CSE in the news—2018 archive

December 2018

U of M announces record research funding awards in 2018
The U of M received a record $793 million in awards for research in 2018, besting the previous annual record of $788 million set two years ago. Dec. 20: StarTribune

At U of M memorial, late Medtronic founder Bakken's legacy is lauded
Mechanical engineering professor Arthur Erdman talked memorial about the Earl E. Bakken Medical Devices Center, where he is director. Dec. 18: StarTribune

U of M proposes $2,000 surcharge for science, engineering
Dean Mos Kaveh said the U is the only Big Ten school that does not charge a premium to engineering students. Dec. 13: Twin Cities Pioneer Press

Geminid meteor shower
Professor emeritus of physics and astronomy Terry Jay Jones explains how 3200 Phaethon has a unique orbit in the Geminid meteor shower. Dec. 13: MPR News

Presidential finalist Joan Gavel wins over UMN community
Chemistry professor Phil Buhlmann is quoted. Dec. 12: Minnesota Daily

National Academy of Inventors Announces 2018 Fellows
Chemical Engineering and Materials Science Regents Professor Frank Bates has been named an NAI Fellow. Dec. 11: PR Newsire

U of M students present largest robot show in Twin Cities
Students learn real-world engineering lessons with more than 200 machines on display at the University of Minnesota Robot Show. The walk-through show is the largest collection of robots assembled in one place in the Twin Cities. Dec. 10: Fox 9

University to lead $2.25 million grant for developing next-generation quantum computer
The University of Minnesota announced today that it will lead a $2.25 million grant over the next three years from the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science for developing materials and device knowledge necessary for creating the next-generation of computing—the quantum computer. Dec. 7: Newswise; Dec. 10: R&D

Debating issues with science
A course of at University of Minnesota is seeking to hold mock trials with science and facts at the center of the conversations. The course is taught by aerospace engineering and mechanics Ellad Tadmor who was interviewed by MPR's Kerri Miller. Dec. 6: Minnesota Public Radio

Ecolab Foundation commits $5 million to University for sustainability research and education
Ecolab Chairman and CEO Douglas M. Baker, Jr. and University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler today jointly announced a $5 million gift from the Ecolab Foundation to the University-wide Driven campaign in support of environmental sustainability research and education. Dec. 6: StarTribune; PioneerPress; WCCO

Recently donated wind tunnel to advance agriculture research at U of M
The mechanical engineering department received a wind tunnel last month, donated by Land O'Lakes subsidiary WinField United, that will provide a new way to gain experience and learn new skills in agriculture research for undergraduate and graduate researchers. Dec. 5: Minnesota Daily

U of M student, professor combine efforts on environmental environmental advocacy
Math professor Scot Adams and undergraduate student Savita Sidhu, both members of Citizens' Climate Lobby, are teaming up to combat climate change through grassroots advocacy. Dec. 5: Minnesota Daily

3D printed bionic eyes
Associate professor of mechanical engineering Michael McAlpine describes how inks can be used instead of thermoplastic filaments to 3D print functional biomedical devices. Dec. 4: MDDI, Jan, 2019: National Geographic; The Future of Medicine

U of M startup Vascudyne to commercialize biologically engineered tissue
University of Minnesota Technology Commercialization announced the formal launch of Vasudyne Inc., a startup company based in Stillwater, Minn., focused on the development of biologically engineered tissue for medical device and therapeutics applications. Dec. 4: Twin Cities Business; Dec. 11: Minnesota Daily

November 2018

Minnesota NASA expert reflects on what Insight landing means for mankind
Aerospace engineering and mechanics associate professor and associate director of NASA’s Minnesota Space Grant Consortium James Flaten shares his excitement about NASA's first opportunity to place a seismometer on mars since the Viking landers in the 1970s. Nov. 26: Fox 9

Researchers to develop robust power resources that can withstand increasing natural disasters
Electrical and computer engineering professor Murti Salapaka researches ways to develop sustainable energy grids that can withstand aging infrastructure and catastrophic events. Nov. 27: Minnesota Daily

U of M Researchers Stop ‘Sneaky’ Cancer Cells In Their Tracks 
A new study by University of Minnesota biomedical engineers shows how they stopped cancer cells from moving and spreading, even when the cells changed their movements. Nov. 20: WCCO-TV; CBS Minnesota; Nov. 22: Medical News Today

Four University of Minnesota Students Hope to Reinvent the Wheelchair
Stephen Mylabathula and three other University of Minnesota students have co-founded Galilea a company that intends to make it easier for people in wheelchairs to direct their movements with a gesture instead of a joystick. Nov. 20: MinneInno

Student-designed winter light show dazzles with 250,000 lights
Science and engineering students designed a high-tech light show featuring more than 250,000 LED lights set to music written and recorded by University of Minnesota students. Nov. 20: CITYPAGES; Nov. 26: Twin Cities Agenda; Nov. 30: Minnesota Public Radio, KSTP-TV

What is the effect of salt-use on roads?
John Gulliver, professor in the College of Science and Engineering and CTS scholar, spoke with WCCO-AM about the effects of salt on removing snow and ice on roadways. Nov. 20: WCCO-Radio

Eyes and ears 3D-printed from flesh could boost our senses
Mechanical Engineering Professor Michael McAlpine creates prototypes of bionic body parts with nice, soft components—some of them alive. Nov. 20: WIRED

Graduate students create committee to support mental health
CSE Ph.D. student Brett Heischmidt chairs the University of Minnesota's Council of Graduate Students, which has created a mental health committee this semester to de-stigmatize graduate student mental health. Nov. 16: Minnesota Daily

From superheroes to red wines, U of M offers unique courses in new program
Physics and astronomy professor James Kakalios taught a course on the physics of superheroes in October as part of the LearningLife program in the College of Continuing and Professional Studies offering a unique array of course to engage community members. Nov. 7: Minnesota Daily; Nov. 11: Fox 9; USNews

New research center based in Minnesota to explore spintronics materials for advanced computing
The University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering will lead and house a new $10.3 million Center for Spintronic Materials in Advanced Information Technologies (SMART) focused on novel materials for advanced computing systems over the next four years. Nov. 7: I-Connect; Imperial Valley News; Nov. 14: Spintronics-info

A life full of winter: U astrophysicist cares for telescope in Antarctica
An astrophysicist for the University of Minnesota working at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, Schwarz has spent 14 winters in almost total darkness at the South Pole, more than anyone else. Nov. 12: Minnesota Public Radio

$13 million robotics labs open after renovations
The University of Minnesota unveiled newly-renovated robotics research labs that provide faculty and graduate students with various work spaces and resources. Nov. 9: KSTP-TV Nov. 19: Minnesota Daily

New VP of research looks to future of research funding
Incoming University of Minnesota Vice President of Research Chris Cramer joined the chemistry faculty in 1992 and has since served in a variety of academic and administrative roles within the College of Science and Engineering. Nov. 6: Minnesota Daily

