Research

University of Central Florida researchers have achieved new record-setting power density for ethanol fuel cells, helping advance the technology as a competitor to fossil fuels and electric car batteries. Ethanol fuel cells offer cleaner emissions than fossil fuels and no charging times compared to electric vehicle batteries. In recent studies published in the journals Nature Communications and Joule,…

A team of UCF researchers, led by Materials Science and Engineering Professor Sudipta Seal, have been awarded a patent for their nanomaterial-based disinfectant that can kill several viruses, including COVID-19. This is the 85th patent that Seal has been awarded through the UCF Office of Technology Transfer. The Pegasus Professor and chair of the Department of Materials Science…

A University of Central Florida research team with collaborators at Virginia Tech have published critical findings about the electrochemical synthesis of ammonia, advancing sustainable fertilizer research and thus aiding global food safety efforts. Ammonia, a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen, is an essential ingredient in many fertilizers for food production. However, its primary method of…

Each time a firefighter puts their life on the line to save a member of the community, they may also put their health in jeopardy. Continuous exposure to extreme heat increases the core body temperature and causes a condition known as heat stress, which has been linked to serious medical conditions. To help firefighters track…

A University of Central Florida researcher will lead a recently announced $1.25 million project to map and manipulate materials at the nanoscale. The project’s funding is through the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, a philanthropic foundation established by Intel co-founder Gordon Moore and his wife Betty Moore to support scientific discovery, environmental conservation, patient care improvements and…

The College of Engineering and Computer Science now offers a new National Science Foundation International Research Experience for Students program, which is designed for engineering and science majors who are interested in conducting research and exploring a new culture through an immersive experience that begins in summer 2023. This IRES program, officially titled “Low-Dimensional Materials…

UCF material sciences engineers Melanie Coathup and Sudipta Seal have designed a cerium oxide nanoparticle — an artificial enzyme — that protects bones against damage from radiation. The nanoparticle has also shown abilities to improve bone regeneration, reduce loss of blood cells and help kill cancer cells. Their study, a collaboration with Oakland University, North…

Developing life-saving medicines can take billions of dollars and decades of time, but University of Central Florida researchers are aiming to speed up this process with a new artificial intelligence-based drug screening process they’ve developed. Using a method that models drug and target protein interactions using natural language processing techniques, the researchers achieved up to…

A team of UCF researchers have proven the efficacy of a nanomaterial-based disinfectant they developed to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Through their experiments, they found that the disinfectant was able to kill several serious viruses including SARS and Zika. The results of their findings were recently published in ACS Applied Materials and…

University of Central Florida researchers have developed a device for artificial intelligence that mimics the retina of the eye. The development could lead to advanced AI that can instantly recognize what it sees, like automatic descriptions of pictures taken by a camera or phone. The technology also has applications in self-driving vehicles and robotics. The device,…

Researchers at the University of Central Florida are developing new devices that will allow artificial intelligence (AI) to work from anywhere, without connecting to the internet. This means technology ranging from natural language processing programs, like Siri or Alexa to robots and other advanced applications, could work in remote regions of the globe or even…

Three University of Central Florida researchers, including two from MSE, are part of recently announced multi-million-dollar research projects aimed at facilitating the growth of newly emerging technologies for the U.S. Department of Defense. The awards, which are part of the DOD’s Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative, will support projects that range from advancing hypersonic propulsion to improving…

UCF awarded a total of $1 million in SEED Funding awards to 32 research teams, one of which includes MSE faculty. This is the third year the program has been available to faculty. The program, a result of a collaboration between the Office of Research and the Office of the Provost, is aimed at facilitating…

Our human bones are under constant attack. From the moment we are born, they are fending off against aging and degenerative diseases. Some begin to crumble under the weight of cancer and there is evidence that time in gravity free space also weakens our bones. At UCF, Melanie Coathup is working to find ways to…

Like the charged power suit worn by Black Panther of Marvel Comics, UCF researchers have advanced NASA technologies to develop a power suit for an electric car that is as strong as steel, lighter than aluminum and helps boosts the vehicle’s power capacity. The suit is made of layered carbon composite material that works as…

A new material developed by the University of Central Florida may one day mean people could be pouring a drink for their car. That’s because UCF researchers are developing an alcohol-based power source for cars and other technology. The power source —an ethanol fuel cell — is a renewable energy alternative to fossil fuels and…

An alum and several researchers at UCF have used nanotechnology to develop the cleaning agent, which protects against seven viruses for up to seven days.       Researchers Drs. Christina Drake, Griff Parks, and Sudipta Seal worked to develop the technology that can continuously disinfect surfaces for up to seven days. UCF researchers have…

