CSE in the News — February 2025 archive

February 2025

Inception of Low-Power Electronics with New Material Property
Scientists at Penn State have harnessed a unique property called incipient ferroelectricity to create a new type of computer memory that could revolutionize how electronic devices work, such as using much less energy and operating in extreme environments like outer space. University of Minnesota, co-authors of the study include Sooho Choo, Shivasheesh Varshney, Jay Shah, K. Andre Mkhoyan and Bharat Jalan. Feb. 26: EurekAlert!; Scienmag; Feb. 27: Innoreports; Feb. 28: Today News 24; Feb. 28: SciTech Daily; Mar. 13: Newswise; (6 as of Mar. 14 at  2:15 p.m.)

Physicists Question Microsoft’s Quantum Claim
Scientists are responding to Microsoft’s announcement with caution, in part because the quest for topological qubits and the “Majorana” particles that underpin them has a history of bold pronouncements that later were pulled back, said Vlad Pribiag, a quantum device physicist at the University of Minnesota who wasn’t involved with the work Feb. 21: The Wall Street Journal; Feb. 22: MSN; (2 as of Feb. 24 at 9:00 a.m.)

As helium prices balloon, hopes rise that northeast Minnesota has big deposit of the gas
At the University of Minnesota, several labs use liquid helium to cool magnets in various devices. Physics professor Paul Kroll said his department uses about a thousand liters a month, at a cost of about $20 per liter. Feb. 20: MPR News

Selective Combustion Provides Energy-Efficient Alternative to Remove Pollutants From Industrial Processes
“No one else has shown that you could combust one hydrocarbon present in low concentrations, in mixtures with others,” said Aditya Bhan, a Distinguished McKnight University Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and lead investigator on the paper. Feb. 18: CSE; Newswise; Phys.Org; Science Daily; Bioengineer.Org; Scienmag; EurekAlert; Feb. 19: The Engineer; Today News 24; AZO Materials; MSN; Feb. 21: Lab+Life Scientist; Feb. 22: SciTech Daily; (13 as of Mar. 4 at 8:55 a.m.)

Tuskegee Airman Joseph White was among those who ‘believed we could fly’
He earned a Ph.D in physics at the University of Minnesota while working in environmental testing at Remington Rand. Dr. White returned to the south to teach high school math, physics and chemistry in Chattanooga and later returned to Nashville where he taught science at Pearl High School, now Pearl-Cohn High School, and introduced the state’s first electronics program in 1959. Feb. 17: Williamson Herald

Two University of Minnesota professors elected to the National Academy of Engineering for 2025
Arthur Erdman is a professor in the College of Science and Engineering and director of the Earl E. Bakken Medical Devices Center. While Roger Ruan is a professor with dual appointments in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences and College of Science and Engineering. Feb. 12: UMN

UMN study strives to tackle Mississippi’s plastic debris
A new study from the University of Minnesota’s College of Science and Engineering (CSE) found it can use sensors to detect and remove plastic debris from the Mississippi River, according to a press release from CSE. Feb. 7: MN Daily; Apr. 22 WCCO; Apr. 23 Patch

Breaking down the science behind rock salt
When rock salt is used on our sidewalks and roads, there is science happening at the molecular level. Dr. Xavier Prat-Resina is an associate professor of chemistry at the University of Minnesota, at the Rochester branch. He said ions or molecules with positive and negative charges make the science possible. Feb. 7: KTTC; Feb. 8: Newz9; (2 as of Feb. 10 at 9:25 a.m.)

Low-temperature plasma science and engineering enable a broad range of societal transformations
Peter Bruggeman, a Mechanical Engineering professor at the University of Minnesota, shares insights on low-temperature plasmas (LTPs) and their significant impact. Feb. 2: Newz9; Feb. 6: Innovation News Network; Feb. 7: Nuadox; (3 as of Feb. 10 at 9:25 a.m.)

Meet Kumar Avizeet Transforming Healthcare Through AI and Innovation
Kumar Avizeet is a Senior Manager Software Engineering at Optum Services Inc., where he plays a crucial role in developing advanced healthcare technology solutions for next generation. His academic journey includes a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science from India, and he is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Management of Technology (MS-MOT) at the University of Minnesota. Feb. 4: TechBullion

UMN Computer Science professor wins Presidential Award
University of Minnesota Professor Maria Gini was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring after 40 years in the Computer Science Department. She was the first woman in the department. Feb. 3: MN Daily; Feb. 5: KSTP; (2 as of Feb. 6 at 8:21 a.m.)