The University of Minnesota will choose new president from about 60 candidates
Distinguished McKnight Professor in CSE and chair of the Faculty Consultative Committee (FCC) on the Twin Cities campus Joseph Konstan believes that now is a good time for the university to release more detailed information on the University presidential election candidates. Nov. 5: StarTribune; KSTP; Nov. 25: Minnesota Daily

Researchers 3D print prototype for ‘bionic eye’
Mechanical engineering associate professor Michael McAlpine and a team of researchers, for the first time, fully 3D printed an array of light receptors on a hemispherical surface. This discovery marks a significant step toward creating a “bionic eye” that could someday help blind people see or sighted people see better. Nov. 2: bild der wissenshaft (German)

Immigration to the United States changes a person's microbiome
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have new evidence that the gut microbiota of immigrants and refugees rapidly Westernize after a person's arrival in the United States. Nov. 1: msn; gizmodo; The Conversation; The Atlantic; Discover; Cell; PhillyVoice; Nature; SFGATE; World News Buz; Quartz; Minneapolis StarTribune; The Scientist; Discover Magazine; KUOW News and Information; WABE 90.1 FMNew England Public Radio; GenomeWeb; Nov. 2: The Washington PostYahoo News UK; Brinkwire; Lab Manager Magazine; IFLScience; Gizmodo (Australia); Newsweek; Medical Daily; News-Medical.net; Eurasia Review; Nov. 3: Santa Fe Mexican; EconoTimes; Interesting Engineering; Newsline; Infosurhoy; Nov. 4: News-Medical.net; ScienceAlert; Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Nov. 5: The Independent; Nov. 7: TechNewsObserver Nov. 8: New York Times Nov. 9: National Public Radio Science Friday; Cape Cod Times; Nov. 13: Genetic Literacy Project; The Business Times; Sarasota-Herald Tribune; Nov. 14: Scientific American; Nov. 17: Minnesota Daily; Nov. 26: The Independent

October 2018

Earl E. Bakken, Pacemaker Inventor and Medtronic Founder, Dies at 94
Electrical Engineering alumnus Earl E. Bakken, pacemaker inventor and Medtronic Founder, dies at 94. Oct. 21: Minneapolis Star Tribune; Oct. 22: StarTribune; Oct. 23: Washington Post; Oct. 25: New York Times; Oct. 28: Wall Street Journal 

U of M scientist holds a record at the South Pole
Physics and Astronomy researcher Robert Schwarz has spent 14 winters, more than anyone else, at the South Pole, looking at the afterglow of the Big Bang to search for how the universe formed. Oct. 19: MINNEINNO; Oct. 24: KARE11; MNDaily; The Weather Channel

CSE associate dean named new vice president for research
College of Science and Engineering associate dean for research and planning Christopher Cramer named new U of M vice president for research. Oct. 19: Minnesota Daily; The Chronicle of Higher Education

Researchers 3D print prototype for ‘bionic eye’
Mechanical engineering associate professor Michael McAlpine and a team of researchers, for the first time, fully 3D printed an array of light receptors on a hemispherical surface. This discovery marks a significant step toward creating a “bionic eye” that could someday help blind people see or sighted people see better. Oct. 3: DesignNews; Oct. 4: Labmate Online; Oct. 19: MINNEINNO; Oct. 25: Science & Vie  (France); Oct. 31: Science Focus

U of M mathematician breaks down the chances of winning this week's mega-millions lottery
Mathematics professor Andrew Odlyzko says the odds of winning the $970 million dollar jackpot are about one in 302 million. Oct. 18: Fox9

U of M research project uses autonomous vehicles
Industrial and Systems Engineering professor Saif Benjaafar co-directs the project termed a "smart cloud commuting system" that would "help build stronger family and community ties, and boost economic productivity and equity by mitigating or removing mobility constraints." Oct. 10: KROC

Researchers discover new type of stellar collision
New observations of a stellar phenomenon by a team of researchers, including University of Minnesota astrophysicists, has solved a 348-year-old mystery. Oct. 9: Science Codex; Space Daily; Oct. 10: Chemical Industry; Sci-News; Astrobiology Magazine; Oct. 18: bild der wissenschaft (German)

It's Amazon's world. We just live in it.
Charles Babbage Institute senior research fellow Jim Cortada notes that any case against Amazon would have worldwide implications. Oct. 4: CNN

U of M Researchers Reveal Key To Slowing The Aging Process
Chemistry Professor Edgar Arriga and a team of researchers have found a natural product, called Fisetin, can reduce the level of damaged cells in the body, which can slow the aging process. The study, led by University of Minnesota Medical School faculty, also includes University of Minnesota chemists and partners from the Mayo Clinic. Oct. 2: WCCO; Archy Worldys; Mind Food; Archy Nety; Medicalnewser; The Medical News; My ND NowUPI.comMedicine news line; ScienceDaily; CBS Minnesota; Dotemirates_EN; Better Homes and Gardens (Australia); Medical Xpress; Bright Surf; Breitbart; EurekAlert!; Oct. 3: Business Standard; Research & Development; Medicine news line; The Week; India.com; OutlookIndia.com; Science Tech Updates; USA Daily Reporter; Oct. 4: Fior Markets; Oct. 5: Technology Networks; Oct. 6: Guardian Liberty Voice; Oct. 8: South Florida Reporter; Oct. 9: D'Marge; Oct. 14: Minnesota Daily; Guardian; Oct. 21: Forbes

September 2018

Aria CV wins tops honors in device organizaton 'Shark Tank' competition
Innovation Fellows Alumni John Scandurra was part of a quartet of academic fellows at the University of Minnesota’s Earl E. Bakken Medical Devices Center came up with an idea for a permanently implantable medical balloon that could treat a deadly form of high blood pressure that often hits women in their 40s. That idea took top honors recently in a contest for medical innovations. Sept. 28: StarTribune

Glimpse: How electronic tattoos will change the world — and ourselves
Mechanical engineering professor Michael McAlpine demonstrated a way to print electronics directly onto the skin. They could monitor our vitals and feed us personalized health advice in real time. Sept. 17: Futurism

NASA spacecraft to fly closer to the sun than ever before
Physics and astronomy researcher Keith Goetz is part of a team chosen to design experiments for the Parker Solar Probe to understand coronal heating and the solar wind. Sept. 11: WTIP

Startup using University of Minnesota research, enVerde wants to make energy from garbage
Chemical engineering and materials science associate professor Paul Dauenhauer is hoping to land funds necessary to build a startup success story for EnVerde, a company that will turn organic matter into synthetic fuel. Sept. 8: StarTribune; Sept. 11: Minne Inno

University of Minnesota helps develop most accurate map of Antarctica terrain
Director of the Polar Geospatial Center and an earth sciences researcher Paul Morin explains how the map will help researcher understand the impact of climate change and sea level rise. Sept. 4: Fox9; Sept. 7: The New York Times; USA Today; Sept. 8: Fortune; Sept. 10: Tech Times; Live Science

