Tag College of Engineering
Grad student helps with PPE production, COVID response in developing countries
With support from the UW–Madison International Projects Office, Rebecca Alcock is leading a small team that’s consulting with government officials, healthcare systems leaders and local manufacturers in Guatemala, Yemen, Malawi, the Maldives and Sudan on design and production of PPE like face shields and masks, medical equipment such as ventilators, and water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
Critical communications component made on a flexible wooden film
New research by a UW–Madison engineer leverages a surprising and inexpensive substance — wood — to make the flexible microwave circuits that power modern communications.
Federally funded upgrade reenergizes fusion experiment
The goal is to help reduce the cost and complexity of fusion reactors, which could potentially provide an abundant source of clean energy by harnessing the process that powers the sun.
Wisconsin’s COVID-19 stay-at-home order drove changes in state’s traffic volume
Interstate travel in Wisconsin bottomed out the week of March 25 at a 40% reduction for weekday traffic and a 60% reduction on weekends — knowledge that could help with future highway planning and construction.
Understanding ceramic ‘mortar’ of materials may reveal ways to improve them
Findings in a new study could aid in fine-tuning a new generation of ceramic materials, from silicon solar panels to superconductors and biomedical implants.
Schauer leads COVID-19 testing efforts at hygiene lab
James Schauer holds a unique position as both an air pollution expert and a leader in the state’s response to the pandemic.
Nanomaterial bests all others in blocking speeding projectiles
In the future, these new types of armor could potentially be used as a shield on military vehicles to provide enhanced protection from bullets, as well as on spacecraft to mitigate impacts from meteorite debris.
Research on viral junk, quicker drug testing could help outflank coronaviruses
Researchers hope to better understand how coronaviruses enter cells, spread, and cause varying immune responses in different individuals.
Educational engineering games take stay-at-home kids to the next level
UW–Madison engineers and Field Day Lab game designers have developed options for productive screen time for kids at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
UW–Madison engineer works with local health leaders to develop COVID-19 prediction models
The models use a swath of relevant, research-based parameters to predict the number of cases of in the region.
Advance could enable remote control of soft robots
UW-Madison researchers demonstrated a method for using magnetic fields to remotely induce soft composite materials to rearrange their internal structure into a variety of new patterns.
Online platform matches health care facilities with face shield manufacturers
The platform created by UW–Madison engineers has made hundreds of connections between suppliers and buyers, based on order quantity and urgency, production capacity and geographic location.