CSE in the news–2015 archive

December 2015

Virtual reality makes real impact in medical device testing
Computer science and engineering associate professor Daniel Keefe runs the University's Interactive Visualization Lab, which partners with the Medical Devices Center, says that virtual reality offers promise for more streamlined testing of medical devices. Dec. 30: STAT

U of M partnering in nation's first 'real-world testing' to reduce bird collisions
CSE students are involved with research between the University of Minnesota and the San Diego Zoo in an experiment to test a way to prevent fatal bird strikes. Dec. 29: KARE; Dec. 30: KSTP; KAAL; Valley News Live

U of M breathing-tech spinoff Andarta raises $1.9M
Medical Devices Center research fellows received equity financing for tech spinoff Andarta to develop a 'lung pacing' device that reduces how long patients have to be treated with ventilators. Dec. 28: Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal

Heritage makes academy selection 'special'
Earth sciences professor Larry Edwards has been granted membership in the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing. Membership in the academy is China's highest academic honor in science and technology. Dec. 24: ChinaDaily

Recyclable foam developed at the University
CSE students; two chemists, and two engineers are recent winners of the DOW SISCA Challenge which the Institute on the Environment at the University of Minnesota hosts each year to challenge students to find answers to have eco-friendly solutions to the worlds problems. Dec. 23: KARE; Dec. 24: Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal

U of M students build functioning robots
Professor Tim Kowalewski talks to us about the final exam for Intro to Mechanical Engineering 2011. Students have to build a functioning robot for under $50. Dec. 18:Minnesota Daily

University team strives to design hyperloop pod
University students will present their concepts for the best possible prototype of a pod that will zoom through a frictionless tube at speeds of more than 750 miles per hour. Dec. 16: Minnesota Daily

Largest robot show in Twin Cities hosted at U of M
Mechanical engineering students presented robots — which included s’more-roasting and light-saber-twirling machines. The 14th annual robot show attracted families and spectators as judges graded the students’ final projects. Dec. 14: KSTP; KMSP; KARE; Dec. 15: Minnesota Daily

Bell Museum celebrates art and science with Bell Social
Astronomy professor Lawrence Rudnick will discuss "The Biggest Things in the Universe" at the Bell Social, an after-hours celebration of art and science. Dec. 8: Pioneer Press

Ancient treatment sound therapy rediscovered in Minnesota
Biomedical engineering assistant professor Hubert Lim says that while much is known about the negative impact of loud noises, not much has been done to study the positive impact of soothing sounds. Dec. 7: WCCO

U of M students to present dazzling light show
CSE students decorated the Civil Engineering Plaza with more than 200,000 LED lights, creating a spectacular light show set to music. Dec. 3: WCCO; Dec. 4: MinnPost; Dec. 5: WCCO; KSTP; KARE; Star Tribune; Dec. 7: Minnesota Daily; Engineers Resources Daily

Poll shows computer science attitudes
In fall of 2014, only a few dozen female students were enrolled in the University’s computer science program. During the same semester, about 340 male undergraduates studied alongside them. Dec. 1: Minnesota Daily

November 2015

U hosts Math and Science Family Fun Fair
Fascinating activities, hands-on exhibits, and entertaining presentations showcasing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics add up to a day of fun and learning, this Saturday, Nov. 21, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. at the University of Minnesota. This event is free and open to the public. Nov. 19: WCCO

Legislators learn how Bakken oil fields impact Minnesota
Earth sciences assistant professor Max Bezada told legislators that federal studies have shown that fracking has little impact on drinking water, although some drinking water sources have been polluted by fracking. Nov. 18: Osakis Review

Widow's invention might have saved her husband
Biomedical engineering alumna Marie Johnson developed an electronic stethoscope that can capture evidence of arterial blockages. Nov. 7: Owatonna People's Press

Cougars likely to recolonize middle part of U.S.
Earth sciences research associate Michelle LaRue led research that shows while Minnesota and Wisconsin both have suitable habitats for cougar populations, the big cats are likely to have only very small, if any, breeding numbers in the two states over the next 25 years. Nov. 4: National Geographic; Nov. 6: Science World Report; Gizmodo; Laboratory Equipment; Newswise; Nov. 8: Nature World News; Nov. 9: Minnesota Daily: Nov. 11: Outdoorhub; National Geographic; Nov. 13: Smithsonian; Nov. 15: Duluth News Tribune; Pioneer Press; Grand Forks Herald; Inforum; Nov. 16: Bemidji Pioneer; Superior Telegram; AgWeek; KMBZ; Nov. 17: WTIP; WJON; Nov. 27: KARE

