Author: Kate McAlpine
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Myth 1: Engineering is a meritocracy
In the first of six myths, we show that engineering is not an apolitical meritocratic ideal, and we argue engineers must reflect on their social systems and pay attention to their malfunctions.
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Prioritizing diversity to benefit the field of engineering
It’s part of our job.
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Myth 6: It is not engineering’s problem when communities are left behind
In the final myth of the series, we discuss how good ideas and creative people aren’t always met with equal access to education and resources.
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Chemistry and energy: Machine learning to understand catalyst interactions
Toward harnessing machine learning to design the materials we want.
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Burn after reading
A self-erasing chip for security and anti-counterfeit tech.
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Coordination and collaboration are critical to U.S. leadership in plasma science: a Q&A with the Plasma 2020 Decadal Study co-chair
Plasma science has the potential to speed advances in medicine, energy, electronics and more—including helping us deal with pandemics.|
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Mirror-like photovoltaics get more electricity out of heat
By reflecting nearly all the light they can’t turn into electricity, they help pave the way for storing renewable energy as heat.
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Three ways to do hands-on, remote learning
Classes pioneer home lab kits, virtual lab presence, or taking advantage of the distance with a collaborative data project.
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Powering robots: biomorphic batteries could provide 72 times more energy than stand-alone cells
The researchers compare them to fat deposits in living creatures.
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Space motor helps make robotic prosthetic leg more comfortable and extends battery life
Getting rid of some gears enabled a free-swinging knee, regenerative braking and brought the noise level down from vacuum cleaner to fridge.
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Twisting magnetic fields for extreme plasma compression
When magnetic walls are closing in, wily plasma slips out between magnetic field lines. A Michigan-led team pioneered a way to keep more plasma contained.
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Making plastic more transparent while also adding electrical conductivity
Michigan Engineers change the game by making a conductive coating that’s also anti-reflective.