University of Michigan
Gaseous ring around young star raises questions
January 20, 2012 3:23 am | News | CommentsAstronomers have detected a mysterious ring of carbon monoxide gas around the young star V1052 Cen, which is about 700 light years away in the southern constellation Centaurus. The ring is part of the star's planet-forming disk, and it's as far from V1052 Cen as Earth is from the sun. Discovered with the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope, its edges are uniquely crisp.
Fuel economy of new vehicles slipped in December
January 16, 2012 8:06 am | News | CommentsAfter two months of increases, the average fuel economy of all new vehicles sold in the United States fell by a half mile per gallon last month, say researchers at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.
Flipping an egg carton of light traps giant atoms
January 3, 2012 3:57 am | News | CommentsIn an egg carton of laser light, University of Michigan physicists can trap giant Rydberg atoms with up to 90% efficiency, an achievement that could advance quantum computing and terahertz imaging, among other applications.
'Fingerprinting' method tracks mercury emissions from coal-fired power plant
December 15, 2011 5:28 am | News | CommentsFor the first time, the chemical 'fingerprints' of the element mercury have been used by University of Michigan researchers to directly link environmental pollution to a specific coal-burning power plant. This technique provides a tool that will enable researchers to identify specific sources of mercury pollution and determine how much of it is being deposited locally.
Fuel economy of new vehicles continues to rise
December 6, 2011 8:40 am | News | CommentsAverage fuel economy of all new vehicles sold in the United States is up for the second straight month, say researchers at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. Average fuel economy of cars, light trucks, minivans, and SUVs purchased in November was 22.7 mpg, up from 22.6 mpg in October and up from 22.1 mpg in both August and September.
A smarter way to make ultraviolet light beams
November 29, 2011 8:52 am | News | CommentsExisting coherent ultraviolet light sources are power hungry, bulky, and expensive. University of Michigan researchers have found a better way to build compact ultraviolet sources with low power consumption that could improve information storage, microscopy, and chemical analysis.
Carbon nanotube forest camouflages 3D objects
November 21, 2011 8:29 am | News | CommentsUniversity of Michigan researchers have capitalized on one of carbon nanotubes' unique properties—the low refractive index of low-density aligned nanotubes—to demonstrate a new application: making 3D objects appear as nothing more than a flat, black sheet.
Researchers watch a next-gen memory bit switch in real time
November 21, 2011 2:57 am | News | CommentsFor the first time, engineering researchers have been able to watch in real time the nanoscale process of a ferroelectric memory bit switching between the 0 and 1 states.
Scientists harness the power of electricity in the brain
November 17, 2011 3:13 am | News | CommentsA paralyzed patient may someday be able to "think" a foot into flexing or a leg into moving, using technology that harnesses the power of electricity in the brain, and scientists at University of Michigan School of Kinesiology are now one big step closer.
University of Michigan, Duke team up to improve diabetes outcomes
November 15, 2011 6:49 am | News | CommentsImproving health outcomes and quality of life for people living with type 2 diabetes are the goals of a project between a new research center at the University of Michigan and university, health, and public officials in North Carolina.
Fuel economy up for first time since last spring
November 9, 2011 3:41 am | News | CommentsFor the first time in seven months, average fuel economy of all new vehicles sold in the United States is on the rise, say researchers at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. Average fuel economy of cars, light trucks, minivans, and SUVs purchased in October was 22.6 mpg, up from 22.1 mpg in September.
Dwarf galaxies could help reveal the nature of dark matter
November 7, 2011 8:10 am | News | CommentsIn work that could help advance astronomers' understanding of dark matter, University of Michigan researchers have discovered two additional dwarf galaxies that appear to be satellites of Andromeda, the closest spiral galaxy to Earth.
Student-built satellite to prepare NASA instrument
October 26, 2011 7:03 am | News | CommentsWhen the M-Cubed satellite, built by University of Michigan students, goes into orbit, it will become the first CubeSat to test a NASA instrument for major space missions. It is scheduled to be launched on October 28.
Nearby planet-forming disk holds water for thousands of oceans
October 21, 2011 3:57 am | News | CommentsFor the first time, astronomers have detected around a burgeoning solar system a sprawling cloud of water vapor that’s cold enough to form comets, which could eventually deliver oceans to dry planets.
Future forests may soak up more carbon dioxide than previously believed
October 17, 2011 5:58 am | News | CommentsNorth American forests appear to have a greater capacity to soak up heat-trapping carbon dioxide gas than researchers had previously anticipated. As a result, they could help slow the pace of human-caused climate warming more than most scientists had thought, according to a University of Michigan ecologist and his colleagues.
America’s defending champion solar car ready to race the world
October 11, 2011 2:16 pm | News | CommentsWith a cutting-edge solar car, an advanced strategy and an intrepid 16-student race crew, the University of Michigan's national champion solar car team readies for the 1,800-mile World Solar Challenge in Australia on Oct. 16.
Fuel economy of new vehicles at lowest point in past year
October 10, 2011 7:32 am | News | CommentsFor the second straight month, the average fuel economy of all new vehicles sold in the United States remained the same, according to a researcher at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. The average fuel economy of vehicles purchased in September was 22.1 mpg, unchanged from August.
First comet found with ocean-like water
October 6, 2011 4:57 am | News | CommentsNew evidence supports the theory that comets delivered a significant portion of Earth's oceans, which scientists believe formed about 8 million years after the planet itself.
New invention could improve smartphone battery life
September 15, 2011 7:55 am | News | CommentsA new University of Michigan-developed "subconscious mode" for smartphones and other WiFi-enabled mobile devices could extend battery life by as much as 54% for users on the busiest networks. The new power management approach is called E-MiLi, which stands for Energy-Minimizing Idle Listening.
Center to explore new ways to manipulate light at the nanoscale
September 12, 2011 4:16 am | News | CommentsA new $13-million National Science Foundation center based at the University of Michigan will develop high-tech materials that manipulate light in new ways. The research could enable advances such as invisibility cloaks, nanoscale lasers, high-efficiency lighting, and quantum computers.
Driving a gas-guzzler? You can still cut fuel costs
September 8, 2011 5:12 am | News | CommentsWhile driving a fuel-efficient vehicle is the best way to save gas, motorists can still cut fuel consumption nearly in half by driving slower and less aggressively, properly maintaining their vehicles, and avoiding congested roads, say University of Michigan researchers.
New laser could treat acne with telecom technology
September 6, 2011 4:52 am | News | CommentsA laser developed at the University of Michigan is designed to melt fat without burning surrounding tissue. It could potentially be used to treat acne, researchers say.
UMTRI will test vehicle safety communications system
August 19, 2011 9:07 am | News | CommentsThe University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute has been awarded a $14.9 million contract from the U.S. Department of Transportation to conduct a safety pilot model deployment of a vehicle communications system used to improve the safety and efficiency of the nation's roadways.
Could microbial life survive on Mars?
August 17, 2011 6:14 am | News | CommentsHow common are droplets of saltwater on Mars? Could microbial life survive and reproduce in them? A new million-dollar NASA project led by the University of Michigan aims to answer those questions.
MABEL: The world's fastest two-legged robot with knees
August 15, 2011 9:24 am | News | CommentsA robot in a University of Michigan lab can run like a human—a feat that represents the height of agility and efficiency for a two-legged machine. With a peak pace of 6.8 miles per hour, MABEL is believed to be the world's fastest bipedal robot with knees.