To support female engineers, U faculty launches new inclusion program
Maria Gini and Shana Watters, founders of the program and faculty members in the University's Computer Science and Engineering department, will bring together female students and other students from diverse backgrounds to cultivate a sense of community, provide resources and encourage collaboration within the engineering field. Sept. 2: Minnesota Daily

Researchers 3D print prototype for ‘bionic eye’
Mechanical engineering associate professor Michael McAlpine and a team of researchers, for the first time, fully 3D printed an array of light receptors on a hemispherical surface. This discovery marks a significant step toward creating a “bionic eye” that could someday help blind people see or sighted people see better. Sept. 2: Bloomberg; Citizen Truth; International Business Times (India); 3D Printing Progess; Sept. 3: Geeky Gadgets; Sept. 4: Sanvada Tech News; Clinical Innovation + Technology; Sept. 5: Kare11; Independent Online; Healthcare Packaging; Sept. 6: Nature; Today's Medical Developments; Sept. 8: Quartz; Sept. 9: Weekly Observer; Sept. 11: Manufactur 3D; ThomasNet News; Sept. 13: The Ticker; Sept. 14: Gear Brain; Sept. 16: Times of MaltaThe Produktkulturmagazin 

August 2018

Researchers 3D print prototype for ‘bionic eye’
Mechanical engineering associate professor Michael McAlpine and an team of U of M researchers have, for the first time, fully 3D printed an array of light receptors on a hemispherical surface. This discovery marks a significant step toward creating a “bionic eye” that could someday help blind people see or sighted people see better. Aug. 29: NewsweekYahoo News; Geek.comThe Telegraph; IFL Science; RT; 3D Printed Media NetworkMirror (United Kingdom); Daily Mail (United Kingdom); Aug. 30: International Business TimesMirror, RT, Daily Mail; Aug. 31: Futurism

New material could improve efficiency of computer processing and memory
Electrical and computer engineering professor Jian-Ping Wang was the lead researcher on a team that developed a new material that could potentially improve the efficiency of computer processing and memory. Aug. 22: NewswiseAAAS EurekAlert!; NanowerkPhys.org; ECN; R&D Magazine; Science Daily; Tdnews; Aug. 23: I-Connect 007; Electronics Weekly; Bit-tech; TechnoStallswww.V3.co.ukElectronics360Tom's hardwareSiliconrepublic

U of M offers breakthrough cryo-preservation technology for licensing
Mechanical engineering professor John Bischof created innovative technology for “cryo-preserving” living biomaterials, which is now being offered for licensing by the U’s Office for Technology Commercialization as it looks to find potential buyers. Aug. 21: Twin Cities Business

Investors need to hedge their bets to fend off hackers
Director of the Technological Leadership Institute Massoud Amin urges investors to use caution. Dr. Amin recommends using a password manager, encrypting your hard drive, and putting a freeze on your credit reports. Aug. 18: StarTribune

How "levee wars" are making floods worse
The St. Anthony Falls Lab built a model to illustrate the effect a levee has on surrounding areas. Aug. 16: Vox+ProPublica

Why are king penguins being decimated?
CSE Antarctica researcher Michelle LaRue comments on how climate change is affecting penguins in Antarctica. Aug. 15: Al Jazeera English

University of Minnesota reports breakthrough in 3-D printing for spinal cord repair
Mechanical engineering associate professor Michael McAlpine teamed up to create a groundbreaking 3D-printed device that could someday help patients with long-term spinal cord injuries regain some function. Aug. 9: StarTribune; Aug. 22: Advanced Science

Johanna Lucht taught her NASA co-workers "How to work with deaf people for dummies"
Computer science and engineering alumnus Johanna Lucht was the first deaf engineer in a NASA control center during a crewed research flight. Aug. 9: The Muse

MnDOT calls novel bridge repair method promising
Civil, environmental, and geo - engineering professor Carol Shield worked with MnDOT to test repaired bridge beams alongside original bridge beams to test the vitality of the repair. Aug. 6: Finance & Commerce

Designing the death of a plastic
Chemistry professor Marc Hillmyer explains the trick to finding a replacement material for plastic is to make a product that is stable when you’re using them, and unstable when you don’t want to use them. Aug. 6: New York Times; Aug. 9: WCCO-Radio; Aug. 27: Multi Briefs

Signs shame drivers into stopping for pedestrians in St. Paul
Mechanical engineering researcher and director of the HumanFIRST Laboratory Nichole Morris is excited about an increased percentage of drivers yielding to pedestrians. August 6: Star Tribune; MPR News; Aug 8: WCCO

Hundreds of sensors give U of M officials valuable data about the 35W bridge
Civil, Environmental, and Geo-Engineering Assistant Professor Lauren Linderman is one of the researchers that gets weekly emails on how the 35W bridge is holding up over time. Aug. 2: Fox 9

Why downloadable 3D printing guns are causing an online stir
Biomedical engineering associate professor Brenda Ogle along with a team of researchers has created a revolutionary 3-D-bioprinted patch that can help heal scarred heart tissue after a heart attack. Aug. 2: Live Mint

 

July 2018

How does 3D printing work?
Mechanical engineering associate professor Michael McAlpine has successfully printed electronic circuitry on a human hand using a customized but low-cost 3-D printer. July 31: WCCO

Renovating Shepherd Labs is an exact science
Computer science and engineering professor Nikolaos Papanikolopoulos hopes the new labs will improve and expand robotics research at the school and will make Minnesota a leader in robotics research and bring even more federal and private research funding into the state. July 30: Finance & Commerce

The Planck satellite’s picture of the infant universe gets its last tweaks Physics and astronomy professor Shaul Hanany explains that Planck backs up the theory that the universe is largely made up of unidentified dark energy and dark matter. July 24: ScienceNews

MnDOT uses innovative bridge repair method to save time, money Civil, environmental, and geo - engineering professor Carol Shield worked with MnDOT to test repaired bridge beams alongside original bridge beams to test the vitality of the repair. July 20: KSTP

A Minnesota chemist shares the seldom told stories of trailblazing scientists: BTN LiveBIG Book Club Chemistry alumnus Jeannette Brown compiled the inspirational biographies of scientists in her 2012 book African American Women Chemists (Oxford University Press.) July 18: Big Ten Network

The top doctors in the Twin Cities, 2018 Earl E. Bakken Medical Devices Center showed Dr. Daniel Saltzman how virtual-reality goggles and a 3-D model can be useful in operation preparation. The team altered its operative strategy due to the new information they received. June 16: Mpls.St.Paul Magazine

Lincoln Financial Group's Randal Freitag receives 2018 CFO of the Year Award from Philadelphia Business Journal Mathematics alumnus, Randal Freitag, was recognized by the Philadelphia Business Journal and received its 2018 CFOs of the Year Award, honoring the region's most influential executives who exemplify the professionalism, integrity, resilience and mastery of all the financial and people skills that make a great CFO. July 13: StockWatch; Benzinga; FOX 29; Telemundo 2 KASA; Business Wire; CBS8; Grande Communications; Wave 3 News; Wow!; Toshiba; Spoke; Ritter; City biz list

