Astronomer Dan Dicken uses Spitzer Space Telescope data to study heat energy from distant active galaxies, aiming to distinguish between starbursts and supermassive black holes. His research could help understand galaxy evolution, co-evolution of black holes and their host galaxies, and the diversity of active galactic nuclei.
Scientists are concerned about the buildup of carbon dioxide and methane gas in Lake Kivu, which could lead to a catastrophic explosion. The lake's unique combination of geological features and lack of circulation makes it vulnerable to disturbances, posing a threat to the approximately 2 million people living nearby.
A new method using laser light can convert methane into methanol, producing a low-cost, clean fuel that could reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The process also yields hydrogen for fuel cells and other industrial applications.
Researchers at RIT are using supercomputers to study the massive dark objects, simulating what cannot be seen directly. The grants and allocations will enhance their access to sophisticated computer power, staying at the forefront of scientific computation.
Tom Smith is experimenting with synthesizing liquid salts into a gel to create a new material that confines charge-carrying ions in a gelled, pseudo-liquid state. The goal is to improve conductivity in electrochemical devices at nanoscopic dimensions.
Researchers at RIT and UB are developing real-time information products to help emergency responders during disasters. The lab will focus on technology, policy, and business-development to create potential business opportunities for industry.
A pilot project led by RIT scientist aims to verify a model using geographic information systems technology to select optimal resting locations. The study focuses on Neotropical migrants and will inform the conservation of migratory bird species.
A Rochester Institute of Technology scientist improved Hubble's Near-Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer calibration to enable high-precision polarimetry. This technique helps scientists study active galactic nuclei and proto-planets around young stars.
Scientists at RIT are designing an optical sensor to fly in surveillance drones, tracking suspects and vehicles identified as threats. The sensor will collect only necessary data and adapt to different scenarios, providing more efficient sensing.
A partnership between RIT and Lockheed Martin has equipped US military vehicles with new systems monitoring technology to improve performance and environmental quality. The project also led to the creation of a spin-off company, LIBAN Inc, which aims to expand the use of software and hardware applications for commercial vehicle fleets.
Researchers successfully tested the live broadcast of surgeries using the Internet2 network, enabling real-time video transmission to multiple locations. This technology has the potential to revolutionize medicine by reducing travel costs for physicians and enhancing patient care.
Rochester Institute of Technology will develop a zero-noise detector with the Moore Foundation's $2.8M award, promising to enhance telescope sensitivity and astrophysics discoveries. The project aims to resolve noise limitations in existing detectors.
Researchers use infrared sensors and thermal imagery to detect hot water plumes in frozen lakes, predicting power plant energy production. They also measure hot air temperature using surface temperatures of fan blades and motors.
The project utilizes physiological information to develop more sophisticated assistive aids for individuals with neuromuscular diseases and musculoskeletal injuries. Researchers aim to create robotic orthoses that can aid patients with muscular dystrophy regain significant use of their limbs.
Astronomers have detected a giant ring around a rare and exotic star known as a magnetar, which was likely produced by a massive flare. The discovery provides valuable insights into the phenomenon associated with magnetars, a type of neutron star with incredibly strong magnetic fields.
Researchers at RIT's RIDL create a new type of LIDAR detector that can build high-resolution topography and atmospheric property measurements. The device will extend NASA science capabilities for planetary applications, enabling robots and astronauts to navigate and explore celestial bodies with greater accuracy.
Bill Middleton is using satellite imagery to build a detailed landscape map of Oaxaca, where the Zapotec people formed the first state-level and urban society in Mexico. The study will explore how the Oaxacan economy and environment changed as the Zapotec state grew and then collapsed.
A new study by Rochester Institute of Technology found that sign language interpreting causes more physical stress to the extremities than high-risk industrial tasks, increasing the risk of musculoskeletal injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis.
A RIT team successfully simulated the merger of three black holes, confirming a robust computer code and predicting distinct gravitational signatures. The simulation, which uses high-performance computing, is essential for detecting gravity waves that may confirm the existence of black holes.
A study reveals that marine vessel pollution causes approximately 60,000 premature cardiopulmonary and lung cancer deaths worldwide each year. The report estimates that the number of annual deaths from ship emissions could increase by 40 percent by 2012, with coastal regions in Asia and Europe being the most affected.
A team from Rochester Institute of Technology has confirmed that supermassive black holes launch rotating winds that shape galaxies and regulate their growth. The findings, reported in Nature, provide direct observational confirmation of a long-standing theory about quasar winds.
Rochester Institute of Technology will conduct a year-long study on reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from freight transportation in the Great Lakes region. The project aims to compare different modes of transportation, including shipping, road, and rail, based on cost, energy use, emissions, and time-of-delivery.
The report highlights key elements of a healthy STEM workforce system, including rewards and risks that impact the attractiveness of STEM professions. Policymakers are advised to consider policy levers such as federal research funding, scholarships, and improving labor market signals.
The University-National Park Energy Partnership Program has funded nearly 70 projects at over 30 national parks, saving energy bills and educating future energy professionals. Students conduct energy audits, data analysis, and implement renewable energy measures such as solar and wind turbines in historic sites.
The Preserving Virtual Worlds project aims to develop standards for preserving digital games and interactive fiction like Second Life. The project will explore methods, infrastructure, and technology for preserving complex software, content, and interactivity in computer games and electronic literature.
