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Materials

Juan Lopez wears sunglasses to protect his eyes in the lab

Immortal switches, quantum computers could stem from new semiconductor

Material’s polarity, conductivity change with temperature|Medium Read
A diagram of the crystal structure invented to test the new “inverse design” computer program.

‘Digital alchemy’ to reverse-engineer new materials

If you tell this computer program what crystal you need to build, it will design a particle that self-assembles into that crystal.|Medium Read
Steve Forrest OLED research

A new $1.6M energy project to develop low cost manufacturing of white organic lighting

Prof. Stephen Forrest is developing an automated high-yield roll-to-roll process to manufacture organic LEDs for lighting. |Medium Read
Two stacked rings made from pairs of oppositely “supercharged” green fluorescent proteins (GFPs). Colors correspond to the actual fluorescence wavelength of the GFP molecules; the ribbons are derived from the structural model validated by observing cryogenically frozen proteins with an electron microscope. Image: Jens Glaser, Glotzer Group, Michigan Engineering, and Yi Zhou, UT Austin Department of Molecular Biosciences (background).

Toward protein nanomachines: just add charge

Added electrical charges can harness a protein’s shape and chemical properties to build interesting structures.|Medium Read
Anthony Grbic and students

Time-varying metamaterials for next generation communication, sensing, and defense systems

With $7.5M MURI grant, Professor Anthony Grbic is developing metamaterials for a new generation of integrated electromagnetic and photonic systems.|Medium Read
The 3D printed block M model made by Scott and Burns team. Photo: Evan Dougherty

3D printing 100 times faster with light

The new method also results in a stronger print than typical layered models. |Short Read
Ahmet Emre works in a lab

Cartilage could be key to safe ‘structural batteries’

The new prototype cells can run for more than 100 cycles at 90 percent capacity and withstand hard impacts and even stabbing.|Medium Read
A transparent aerogel could reduce the energy loss in absorbers for solar thermal power plants by 67 percent. Credit: Lenert Lab, Michigan Engineering

$1.6M for solar cell windows and high-temperature solar power

New sustainability research garners support from Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office. |Medium Read

U-M researchers develop small device that bends light to generate new radiation

This device, the size of a match head, can bend light inside a crystal to generate synchrotron radiation in a lab.|Medium Read
Shelf with steel rods

How recycling more steel and aluminum could slash imports without a trade war

|Medium Read
A car drives through potholes in the road

Bendable concrete, with a design inspired by seashells, can make US infrastructure safer and more durable

Bendable concrete makes infrastructure safer, extends its service life and reduces maintenance costs and resource use.|Short Read
Student pours liquids over plastic slides

“Everything-repellent” coating could kid-proof phones, homes

Clear surface repels all liquids|Short Read