The Michigan Engineer News Center

University of Michigan creating outdoor complex for safe drone testing

August 17, 2017
The University of Michigan’s School of Engineering is building a first-of-its-kind outdoor fly lab designed to give students and professors a large, safely netted environment for testing cutting-edge autonomous aerial vehicles, or drones.
A snail on a leaf

Snails carrying the world’s smallest computer help solve mass extinction survivor mystery

Study yields new insights into the survival of a native snail important to Tahitian culture and ecology and to biologists studying evolution. | Medium Read
Scan from CYGNSS

Tracking ocean microplastics from space

Satellites give new insights on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, plus sources and flows of ocean microplastic. | Medium Read
3D printed wings

Bird-like wings could help drones keep stable in gusts

"3D morphing" wings could help small aircraft safely navigate windy urban streets and land with shorter approaches. | Medium Read

Snail extinction mystery solved using miniature solar sensors

A smart microphone that doesn't listen to you

Learning to build accessible software systems remotely via Zoom

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Research News
Fluorescent lights.

Harnessing the hum

The property that makes fluorescent lights buzz could power a new generation of computing devices. | Medium Read

Nanoengineering integrates crystals that don’t usually get along | Medium Read

Streamlining aircraft | Long Read

$12.75M for reliable hypersonic engines and artificial photosynthesis | Medium Read
Campus & Community
North campus photo taken by a drone

Community teams drive new College initiative toward more inclusive campus

Six month’s of progress and what’s ahead for the College. | Medium Read

NSBE U-M reflects on a historic win and challenging year | Medium Read

U-M Battery Lab to join Michigan Materials Research Institute | Medium Read

U-Michigan professor appointed to FDA medical device security post | Medium Read
Faculty Perspectives
Mario Gutierrez consults Prof. Lola Eniola in a lab

Black biomedical scientists still lag in research funding – here’s why that matters to all Americans

In The Conversation, Omolola Eniola-Adefeso says "If science is to benefit all Americans, science first must be done by all Americans." | Short Read

Shipping is tough on the climate and hard to clean up – these innovations can help cut emissions | Short Read

Shape-shifting computer chip thwarts an army of hackers | Short Read

Using captured CO₂ in everyday products could help fight climate change, but will consumers want them? | Short Read
In the News
Bloomberg May 3, 2021
Putin finds ally in China’s TikTok in crackdown on critics
Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Roya Ensafi explains how Russia's approach to censorship is a landmark for other countries.
The Washington Post April 7, 2021
The revolution in satellite technology means there are swarms of spacecraft no bigger than a loaf of bread in orbit
Professor of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering Brian Gilchrist's class where students built small satellites is featured in Washington Post.
Time March 29, 2021
‘Garbage freaking everywhere’ as Americans venture outdoors after a year of lockdowns
Professor Brian Love is quoted in Time.
The Hill March 2, 2021
What is bendable concrete, and how can it help fight climate change?
Global CO2 Initiative researchers explain how their work can contribute to curbing climate change.
history

Five year plan: The North Campus story

Ed Lesher: Aircraft Hall of Famer

LASIK: The Bladeless Scalpel

Q&A with Samuel Ting