The Dark Net: Where anything goes
Computer science and engineering associate professor Nicholas Hopper is trying to discover just how anonymous Tor is, the browser developed by the U.S. government used to connect to the Dark Net. Nov. 2: KMSP

October 2015

Commission drills down to find how Bakken oil affects Minnesota
Earth sciences assistant professor Max Bezada told legislators that federal studies have shown little impact on drinking water, although some drinking water sources have been polluted by fracking. Oct. 28: Grand Forks Herald

Cyber Security Summit in Twin Cities
Electrical and computer engineering professor Massoud Amin heads the University Technological Leadership Institute that hosted the 5th annual meeting where national cyber security experts and technology business leaders meet. Oct. 21: KARE

NASA's Robert Cabana talks landing on Mars
At a CSE Public Lecture in Minneapolis, Hall of Fame astronaut Robert Cabana discusses NASA's plans to eventually build a space launch system along with Orion Spacecraft, a habitability module, and a lander one day to get to Mars. Oct. 20: KMSP

U researchers develop plastic heart patch
Chemical engineering and materials science professor Frank Bates is involved in cross-disciplinary research that may lead to a new method of stopping heart attacks in their tracks. Oct. 19: KARE

U of M students picked for Land O'Lakes fellowship
Three University of Minnesota students are among a group of 10 selected for the Land O’Lakes Global Food Challenge Emerging Leaders for Food Security fellowship. Oct. 19: Agweek

Study shows new potential indirect effects of humans on water quality
Civil, environmental, and geo- engineering professor Bill Arnold published research on a newly studied class of water contaminants that is known to be toxic and hormone disrupting to marine animals. Oct. 14: PLOS ONE; EurekAlert!; Newswise; Oct. 15: Phys.org; Health Canal; Science Codex; R&D Magazine; Oct. 16: Science 360

Metro Transit adding information at bus stops
Civil, environmental, and geo- engineering professor David Levinson comments on Metro Transit's overhaul of the region's bus signs. Oct. 14: Star Tribune

Our electric grids are equipped with a 'tsunami' of data, but they're still super vulnerable to storms
Electrical and computer engineering professor Massoud Amin discusses new data monitoring tools, data mining, and self-healing smartgrids. Oct. 13: Business Insider

Drones may soon be able to operate on their own
Computer science and engineering associate professor Volkan Isler and his graduate student team are looking for ways to improve tornado warnings using drones. Oct. 13: Minnesota Daily

Researchers use gut bacteria composition to genetically classify colorectal tumors
Computer science and engineering assistant professor Dan Knights is part of research that can predict key genetic mutations in the tumors themselves, a method that could eventually inform the development of colorectal cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. Oct. 9: Science Daily

Good question: Why can you see the moon during the day?
Physics and astronomy professor Terry Jones answers: "It’s lit up by the sun and when it’s up in the sky, you can see it whether it’s day or night.” The moon is visible for 12 hours a day on average. Oct. 9: WCCO

Mudslide prompts U research
Earth sciences professor Joshua Feinberg offered a summer internship opportunity for students who took his natural hazards and disasters class, where they studied mudslides, including the June 2014 mudslide on the slope of West River Parkway near the University. Oct. 5: Minnesota Daily

U of M breaks ground on renovation of historic building
The University of Minnesota is beginning a multi-million dollar renovation project on a historic building Wednesday. The Tate Science and Teaching Center was built in 1926, and the $92.5 million project is supposed to be done in the fall of 2017. Oct. 2: Finance & Commerce; Oct. 4: The Wake; Oct. 5: AZO Build

The chemicals in some everyday soaps threaten Great Lakes water quality
Civil, environmental, and geo- engineering professor Bill Arnold notes that research shows triclosan, the chemical found in popular antimicrobial personal products, is found in the Great Lakes. Oct. 1: Buffalo News

The Amazing Story of Quantum Mechanics
Physics and astronomy professor James Kakalios' book "The Amazing Story of Quantum Mechanics" is an accessible and math-free primer on quantum mechanics. Oct. 2015: Minnesota Public Radio

September 2015

U of M breaks ground on renovation of historic building
The University of Minnesota is beginning a multi-million dollar renovation project on a historic building Wednesday. The Tate Science and Teaching Center was built in 1926, and the $92.5 million project is supposed to be done in the fall of 2017. Sept. 30: KSTP; MinnPost

