Scientists have long known that synthetic materials—called metamaterials—can manipulate electromagnetic waves such as visible light to make them behave in ways that cannot be found in nature. That has led to breakthroughs such as super-high resolution imaging. Now, UMass Lowell is part of a research team that is taking the technology of manipulating light in […]
Teaching Robots To Sort Out Their Issues
Robots can help do a lot of things—assemble cars, search for explosives, cook a meal or aid in surgery. But one thing they can’t do is tell you how they’re doing—yet. UMass Lowell researchers are aiming to change that, working to give humanoid robots and other autonomous systems the ability to evaluate how well they can perform […]
UMass Lowell Professor Steers Ethical Debate On Self-Driving Cars
Should your self-driving car protect you at all costs? Or should it steer you into a ditch – potentially causing serious injury – to avoid hitting a school bus full of children? Those are the kinds of questions that preoccupy Nicholas Evans, a UMass Lowell assistant professor of philosophy who teaches engineering ethics and studies […]