The material offers the high performance and stability needed for industrial-scale electrolysis, which could produce a clean energy fuel from seawater.   Researchers at the University of Central Florida have designed for the first time a nanoscale material that can efficiently split seawater into oxygen and a clean energy fuel — hydrogen. Photo credit: Adobe…

Jung group’s collaborative research with scientists at University of Texas – Austin led to publications in top materials science journals, Advanced Materials and ACS Nano. The Advanced Materials paper titled “A Library of Atomically Thin 2D Materials Featuring the Conductive‐Point Resistive Switching Phenomenon” reports on memory switching effects in  the near-atom thickness 2D materials developed…

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. – Army researchers collaborated with academic partners from the University of Central Florida to improve additive manufacturing. This partnership may help deliver extreme lightweight components to future Soldiers. By optimizing the printing process for the additive manufacturing of a high-strength magnesium alloy and fabricating 24 micro-lattice structures, researchers characterized the compressive…

UCF Funds Second Round of $1 million SEED Initiative to Support Faculty Research Thirty-seven teams are awarded grants to investigate a variety of research including the use of artificial intelligence to improve battery performance and gaming to develop leadership skills. Thirty-seven teams will be conducting research in a variety of areas including nanotechnology, energy, space,…

The disinfectant spray will use UCF-developed cerium oxide nanoparticles that have been shown to have a wide range of therapeutic properties. Current disinfectant products for killing viruses like coronavirus take minutes to fully sanitize surfaces, which isn’t practical on high-contact areas such as door handles, elevators and bannisters. That’s why the University of Central Florida…

The Office of Research, College of Engineering and Computer Science, College of Sciences, and College of Business invest in research projects through the new UCF Initiative. Five research teams using Artificial Intelligence and Big Data have been awarded a total of $185,000 to conduct COVID-19-related research. Establishing the awards was the first act of UCF’s new…

 

Research from the MSE and Chemistry departments at UCF has been featured on the cover of physica status solidi (a). This work was carried out by Geoffrey Gregory (Graduate Student, MSE), Corbin Feit (Graduate Student, MSE), Zhengning Gao (Postdoctoral Researcher, MSE), Prof. Parag Banerjee (Associate Professor, MSE and REACT Cluster), Prof. Titel Jurca (Assistant Professor, Chemistry…

Sudipta Seal is one of 23 fellows recognized for his contributions which have impacted the area of space, medicine and the environment. BY ZENAIDA GONZALEZ KOTALA | JUNE 11, 2020 Sudipta Seal is a Pegasus Professor, trustee chair and is affiliated with UCF’s Advanced Materials Processing Analysis Center and Nanoscience Technology Center, in addition to his role…

Overview COVID-19 has impacted all of us in some way. The disruptions shut down most of our research operations in March, and I know you have been eagerly awaiting word on when you can get back. I appreciate your patience. Since April I have been working with a dedicated team of faculty researchers, administrators and…

Backed by the National Science Foundation, researchers are working on developing a nanoparticle film that would “catch” and kill viruses to better protect healthcare providers. Protecting against COVID 19 As the pandemic rages on, it’s the first responders on the frontlines that are most at risk. A team of engineers at the University of Central…

The Office of Research has launched a searchable database for UCF faculty and scientists. Agencies have put out calls for proposals, but with hundreds of agencies and multiple opportunities with their own specific requirements, it can be daunting to find a good match. The database offers UCF faculty and scientists a quick way to search using…

Wearables: Stretchable microstructures for microelectrode sensors A unique method to make wearable electronics using flexible microstructures have been explored and characterized by researchers in the United States. Wearable devices such as sensors or power generators require stable, stretchable electronics, otherwise, their electrical performance will degrade when they are deformed. Prof. Swaminathan Rajaraman (Assistant Professor, MSE)…

Backed by the National Science Foundation, researchers are working on developing a nanoparticle film that would “catch” and kill viruses to better protect healthcare providers. BY WENDY SARUBBI & ZENAIDA KOTALA | APRIL 8, 2020 Scientists from two disciplines join forces to help healthcare providers protect themselves from COVID-19. Masks that protect doctors and nurses from COVID-19…

Announcing the 2020 Class of Inventors! For the full biographies of 2020 Inductees, please visit the Florida Inventors website.