Solar cars to travel around Fremont as part of challenge CSE's Solar Vehicle Team will be competing against solar cars from other universities in the 2018 American Solar Challenge, stretching from Omaha, Nebraska to Bend, Oregon. July 11: Fremont Tribune

Six new inductees revealed at Schriever Wall of Honor ceremony Mechanical engineering alumnus Hideyoshi Nakamura was one of the six early Air Force and civilian space pioneers honored during a ceremony held June 14 to unveil their names, newly inscribed on a wall of polished black granite at the General Bernard A. Schriever Memorial, located on the grounds of the Schriever Space Complex at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. July 6: AerotechNews; July 17: Lompoc

Minnesota starwatch for July Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics offers public viewings of the night sky. July 1: The Sleepy Eye Herald-Dispatch

 

June 2018

US–Chinese trade war puts scientists in the cross hairs
Physics and astronomy professor Priscilla Cushman says that research deans at US universities should be scrutinizing the list to see whether the taxes will affect their facilities. June 22: Nature

Scientist Pajau Vangay used to make 'pretty code.' Now, she studies guts.
Computer science and engineering assistant professor Dan Knights inspired Pajau Vangay to use computer science to investigate human health problems. June 21: PRI

How can x-rays help reveal the mysteries of the sun?
Physics and astronomy assistant professor Lindsay Glesener looks at x-ray data to get more insight into the high-energy physics of the sun. June 19: Siliconerepublic

What’s the law for pedestrians, drivers crossing the street?
The HumanFIRST Lab recently found only 43 percent of drivers stop when a pedestrian enters the crosswalk. That’s up from 40 percent last fall. June 18: WCCO 

Yoga helps train brain to help people control computers with their mind
Biomedical engineering professor Bin He along with other researchers found participants with yoga or meditation experience were twice as likely to complete a brain-computer interface task by the end of 30 trials and learned three times faster than their counterparts for the left-right cursor movement experiments. June 15: dailyhunt

Minnesota starwatch for June
Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics offers public viewings of the night sky. June 12: The Sleepy Eye Herald-Dispatch

Researchers hope to continue UMN spintronics research
C-SPIN director Jiang-Ping Wang is hoping for additional funding that would help researchers continue the progress that spintronics has made in using an electron’s spin to make devices with lower energy consumption. June 11: Minnesota Daily

What 3-D printing on your skin could be used for
Mechanical engineering associate professor Michael McAlpine has successfully printed electronic circuitry on a human hand using a customized but low-cost 3-D printer. June 4: Health Line; Physics World; June 6: Science News; Twin Cities Business; June 7: Twin Cities Business Magazine

Inside the energy efficient campus of the University of Minnesota: BTN LiveBIG
Mechanical engineering alumnus Scott McCord is a principal mechanical engineer with the university, where he looks for areas where energy is being wasted. June 2: Big Ten Network

 

May 2018

Safety tips for using digital cash apps
Technology leadership institute senior fellow Mike Johnson explains that systems that are completely designed based on email addresses and phone numbers as identification tools have an inherent weakness. May 29: KARE 11

Solar technology keeps U of M students busy |
CSE's Solar Vehicle Team will be competing in next weekend's race from the Minnesota State Capital to the Iowa State campus against Iowa State's solar car, Penumbra. Next month, it will be competing against solar cars from other universities in the 2018 American Solar Challenge, stretching from Omaha, Nebraska to Bend, Oregon. May 26: KTTC

Ultrasound fires up the auditory cortex—even though animals can’t hear it
Biomedical engineering associate professor Hubert Lim shows that there are many confounding effects that are actually happening with ultrasound. May 24: The Scientist

Scientists discover new magnetic element
Electrical and computer engineering alumnus Patrick Quarterman and his advisor professor Jian-Ping Wang demonstrated that the chemical element ruthenium (Ru) is the fourth single element to have unique magnetic properties at room temperature. May 25: News Wise; Phys.org; Engineering 360; EurekAlert!; May 26: Fars News Agency (Iran); The Sherbrooke Times (Canada); May 27: Yahoo! News (India); The Economic Times; The Quint; NewKerala.com (India); Times Now (India); May 28: SapeDaily.com; Science and Technology Research News; Science Tech UpdatesInnovations Report (Germany); Science X; May 29: Cosmos; Sci-News.com; UW-Madison; May 30: Scroll.in

Two University of Minnesota students named 2018 Astronaut Scholars
Aliza Beverage, a physics and astrophysics major, and Elizabeth Zudock, a chemical engineering and chemistry major have been awarded scholarships for the 2018-19 academic year by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. The prestigious, competitive scholarship is awarded annually to outstanding sophomores and juniors who intend to pursue research-oriented careers in mathematics, engineering, and the natural and applied sciences. May 16: Press Release Point (India); May 17: Black news zone; Diverse; Black News Portal; College and University

Leading foundation appoints Indian-American as director of newly created position
Civil engineering alumnus Neeraj Mehta has been named the director of learning for the McKnight Foundation, a new position created by the organization. May 16: News India (India); May 24: India West (India)

44 members honored for technological accomplishments and change-leading efforts for women in computing
Computer science and engineering professor Maria Gini is the recipient of the 2018 NCWIT Harrold and Notkin Research and Graduate Mentoring Award. May 15: PRWeb; 170 similar articles

Why is water slippery?
Physics and astronomy professor James Kakalios explains that even surfaces that appear smooth to the naked eye have hidden crags that snag and slow movement. If you add water it creates a barrier that cancels out the harsh topography. May 11: FiveThirtyEight

Researchers 3D print electronics and cells directly on skin
In a groundbreaking new study, researchers at the University of Minnesota used a customized, low-cost 3D printer to print electronics on a real hand for the first time. The technology could be used by soldiers on the battlefield to print temporary sensors on their bodies to detect chemical or biological agents or solar cells to charge essential electronics. May 10: The University Network

Learn, marvel, and make at Fulton's Workshop
Late mechanical engineering professor Fulton Holtby left a gift to the Dunn County Historical Society which they've used to re-creat Holtby’s home shop from his original tools, as well as several models Holtby fabricated or assembled. May 5: The Dunn County News

Renowned Minnesota professor named ASCE Distinguished Member
Civil engineering professor Catherine E. Wolfgram French has been honored by ASCE with inclusion in its 2018 class of Distinguished Members for her significant contributions to the field of structural engineering and her enthusiastic dedication to her undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Minnesota. May 2: ASCE News

Minnesota starwatch for May
Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics offers public viewings of the night sky. May 1: Mille Lacs Messenger

 

