Researchers developed a spherical prototype with adjustable surface dimples to cut through pressure drag and generate lift, reducing drag by 50% compared to smooth counterparts. The adaptive skin setup can adjust dimple depth to maintain drag reductions and generate controlled movement.
The University of Michigan researchers discovered a simple annealing method that enhances the quality of materials used in cell phones, sensors and energy harvesting devices. The process boosts piezoelectricity eight times beyond current technology.
A new study by the University of Michigan estimates that 19 million children under 18 live with a parent who meets the definition for a substance use disorder, with 6 million also having a mental illness. Effective treatment options are available to parents and need to be expanded to support these children.
A University of Michigan study identifies Dolichospermum as the cyanobacteria responsible for producing saxitoxin in Lake Erie. The researchers found that warmer water and specific environmental conditions promote saxitoxin production, highlighting the need for continued monitoring to assess potential changes with climate change.
Researchers can now study microstructures inside metals, ceramics, and rocks with X-rays in a standard laboratory without needing a particle accelerator. The new technique, lab-3DXRD, enables quick analysis of samples and prototypes, providing more opportunities for students.
A new study by the University of Michigan found that low-to-medium-income countries can benefit from investing in renewable energy while reducing emissions and income inequality. The research team examined connections between climate impacts, mitigation strategies and social justice considerations.
A new study published in Science reveals insights into the activity of genes inside different cell types in maize plants. The research, led by Alexandre Marand at the University of Michigan, sheds light on how molecular biology connects to a plant's visible traits, such as ear size and growth.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered a mechanism that holds new ferroelectric semiconductors together, enabling high power transistors and sensors. The team found an atomic-scale break in the material that creates a conductive pathway, allowing for adjustable superhighways for electricity.
Researchers found that ancient Homo sapiens used tailored clothing and ochre-based sunscreens to protect themselves from harmful UV light during the Laschamps excursion. This period of reduced magnetic field strength allowed more cosmic radiation to reach Earth's surface, potentially contributing to the decline of Neanderthals.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed new membranes for desalination that can help eliminate brine waste and produce more sustainable freshwater. The membranes are packed with charge and increase conductivity, allowing them to move more salt with less power.
A University of Michigan-led team is developing a method to guarantee the quality of 3D-printed metal parts using digital twins, fatigue models, and multisensor integration. The technique aims to predict when these parts will fail under repeated stresses.
Researchers at U-M and Stanford aim to create implantable brain computer interfaces to detect and interpret brain signals, enabling stroke victims to communicate more effectively. The devices will use tiny carbon-based electrodes to record signals from the brain's temporal region and transmit them wirelessly.
A University of Michigan research team used ChatGPT to adapt exercise instructions for a popular physical activity program, making it more accessible and inclusive for neurodivergent children. The new prompts cater to the unique needs of these children, including differences in sensory processing and body awareness.
The study reveals that frustrated assemblies can lead to materials with desirable properties like strength and toughness. By understanding the relationship between structure and property, researchers aim to design advanced materials for medical devices and sustainable construction.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a modified manufacturing process that enables high ranges and fast charging in cold weather. A stabilizing coating on an electrode, combined with microscale channels, solves the trade-off between range and charging speed, even in subfreezing temperatures.
University of Michigan researchers developed a statistical method to give a more complete sense of human ancestry. The Gaia algorithm estimates an individual's genetic ancestors, identifies their average location based on movement assumptions, and tracks it back over centuries.
A new brain-like computer uses analog computing to process and store information in the same location as biological neurons, reducing power consumption by 0.25%. The device, called a memristor network, is more efficient than conventional transistor-based computers and has implications for autonomous vehicles and drones.
A recent study at the University of Michigan Biological Station found that carbon storage in forests is more nuanced than previously thought. The study, which spanned over two centuries, revealed that forest structure, tree and fungal communities, and soil biogeochemical processes have a greater influence on carbon sequestration than t...
The study found that fragmented landscapes had 13.6% fewer species at the patch scale and 12.1% fewer species at the landscape scale. Generalist species primarily live in fragmented areas. The researchers conclude that large, continuous landscapes are better for preserving biodiversity.
Researchers found Andromeda XXXV, the smallest and dimmest satellite galaxy to date, which challenges our understanding of galaxy formation and evolution. The discovery provides new insights into how galaxies survive different epochs of the universe.
Researchers from the University of Michigan found that line drying clothes could save households up to $2,100 in energy costs over their lifetime. The study also highlighted the importance of behavioral changes, such as running dryers during off-peak hours, and the varying emissions due to different regions' energy sources.
A University of Michigan study found that dicamba drift reduces pollinator abundance and visits to some weeds but not others. Weeds exposed to dicamba drift have fewer pollinators near them and reduced pollinator visits. Dicamba damages plants by mimicking the hormone auxin, impacting plant growth size, flower production, and timing.
The Hydrogen Engine Alliance of North America aims to educate the public about hydrogen's potential and build support for infrastructure development. It will foster innovation and collaboration across sectors to ensure that internal combustion engine vehicles contribute meaningfully to North America's hydrogen ecosystem.
Nearly 17 million children in the US are estimated to live with a parent who has a substance use disorder. Children may face high risks of substance use issues and mental health challenges due to parental addiction.
The University of Michigan is merging its transportation safety research with automated vehicle testing to improve roadway safety. The move marks the institution's 60th anniversary and includes Mcity, a public/private partnership test facility, to develop connected and automated vehicle technologies.