Target adds to list of chemicals it wants removed from products it sells
Civil, environmental, and geo- engineering professor Bill Arnold researches triclosan, an antibacterial agent in many liquid hand soaps. Sept. 29: KSTP

The portal to the dark Web
Computer science and engineering associate professor Nicholas Hopper discusses the Tor browser, that takes people to the dark Web, the wildest territory of the Internet, where users can exchange information in total anonymity. Sept. 28: Star Tribune

Urban planning: Defining the Smart Grid
Electrical and computer engineering professor Massoud Amin discusses the need for smart cities, designed with a smart blueprint. Sept. 24: Media Planet

New 3-D-printed scaffolds could enable researchers to release biomolecules into the body with exceptional control Mechanical engineering professor Michael McAlpine created 3D-printed scaffolds that enable researchers to release biomolecules into the body with exceptional control. Sept. 18: 3D Print; 3ders; Sept. 21: National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering; BGR; Sept. 28: NIH News; Sept. 30: Minnesota Daily

3-D printed guide helps regrow complex nerves after injury
University researchers have developed a first-of-its-kind, 3D-printed guide that helps regrow both the sensory and motor functions of complex nerves after injury. Sept. 18: EurekAlert; Popular Science; Sept. 21: KSTP; Sept. 23: MIT Technology Review: Science & Vie (France); Sept. 28: NIH

Top projects: University of Minnesota Amundson Hall Gore Annex
The Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science's new Gore Annex houses office space, collaborative workspaces, and state-of-the-art research labs. The annex is named after Bob Gore, creator of GORE-TEX, who graduated from the university in 1963 with a Ph.D. in chemical engineering. Gore donated $10 million to the department for the expansion. Sept. 18: Finance & Commerce

U to renovate historic hall
Pillsbury Hall, current home to the University of Minnesota Earth Sciences department and the English department’s future home base, will receive a revamped interior to accompany its historical facade come fall 2018. Sept. 17: Minnesota Daily

Seven stories down: U building serves as a tribute to Minnesota experimentalism
The Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering is housed in a building built in the 1980's to be energy-efficient, leave a relatively small footprint, and lower heating and cooling costs. Sept. 16: MinnPost

U creates data-sharing network
Computer science and engineering professor Zhi-Li Zhang runs the OpenCDN Project, a system that makes any private Internet server publicly accessible. He said he plans to upload data he’s gathered from the project onto the Gopher Science Network. Sept. 10: Minnesota Daily

Bioprinting could treat cancers
Biomedical engineering associate professor Brenda Ogle believes bioprinting could be the future of transplant surgery. Sept. 9: Minnesota Daily

First graduates of U of M's Medical Device Innovation program join the med-tech community
Technological Leadership Institute's MDI program graduated their first class. Sept. 9: Minnesota Business

U of M sees record number of startups
A record 16 startups were created this year based on University of Minnesota research, including computer science and engineering assistant professor Dan Knights whose work led to the launch of Flora Therapeutics. Sept. 9: Minnesota Daily

What if the University of Minnesota had 100,000 students?
Civil, environmental, and geo- engineering professor David Levinson speculates what the University would look like if it grew enrollment by 50,000. Sept. 8: MinnPost; streets.mn

U of M mapping project coincides with Obama's Alaska visit
The Polar Geospatial Center is leading a project to map Alaska by mid 2016 and the entire Arctic by mid 2017. Sept. 2: Whitehouse.gov; EurekAlert!; NSF; Phys.Org; eNews Park Forest; Imperial Valley News; KTTU; Sept. 3: Kansas City Ezine; Sept. 4: KSTP; Eurasia Review; Sept. 16: Minnesota Daily

U of M researchers to study environmental impact of nanotechnology
The Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology has received a multi-million dollar grant to study the effects of nanotechnology on the environment. Sept. 1: Star Tribune; Nanotechnology Now; Wisconsin Public Radio; Sept. 2: KSTP; Sept. 3: Northwestern University; Sept. 4: Government Executive; Sept. 7: Azonano; Sept. 15: Minnesota Daily; Sept. 17: Minnesota Daily

August 2015

U of M researchers to study environmental impact of nanotechnology
The Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology has received a multi-million dollar grant to study the effects of nanotechnology on the environment. Aug. 31: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

PolyMet denies access for wetlands research by U of M scientist
Earth sciences professor Paul Glaser has been denied access to sample wetlands near a proposed copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota. Aug. 28: Minnpost