April 2018

Researchers 3D print electronics and cells directly on skin
In a groundbreaking new study, researchers at the University of Minnesota used a customized, low-cost 3D printer to print electronics on a real hand for the first time. The technology could be used by soldiers on the battlefield to print temporary sensors on their bodies to detect chemical or biological agents or solar cells to charge essential electronics. April 25: Mass Device; Nanowerk; Newswise; Eurekalert; College of Engineering; UPI; KARE11; FOX 9; April 26: 3D Printing Media Network; CNET; AZO Materials (Australia); 3ders.org (Netherlands); All 3DP (Germany); Product Design & Development; April 27: Independent; The Engineer (Great Britain); EnvironmentGuru 

A romantic date night under the stars
Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics offers public viewings of the night sky. April 25: Twin Cities Agenda

Hall of Fame inductee, Rewood Falls graduate Merlin Scharfe saw Xerox grow
Electrical engineering alumnus Merlin Scharfe spent 35 years at Xerox before opting to retire in 2000, and during that time he developed 28 patents which are in his name with an additional 697 patents on which his name is cited. April 20: Redwood Falls Gazette

First-ever study of triple gene combinations could help predict risk of disease
In the largest study of its kind, researchers at the University of Minnesota and University of Toronto have revealed a complex network of genes that work together. The research builds on the teams’ previous work that showed how genes combine in pairs to underpin a cell’s health. April 19: EurekAlert!; Phys.org; Quanta Magazine; Technology Networks; U of T News (Canada); Science Daily; April 20: News Wise; News Medical; April 22: Brinkwire; April 23: Scicasts

Developing oral medicines that work more efficiently
Researchers at the University of Minnesota and The Dow Chemical Company have joined forces to tackle one of the biggest challenges in health care—how to get life-saving medicines to work faster and better with fewer side effects. April 18: News Wise; April 19: 4-traders; Phys.org

Lauren Otto named to Forbes 30 under 30 list
Electrical engineering alumnae Lauren Otto was included in the energy section of Forbes 30 under 30 list for fueling a more sustainable future. April 18: 4-traders

The Army is building 3D printed soft robots
Mechanical engineering associate professor Michael McAlpine is one of the researchers working on a soft, elastic actuator created entirely on a 3D printer — making the entire creation flexible, unlike other robotics that only contain soft elements. April 15: Nanowerk;  April 17: Tech Cruch;  Tech Xplore; Science Daily; R & D Magazine; Lab Manager; 3DPrint.com; April 18: Cosmos; Tech You N Me; ArmyTimes;  April 19: The Washington Times; April 20: 3D Printing Industry; April 22: Space Daily; Beebom; April 23: The National Interest Online; April 24: 3D Printing Industry

Artificial organ models 3D-printed with lifelike characteristics
A team of researchers led by Mechanical engineering associate professor Michael McAlpine has 3D printed lifelike artificial organ models that mimic the exact anatomical structure, mechanical properties, and look and feel of real organs. These patient-specific organ models, which include integrated soft sensors, can be used for practice surgeries to improve surgical outcomes in thousands of patients worldwide. April 16: Global News (Canada); Country 105 (Canada)
 

'Hoosiers' with robots: Small towns play big in Minnesota high school robotics
CSE sponsors a robotics team from tiny Greenbush, Minn., that regularly takes on the biggest schools in the state and the nation — and beats them. April 15: Star Tribune

University of Minnesota Medical Devices Center hosts world's largest medical devices conference
More than 1,300 medical devices leaders and researchers from around the world will gather at the University of Minnesota's 17th Annual Design of Medical Devices Conference. One of the sessions covered how modern health care is pushing makers to think about reimbursement as part of the creation process. April 11: StarTribune; KSTP

Meet a Minnesota tech CTO: Ron Lancaster, Pearson VUE
Software engineering alumnus Ron Lancaster is the CTO of a Bloomington based company that specializes in computer-based testing for high-stakes certification and licensure exams in the healthcare, finance, information technology, academic, and admissions markets. April 10: TECH{dot}MN

All about chemistry: The remarkable career of the University of Minnesota’s Izaak Kolthoff
Izaak Maurits Kolthoff was a professor of analytical chemistry at the University of Minnesota from 1927 to 1962. He is known as the “father of modern analytical chemistry.” April 9: MinnPost

This patented 3D printing method could boost medical device innovation
Mechanical engineering associate professor Michael McAlpine received a patent for 3D printed active electronic materials and devices which could include uses such as such as wearable displays and/or continuous on-eye glucose sensors. April 5: Mass Device; Onmedic; Atman (China); Medical Design & Outsourcing

How dangerous is distracted driving?
HumanFIRST laboratory director Nichole Morris points out distracted driving doesn’t always have to mean a cellphone is involved. Eating, putting on make-up, reading, talking with other passengers or watching video can also contribute to slower response times. April 5: WCCO

Researchers uncover the farthest star ever seen
Physics and astronomy assistant professor Patrick Kelly is one of the researchers who spotted an enormous blue star more than halfway across the universe. According to professor Kelly, this is the first time we’re seeing a magnified, individual star. April 2: USA Today; Business Insider; Popular Science; KARE 11; Newsweek; Popular Mechanics; Daily Mail; Science Daily; UC Berkeley; Yahoo News; Astrobiology Magazine; Tech Explorist; Engadget; The RegisterWWL-TVWGRZK5 NewsKSDKABC10WCNCWKYCWLTX; CBS19; Fox15Inside Car News; Finance News (UK); Astronomy Magazine; The Guardian; KDAL; Radio Australia; The Japan Times; Science Alert; Deccan Chronicle; Tech Times; Business Standard; Financial ExpressCBBC Newsround (UK); Motherboard; R & D Magazine; Outer Places; The Irish Sun (UK); The Sun (UK); Week Facts; CNETHealth Thoroughfare; April 3: National Geographic; Smithsonian; CNN; Fox News; Business Insider; Washington Post; INSIDER; CBS MinnesotaMinnesota Public Radio News; The Boston GlobeABC 17 NewsIndependent RecorderWeekly ObserverLivemint10TVTHE WEEK; GeekNewsmaxSputnik International; News Nation (India)The Daily Galaxy; Seeker; Live ScienceIndependent TribuneMLiveNews LedgeSci-Tech TodayDiscover MagazinePeoria Journal Star; WTVAACED MagazineKRON4The Sydney Morning HeraldKYMA; KEYT; April 4: TIME; NBC News; Forbes; KARE 11; National Post; Sci-Tech TodayThe InquisitrApex TribuneIndia Today; The Wire; April 5: Yahoo News; NBC 7 San Diego; NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth; NBC New York; NBC Chicago; NBC 10 Boston; NBC 10 Philadelphia; NBC 4 Washington; Science Examiner; Advocator; World Report Now; NECN; Astronomy Now; Imperial Valley News; Canadian Homesteading; April 6: Space Flight Insider; Week Facts; April 8: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ; Lake County News; April 14: WTIP; April 15: Minnesota Daily

 

