Fueled by nanoparticles, new catalyst does more with less platinum
Platinum is a highly reactive and in-demand catalyst across the chemical and energy industries, but a team of University of Wisconsin–Madison and Georgia Institute of Technology scientists could reduce the world's dependence on this scarce and expensive metal.
Bacterial boost makes biofuel production more efficient
A team of investigators at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Michigan State University have created a process for making the work environment less toxic - literally - for the organisms that do the heavy lifting in the increasingly important field of bio-products derived from cellulosic biomass.
Study helps state identify family risk factors for child abuse
A new analysis from the La Follette School of Public Affairs may help Wisconsin prevent more cases of child abuse by detecting patterns associated with cases returning to the system after initially being screened out.
Sweeney announces retirement after six years leading University Relations
Vince Sweeney retirement
Decoding the past, one item at a time
Eighteenth-century handwriting may be elegant, but it isn’t always legible. However, a team of UW–Madison students has “decoded” a historic ledger for the Smithsonian’s American Enterprise exhibit, bringing to life a unique record of American life 250 years ago.
Art history students turn shopkeeper’s ledger into Smithsonian exhibit
A class of history students and their professor, Ann Smart Martin, are celebrating the July 1 opening of the American Enterprise exhibition at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., which was researched and curated by the UW–Madison team.
New nanogenerator harvests power from rolling tires
A group of University of Wisconsin–Madison engineers and a collaborator from China have developed a nanogenerator that harvests energy from a car's rolling tire friction.
Dairy farms go digital with apps from School of Veterinary Medicine
As farms grow increasingly complex and more dependent on science and technology, the iconic image of an old homesteader in weather-worn overalls is being replaced by that of a digital-savvy agricultural expert wielding a tablet.
Iron: A biological element?
Think of an object made of iron: An I-beam, a car frame, a nail. Now imagine that half of the iron in that object owes its existence to bacteria living two and a half billion years ago.
Driven to distraction: What causes cyberloafing at work?
With the rise in virtual work teams, flexible work arrangements, and personal electronic devices in the workplace, the opportunities for cyberloafing — using the Internet for nonwork activities — are plentiful and creating serious problems for many businesses.
One hot idea: Thermal spray makes metal better
A company spawned by an experiment on lawn mower blades has mushroomed into a national leader in high-temperature coatings that alter the surface properties of metal.
Recent sightings: Light show
Colorful bands of the Aurora Borealis, or "northern lights," glow in the nighttime sky above Lake Mendota near Observatory Hill during a strong solar storm in the northern hemisphere at 12:49 a.m. on June 23.
Neutron star’s echoes give astronomers a new measuring stick
In late 2013, when the neutron star at the heart of one of our galaxy’s oddest supernovae gave off a massive burst of X-rays, the resulting echoes — created when the X-rays bounced off clouds of dust in interstellar space — yielded a surprising new measuring stick for astronomers.
Fourth UW–Madison MOOC of 2015 explores big-picture energy questions
The debate over energy consumption and its consequences is constantly evolving, whether the subject is fossil fuels or renewables. The Massive Open Online Course “Energy and the Earth” will give thousands of people an online forum in which to explore these topics.
Memorial Union details reflect different cultures
German murals in Der Rathskeller and Der Stiftskeller, Italianate exterior architecture and Northwoods lore in the Paul Bunyan Room — different cultures are prominently displayed throughout Memorial Union.
Objects of curiosity emerge during renovation
Whenever you renovate a near-century-old building, you’re bound to discover items that were stored away and completely forgotten.
Memorial Union enters final phase of renovation, restoration
Summer in Madison is nothing without the Memorial Union Terrace, with its sunburst chairs, live music and views of Lake Mendota. It’s hard to imagine this spot, beloved by generations of Badgers, getting any better.
Stem cell expert: Bart Starr treatment shows need for rigorous trials in U.S.
The news that legendary Green Bay Packer quarterback Bart Starr has undergone stem cell therapy to recover from a stroke has raised the profile for a promising but unproven regenerative treatment intended to replace dead neurons with live ones.
Academic Staff Assembly opposes changes to governance, tenure
UW-Madison’s Academic Staff Assembly passed a resolution Wednesday opposing proposed legislative changes to shared governance, academic staff appointments and tenure. The motion read, in…