Michigan Engineering

NEW ARTICLE: “Generative AI uses more energy on non-English text.” Models can use up to 15 times more energy to process and generate text in some of the world's most widely spoken languages, often with lower-quality output

NEW ARTICLE: “Optimizing AI energy consumption throughout its entire lifecycle.” Funded with $1.83M from DARPA, University of Michigan Engineering leads a project that aims to cut AI’s energy needs by up to half.

“Navigating AI in transportation” Three leading transportation research institutes are joining forces with agencies, universities, industry and the public so no one in transportation has to figure out AI alone.

NEW ARTICLE: “Nano-wrinkles and actuation break up infectious biofilms on implants.” The active antibacterial platform improved tissue response in mice and could one day help prevent infections caused by implanted medical devices in humans.

NEW ARTICLE: “Faster, more accurate airborne radiation detection.” A new method detects radiation from single or mixed sources during six-second helicopter flyovers, improving the toolkit for radiological emergency response.

NEW ARTICLE: “U-M to improve pedestrian, vehicle safety at intersections with $5.66 million from U.S. DOT.” New system could provide warnings to pedestrians and drivers to prevent crashes.

NEW ARTICLE: “Beyond transistor limits: Hybrid magnetic-sound waves could boost computing speed and efficiency.” An alternative to the transistor, made with multiferroic materials, could make computers up to 1,000 times faster and more energy-efficient.

NEW ARTICLE: “Glacier cliffs break into sea faster than predicted, but restabilize.” Over 15,000 aerial and satellite images suggest that glaciers can undergo faster periods of disintegration than previously assumed.

Congratulations to Dr. Keith Cook, and welcome back to the University of Michigan Biomedical Engineering!

Dr. Keith Cook of Carnegie Mellon University has been named the next William and Valerie Hall Department Chair of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan, effective January 1, 2027. Read more:

NEW ARTICLE: “AI training energy reduced up to 50% with U-M software.” NVIDIA, the world’s leading AI computing company, is evaluating how to add the energy-saving software to its open-source training platform.

NEW ARTICLE: “Shoulder exoskeletons for manufacturing workers: How to boost adoption.” To reduce injury risk without slowing productivity, exoskeletons must balance static overhead support with freedom for dynamic movements.

NEW ARTICLE: “Treating life-threatening blood clots in minutes with swirling sound waves.” The NIH is funding a U-M-led team developing a device that breaks up pulmonary embolisms with ‘vortex ultrasound’

NEW ARTICLE: “Steering wheel communicates for better semi-autonomous driving performance” by Kate McAlpine.

NEW ARTICLE: “Ten early-career engineers earn NSF CAREER awards ” by Patricia Delacey. The rising researchers will lead projects including smart bandages for monitoring wounds, improved air traffic management and real-time tumor tracking.

NEW ARTICLE: “Co-design with the community? Study provides insights on building trust.” How and when community stakeholders are engaged shapes participants’ perceived value, learning and progress according to an assessment of a co-design workshop series.

“U-M’s Zhen Xu wins Golden Goose Award for development of noninvasive cancer treatment.” Award recognizes transformative work enabled by federal funding, which was crucial to advancing the tumor-destroying soundwaves until they were ready for the clinic.

NEW ARTICLE: “New U-M master’s programs address industry needs.” Online and in-person programs provide graduates expertise that’s highly valued in the workforce.

NEW ARTICLE: “Small modular reactor potential lies in industry, not grid power.” A roadmap for SMR deployment in the U.S. finds high profit margins in hydrogen production for ammonia and refining, but success hinges on a tax credit.

NEW ARTICLE: “Small robot propulsion: low-power twisting enables hopping, swimming.” The mechanism works on challenging surfaces such as slippery cloth and grass-covered ground, producing frog-like motion.

“U-M named a federal maritime Center of Excellence by U.S. Department of Transportation.” The Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering is recognized for training students in autonomous vessels, computational engineering and naval engineering