His program will focus on understanding the fundamental reaction mechanisms in all-solid-state batteries to identify the root causes of the failures at the electrochemical interfaces. He will develop a novel in-situ transmission electron microscopy technique that enables precise evaluation of the interplay between the strain/stress evolutions and the changes in the microstructure/chemistry at the interface…

“Current products on the market for diabetic foot ulcers are not meeting the clinical need,” Chemical & Biological Engineering Associate Professor Melissa Krebs said. Postdoctoral researcher Matthew Osmond works with the hydrogel bandage material in the lab as Chemical & Biological Engineering Associate Professor Melissa Krebs observes. Hydrogel bandages designed to slowly release medication that reduces…

At 2nd International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology-2019 (ICNAN ’19), VIT Vellore, India, the attendees came from 25+ Countries and participated with more than 1000 student applicants and 400+ presenters. More than 525 research papers were submitted, and over 60 globally renowned speakers gave their talk. Out of 1000 student applicants and more than 400…

Metal-air batteries are longer lasting than the often-used lithium-ion batteries found in electric cars. BY ROBERT WELLS | DECEMBER 9, 2019 Yang Yang, an assistant professor at UCF’s NanoScience Technology Center, is researching environmentally friendly fuel sources. University of Central Florida researchers are working to improve energy sources for zero-emission, electric vehicles that are an…

Watch at Welsh2-TV Solar panels could save you hundreds of dollars a month, but is the initial investment worth the cost in the long run? In the past few years, Florida’s solar industry has started to take off. “We’re building almost a nuclear power plant worth of solar every year in the state of Florida,”…

The sensor will use terahertz waves to detect fire and chemicals whose unique molecular signatures can be determined based on how the waves interact with them. BY ROBERT WELLS | DECEMBER 3, 2019 Video: Homeland Security, FEMA partner with UCF to help improve firefighter safety Kausik Mukhopadhyay, a senior lecturer and researcher at UCF’s Department of Materials…

By combining the ancient Japanese art of paper cutting with science, this new material could have applications ranging from smart jackets to solar cells. BY ROBERT WELLS | OCTOBER 14, 2019   Yeonwoong Jung, an assistant professor in UCF’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering conceived of the new technique that’s combining art and engineering. He works…

The key to the safer fuel cells is the use of platinum; however, the high cost of the precious metal has kept the technology too expensive. This is a problem Yang has worked to overcome. BY ROBERT WELLS | SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 Dr. Yang Yang is working to create fuel cells that could lead to safer electric…

Using nanotechnology, UCF researchers have developed the first rapid detector for dopamine, a chemical that is believed to play a role in various diseases such as Parkinson’s, depression and some cancers. Studies show too much dopamine could be associated with some cancers, while low dopamine could be associated with Parkinson’s disease and depression.  The new…

Totally sheltered, totally dependent, fetuses inhabit an environment entirely apart from that of any other stage of life. They have, as a result, unique properties. One fetal surgeon and his research team are applying those properties to diabetic wounds — but the implications of their work go far deeper than skin. It’s a fact known…

New research shows that a powerful antioxidant may be just as useful one-day protecting beachgoers and cancer patients from radioactive rays as it could astronauts. In a recent study published in the journal Nanoscale and identified as a top article, the University of Central Florida researchers found that tissues and DNA from mice treated with an antioxidant,…

Controlling diabetes is often a daily chore for patients with the disease, but researchers at the University of Central Florida are working to make one type of treatment more manageable. They recently received a nearly $400,000 grant from JDRF, formerly the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, to create a cannula with a coating that resists infection…

Two UCF alumni are in the process of developing a self-heating blanket that will protect infants from hypothermia in low- and middle-income regions, increasing their chances of survival. Ajay Karakoti ’10 Ph.D., and Satyanarayana Kuchibhatla ’08 Ph.D., received a grant of more than $75,000 to continue their development of a non-electric blanket, which is made entirely of ecofriendly…

A UCF research team with collaborators at Virginia Tech have developed a new “green” approach to making ammonia that may help make feeding the rising world population more sustainable. “This new approach can facilitate ammonia production using renewable energy, such as electricity generated from solar or wind,” said physics Assistant Professor Xiaofeng Feng. “Basically, this…

Yeonwoong “Eric” Jung’s lab was visited by WFTV to showcase the oil-absorbing sponges  developed in his research group. Watch the segment below. http://mse.ucf.edu/files/videos/WFTV_News.mp4

A research article written by Yeonwoong “Eric” Jung and his research team has been selected as one of the top 100 most-read chemistry papers for Scientific Reports in 2017. The article titled  “Noble metal-coated MoS2 nanofilms with vertically-aligned 2D layers for visible light-driven photocatalytic degradation of emerging water contaminants” reports the efficient removal of harmful water…

The U.S. Army and the U.S. Office of Naval Research have turned to the University of Central Florida to help push the limits of additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3-D printing with metallic alloys. Additive manufacturing looks to use different metallic alloys to print a variety of finished components used in everything from children’s toys…