Spotlight on Research

Emmett Leith: Modern Holography
Leith made holography a reality, stunning the world with his holographic train in 1964.

First in Quantum Dots
Prof. Battacharya was instrumental in early understanding of the tiny semiconductor particles called quantum dots.

The World’s Smallest Computer
The Michigan Micro Mote is a fully autonomous computing system that acts as a smart sensing system.

WIMS
WIMS facilitated 11 spinoff companies, 59 patents, and new tech for hearing, brain research, and sensing.

CUOS: Pursuing New Frontiers
The Center for Ultrafast Optical Science is responsible for the field’s most intense laser and much more.

The RadLab
U-M’s Radlab is known worldwide for their contributions to Applied Electromagnetics.

Lurie Nanofabrication Facility
The Lurie Nanofabrication Facility wasn’t always so clean, but it got the job done.

Sponsored Research to the Midwest
Department Chair William Gould Dow was responsible for bringing industry- and government-sponsored research to Michigan.

Amazing Walking Robots
Prof. Jessy Grizzle has developed extremely robust control techniques for bipedal walking robots.

Kamal Sarabandi: Bridging the Divide
Sarabandi’s work in remote sensing helps monitor global warming, see through walls, and navigate drones.

Gérard Mourou: A Laser Pioneer
The 2018 Nobel Prize Winner in Physics, Gérard let the formation of the Center for Ultrafast Optical Science and expanded the field’s imagination.

Weapons-detecting radars
Prof. Kamal Sarabandi’s technology can identify a hidden gun or bomb from the distance of a football field.

Lowering CT Radiation
Prof. Jeff Fessler is working to create high-quality CT scans from a much lower dose of radiation.

Breakthroughs in Modern Lighting
Stephen Forrest does revolutionary work on photovoltaic cells, organic light emitting diodes, and lasers.

Roach-Inspired Robots
Prof. Shai Revzen is analyzing the reflexes of cockroaches to aid in developing steadier robots.

Michigan’s First Materials Center
Center for Photonic and Multiscale Nanomaterials focuses on controlling light interactions with matter.

Khalil Najafi: Emerging Technologies
Khalil is a leader in MEMS devices, including systems to replace GPS and detect chemical weapons.

Art-Inspired Solar Cells
EECS researchers developed lightweight, movable solar cells that track the sun, inspired by Japanese kirigami.

The Michigan Probe: Brain Research
Extremely accurate probes us a variety of technologies to make mapping the brain with light possible.

Solar-Powered Color
Color, see-through solar cells can enable ‘stained’ glass windows, decorative panels and shade that makes electricity.

Predicting your risk of Illness
Prof. Al Hero studies the human genome’s response to viral illnesses to help predict when you might get sick.

Injectable Computers
Researchers added radios that transmit through tissue to a computer small enough to fit in a syringe.

Jasprit Singh: Apps for Wellness
Even in retirement, Singh works to develop software that makes wellness and health convenient.

David Anderson: Bioengineer
Anderson made his home at the crossroads of engineering and neurophysiology.