The RESPOND project will create a diverse network of stakeholders to support critical 'super nodes' and accelerate product development. The grant builds on the success of the Massachusetts Manufacturing Emergency Response Team (MERT), which facilitated the production of over eleven million pieces of PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic.
UMass Lowell researchers are studying the relationship between heat waves and droughts in the Northeast, using moisture-tracking techniques and computer-aided modeling. The team hopes to better understand how well they can predict these extreme weather events and their potential impact on climate change.
A new UMass Lowell-led program aims to build culturally responsive and sustainable digital literacy and coding programs for secondary students in Lowell, Methuen and Schenectady. The initiative seeks to make computer science education accessible to all middle-schoolers, particularly from diverse backgrounds.
Archana Kamal, a UMass Lowell physics professor and expert on quantum information technologies, will co-present a free TEDx talk on the next quantum revolution. The event features prominent women experts in various fields, including science, technology, education, and business.
A new injection printing process developed by UMass Lowell researcher David Kazmer increases production rates and enhances part strength. The innovation combines 3D printing and injection molding, producing fully dense parts with few cracks or voids.
A UMass Lowell researcher has received a $1.4 million federal grant to develop a novel solution for detecting damage in wind turbine blades using sound monitoring technology.
A UMass Lowell-led team discovered that a symmetry in atomic nuclei is not as fundamental as previously believed, opening up new avenues for understanding the universe. The researchers created over 400 strontium-73 nuclei and compared them to bromine-73 nuclei, finding that they behaved differently.
UMass Lowell researchers develop germ-killing fabric with N-halamine, reducing risk of drug-resistant bacteria and hospital-acquired infections. The fabric can be recharged through bleach washing, extending its effectiveness.
The Center for Advancing Point of Care Technologies aims to improve quality of life and reduce hospital time for patients with these conditions. Innovations supported by CAPCaT include devices and technologies that help manage hypertension, promote mindfulness and support holistic disease management.
A UMass Lowell researcher is developing advances in safety for home care aides and clients as the field faces an aging population, technology changes, and safety challenges. The goal of the project is to produce guidelines, develop safety tools, and evaluate their effectiveness.
A UMass Lowell professor has received a $1 million grant to advance his work on reducing asthma among low-income seniors. The program will install portable air filtration units in apartments with gas stoves to improve health outcomes.
The Cool Science program is expanding its reach to other cities and towns in Massachusetts and Kansas, introducing it to young people and commuters, while also adding adult mentors. The program aims to study the effectiveness of using art to teach climate science and extreme weather events.
The University of Massachusetts Lowell's PICTURE-C telescope was launched via a football field-sized helium balloon to study objects hidden by stars' glare. The instrument boasts an optical control system and can block out direct light from stars, allowing for the detailed study of nearby planets.
A four-year research project aims to improve sleep patterns for night-shift workers over 50 years old, reducing the risk of depression, cardiovascular diseases, and accidents. The study will test two alternative sleep schedules, providing insights into the impact on productivity and overall health.
A new athletic training method has been shown to reduce head injuries in high school football players, with a 26-33% decline in head impacts during games. The training technique, developed by UMass Lowell Prof. Erik Swartz, aims to teach players to avoid hitting their heads as the first point of contact and improve tackling abilities.
Researchers at UMass Lowell have discovered that eggshell particles can increase bone cells' ability to grow and harden, potentially resulting in faster healing. The technique uses crushed eggshells in a hydrogel mixture to support bone growth, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional methods.
A large-scale study found that consuming high amounts of cholesterol from eggs is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and death. The researchers also noted that even healthy diets can have negative effects when eggs are consumed excessively, emphasizing the importance of moderation and balance in daily eating habits.
The Massachusetts Medical Device Development Center's $200K Challenge recognized innovative medical device solutions for treating blood clots, congestive heart failure, and other conditions. The competition drew entrants from around the world and awarded shares of a $200,000 purse to 12 winners.
A UMass Lowell expert is studying how much mercury accumulates in forests to reduce the pollutant worldwide. The research team measures forest soils and watersheds to understand mercury cycles.
The UMass Lowell team's innovation uses water, carbon dioxide, and cobalt to produce hydrogen gas on demand, powering fuel cells and reducing emissions. This technology could enable electric vehicles of all sizes to run longer and is poised to address the growing demand for green energy.
The UMass Lowell team will explore new ways of sharing data across different organizations compliant with HIPAA, enabling efficient collaboration among patients, researchers, and practitioners. The project aims to develop a secure cyberinfrastructure that can handle sensitive data, including homeland security and counterterrorism.
