In a finding that runs counter to a common assumption in physics, researchers at the University of Michigan ran a light emitting diode (LED) with electrodes reversed in order to cool another device mere nanometers away. The approach could lead to new solid-state cooling technology for future microprocessors, which will have so many transistors packed […]
Toward Brain-Like Computing: New Memristor Better Mimics Synapses
A new electronic device can developed at the University of Michigan can directly model the behaviors of a synapse, which is a connection between two neurons. For the first time, the way that neurons share or compete for resources can be explored in hardware without the need for complicated circuits. “Neuroscientists have argued that competition […]
Combining Real, Virtual Worlds Improves Driverless Vehicle Testing
Augmented reality technology can accelerate testing of connected and automated vehicles by 1,000 to 100,000 times, and reduce additional testing costs — beyond the price of physical vehicles—to almost zero, according to a new white paper published by Mcity. Augmented reality combines the real world with a virtual world to create a faster, more efficient and economical approach […]
$1.6M for Solar Cell Windows, High-Temperature Solar Power
Electricity-generating windows and high-temperature solar power are the aims of two new University of Michigan projects, funded with a total of $1.6 million from the Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office. Solar cell windows are supported with $1.3 million. Many building windows have a coating to reduce glare and unwanted heating, discarding 50 to […]
Heat Transfer Surprise Could Lead to Thermal Transistors
As much as 100 times more heat than predicted by the standard radiation theory can flow between two nanoscale objects, even at bigger-than-nanoscale distances, researchers at the University of Michigan and the College of William and Mary have reported in the journal Nature. The new results could have implications for better solar cells, materials that behave […]
Fake News Detector Algorithm Works Better Than A Human
Battery Breakthrough: Doubling Performance With Lithium Metal That Doesn’t Catch Fire
A rechargeable battery technology developed at the University of Michigan could double the output of today’s lithium ion cells–drastically extending electric vehicle ranges and time between cell phone charges–without taking up any added space. By using a ceramic, solid-state electrolyte, engineers can harness the power of lithium metal batteries without the historic issues of poor […]
Memory-Processing Unit Could Bring Memristors To The Masses
A new way of arranging advanced computer components called memristors on a chip could enable them to be used for general computing, which could cut energy consumption by a factor of 100. This would improve performance in low power environments such as smartphones or make for more efficient supercomputers, says a University of Michigan researcher. […]
How Even One Automated, Connected Vehicle Can Improve Safety And Save Energy In Traffic
Connected cruise control uses vehicle-to-vehicle communication to let automated vehicles respond to multiple cars at a time in an effort to save energy and improve safety. University of Michigan researchers have demonstrated its effectiveness on public roads, even when just one automated vehicle is moving among human-driven cars. Vehicle-to-vehicle communication, or V2V, refers to the ability of […]
Organic Solar Cells Reach Record Efficiency, Benchmark For Commercialization
In an advance that makes a more flexible, inexpensive type of solar cell commercially viable, University of Michigan researchers have demonstrated organic solar cells that can achieve 15 percent efficiency. This level of efficiency is in the range of many solar panels, or photovoltaics, currently on the market. “Organic photovoltaics can potentially cut way down […]