PolyMet denies access for wetlands research by U of M scientist
Earth sciences professor Paul Glaser has been denied access to sample wetlands near a proposed copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota. Aug. 28: MinnPost

NSF gives U of M $500K for new research network
The University's Polar Geospatial Center is among those centers combining to create a dedicated research and computing network, the Gopher Science Network (GSN), that will connect its researchers with others around the world. Aug. 19: Campus Technology

New solar car unveiled
University students unveiled the lasted solar car, the Eos, before it ships to Australia for the World Solar Challenge. Aug. 18: KSTP; KSTP (extended video); KTTC; KARE

Fermilab's NOvA experiment detects its first oscillating neutrinos
University researchers announced initial data which may hint at the ordering of neutrino masses and matter-antimatter asymmetry. Aug. 7: Science 2.0; William and Mary; Aug. 8: UPI News; Weekly Observer; Aug. 9: Forbes; HNGN; Echo Examiner; KRWG; Fx Report Daily; Guardian; Maine News; Clapway; The Register; Vocal Republic; Wall Street OTC; News Quench; Aug. 10: International Business Times; Hullabaloo Online; Market Business; Asia Golf Online; Jewocity; BABW News; NY City News; Pioneer News; Monitor Daily; Covered Globe; Northern Californian; I4U News; Yibada; Sputnik International; Morning Ticker; Trinity News Daily; Nature World Report; Celebrity Cafe; iFreePress

Blue Cross Blue Shield to cut 450 IT jobs over 4 years
CSE Career Center assistant director Angie Froistad says graduates in software development, IT security, web development, and data analysis are still in high demand. Aug. 5: WCCO

July 2015

Behind the scenes at the Charles Babbage Institute
The Charles Babbage Institute at the University is a research center dedicated to preserving the history of information technology and promoting and conducting research in the field. July 25: Juiced

Who is Ant-Man? 5 little-known facts about summer's smallest superhero
Physics professor James Kakalios says the Ant-Man's powers don't make sense; atoms can't be removed or added as shown in the movie. July 17: Today Show

SMN member spotlight: Claire Warren, University of Minnesota student, entrepreneur
CSE student Claire Warren and a few classmates developed a social business venture that targets electronic waste collection in the Twin Cities as part of the Acara challenge. July 13: Sustainable Manufacturer Network

Addressing Western design bias in Medtech
Medical Devices Center director Art Erdman discusses how the University is preparing the next crop of medical device designers to understand the needs of the user. July 8: Medical Device and Diagnostic Industry

CSE groups struggle with work space concerns
CSE Collegiate Life student group coordinator Ben Koch says finding enough space for every student group, especially in CSE, is almost impossible. July 8: Minnesota Daily

U professor's bike app gets revisions
Computer science and engineering professor Loren Terveen has expanded the map in Cyclopath, the online bicycle mapping system he helped create in 2008. July 8: Minnesota Daily

Drones could improve farming methods
Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering professor Jonathan Chaplin said precision agriculture’s main purpose is to reduce costs and the environmental impacts from farming. July 8: Minnesota Daily

Why tweeting potholes and smart bridges won't solve our infrastructure problems
Civil, environmental, and geo- engineering researchers monitor the I-35 “smart bridge” using 500 sensors measuring bridge loads, movement, and integrity for signs of degradation using what amounts to a beefed-up version of the tweeting pothole. July 6: Fortune

June 2015

Good Question: Why do we need a leap second?
Astronomy professor Terry Jones explains that the June 30 leap second is necessary because the Earth’s rotation is slower than it used to be due to the slowing Earth's rotation, so every few years we have to add an extra second to keep the sun and time that we keep with our clocks lined up. June 29: WCCO

In Minneapolis, pollution fight is not just getting the lead out
Civil engineering graduate student Matt Bechle is helping the City of Minneapolis analyze volatile organic compoud data as part of his thesis work on air quality in cities. June 29: Minnesota Public Radio

Shiffer: Data on Minnesota cyberattacks hidden from public
Electrical and computer engineering professor Massoud Amin has confidence in the leadership of MN.IT, and that it has ensured the state’s computers do not share the exposure of the OPM. June 27: Star Tribune

Land O'Lakes program for emerging leaders focuses on food security
Chemical engineering student Jonathon Sabel was chosen competitively last fall to participate in a summer internship at Land O'Lakes using new technology to store food better and deliver it to countries with hunger issues. June 26: Star Tribune

