Multimedia Features | The University Record

January 10, 2025

‘Healing’ batteries with ultrasonics

UM-Dearborn postdoc research fellow Yaohong Xiao has been working on developing solid-state batteries, a safer, more energy dense alternative to today’s lithium-ion batteries. They are considered safer because they don’t require a liquid electrolyte. But Xiao, who works with Lei Chen, associate professor of mechanical engineering, says that is both a blessing and a curse. (Photo by Annie Barker, UM-Dearborn)

Read more about next-generation solid-state batteries

January 9, 2025

Digital Mcity

The first open-source digital twin of the Mcity Test Facility — U-M’s test center for connected and autonomous vehicles and technologies — is now available to the public, giving researchers around the world a new free tool. These photos show an aerial view of the actual Mcity test facility (top) and the digital re-creation in the Mcity digital twin (bottom). (Images by Joseph Xu, College of Engineering, top, and Darian Hogue, Mcity, bottom)

Twisted Edison

Jun Lu, an adjunct research investigator in chemical engineering at the College of Engineering, examines twisted filament glowing within a bulb. He, along with a team of U-M researchers, demonstrated for the first time that a twisted filament could produce twirling light waves. The finding adds nuance to fundamental physics while offering a new avenue for robotic vision systems and other applications for light that traces out a helix in space. (Photo by Brenda Ahearn, College of Engineering)

Winter Commencement 2024

A graduate captures a celebratory selfie with President Santa J. Ono at the Dec. 16 Winter Commencement ceremony. Commencement speaker Rebecca Blumenstein, president of editorial at NBC News, encouraged U-M graduates to prioritize seeking the truth in an age of burgeoning artificial intelligence.(Photo by Leisa Thompson, Michigan Photography)

Charging the future

Researchers Jeff Sakamoto, visiting professor of mechanical engineering, and Neil Dasgupta, associate professor of mechanical engineering and of materials science and engineering, are at the helm of a pioneering effort to supercharge the electric vehicle industry. This video explores how, backed by a $11 million U.S. Department of Energy grant, their team is partnering with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and others to forge new paths in advanced battery fuel cell development and manufacturing, aiming to revolutionize efficiency and spur widespread adoption of electric vehicles.

December 11, 2024

How rising temperatures affect monkeys

The immune performance of wild capuchin monkeys declines when the animals experience higher temperatures, and younger monkeys seem to be particularly vulnerable to heat, according to a U-M study. In this video, U-M anthropology doctoral student Jordan Lucore explains her research on wild monkeys in Costa Rica.

Mott tree lighting

This video captures the seasonal joy and celebration as C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital kicks off its holiday season with appearances by Batman, Captain Marvel and dozens of young heroes called the hospital’s annual “calendar kids” at a tree-lighting ceremony.

December 5, 2024

Honoring Regent Ron Weiser

Regent Ron Weiser acknowledges the applause of his fellow regents and others at the Dec. 5 Board of Regents meeting, his last as a member of the board. Weiser was lauded for his philanthropy, leadership and insight, and was given a resolution commending him for his service and granting him the honorary title of regent emeritus. (Photo by Daryl Marshke, Michigan Photography)

Read more about the board’s tribute to Ron Weiser

December 2, 2024

Two decades of school wellness

Project Healthy Schools, a collaboration between U-M and communities across the state, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Designed to reduce childhood obesity and improve the current and future health of Michigan’s youth, Project Healthy Schools is one of a few school-based programs that have demonstrated significant and lasting improvements in health behavior and cardiovascular risk factors. This video shares some highlights from the collaboration.

A season of celebration

In his monthly address to the U-M community, President Santa J. Ono offers a message of celebration for all that has been accomplished to date and encourages everyone to embrace the ideals of Vision 2034 as the new year approaches. Also, Ono acknowledges the work and efforts of the Maize and Blue Cupboard in this month’s Portrait of a Wolverine.