Multimedia Features | The University Record

September 18, 2024

Squid-inspired screen

A flexible screen developed by U-M engineers and inspired, in part, by squids can store and display encrypted images like a computer — using magnetic fields rather than electronics. The screen could be used wherever light and power sources are cumbersome, including clothing, stickers, ID badges and barcodes. This video describes the functionality of the screen and how it was developed by Joerg Lahann, the Wolfgang Pauli Collegiate Professor of Chemical Engineering, and Abdon Pena-Francesch, an assistant professor of materials science and engineering.

2024 Wallenberg Medalist

Provost Laurie McCauley awards architect, poet and African environmental activist Nnimmo Bassey the Wallenberg Medal for his outstanding humanitarian work at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business Robertson Auditorium on Sept. 10. Bassey, executive director of the Nigeria-based ecological think tank Health of Mother Earth Foundation, also delivered the 29th Wallenberg Lecture, declaring, “We are part of nature, not apart from it.” (Photo by Erin Kirkland, Michigan Photography)

Read more about the Wallenberg Medal and Lecture

September 10, 2024

The bumpy road to greatness

The U-M Baja Racing team competes in three major Baja SAE competitions throughout the year, with the first 2024 challenge taking place in Gorman, California, against 61 teams from the United States, Canada, Mexico and India. At the end of the season, the team with the highest normalized point total across all three events wins the first place Mike Schmidt Memorial Iron Team Award, so each competition matters. While this year’s season started with a lot of frustration for the U-M team, that hardship made way for teamwork, creativity, grit and empathy. In this video, engineering students on the team discuss the preparations, competition and challenges that await them.

XR and VR in the classroom

A student uses virtual reality technology in Peter Toogood’s course “Augmenting Reality in Medicinal Chemistry.” U-M has seen a boom in extended reality and virtual reality technology since launching its XR Initiative in the fall of 2019, with many faculty members using it in their classrooms. The Center for Academic Innovation offers more than 100 VR headsets for instructional use and access to a full virtual production studio. (Photo by Sean Corp, Center for Academic Innovation)

Read more about how faculty are using VR/XR technology in classrooms

September 5, 2024

High-stakes presidential debate

Tens of millions of voters are gearing up for the first presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, set for Sept. 10 on ABC. In this video, Aaron Kall, the Lee H. Hess Director of Debate at U-M’s Debate Program, explains why the stakes are high for both candidates, with national polls indicating a close race.

Read a Q&A with Aaron Kall about the upcoming debate

September 3, 2024

A surprising connection

Irene Butter (left), professor emerita of health management and policy, and Kate Bauer, associate professor of nutritional sciences, both in the School of Public Health, discovered their families had a surprising connection. A mystery stemming from one line in a Bauer family letter from 1943 sparked a search that resulted in the discovery of a long-ago link to Butter’s family — a link that grew out of actions taken by both their families during the Holocaust. (Photo by Hannah Hensel)

Read more about Irene Butter and Kate Bauer

August 30, 2024

Harold R. Johnson Diversity Service Awards

Recipients of the 2024 Harold R. Johnson Diversity Service Awards are, top row from left, Paul J. Fleming, Gretchen Keppel-Alecks and Fiona Lee; bottom row from left, Tiffany Ng and Deborah Rivas-Drake. The five were recognized for their exceptional contributions to fostering a culturally and ethnically diverse community at U-M.

Read more about the Harold R. Johnson Diviersity Service Awards

August 28, 2024

Honey and chocolate

Brian Stork, assistant professor of urology in the Medical School, took up beekeeping about 10 years ago. He connected with Patricia Christopher from Patricia’s Chocolate in Grand Haven, which resulted in the idea to make a tiny chocolate beehive filled with honey ganache and decorated with 22 karat edible gold leaf. More than $10,000 in proceeds from the sale of Stork’s Happy Hive Honey Chocolates have gone to Step Up in Muskegon, which helps unsupported young adults with stable housing, adult mentors and other services so they can become independent. This video explains the collaboration and how it benefits those in need.

Band, take the (new practice) field

As the Michigan Marching Band prepares for its upcoming season, it is now rehearsing at its new Elbel Field location. Elbel is now at the corner of South Fifth Avenue and Madison Street, a block north of its former location, and features several improvements. It was moved to allow construction of the Central Campus residential complex. In this photo, John Pasquale, director of Michigan Marching and Athletic Bands, leads the band in a rehearsal at the new facility. (Photo by Daryl Marshke, Michigan Photography)

Read more about the band’s new practice field

August 26, 2024

Welcome to U-M

New students were welcomed to the Ann Arbor campus during the New Student Convocation on Aug. 25 at Crisler Center. President Santa J. Ono, Provost Laurie McCauley and Martino Harmon, vice president for student life, were among the administrators who spoke to the students, who afterward gathered at nearby Michigan Stadium for a group photo on the field in the shape of a Block M. This video includes highlights from the day’s events.

Read more about the New Student Convocation