U research furthers options for colorectal treatment and prevention
University researchers have uncovered a telltale link between colorectal cancer and specific traits of bacteria found in the digestive tract. The findings could improve colorectal cancer treatment and prevention. June 24: Minnesota Daily; HealthCanal; EndoNurse

Cleaning air could save lives
Civil, environmental, and geo- engineering associate professor Julian Marshall was involved with research that found improving air quality could prevent millions of premature pollution-related deaths worldwide each year. June 24: Minnesota Daily

Application standards rise at CSE
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs Paul Strykowski discusses CSE's student body, which has increased by more than 150 students between 2010 and 2014. June 24: Minnesota Daily

Tate Lab to undergo two-year renovation
The 1926 building is scheduled to reopen in fall 2017 with 33 renovated teaching labs, three lecture halls, a nearly 80,000-square-foot addition, and other updates to modernize the building. June 23: Minnesota Daily

Emmy Noether, hero of symmetry and conservation: Public lecture with Peter Olver and Ruth Gregory
Mathematics professor and department head Peter Olver presented at a Perimeter Institute public lecture where he explored Noether’s life and career, and delved into the curious history of her famous theorem and other work. June 22: Guardian Science

With Green Line, 2,000 more jobs accessible via rail, study finds
Andrew Owen, Center for Transportation Studies, quantified how much the Green Line and related bus route and scheduling changes altered residents' abilities to reach jobs by public transit. June 13: Pioneer Press

U research highlights how more women in STEM changes fields
CSE scholarship coordinator Dorothy Cheng said the University has seen an increasing number of female students in STEM majors. June 10: Minnesota Daily

U, Edison High School monitor water pollutants
Civil, environmental, and geo- engineering student Jeff Tierney assisted University researchers to help high school juniors monitor the effectiveness of the trench in keeping polluted water out of the Mississippi River. June 10: Minnesota Daily

How gut bacteria affects your health: What we know, what we don't
Computer science and engineering assistant professor Dan Knights led a study that has found a three-way link among antibiotic use in infants, changes in the gut bacteria, and disease later in life. June 9: Minnesota Public Radio; June 30: Yahoo! Health

Organ banking: From impossible to slightly less impossible
Mechanical engineer professor John Bischof is working on a solution to preserving human organs for transplant. June 5: Wired

May 2015

Deaths, injuries plummet in crashes with teen drivers
Researchers in the Department of Mechanical Engineering found that a smartphone device in cars that disables teen phones in the car and texts parents in real time if the driver speeds, runs a stop sign or drives erratically would help improve focus. May 29: Star Tribune

Car balk? Report reveals many in TwinCities walk, bike to work
Civil, environmental, and geo- engineering professor David Levinson is leading research that shows that bicycling and walking infrastructure is increasing. May 21: Minnesota Public Radio

Infant antibiotic use linked to illnesses in adulthood
Computer science and engineering assistant professor Dan Knights led a study that has found a three-way link among antibiotic use in infants, changes in the gut bacteria, and disease later in life. May 13: UPI; EurekAlert!; Science Daily; Newswise; Gazette Review; Medical Press; Infection Control Today; ABC (Spain); Vancouver Desi; Big News Network; University Herald; Medical XPress; May 14: TIME; eMPR; R&D Magazine; Hindustan Times; HealthCanal; Business Standard; Economic Times; HealthSite; Times of India; Daiji World; Zee News; India TV; The Statesman; New Kerala; World Pharma News; Capital OTC; FitnHit; MidDay Daily; Nature World News; New York City News; Hans India; Monthly Prescribing Reference; May 15: KSTP; Medical News Today; NDTV; American Live Wire; Tech Times; Andhra Wishesh; Australian Women's Weekly; Daily Beast; Infection News Today; The Post Jagran; Kashmir Monitor; Pharmacy Practice News; Inquisitr; WXYZ; May 16: Star Tribune; Pakistan Observer; Design and Trend; News Nation; May 17: Pharmacy Times; General Surgery News; May 18: Biotechin; Infectious Disease; May 19: International Business Times; May 20: Growing Your Baby; Blackbird PR News; May 21: Popular Science; May 23: Mercatornet

My job: DJ ONeil, solutions architect
DJ O'Neil is a Industrial and System Engineering graduate, where he learned that optimization requires that you understand the science behind solutions. May 11: Star Tribune

CSE grows number of females
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of CSE and chemistry professor Chris Cramer said he hopes that the percent of female undergraduate students and faculty will match within the next 10 years. May 7: Minnesota Daily

