CSE in the News — January 2026 archive
January 2026
Is Cryopreservation Frozen in Time?
Until now, researchers have learned to live with it, given that “the core technology for preservation has changed little since the 1970's,” as explained by Prof. Allison Hubel from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota. “The entire field needs improvement and there is hardly an aspect of cryopreservation that would not benefit from improvement,” Hubel added. Jan. 27: Technology Networks
How safe are spit hoods - and do they actually work?
Two other studies used instruments to test airflow through several types of spit hoods; one concluded that it's easier to breathe through a spit hood than an N95 mask. "They do not block breathing," Mark Kroll, an adjunct professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Minnesota, who was involved in both airflow studies. Jan. 25: Tri-City Herald; The Bellingham Herald; The Olympian; The Seattle Times; (4 as of Jan. 26 at 8:30 a.m.)
Physics Force makes science fun
Physics and fun aren't two words you usually would put together. But at the University of Minnesota Physics Force Show, they're ready to show you science isn't scary — it's actually entertaining. Jan. 21: Yahoo Entertainment!; CBS News; (2 as of Jan. 22 at 8:30 p.m.)
University of Minnesota Twin Cities: Advancing research with electrical and computer engineering
When you think of such innovation, think Minnesota. Specifically, think about the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Here, researchers are working to drive this fast-evolving field forward. Their work and expertise draw talented students from across the world to its Minneapolis campus. Jan. 19: Study International
Variational Quantum Configuration Interaction Achieves Exact Ground States with Subspace Selection
Determining the ground-state energy of a quantum system represents a significant challenge in computational chemistry and physics. Koray Aydoğan, Anna R. Spak, Kade Head-Marsden, and Anthony W. Schlimgen, from the University of Minnesota and University of Rochester, present a novel variational quantum eigensolver (VQE) approach to finding ground state configuration interaction (CI) wavefunctions. Jan. 19: Quantum Algorithms
Safeguarding our urban waterways from stormwater runoff
College of Science and Engineering professor Bill Arnold and Andy Erickson, research manager at the Saint Anthony Falls Laboratory, are tackling a critical and underappreciated problem: stormwater runoff, an important cause of pollution in our urban waterways and drinking water supplies. Jan. 14: UMN News
Dark Matter May Have Begun Much Hotter Than Scientists Thought
"The simplest dark matter candidate (a low mass neutrino) was ruled out over 40 years ago since it would have wiped out galactic-sized structures instead of seeding it,” said Keith Olive, professor in the School of Physics and Astronomy. Jan. 13: Nanowerk; EurekAlert!; NewsWise; Jan. 14: The Brighter Side; AOL; Jan. 15: Science Daily; Europe Says; Memesita; News Directory3; Innovation News Network; Jan. 17: SciTechDaily; Jan. 19: Tech Explorist; Indian Defence Review; Jan. 20: Europe Says; Jan. 21: Yahoo News!; Space.com; inkl; Jan. 23: ZME Science; Jan. 24: MSN; Europe Says; (20 as of Jan. 26 at 8:30 a.m.)
How floodwaters impact fossil formation
Using the unique facilities at the University of Minnesota's St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, the team reproduced surging waves of water that simulated real-world floods and river features like ripples, dunes, and bars. Jan. 12: Phys.org; UMN News; EurekAlert!; Jan. 13: NewsWise; Tech Explorist; Jan. 14 The Debrief; Jan. 15: Isanti-Chisago County Star; (7 as of Feb. 17 at 4:00 p.m.)
Precision Fermentation Expands Bioeconomy’s Reach in Minnesota
“Bioindustrials are certainly having a moment in relevance and presence, especially in the Midwest where the feedstock [corn] is,” said Marc Hillmyer, director of the Center for Sustainable Polymers at the University of Minnesota. Jan. 5: Chemical Processing; Star Tribune (Premium); Jan. 8: KNSI Radio; (3 as of Jan. 8 at 8:40 a.m.)