All posts by: Megan Hanks Mastrola


UMBC-led team receives Dept. of Energy grant to advance nuclear fusion energy research

“While there will be important materials and engineering questions that will need to be addressed before scaling up to a commercial reactor, we will address the most important physics questions that could put us in a path to a demo reactor in years, not decades. We are very excited to be working on a truly transformational technology that will enable a virtually inexhaustible energy source with very small impact to our planet,” says Romero-Talamas. Continue Reading UMBC-led team receives Dept. of Energy grant to advance nuclear fusion energy research

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Two UMBC student teams win USM COVID-19 app challenge

Earlier this summer, the University System of Maryland (USM) COVID-19 Task Force invited members of the USM community to develop mobile apps that would help Maryland residents respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the six winning teams just announced are two groups from UMBC. One team developed an app to support the healthcare of people with COVID-19. The other focused on connecting residents with dining options and restaurant policies as they change during the pandemic. Continue Reading Two UMBC student teams win USM COVID-19 app challenge

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UMBC’s Foad Hamidi receives NSF RAPID grant to expand free, secure internet access in Baltimore during COVID-19 and beyond

During the COVID-19 pandemic, internet access has become more critical, with people relying on it to work, learn, and connect with family and friends. However, the internet is not equally accessible to all people. UMBC’s Foad Hamidi recently received a collaborative Rapid Response Research (RAPID) grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to increase high-speed wireless internet access to communities in Baltimore. Continue Reading UMBC’s Foad Hamidi receives NSF RAPID grant to expand free, secure internet access in Baltimore during COVID-19 and beyond

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UMBC collaborates with MxD to develop cybersecurity curriculum for workers in manufacturing

UMBC researchers will collaborate with the Chicago-based MxD to develop a curriculum and online platform for manufacturing professionals to increase their cybersecurity skills and to protect manufacturing plants from cyber breaches. “The program will accelerate training of practitioners in the manufacturing industry in cybersecurity. It will also expand UMBC’s impact on cybersecurity education in the manufacturing sector,” says Nilanjan Banerjee. Continue Reading UMBC collaborates with MxD to develop cybersecurity curriculum for workers in manufacturing

Flood Bot: UMBC researchers expand flood warning work in Ellicott City

Ellicott City, a town about five miles from UMBC, suffered devastating flooding in 2016 and 2018. These events left residents and officials wondering how technology could help predict future severe weather events, potentially saving lives and property. In response, UMBC’s Nirmalya Roy received funding from NSF to develop a rapid flood warning system for Ellicott City, combining sensor data and social media monitoring. Continue Reading Flood Bot: UMBC researchers expand flood warning work in Ellicott City

UMBC researchers receive NSF RAPID grant to speed COVID-19 detection through a deep neural network

A research team from UMBC and the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) has received a Rapid Response Research (RAPID) grant from the National Science Foundation to detect COVID-19 infections earlier through computing. Aryya Gangopadhyay, professor of information systems at UMBC and PI on the grant, explains that this work will use machine learning to improve the speed and accuracy of COVID-19 diagnosis, helping to limit spread of the disease. Continue Reading UMBC researchers receive NSF RAPID grant to speed COVID-19 detection through a deep neural network

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UMBC’s Dipanjan Pan develops rapid diagnostic test for virus causing COVID-19

A team led by UMBC’s Dipanjan Pan has developed an experimental diagnostic test to rapidly detect the novel coronavirus causing COVID-19, potentially as early as the first day of infection. Researchers designed the test to show results visually, through a color change visible with the naked eye when the virus is present. Unlike other tests, it does not require advanced laboratory techniques or tools. Continue Reading UMBC’s Dipanjan Pan develops rapid diagnostic test for virus causing COVID-19

UMBC students create products to meet community needs at Cangialosi Business Innovation Competition

Four UMBC student groups vied for the top prize in the finals of this year’s Cangialosi Business Innovation Competition (CBIC), held entirely online for the first time on April 30. Their projects ranged across industries, from fashion to artificial intelligence. Continue Reading UMBC students create products to meet community needs at Cangialosi Business Innovation Competition

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