Satellite images used to aid Nepal relief effort
Polar Geospatial Center director Paul Morin helps use satellite images to build detailed maps that show, in near-real time, how landscapes are changing, including collapses in buildings or collapses in slopes which could help emergency responders determine where to go. May 5: HPC Wire; May 6: Inside HPC; May 8: Columbus Dispatch; Star Tribune; May 11: Phys.org; May 16: Star Tribune

U data ups driver safety
Mechanical engineering professor and director of the University's Roadway Safety Institute Max Donath said driving on rural roads poses a number of risks for drivers. May 4: Minnesota Daily

Integrated navigation systems using parallel filtering
Aerospace engineering and mechanics associate professor Demoz Gebre Egziabher is developing a robust navigation system employing a GNSS receiver, accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, an airspeed device and dead reckoning to supply a blended navigation solution to a flight control system on a small, unmanned aerial vehicle. May 4: GPS World

April 2015

Cultivating students early, Minnesota produces a big crop of Goldwater Scholars
Statewide, 16 students won competitive Barry Goldwater Scholarships, including Nathan Klein, a chemistry and mathematics student. April 27: Star Tribune

U of M student robot helps detect autism signs
Computer science and engineering students are designing and using robots that perform tasks from evaluating fertilizer on farm fields to detecting early signs of disorders. April 24: KSTP

Professors' spouses get help from U
Computer science and engineering professor and chair of the University’s Senate Committee on Faculty Affairs Joseph Konstan, said ensuring both members of a couple have a position is a good way to retain faculty members and that offering resources is an important step in attracting top talent. April 23: Minnesota Daily

In gathering big data, citizens lend a helping hand
Physics associate professor Lucy Fortson works on a project called Galaxy Zoo, a website that asks volunteers to classify different types of galaxies. April 22: Minnesota Daily

Good Question: What does Google know about you?
Computer science and engineering associate professor Arindam Banerjee comments on Google's ability to save a user's entire Google search history. April 21: WCCO

U researcher rates MN's travel accessibility
Andrew Owen, lead researcher and director of the Accessibility Observatory, in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering, evaluates transportation destinations, such as jobs, schools and hospitals in the state in order to measure accessibility. April 20: Minnesota Daily

Minnesota history: Robert Gilruth was giant behind NASA's manned space program
Robert Gilruth, a 1936 aerospace engineering master's degree graduate from the University of Minnesota, was honored for running NASA's manned space program from its Sputnik-chasing start through the 1969 moon walk. April 18: Star Tribune

Lawmakers create biofuel incentives
Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering head Shri Ramaswamy said the ability to make biofuel without corn is a positive step toward using more advanced sources of renewable energy. April 15: Minnesota Daily

Dark matter may not be dark after all
Astrophysics professor Liliya Williams is a member of a research team that observed dark matter interacting with other dark matter in a way other than through the force of gravity. April 14: Phys.org; Discovery News; Space Daily; HNGN; April 15: Science 2.0; Telegraph-UK; Tech Times; Astronomy Magazine; India Today; ABC Science; Independent-UK; International Business Times; Zee News; China Topix; Empire State Tribune; Belfast Telegraph; National Monitor; Christian Science Monitor; Daily Times Gazette; Nanowerk; Silver Ink; Sci-News; Jewish Business News; ECN Magazine; Techie News; Yahoo News; Standard Daily; April 16: Astronomy Now Online; Daily Galaxy; Express; April 20: Minnesota Daily

Professor uses robots in medicine, agriculture
Computer science and engineering professor Nikolaos Papanikolopoulos is developing robot and sensor technology to detect visual cues that could determine if a child has autism or a farmer needs to fertilize a certain area of crops. April 7: Minnesota Daily; April 30: WDAZ

Social media fueled research could help protect the environment
Assistant computer science and engineering professor and social media characteristics expert Brian Hecht, says that humans are sensors reporting things over social media, and scientists are able to interpret that information. April 7: Minnesota Daily

Good Question: What are our busiest freeways?
Civil, environmental, and geo- engineering lab manager Stephen Zitzow notes that Interstate 35W/Interstate 94 interchange are basically the worst all the time. April 2: WCCO

Black phosphorous is a new 'wonder material' for improving optical communication
Electrical and computer engineering professors Mo Li and Steven Koester performed research using ultrathin black phosphorous film to demonstrate high-speed data communication on nanoscale optical circuits. April 1: International Science Grid

