Inventor Spotlight - MSU Innovation Center

Using Activated Biochar and Plasma to Combat PFAS

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of manufactured chemicals used in various industrial and consumer applications for over 60 years. They are often used in products such as non-stick cookware, stain-resistant carpeting, and firefighting foam. PFAS are extremely persistent in the environment, meaning they do not break down easily, leading to them being …


Developing the Next Generation of Spectroscopy Tools to Explore the Molecular World

Spectroscopy is a broad field that studies the interaction of electromagnetic radiation and matter and is used across numerous disciplines, including chemistry, physics, biology, and astronomy. “We use electromagnetic radiation, which could be visible light that we are all used to experiencing when we go outside and see the world before us. It could be …


Dr. Anil Jain Recognized for 30 Years of Advancements in the Field of Biometrics

Biometrics, or the recognition of individuals by means of unique physical characteristics, such as fingerprints, have been used in law enforcement for over 100 years. “The whole idea of biometric recognition is to use your body characteristics, either fingerprint, face, voice or the iris of the eye, to define your identity,” said Anil Jain, University …


MSU Faculty Develop Smart-Wheelchair Design

Dr. Tamara Bush, a Mechanical Engineering professor at Michigan State University, and biomechanics post-doctoral student Dr. Justin Scott have developed the world’s first Smart Wheelchair. Current wheelchair designs have a limited range of adjustment, often only allowing users to recline by tilting the seat back rearward. However, these designs are often inadequate to treat pressure …


Dr. Bahar Aliakbarian: Repurposing Agricultural Waste into Marketable Products

Although our farmers may feed the world, agriculture can also create waste byproducts that harm our environment. To help make farming a greener practice, Dr. Bahar Aliakbarian, an Associate Professor in the MSU Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering and Director of Development and Research at the Axia Institute, is researching how the industry can …


Younsuk Dong: Increasing Crop Yield and Reducing Water Consumption with Precision Irrigation

Younsuk Dong, an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist at the MSU Department of Biosystem and Agricultural Engineering (BAE), has created a system that will improve irrigation and plant disease management. Dong’s hardware, entitled the Low-Cost Monitoring System (LOCOMOS), is aimed at helping farmers determine optimal crop water patterns and can help farmers decide when crops …



$450,000 NSF grant to track and detect motion in people

MSU researchers to study movement disorders and falls in the elderly   Two researchers from Michigan State University are working on designing and implementing scalable wireless systems that will assist caregivers with real-time patient motion tracking to detect and prevent falls for caregivers of elderly falls in real-time. Huacheng Zeng, an assistant professor in the …


Dr. Dong Zhao: Working to Make Older Buildings Greener

Dr. Dong Zhao’s research at Michigan State University is working to generate optimal solutions to make cities more sustainable and user-friendly.  Zhao is an assistant professor of construction management in MSU’s school of Planning, Design, and Construction. His research is focused on the human-building integration that considers occupants, technologies, and environments in the creation of …


Improving ‘Holy Grail’ Lithium Metal Batteries

Q&A with engineer Chengcheng Fang Michigan State University is one of the top 100 research universities in the world and a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, widely regarded as among the top research-intensive institutions in North America. The following story highlights one of the many examples of MSU’s research excellence and innovation. …


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