March 2018

How a $10 billion experimental city nearly got built in rural Minnesota
Former Dean of the U of M’s Institute of Technology (now known as CSE) Athelstan Spilhaus wanted to build an entire city designed for scientific advancement. March 29: Smithsonian

Gener8tor creates program in Minnesota for medical device startups
A new Gener8tor program, called gBETA, is hoping to accelerate startups in healthcare technology. gBETA's director has ties to the University of Minnesota's Medical Devices Center. March 26: Xconomy

UMN drone tech may prevent nitrogen contamination
Sentera has signed an agreement to bring University of Minnesota-developed corn nitrogen deficiency technology to the market. The technology allows growers to more precisely match applied nitrogen fertilizer to the optimal needs of the crop. March 22: Minnesota Daily

This skyscraper-sized air purifier is the world's tallest
Mechanical engineering professor David Pui teaches his students that reducing the air pollution in major metropolitan areas by 20 percent can save tens of thousands of lives each year. March 21: NBC News

From a box of radio parts, Digi-Key grew into a $2.3 billion anchor of NW Minnesota's economy
Electrical engineering alumnus and Digi-Key founder Ron Stordahl is featured in the story of Digi-Keys inception. March 21: Star Tribune; Century Link; Toshiba; Cable One; 29 similar articles

U of M crowdsourcing project transcribes Supreme Court justices handwritten notes Physics and astronomy professor Lucy Fortson and staff member Andrea Simenstad helped develop the platform that will be used by the public to transcribe handwritten notes from U.S. Supreme Court justices. March 19: Wisconsin Public Radio

Breaking the news
School of Physics and Astronomy professors Marco Peloso, Yong-Zhong Qian and Joe Kapusta spoke about the impact that Stephen Hawking had on society, science and their own career paths and areas of study. March 14: KARE 11

U of M-developed tool for rapid infection diagnosis nears commercialization
Chemistry associate professor Valerie Pierre and her lab colleagues have developed a a cheap, easy-to-use  “dipstick”-like, urine-sampling device to rapidly diagnose urinary tract infections. March 14: Twin Cities Business; March 28: Minnesota Daily

Working for Blue: The tale of a mascot intern
Bioproducts & biosystems engineering alumnus Blair Kelly interned as the Indianapolis Colts mascot Blue before landing an job as an engineer. March 8: Colts Roundup

Joel Gagnon and Jack Kramer bond through science
Aerospace engineering students Joel Gagnon and Jack Kramer use their analytical skills and transfer them over to gymnastics. March 8: Minnesota Daily

'Super monster wolf' could revolutionize farming by guarding crops against animals Computer science and engineering professor Shashi Shekhar warned that security was a key concern for AI technology. March 8: Express (United Kingdom)

U of M shows off $92.5M renovation of Northrop Mall's Tate Hall
The John T. Tate Hall renovation focused on making the labs and classrooms more flexible and functional by preserving the building's architectural character. March 7: Business Journal; KSTP; Finance & Commerce

3M names new CEO
Electrical engineering alumnus Michael Roman will lead 3M into the future as CEO. March 5: MPR News; Star Tribune; WCCO; Business Journal; Street Insider; KTTC; March 6: Twin Cities Business; Manufacturing.net; MRO Magazine; March 7: Chemical Engineering

Earth sciences provide insights into tooth decay Earth sciences researcher Ashley Breiland linked a bacteria known to accumulate polyphosphate (PAB) in the ocean and in wastewater to the promotion of tooth decay. March 5: American Council on Science and Health; Medical Xpress

U of M crowdsourcing project transcribes Supreme Court justices handwritten notes
Physics and astronomy professor Lucy Fortson and staff member Andrea Simenstad helped develop the platform that will be used by the public to transcribe handwritten notes from U.S. Supreme Court justices. March 2: Access Minnesota

Poop visible from space helped scientists find a remote 'supercolony' of penguins Department of earth sciences research associate Michelle LaRue warns that just because a huge colony was just found doesn't mean that colonies in areas where sea ice isn't great aren't declining. March 2: Mental Floss; March 23: Air & Space

Space and bikes? They go together at this Sparta museum
Aerospace engineering alumnus Donald Kent “Deke” Slayton's exploits are on display at the Deke Slayton Memorial Space and Bicycle Museum in Sparta, WI. March 2: Journal Sentinel

Artificial organ models 3D-printed with lifelike characteristics
A team of researchers led by Mechanical engineering associate professor Michael McAlpine has 3D printed lifelike artificial organ models that mimic the exact anatomical structure, mechanical properties, and look and feel of real organs. These patient-specific organ models, which include integrated soft sensors, can be used for practice surgeries to improve surgical outcomes in thousands of patients worldwide. March 1: Tech Briefs

Organs on ice
Mechanical engineering professor John Bischof used specially coated iron oxide nanoparticles to thaw arteries and heart valve tissue from pigs, as well as human skin cells, rapidly and evenly, without the typical damage. March 1: Pronto

Researchers studying wild rice in lakes and streams learn about health of water
Earth sciences researcher Amy Myrbo discusses harmful effects of sulfate in waterways, on wild rice as well as other species. March 1: Environmental Monitor

Minnesota starwatch for March Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics offers public viewings of the night sky. March 1: The Sleepy Eye Herald-Dispatch

 

February 2018

Sentera licenses University of Minnesota crop nitrogen status technology
Sentera has signed an agreement to bring University of Minnesota-developed corn nitrogen deficiency technology to the market. The technology allows growers to more precisely match applied nitrogen fertilizer to the optimal needs of the crop. Feb. 27: Feedstuffs; Agriculture; Feb. 28: World Fertilizer Magazine; KDUZ

Freaking strings! Fabric bike spokes are stronger than steel
Three CSE alumni invented a bike spoke stronger than its steel counterparts at half the weight of high-end metal options. Feb. 27: Gear Junkie

U of M students set Guinness World Record for Alka-Rocket launch |
A triumphant team of student rocketeers from the University of Minnesota have blasted their way into history by winning the Bayer-Big Ten Alka-Rocket Challenge and capturing a place in the annals of GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS. Feb. 27: The University Network

As climate change worsens, king penguins will need to move — or they’ll die
Department of earth sciences research associate Michelle LaRue observes that effects of climate change are incredibly complex and can affect species in a variety of ways. Feb. 26: The Verge

We fact-checked 8 animal emojis. Here's what we found
Department of earth sciences research associate Michelle LaRue deciphers which type of penguin different platforms are depicting in their emojis. Feb. 26: National Geographic

Minnesota starwatch for March
Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics offers public viewings of the night sky. Feb. 25: Brainerd Dispatch; Pineandlakes Echo Journal

Ace of space: Astronaut Duane “Digger” Carey’s trip from poverty to the cosmos
Aerospace engineering alumnus Duane “Digger” Carey flew a crew of 6 to the Hubble Space Telescope in the Space Shuttle Columbia. Feb. 23: Magnolia Banner News