A UMass Lowell researcher explores the human dynamics behind plea deals, finding that over 95% of US criminal charges are resolved by guilty pleas. Her new NSF grant-funded project aims to reduce false guilty pleas and improve justice system services for defendants, using a computer simulation to test variables affecting plea decisions.
Researchers will assess bone strength and nutrition among men and women in the Boston area to develop interventions for preventing bone loss and fracture risk. The study aims to provide insight into the impact of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) on bone health.
Researchers at UMass Lowell have created a new class of metamaterial that can change the color of light, enabling on-chip optical communication. This technology could lead to smaller, faster, and more efficient computer chips with wider bandwidth and better data storage.
A UMass Lowell team is working on developing renewable fuel additives from sawdust to increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions. The project aims to create a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels in internal combustion engines.
The Center for Advancing Point-of-Care Technologies (CAPCaT) will assist inventors developing innovative point-of-care devices and technologies for patients with heart, lung, blood, and sleep disorders. The center aims to reduce in-patient hospital stays and improve quality of life.
Operation 250, a student-launched public awareness initiative, will expand and evaluate its effectiveness in educating youths, parents, and educators about terrorist recruitment methods. The $1 million grant will allow the organization to increase safety and decrease risky decision-making online.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that a role-playing game called World Climate increases motivation to combat climate change by 81%, even among Americans who support free market policies. The game simulates UN climate talks and provides immediate feedback on the expected climate impacts of participants' decisions.
A UMass Lowell researcher is translating the toughness of spider silks to develop high-performance synthetic biomaterials. The project aims to understand what makes Darwin's bark spider dragline silk ultra-tough and its potential applications in improving helmets, body armor, medical devices, sports gear, and more.
A new study by UMass Lowell professor Jill Portnoy found that giving children omega-3 fatty acid supplements reduces disruptive behavior, which has a positive effect on their parents' relationships. The research aims to determine effective ways to intervene before anti-social behavior escalates into crime.
The Massachusetts Medical Device Development Center has received a $500,000 grant from BARDA to help startups develop cures for pandemic flu and sepsis. Two startups already working with M2D2 plan to join the new network.
UMass Lowell researchers aim to develop methods for robots to assess their performance in real-time, enabling better task completion and increased efficiency. The SUCCESS project will utilize humanoid robots like Baxter to evaluate their abilities and limitations, leading to improved human-robot collaboration and trust.
Researchers at UMass Lowell are using origami to create new biomaterials that can grow cells for repairing or regenerating tissues such as skin, bone, cartilage, and blood vessels. The team's paper-based platforms have shown promise in biocompatibility and potential applications for wound care.
A team of UMass Lowell researchers has developed sensing fabrics with optical fibers and sensors to monitor structural health and integrity of vital infrastructures. These fabrics can detect cracks and strain early on, minimizing maintenance costs and environmental impacts.
A study at UMass Lowell aims to predict behavioral outcomes based on propaganda type and viewer personality. The research will produce training materials and educational content to counter terrorist recruitment techniques.
A new virtual child software is being developed to train professionals in behavioral intervention techniques for children with autism spectrum disorder. The software will feature a virtual child programmed with learning difficulties associated with autism, allowing users to practice and master treatment methods.
The UMass Lowell team is developing a new electronic monitoring system, BEACON, that uses smartphones and sensor technology to promote and reward constructive behaviors among parolees. The system aims to provide positive support to help them avoid violations and recidivism.
Researchers are studying the relationship between gut bacteria and Parkinson's disease, aiming to identify early signs of the illness. The study aims to compare the gut bacteria of people in the earliest stages of the disease with those who are healthy.
A UMass Lowell professor is leading a research study on the ethical dilemmas posed by autonomous vehicles. The team aims to develop decision-making algorithms that balance individual rights with societal welfare. They will also investigate cybersecurity and privacy concerns related to self-driving cars.
The study aims to identify variables that predict why certain individuals are better at making tough decisions, as well as understand how people arrive at difficult choices. By training soldiers, first-responders, and civilians, the research hopes to produce better outcomes in life-threatening situations.
During the total solar eclipse on August 21, UMass Lowell faculty and students will conduct research on space weather using high-tech instruments. The goal is to better predict the weather and enhance GPS, satellite, and shortwave-radio communications.
A new study by UMass Lowell researchers has identified gaseous mercury as the major source of pollution in the Arctic tundra. The findings reveal that airborne mercury is gathering in the region's soil and ultimately running off into waters, posing a significant threat to human health and wildlife.