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Understanding Spread of COVID-19 through Network Theory
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In a normal year, Raphael Stern would be studying the impact of self-driving cars on traffic flow—specifically, how these patterns will change in the future as society uses more autonomous vehicles. This year, the College of Science and Engineering assistant professor is putting his efforts into a more immediate problem: COVID-19.
Minnesota Water Research Fund
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A new water research fund is allowing University of Minnesota scientists to study crops that could be grown successfully in the state while minimizing groundwater irrigation.
Timothy LaPara: Tracing the Fate of SARS-CoV-2
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On June 24, 2020, Timothy LaPara was in Pope County collecting water samples from homes with private wells. He was looking for evidence of coronavirus, officially SARS-CoV-2, in a groundwater source.
Raphael Stern: Viral spread and containment via transportation networks
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An expert, by definition, excels in one area. Real-life problems, however, rarely fall into just one area. For this reason, Raphael Stern values collaboration.
Improving Environmental Compatibility of Plastics
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In a paper published in Nature, Boya Xiong teamed up with the Johnson Group in Chemistry at MIT to show that ultra strong thermoset plastics could be degraded under both natural seawater and sunlight conditions and industrial recycling schemes, allowing for reuse and improved environmental compatibility without compromising strength.
COVID-19-related research in CEGE
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Five ongoing COVID-19-related research projects show the commitment of CEGE faculty to search out responses to current issues.
Alireza Khani and Pramesh Kumar: Quantifying and Mitigating Risk of Transmission in Transit
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Alireza Khani’s research focus is on modeling the impacts of emerging technologies on public transit systems and on optimizing transit systems for efficient and reliable service.
William Arnold: Collateral Consequences
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In the face of a viral pandemic, there is a need to disinfect our surroundings to stay healthy. Thus, the amount of disinfectants used and released into the environment will rise. William Arnold’s expertise is investigating what happens to chemicals when they reach the environment.
Raymond Hozalski: Return to Safe Buildings
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Raymond Hozalski and Timothy LaPara are investigating pathogens that can flourish in the water systems of unused buildings. Leaving buildings vacant and unused can lead to stagnation within the plumbing. Stagnation can lead to serious concerns.
Best Dissertation: Mirko Musa
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Mirko Musa (Ph.D. 2019) has won the 2020 Best Dissertation Award in Physical Sciences and Engineering awarded by the University of Minnesota Graduate School. Musa’s research addresses generation of renewable energy using wind-turbine-like devices in rivers. Experiments conducted at Saint Anthony Falls Laboratory (SAFL) suggest that turbines can be placed strategically and could be used to protect stream banks from erosion. Hydrokinetic turbines could become part of stream restoration projects that support and sustain the ecological function of the river channel while producing clean renewable energy.