Measuring the magic of healing
Computer science and engineering researchers are part of a compassionate-technology research collaborative hoping to capture evidence of the benefits of healing. Feb. 21: Scientific American

TSI endows mechanical engineering Chair at University of Minnesota
TSI Incorporated has endowed a fund establishing a Chair in the Mechanical Engineering Department. The Benjamin Y.H. Liu - TSI Applied Technology Chair recognizes Dr. Benjamin Liu, an award-winning researcher and entrepreneur who has dedicated his career to aerosols and particles research. Feb. 19: Star Tribune; International Business Times; Wall Street Select; CRWE World; 155 similar articles

Robot bees warning: Could drones for pollinating crops be told to attack us if they are taken over by hackers?
Computer science and engineering professor Shashi Shekhar warned that security was a key concern for the technology. Feb. 19: Mirror (Great Britain); Daily Mail (Great Britain); The Sun (Great Britain); Feb. 20: Express (Great Britain)

The science of winter: Ice more complex than just frozen water
Civil, environmental and geo- engineering professor John Gulliver illustrates how vehicles, ice houses, and global warming can weaken ice on lakes and rivers. Feb. 16: Inforum

Black Panther's secret weapon explained
Physics and astronomy professor James Kakalios compares the material the Black Panther's suit is made out of to graphene. Feb. 16: National Geographic; Feb. 26: Business Insider

New UMN tech helps local stardust hunter
Earth science research associate Anette von der Handt has been working with a local amateur scientist to identify micrometeorites from Twin Cities rooftops. Feb. 15: Minnesota Daily; Feb. 24: The Charlotte Observer; Feb. 25: Albert Lea Tribune

UMN researcher aims to make MRIs faster, more precise
Electrical and computer engineering professor Mehmet Akçakaya developed a new MRI technique experts say could cut medical costs and improve patients’ experiences during scans. February 15: Minnesota Daily

Scientists develop faster, more accurate gluten detector
Chemical engineering and materials science professors Kevin Dorfman and Daniel Frisbie along with CEMS teaching assistant Scott White have announced the development of a sensor which can detect samples of gluten in food 45 minutes faster than current methods. Feb. 13: New Food Magazine (Great Britain)

U of M crowdsourcing project transcribes Supreme Court justices handwritten notes
Physics and astronomy professor Lucy Fortson and staff member Andrea Simenstad helped develop the platform that will be used by the public to transcribe handwritten notes from U.S. Supreme Court justices. Winter '17: Law and Courts Newsletter; Feb. 13: Press Release Point; Feb. 14: The National Law Journal; Library Journal; Legal History Blog; Feb. 15: Law Librarian Blog; National Law Journal; North Dakota Court News; Feb. 16: ABA Journal; Feb. 18: Researching Paralegal; Feb. 22: Science 360; Zooniverse; U of M Law School; Minnesota Lawyer; Daily Kos; Funk Main Stream Media; Feb. 24: Political Observer

Chemical engineering alumni elected to National Academy of Engineering
Two chemical engineering alumni were elected into the National Academy of Engineering in February 2018. Raymond Gorte was elected for fundamental contributions and their applications to heterogeneous catalysts and solid state electrochemical devices. Chun Huh is recognized for enhancing the understanding of ultralow interfacial tensions of oil/surfactant/water systems. Feb. 9: College of Engineering; Feb. 12: Journal of Petroleum Technology

UMN team updating geoscience app amid growing popularity
Geology graduate student Shane Loeffler and others on his team will update their Flyover Country mobile app with specialized data sets that may interest scientists and will make the app available on seatback screens on some major airlines. Feb. 8: Minneinno; Feb 28: South China Morning Post (China)

Lizzy Crist: The saver Biomedical Ph.D. student Lizzy Crist is part of a research that uses 3D modeling to observe how cells move within a tumor—and why some leave for other parts of the body. Feb. 8: City Pages

Dinosaur-killing space rock may have triggered sea volcanoes
Earth science postdoctoral associate Joseph Byrnes is the lead author on a study that claims the giant space rock that wiped out the dinosaurs may have set off a chain of cataclysmic volcanic eruptions on land and undersea. Feb. 7: The Conversation; The Washington Post; The Guarding; Los Angeles Times; EurekAlert!; Science Daily; The Verge; Independent; IFL Science!; Fire Engineering; Feb. 8: Sci Fi Generation TV; Fox News; Ars Technica; Feb. 9: International Business Times; Discover; Popular Mechanics; Feb. 13: Siasat; Feb. 18: The Keene Sentinel; Feb.19: Minnesota Daily

Ride-sharing could improve Uganda vaccination rates, UMN researchers say
Industrial and systems engineering professor Diana Negoescu hopes ride-sharing will be the key to improving infant vaccination rates in Uganda. Feb. 7: Minnesota Daily

Mark Waid explains how Thor can lift Mjolnir, but no one else can (again)
Physics and astronomy professor James Kakalios concluded that Thor's hammer, Mjolnir, is made up of uru metal that can emit large quantities of gravitons prompting the metal to increases the hammer’s weight to exactly cancel an “unworthy” person lift, or upward force, causing the hammer remains unmoved. Feb. 7: Bleeding Cool; Feb. 12: The Mary Sue

The supersonic parachutes carrying NASA’s martian dreams
Former aeronautical engineering processor Helmut Heinrich and his student Clinton Eckstrom are featured for the advances they made in supersonic parachutes. Feb. 6: LITechNews; Wired; Re-Publish News

U study: Wetlands key to keeping harmful nitrates out of waters
St. Anthony Falls Lab researchers provides new insights to demonstrate that multiple wetlands or ‘wetland complexes’ within a watershed are extremely effective at reducing harmful nitrate in rivers and streams. These wetlands can be up to five times more efficient per unit area at reducing nitrate than the best land-based nitrogen mitigation strategies. Feb. 2: USAgNet; Minnesota Ag Connection; Feb. 3: Media Indonesia (Indonesia); Feb. 8: Environmental Research Web; Feb. 10: Global News connect

Charles F. Hammer recognized for commitment to education
Chemistry alumnus Charles F. Hammer has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process. Feb. 2: 24-7 press release

Florida master naturalists: How climate change effects sea turtles
Mechanical engineering alumnus Tammy Tauscher will educate the public on how climate change is affecting the sea turtles that live off our coast and nest on our beaches. Feb. 1: TCPalm

Mostafa Kaveh named CSE interim dean
Mostafa “Mos” Kaveh will serve as interim dean of CSE while the college Searches for a replacement over the coming months. Feb. 1: The Minnesota Daily

 

January 2018

Minnesota starwatch for February Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics offers public viewings of the night sky. Jan. 31: Mille Lacs Messenger

