaks.

Researchers discover method of calculating interactions between metal and alloy metal

University of Michigan researcher are using machine learning algorithms for alloy design to predict how they will behave when mixed together, which could accelerate the search for better alloys that could be used in turbine engines and nuclear reactors.