A new research project aims to integrate radio frequency identification technology into cardiac sensor networks, improving remote medical delivery. The team will also work to enhance the security of the systems used in the process, reducing the possibility of identity theft and cyber-terrorism.
A team from RIT and UR is developing a detector that can withstand harsh radiation environments in space, enabling the capture of images from every wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum.
A research partnership between RIT and Monroe County assesses the performance of E85 flex-fuel vehicles, analyzing their environmental and economic benefits. The study aims to reduce fossil fuel reliance and costs to taxpayers while promoting alternative energy implementation in public vehicle fleets.
A non-profit organization called White Cane Label aims to give the blind and visually impaired community more independence in choosing their wardrobe. The group plans to launch an interactive, talking Web site and standardized Braille-embossed clothing tags made of cloth.
Scientists at RIT have discovered that supermassive black holes can be thrown from galaxies at speeds of up to 4,000 km/s, significantly exceeding the escape velocity. The spin velocity determines the size and direction of the 'kick' or radiation recoil.
A new study aims to understand how college students network online and interact with each other in virtual communities. The research team, led by Professor Susan Barnes, will develop an undergraduate course on social media to explore the use of software for social interaction.
Researchers at Rochester Institute of Technology are developing a micropump to administer drugs and gene-based therapy treatments for auditory dysfunction. The goal is to improve treatment and cure hearing loss, surpassing the limitations of existing hearing aids and cochlear implants.
A new generation of imaging detectors with low-noise and high-speed capabilities may transform imaging applications on NASA space missions, impact biomedical imaging, and aid in homeland defense. The new detector will be able to capture sharper images and consume less power than current technology.
A team of RIT scientists digitally restored a 700-year-old palm-leaf manuscript containing the essence of Hindu philosophy, preserving the original writings attributed to scholar Shri Madvacharya. The processed images will be stored in various media formats for long-term preservation and made available to scholars.
Researchers are creating a computer-based program to evaluate the impact of environmental policies on the auto industry and consumer behavior. The five-year study will build and link computer models to understand the response of consumers and producers to policy decisions and their environmental impact.
Researchers have solved the mystery of Quintuplet stars by identifying them as young massive binary stars producing large amounts of dust. The study captures the stars just before disintegrating in supernovae explosions, revealing a unique pinwheel nebulae around each star.
Rochester Institute of Technology and color scientist Roy Berns have developed a practical approach to eliminate subjective lighting decisions when imaging artwork. The five-year project will create an instrument to capture geometric and spectral information of artwork, using mathematical models to predict properties.
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) has received a $465,000 grant from the Henry Luce Foundation to develop a groundbreaking Ph.D. program in sustainability. The program will integrate research and coursework in engineering, science, economics, and public policy to advance sustainable industrial system design.
A team of researchers from RIT and UD has developed a computer-based model to analyze the energy, environmental, and economic impacts of freight transportation along I-95. The tool will help decision-makers identify routes with the lowest environmental impacts and explore tradeoffs among shipping cost, time, and environmental effects.
RIT scientist Ryne Raffaelle's $847,109 grant will develop nanostructured materials to enhance solar cell absorption and conversion rates. The project aims to improve current technology and lay the foundation for long-term improvement in solar energy use.
A new computer chip lithography method, evanescent wave lithography (EWL), has been developed at Rochester Institute of Technology, allowing for optically imaging the smallest-ever semiconductor device geometry. The breakthrough has enabled resolution smaller than one-twentieth the wavelength of visible light, surpassing previous limits.
Astronomers discovered dusty disks around two massive stars, suggesting that planets might form and survive in hostile environments. The discovery expands the range of known conditions for complex dust grain formation and potentially indicates that these stars are forming planets.
Astronomers have found a massive star cluster in the Milky Way, consisting of 14 supergiants with a total mass of at least 20,000 solar masses. This discovery may challenge existing massive star formation models and provides valuable insights into the evolution of these stars.
A team of scientists measured gas motions within 10 light-years of a supermassive black hole, confirming main theories at unprecedented scales. The observations revealed dynamic shifts in the gas and showed spiral arms pulling gas from distant regions.
The partnership will leverage expertise in imaging and remote sensing to improve mapping and location technologies for emergency response. The lab will also utilize the center for its Wildfire Airborne Sensor research program with NASA and the U.S. Forest Service.
RIT and Cal State will train thousands of math and science teachers through a $500,000 National Science Foundation grant. Students completing technical studies at RIT will receive financial support to pursue teaching credentials.
Researchers have developed a new model of visual perception that explains how the brain adjusts to viewing position, allowing images to appear undistorted even when viewed from different locations. This discovery has implications for designing better devices and creating more realistic computer graphics.
Researchers at RIT are working on a groundbreaking study to model how rumors spread in social networks and affect individuals and groups. The project aims to use two diverse methodologies combining psychological and mathematical expertise to investigate the impact of rumors on human relationships and society.
Researchers created a new mathematical model to predict and prevent societal collapse, shedding light on the mysterious Easter Island population crash. The model successfully mimics the island's rapid decline due to finite resource depletion, providing valuable insights for modern population management.
The RIT study found that museum imaging was output-driven and subjective, with a lack of standardized protocols. Key findings include the need for objective evaluation methods, improved color management, and more efficient workflows to enhance digital preservation.