Faculty Features Archives - MSU Innovation Center

Harvesting Robot Cuts Farm Labor Costs By 20%

College of Engineering

Keeping apples in pristine condition as you bring them home from the store requires a gentle touch. Imagine keeping a whole orchard of apples from getting bruised as they’re harvested. The AgriDynamic Robotics Apple Harvester, developed under the leadership of Zhaojian Li, Red Cedar Distinguished Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Michigan State, gives growers the …



Student Startup of the Year: AG3 Labs Builds LowCost Drone Swarms for Realistic Training 

AG3 Labs, a student-founded startup, develops low-cost, highly maneuverable drone systems for military and defense training. Designed to fly in coordinated swarms with repeatable flight patterns, these drones serve as realistic aerial targets, enabling teams to train against agile unmanned threats common in modern conflicts.  Unlike multipurpose drone platforms containing advanced sensors and computing systems, AG3 Labs …


‘Wiggling’ atoms may lead to smaller, more efficient electronics

MSU Today

Researchers at Michigan State University have figured out how to use a fast laser to wiggle atoms in a way that temporarily changes the behavior of their host material. Their novel approach could lead to smaller, faster and more efficient electronics — like smartphones — in the future. Tyler Cocker, an associate professor in the College …


Spartan research makes medical breakthroughs happen

MSU Today

One of Michigan State University’s most significant medical breakthroughs happened somewhat by chance when researchers discovered the cancer-fighting properties of platinum in 1965. This led to the breakthrough creation of cisplatin, one of the world’s most widely used cancer-fighting drugs that continues to change lives to this day. Today, medical breakthroughs from labs at MSU …


MSU’s cisplatin cancer drug wins national award

MSU Today

In 1965, a group of Michigan State University researchers accidentally discovered a new cancer-fighting drug: cisplatin. Since then, cisplatin has become the industry standard for cancer-fighting chemotherapy treatments. As announced today, MSU will receive a 2025 Golden Goose Award for the scientific success and global impact of cisplatin. The Golden Goose Award is meant to highlight the …



Four MSU researchers named AAAS Fellows

MSU Today

From protecting butterflies in Michigan and across the nation to uncovering the connection between gut health and stronger bones, Michigan State University researchers are tackling challenges that impact our environment, health and future well-being. In March, Nick Haddad, Gemma Reguera, Laura McCabe and Michael Thoennessen were recognized as 2024 fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, or …


Christopher Contag elected to 2025 class of AIMBE College of Fellows

MSU Today

The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, or AIMBE, has inducted Christopher H. Contag, the James and Kathleen Cornelius Chair in the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Microbiology, Genetics and Immunology; and director of the Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering at Michigan State University, into its College of Fellows. Contag was nominated, reviewed, and elected by peers and …


MSU Professor and Researcher selected as NASA Science Team Members for two Satellite Missions

College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

Narendra N. Das, Ph.D., Associate Professor in BAE and CEE, is serving on two NASA satellite missions as a Science Team member. Dr. Narendra N. Das, an Associate Professor in the Departments of Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering and Civil and Environmental Engineering at Michigan State University (MSU), has been appointed as a NASA Science Team …


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