Researchers found that foliated rocks along a fault line exhibit anisotropic properties, causing uneven strength and contributing equally to earthquake generation. This discovery suggests that the properties of rocks may play a significant role in seismic activity.
University of Michigan researchers will scale up NASA's technology and manufacturing process to create durable silicon carbide circuits that can operate at record-high temperatures. The project aims to advance aerospace electronics and sensors for aircraft engines, and support renewable energy and defense applications.
An interactive digital-learning platform improved reading skills more quickly than conventional pen-and-paper lessons, with an average gain of 9 percentile points. The Roadmap Platform provides a map-like format with voice recording features, making it accessible to struggling students and bridging learning gaps.
A new model assesses mariculture's effects on marine species and forecasts its impacts by 2050 under different climate scenarios. Strategic planning can increase production of bivalve shellfish and finfish, but may harm certain iconic marine mammals.
The discovery of chromium sulfide bromide's magnetic properties enables the confinement of excitons to a single line, confining quantum information for longer periods. This could be a game changer for future electronics and information technology, enabling applications in quantum computing and sensing.
The University of Michigan Department of Astronomy will launch its first space mission in 2029 with a $10 million NASA grant. The STARI mission aims to demonstrate a new technique for studying exoplanets, which could help search for life beyond our solar system.
Thatchaphol Saranurak and Andrew Owens have been awarded Sloan Research Fellowships for their innovative work on graph networks and machine perception systems. Their research aims to create more efficient algorithms for computing dynamic systems, such as social networks and traffic patterns.
A new sponge-like implant helps guide a treatment that slows or stops a degenerative condition similar to multiple sclerosis. The implant attracted diseased immune cells, enabling researchers to study and target them with a nanoparticle-based treatment, which prevented mice from developing symptoms such as paralysis if administered early.
Researchers used a computational model to simulate the evolution of evolvability, finding that frequent environmental changes can increase mutations that allow populations to adapt. The study suggests that once evolvability is achieved, it can be maintained through future evolution.
Elizabeth Holm and Nicholas Kotov, U-M professors, have been elected to the National Academy of Engineering for their groundbreaking work in materials science and engineering. They developed computational models to optimize material properties and created novel composite materials with unique properties.
Researchers at the University of Michigan are developing AI-powered mobile clinics to improve access to healthcare in rural areas. The clinics will be equipped with an AI agent that guides medical generalists through unfamiliar diagnoses and procedures, reducing costs and improving patient outcomes.
Using fractal math, researchers found that artists' preservation of a tree's branch diameter scaling exponent enables viewers to easily recognize trees, even without other distinguishing features. This universal factor applies across styles and cultures, linking artistic beauty with mathematical complexity.
A team of researchers found that mammalian tails can form complex curves and enable body rotations in mid-air, challenging the conventional design of robotic tails. The study suggests that tail structure optimized for inertial maneuvering could be applied to robots, improving their performance and efficiency.
A University of Michigan study found that people value their time similarly to the regional hourly wage when choosing between public transit and ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft. The researchers suggest making transit more convenient could lead to larger gains in sustainability.
Researchers developed an interactive tool to compare the efficiency of four sustainable propulsion systems: e-SAF, battery-electric, hydrogen fuel cell, and hydrogen combustion. The tool considers factors like renewable electricity required, sustainability, and cost. It aims to provide a strategy for thinking about sustainable aviation...
A new study by Alexandra Murphy reveals that 36% of Detroit residents struggle with safe and timely transportation, impacting quality of life and community well-being. The Transportation Security Index (TSI) measures this issue, highlighting the need for targeted policy responses to address individual challenges.
Researchers conducted a survey of cyanobacteria in Kenya's Lake Victoria to understand how harmful algal blooms might evolve in Lake Erie. The study found that areas with turbidity can mask the visibility of blooms, and toxins like microcystin can cause liver damage and interact with other toxins in the human body.
A new interposer design uses optical connections to transfer data between chips, enabling high-performance computing and addressing the 'memory wall' limit on AI growth. The technology allows for faster communication, reconfigurable pathways, and real-time network control.
A brain-computer interface has enabled a person with tetraplegia to control a virtual quadcopter by thinking about moving their unresponsive fingers. This technology provides unprecedented control, allowing the user to maneuver through a virtual obstacle course and potentially enabling remote work and social interactions.
A new carbon cloth electrode technology has been developed to remove boron from seawater, making it safer for drinking. This innovation could save up to $6.9 billion annually by reducing the need for expensive chemicals and energy in desalination plants.
Researchers have developed a new approach to analyzing cosmic maps, known as field-level inference, which preserves the fidelity of the data and can improve the determination of cosmological parameters by a factor of 3.5 to 5.2 compared to standard methods.
Research led by the University of Michigan reveals that extreme rainfall disproportionately increases E. coli concentrations in recreational waters of communities of color in Texas, particularly those with higher percentages of Black residents in the north and east, and predominantly Latino communities in the south and west.
Researchers at the University of Michigan will develop shock absorbers, noise-mitigating curtains, and hardware-in-loop platforms to improve testing and durability. The projects aim to make offshore renewable energy more reliable and better neighbor to marine life.
A study from the University of Michigan suggests that organic solar cells made with small molecules can withstand radiation without degrading, outperforming traditional silicon-based systems. The cause of degradation in others may be preventable by filling electron traps with other atoms.
A University of Michigan study found that community programs to reduce kids' screen time are less successful in neighborhoods with limited green space. Children from communities with more green space had better outcomes in these programs.