Author: Kate McAlpine
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Light, flexible and radiation-resistant: organic solar cells for space
Some carbon-based solar cells already show no drop in performance after three years’ worth of radiation, and the cause of degradation in others could be preventable.
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Twisted Edison: bright, elliptically polarized incandescent light
Filaments curling at the micro- and nanoscale produce light waves that twirl as they travel.
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Toward quantum for the real world: photonic team in running for center-level funding
A team led by the University of Michigan aims to bring the extraordinary accuracy of quantum laboratory measurements to real-world devices.
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Diversifying robotics with a one-of-a-kind collaborative teaching model
Toyota Research Institute and Amazon help fund the hybrid program that partners with Minority-Serving Institutions.
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It’s all on the table
Can engineers piece together a carbon-neutral aviation system by 2050?
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Space Force establishes $35M institute for versatile propulsion and power at U-M
To optimize power, efficiency and freedom to maneuver, engineers aim to demonstrate new technologies for power generation, electric propulsion and chemical rockets.
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$15M for game theory with AI agents, quantum semiconductors for microelectronics and photonics
The DoD funds efforts to incorporate AI agents into game theory and develop microelectronics that can withstand a hot day on Venus or carry quantum information.
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Versatile knee exo for safer lifting
Helping out the quad muscles kept study participants lifting safely despite fatigue, with an algorithm that smoothly shifts between lifting and carrying tasks.
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In step toward solar fuels, durable artificial photosynthesis setup chains two carbons together
The system produces ethylene, an important ingredient of many plastics, with much higher efficiency, yield and longevity than competing systems.
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X-ray vision
One of the first experimenters at the new flagship US laser, Michigan alum Franklin Dollar’s mission is bigger than research.
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Electric aviation: Batteries that stay strong for the flight duration
Borrowing methods from biology, a team of scientists and engineers designed and tested an electrolyte that keeps battery power delivery high, cycle after cycle.
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$10.5M biomaterials center to connect researchers, fund innovation and fight resource discrimination
Building on a network of biomaterials researchers and the success of a seed grant effort, U-M and UW lead a new NIH-funded center