U study: Wetlands key to keeping harmful nitrates out of waters
St. Anthony Falls Lab researchers provides new insights to demonstrate that multiple wetlands or ‘wetland complexes’ within a watershed are extremely effective at reducing harmful nitrate in rivers and streams. These wetlands can be up to five times more efficient per unit area at reducing nitrate than the best land-based nitrogen mitigation strategies. Jan. 29: NatureMPR News; News Wise; National Science Foundation; ScienceDaily; EurekAlert; Phys.Org; Jan. 30: Science Codex; Water Online; Jan. 31: Top Producer; AgWeb; Pork

Synthetic rubber: Rubbers go the extra mile for green tyres
Chemical engineering and materials science professor Paul Dauenhauer has invented a new technology to produce automobile tires from trees and grasses in a process that could shift the tire production industry toward using renewable resources found right in our backyards. Jan. 28: Rubber Journal Asia (Malaysia)

Researchers studying wild rice in lakes and streams learn about health of water
Earth sciences researcher Amy Myrbo discusses harmful effects of sulfate in waterways, on wild rice as well as other species. Jan. 24: EurekAlert!; Bright Surf (Great Britain); Scienmag (Great Britain); Newswise; ScienceDaily; Laboratory Equipment; Phys.Org; Jan. 25: ScienceNewsline; Jan. 26; Minnesota Ag Connection; USAgNet; Science Blog; Jan. 29: WTIP

Business saves money and cuts water waste Chemical engineering student Yohanes Agustinus was selected as a MnTAP intern for DiaSorin, and helped the company identify and implement water-saving measures. Jan. 23: White Bear Press; The Gazette

UMN team updating geoscience app amid growing popularity Geology graduate student Shane Loeffler and others on his team will update their Flyover Country mobile app with specialized data sets that may interest scientists and will make the app available on seatback screens on some major airlines. Jan. 22: The Minnesota Daily; Jan. 29: WTIP

Mostafa Kaveh named CSE interim dean Mostafa “Mos” Kaveh will serve as interim dean of CSE while the college Searches for a replacement over the coming months. Jan. 21: The Minnesota Daily; Jan. 29: Berkeley

Here's what happens when one artist ponders dark matter and the unknowable with an astrophysicist Minnesota institute for astrophysics professor Liliya Williams discussed how art and physics intersect with a local artist, and inspired some of the work in the artist new show “Smashing the Invisible.” Jan. 19: Citypages

UMN study sheds light on plastic sustainability
Chemistry professor Thomas Hoye showed some plastics can be reverted back to monomers — single molecules — which are their purest components. This makes it possible to reuse the materials. Jan. 18: Minnesota Daily

Commercially Promising Stem Cell Research Projects Land State Funding
Biomedical engineering professor Robert Tranquillo was awarded a Regenerative Medicine Minnesota grant for his ongoing work in cardiovascular tissue engineering, focusing on generating transcatheter heart valves and vein valves with the use of stem cells. Jan. 17: Twin Cities Business

Videos made by Chinese scientists reveal hidden beauty of chemistry
Chemistry alumna Liang Yan created videos that reveal stunning details that are sometimes invisible to human eyes. Under the microscope, people see metals, such as magnesium, lithium, and iron powders burn like trees and flowers. Jan. 16: People's Daily Online - English (China); Ecns.cn (China); Jan. 17: Bastille Post (Hong Kong)

Meet Steve, a sky phenomenon coming into its own
Institute for Astrophysics professor Robert Lysak came up with an invented acronym for Steve, an atmospheric phenomenon that was identified only last spring by a Canadian Facebook group dedicated to aurora photography. Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement. Jan. 12: Star Tribune

Buying bitcoin led patent mega-millionaire to an even bigger investing idea
Computer science and engineering professor George Karypis is working with Erich Spangenberg, founder of IPew, to identify what is left in the world of intellectual property worth patenting. Jan. 12: CNBC

Explosions, flames, flying pop bottles, screaming gummy bears at the U of M
The College of Science and Engineering outreach program aimed to interest elementary students in science and teach them about the many science and technology challenges regarding our energy needs. Jan. 10: Star Tribune

Dream takes flight for Gophers gymnast who is also a drone pilot
Aerospace engineering student Jack Kramer is featured in a story about his love of flying. Jan. 8: Star Tribune

Stochastic Computing in a Single Device
Electrical engineering professor Jianping Wang and his PhD student Yang Lv have made a big leap in stochastic computing. Their device can perform the stochastic computing versions of both addition and multiplication on four logical inputs. Jan 5: IEEE Spectrum; Jan 9: NewsWise; NanoWerk; EurekAlert!; Phys.org; Tech Site; ScienceDaily; Science Codex; Jan. 10: Iran Daily (Iran); Eurasia Review (Spain); R&D Magazine; Science Newsline; Storage Newsletter (France); Tech You n Me; Controlled Environments Magazine

Researchers manipulate the flow of electrical current using spinning light
Electrical and computer engineering associate professor Mo Li used a first-of-its-kind device to demonstrate a way to control the direction of the photocurrent in light without deploying an electric voltage. This new device holds significant potential for use in the next generation of microelectronics using electron spin as the fundamental unit of information. It could also be used for energy efficient optical communication in data centers. Jan. 4: Electronic Products

Letters home create an online WWII journal
Letters and pictures sent by mechanical engineering alumnus Dorance Alquist during WWII will be featured on a new website and podcast created by Dorance's grandson. Jan. 4: Sun This Week

Artificial organ models 3D-printed with lifelike characteristics
A team of researchers led by Mechanical engineering associate professor Michael McAlpine has 3D printed lifelike artificial organ models that mimic the exact anatomical structure, mechanical properties, and look and feel of real organs. These patient-specific organ models, which include integrated soft sensors, can be used for practice surgeries to improve surgical outcomes in thousands of patients worldwide. Jan. 4: Design News; News Dog (India); Jan. 5: The New Nation (Bangladesh)

How to melt an ice cube
Mechanical engineering professor John Bischoff used iron oxide nanoparticles to uniformly heat tissues that have been preserved in a glassy solid state. Jan. 4: What A Year!

U of M students use 3D printers to create ears, noses and blood vessels
Bio-medical engineering students are learning to make everything from ears, noses and blood vessels using a 3-D printer and biological material. This semester is the first time bio-printing has been offered at the U of M and it's the only class of its kind in the country right now. Jan. 3: KSTP

These lab-grown blood vessel replacements could benefit dialysis patients
Biomedical engineering professor Robert Tranquillo lead a study that created lab-grown blood vessel replacements that could be used as an “off the shelf” graft for kidney dialysis patients. Jan. 3: Medical Design & Outsourcing

The story of an unrealized domed city for Minnesota
Former Dean of the U of M’s Institute of Technology (now known as CSE) Athelstan Spilhaus wanted to build an entire city designed for scientific advancement. Jan. 1: Hyperallergic

A closer look at luxe
Chemistry postdoc Addison Desnoyer vented his frustrations about Tiffany & Co.'s improper assembly of a synthetic chemistry lab in their flagship store window display. Jan. 1: Chemical & Engineering News