Category Science & Technology
New shield couples COVID-19 protection with a clear view of the face
The team that created the popular Badger Shield medical fac e shield has now created a new version that provides a full, clear view of the face while still filtering virus particles through surgical fabric that cinches around the wearer’s chin and jawline. And again, they're sharing it with the world. Read More
3D-sensing wristband opens possibilities for sign language translation, virtual reality
The researchers dubbed their device FingerTrak. It can sense and translate into 3D the many positions of the human hand, including 20 finger joint positions. Read More
New 3D-printed artery can monitor blockages from the inside
When surgeons replace part of a blood vessel to treat blood clots, coronary disease, stroke damage and more, between 40% and 50% of those grafts fail. In response, UW engineers are developing an artificial vessel that can be monitored remotely. Read More
Detailed view of viral replication machinery lends new insights into infection
The findings should aid researchers developing antiviral drugs and treatments, and provide new insights into the workings of viruses like the one that causes COVID-19. Read More
UW–Madison named member of new $25 million Midwest quantum science institute
"It is a recognition of the strength of quantum information research at UW–Madison that we are among the first," says professor of physics Mark Saffman, director of the Wisconsin Quantum Institute. Read More
Research Core Revitalization Program funds upgrades to shared resources on campus
These resources allow the university to support many investigators at once by maintaining and upgrading high-end instrumentation that would be cost-prohibitive for any single lab. Read More
UW’s Elizabeth McCoy was a pioneer of 20th century microbiology
As a woman in a field dominated by men, McCoy rarely received the accolades that her male colleagues did, but by all accounts, she felt welcome at the university and respected by her peers. Read More
New COVID-19 clinical trials at UW–Madison and UW Health will study antibody approach
The trials center around an “antibody cocktail” called REGN-COV2, which was created by the New York-based pharmaceutical company Regeneron. Read More
Merging solar cell and liquid battery produces efficient, long-lasting solar storage
While solar flow batteries are years away from commercialization, they offer the potential to provide reliable electricity generation and storage for lighting, cell phones or other fundamental uses for homes in remote areas. Read More
Parasitic worms use their keen senses to wriggle through their hosts
Filarial nematodes infect hundreds of millions of people, causing diseases such as river blindness and lymphatic filariasis, which can lead to elephantiasis, a severe swelling of the limbs. Read More
Coughing visualization illustrates the benefits of wearing a good mask
A research team made a video of a modified mannequin whose mouth releases a puff of air containing fog, in order to see how well masks contain the fog and visualize results from testing different mask styles. Read More
Peering under galactic dust, study reveals radiation at center of Milky Way
Our view of the galaxy’s dense and active center is blocked by immense clouds of dust, but telescopic data has set researchers on a path to better understanding the Milky Way's energy. Read More
Tiny mineral particles are better vehicles for promising gene therapy
UW–Madison researchers have developed a safer and more efficient way to deliver a promising new method for treating cancer and liver disorders and for vaccination — including a COVID-19 vaccine that has advanced to clinical trials. Read More
New method measures temperature within 3D objects
The method may be useful in applications where traditional temperature probes won’t work, like monitoring semiconductor performance or next-generation nuclear reactors. Read More
Phase 2 returns more research activity to campus
Phase 2 continues a gradual expansion of research activities while ensuring we continue to follow guidelines to minimize the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More
American Family Insurance Data Science Institute awards “mini grants” to advance data science
The emerging field of data science is the study, development or application of methods that reveal new insights from data. The successful projects will further research ranging from third-wave artificial intelligence to student entrepreneurship. Read More
New approach for breaking plastics down shows promise for ‘upcycling’ them
“Thirty percent of our plastic is ending up in the environment," says chemical and biological engineering Professor George Huber. "The current plastic infrastructure is not sustainable right now.” Read More
New tool for assessing heart muscle cells helps unlock their potential
Researchers have created a way to study how heart cells made from stem cells organize themselves into muscle that could be used to screen drugs or develop therapies for heart disease. Read More
Forming genitals in boys requires complex dance between genes and hormones
The research helps us understand how genes and hormones interact to develop male reproductive systems, a step toward researching why disorders in these organs have become more common and how we might prevent them. Read More
‘Dairy Brain’ project asks farmers to help create smarter dairies
UW researchers are working with dairy farmers, producers and equipment manufacturers to use data to make useful, real-time decisions. Read More