News

William Arnold on a boat
Energy-Environment

Expert Alert: University of Minnesota research played important role in first statewide ban on antibacterial ingredient

Posted

On Jan. 1, 2017, Minnesota becomes the first state in the nation to ban soaps containing the common antibacterial agent, called triclosan. For nearly a decade, researchers at the University of Minnesota have been studying the levels of triclosan and its degradation products in freshwater lakes and rivers.

Hands forming a circle around a world
Energy-Environment, Students

CSE students among 2016 Dow Sustainability Award finalists

Posted

The University of Minnesota has selected 10 finalists for the $10,000 Dow Sustainability Innovation Student Challenge Award (SISCA).

Soap Molecule
Energy-Environment

Researchers invent ‘perfect’ soap molecule that is better for the environment and cleans in all conditions

Posted

A team of researchers, led by the University of Minnesota, has invented a new soap molecule made from renewable sources that could dramatically reduce the number of chemicals in cleaning products and their impact on the environment.

Digital elevation model of Anchorage, Alaska
Energy-Environment

University of Minnesota-led project releases 3-D elevation maps of Alaska for White House Arctic Initiative

Posted

A team of researchers led by the University of Minnesota Polar Geospatial Center released the first-ever, publicly available set of high-resolution, three-dimensional topographic maps of the entire state of Alaska.

Citizen science project uses satellite images to get first-ever, comprehensive count of Weddell seals
Energy-Environment

Count seals in Antarctica from the comfort of your couch

Posted

Citizen science project uses satellite images to get first-ever, comprehensive count of Weddell seals. Counting seals will help scientists better protect and conserve the pristine Ross Sea and wildlife in the area.

Power lines with sunset in the background
Energy-Environment, Research

Four University–private sector partnerships win grants to advance renewable electricity in Minnesota

Posted

The Institute on the Environment’s Renewable Electricity for Minnesota’s Future grant program awarded $717,360 each in funding this month to four collaborative research initiatives.

engineered bacteria growing in beakers
Energy-Environment, Research

Researchers create synthetic biopathway to turn agriculture waste into ‘green’ products

Posted

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have engineered a new synthetic biopathway that can more efficiently and cost-effectively turn agricultural waste into a variety of useful products.

Graphic of Shewanella oneidensis
Energy-Environment, Nanotechnology

Lithium battery material found to harm key soil microorganism

Posted

New research published by researchers at the University of Minnesota and University of Wisconsin-Madison is an early signal that the growing use of the new nanoscale materials used in the rechargeable batteries that power portable electronics and electric and hybrid vehicles may have untold environmental consequences.

Hands forming a circle around a world
Energy-Environment, Students

CSE students among 2015 Dow Sustainability Award finalists

Posted

The University of Minnesota has selected 10 finalists for the $10,000 Dow Sustainability Innovation Student Challenge Award (SISCA).

Researchers collected samples and took chemical measurements of the sediment from San Francisco Bay
Energy-Environment, Research

Study shows new potential indirect effects of humans on water quality

Posted

A study published today shows that a newly studied class of water contaminants that is known to be toxic and hormone disrupting to marine animals is present likely due in part to indirect effects of human activity.