March 2015

A dance that bridges gap between science, art
Biomedical engineering professor David Odde and dance professor Carl Flink work with bodystorming artists from dance company Black Label Movement to create dance that represents interactions between particles in a cell. March 12: Deccan Herald

Mysterious phenomena in a gigantic galaxy-cluster collision
Astronomy professor Lawrence Rudnick is part of a research team that has produced the most detailed image yet of a fascinating region where clusters of hundreds of galaxies are colliding. March 10: EurekAlert!; Nanowerk; Astronomy Magazine; CNET; NewsWise; Space Fellowship; Sci-News; Astronomy Now; Daily Mail-UK; March 11: From Quarks to Quasars

Guide to computer science careers
Computer science and engineering professor Joseph Konstan contributed to a guide on computer science career options. March: Computer Science Online

Cleaner power needed to make electric cars greener
Civil, environmental, and geo- engineering associate professor Julian Marshall says to address climate change we need to decarbonize our electrical system. March 10: Discovery News

Designing for a crowd eased by new discovery
Computer science and engineering assistant professor Stephen Guy discovered a law of physics that explains peoples' interactions in large crowds. March 9: Minnesota Daily

Resolving a heart paradox
Chemical engineering and materials science professor Frank Bates discussed the engineer's role in heart repair research. March 5: Minnesota Daily

Middle schoolers converge at U's CSE Expo
CSE hosted over 1,700 local middle schoolers at the annual CSE Expo, an interactive science expo created by science and engineering students. March 4: Murphy News Service; KARE

Black phosphorus is new 'wonder material' for improving optical communication
Electrical and computer engineering researchers Mo Li and Steven Koester demonstrated that black phosphorus can be turned into a stable crystalline form that shows vast improvement in efficiency. March 2: Phys.org; Nanowerk; ECN Magazine; Opli; March 3: Business Standard; Nanotechnology Now; New Electronics; R&D Magazine; Space Daily; Ummid; March 4: Controlled Environments; EE Times; Engineering.com; Lab Manager; Novus Light; March 5: KSTP; Minnesota Daily; Science 360; Overclockers Club; Photonics; March 17: Optics

February 2015

The geology of Lake Superior's ice caves
Earth sciences professor emeritus Calvin Alexander explains how the ice caves on Lake Superior differ from other cave formations. Feb. 27: Minnesota Public Radio

Student group cleans up snowmobiling
CSE student group Clean Snowmobile Team tinkers with a snowmobile, modifying its parts and processes to increase its energy efficiency and reduce pollution with the ultimate goal of making the industry more sustainable. Feb. 25: Minnesota Daily

Minnesotans driving less, biking and walking more
Civil, environmental, and geo- engineering professor David Levinson notes that Minnesotans aren't traveling as often because of demographic and economic changes. Feb. 24: Minnesota Daily

U's business ties expected to expand
Bioproducts and biosystems engineering assistant professor Abbas Abdennour is studying alternative types of food packaging that could help save billions of dollars that are lost to spoiled food each year. A major food company has offered to pay an adaptation of the study for its use. Feb. 23: Minnesota Daily

Coupling microwaves to optoelectronics with sound
Electrical and computer engineering assistant professor Mo Li led a team that used electron beams and nanofabrication techniques to create nanoscale transducers small enough to excite the sound waves at high frequencies. Feb. 17: IEEE Spectrum

10 unusual detector materials
Fermilab's 14,000-ton NOvA neutrino detector in northern Minnesota is filled with a liquid substance that is 95 percent mineral oil. Feb. 17: Symmetry

Legislators mull STEM incentives
CSE Dean Steven Crouch discussed freshman applications to CSE, ACT scores, and CSE's initiative to increase STEM degrees awarded. Feb. 10: Minnesota Daily

Solar Car Team sees woman at helm
Stephanie Wilson, an electrical engineering senior, is the Solar Vehicle Project's first female team leader in at least a decade. Feb. 10: U.S. News and World Report

U develops Smart Phone app for teen drivers
Mechanical engineering research fellow Janet Creaser led development of a new Smart Phone app that will help keep teens safe behind the wheel. Feb. 5: WCCO; KSTP; FOX; Star Tribune

School leaders questioning tenure faculty ratio
Computer science and engineering professor and chair of the University's Faculty Affairs Committee Joe Konstan discusses the balance of tenure-track faculty and all other kinds of appointments. Feb. 5: Minnesota Daily

The drone revolution is going mainstream
Biomedical engineering professor Bin He's research with mind-controlled drones is cited. Feb. 4: Good Morning America

University students lend hand to local middle school's STEM program
Civil, environmental and geo-engineering professor Catherine French said kids can lose interest in classes like science and math when they reach middle school, so it's important for them to be excited about those classes when they are young. Feb. 4: Minnesota Daily

January 2015

Minnesota debates 'value capture' tax for road projects
Civil, environmental, and geo- engineering professor David Levinson describes 'value capture' as a way of essentially trying to close the feedback loop so people who are benefitting to help pay for it. Jan. 30: Pioneer Press

Wind farms once used for U research may close
Electrical and computer engineering professor Ned Mohan comments on the potential closing of a collection of wind farms the University has used for research. Jan. 29: Minnesota Daily

Wilson defies the norm
Stephanie Wilson, an electrical engineering senior, is the Solar Vehicle Project's first female team leader in at least a decade. Jan. 27: Minnesota Daily

Researchers identify materials to improve biofuel and petroleum processing
Chemistry professor Ilja Siepmann has identified potential materials that could improve the production of ethanol and petroleum products. Jan. 26: EurekAlert!; Product Design & Development; Science World Report; R&D

In tiny electrons, professor sees infinite potential
Electrical and computer engineering professor Jian-Ping Wang is a world leader in the cutting-edge field of spintronics. Jan. 24: Star Tribune

Minnesota history: Seymour Cray's mind at super-computer speed
CSE alumna Seymour Cray's idea was to manufacture special circuit boards using transistors instead of cumbersome vacuum tubes, in room-sized computing machines. Jan. 24: Star Tribune

Obituary: Donald Kahn pictured the world through mathematics
Mathematics professor Donald Kahn died Jan. 16 at age 89. Known for his love of photography, music, he was also a storyteller. Jan. 24: Star Tribune

Everyone wants net neutrality, but how do we get it done?
Computer science and engineering professor Joseph Konstan says too much specificity in the new net neutrality guidelines won't suit a rapidly adaptive technology. Jan. 22: City Pages

Two lakes beneath the ice in Greenland, gone within weeks
Earth sciences research fellow Claire Porter is part of a research team that discovered a sub-glacial lake that built up over years, suddenly drained away. Jan. 21: EurekAlert!; CBS; Ohio State University; Science 360; eScienceNews; Minnesota Daily; Live Science; Voice of America; Australian; Tech Times; HNGN; Newsroom America; Reporting Climate Science; Futurity; Jan. 22: Science Codex; Business Insider; Net News Ledger; Jan. 24: Science 2.0; Jan. 25: Green Energy News; Jan. 26: Minnesota Daily

U researchers make sustainable magnet
Md Mehedi, electrical and computer engineering doctoral student, was part of a research team that aims to produce sustainable magnets out of iron and nitrogen. Jan. 21: Minnesota Daily

U readies new grad program
The new degree will focus more on computer science and teach graduate students to create new techniques for analyzing data. Jan. 21: Minnesota Daily

Be inspired by the 75 new members of Fast Company's 'Most Creative People in Business 1000'
Biomedical engineering alumna Marie Johnson was included on the "Most Creative People in Business 1000" a community of influencers in business from across the economy and around the globe. Jan. 20: Fast Company

Homeland Security zeroes in on U of M software program as new tool
A computer program developed by CSE scientists could allow the government to trace the supply chain of virtually everything imported to the U.S. Jan. 14: Star Tribune

The magical bulletproof material that made Iron Man give up iron
Physics professor Jim Kakalios discusses Iron Man's use of graphene, a material consisting of a layer of carbon only one atom thick. Jan. 14: Wired

U of M's Physics Force turns science class into a circus
The Physics Force, an outreach program of the U's College of Science and Engineering, puts together a week of daytime shows for more than 25,000 school-age children to show that physics and math can be fun and interesting. Jan. 8: Redcurrent; Jan. 9: MinnPost; Jan. 14: KARE; KARE (video)

Hot Property: University of Minnesota Tate Science and Teaching Building
Work on a $92.5 million renovation of the Tate Science and Teaching Building will begin in June after last month's approval by the Board of Regents. Jan. 8: Star Tribune

Chemists work up new formulas for greener plastic
Chemistry professor Marc Hillmyer and a team at the Center for Sustainable Polymers (CSP) are dedicating their research to transforming the way plastics, or "polymers," are made and unmade. Jan. 5: Science 360