Research

three people work on a laser layout in Matt Pelton's quantum photonics laboratory

Quantum photonics expertise earns UMBC spot in DOE Frontiers in Energy Research Center

/ 2 minutes of reading

UMBC has been selected to participate in the Quantum Photonics Integrated Design Center (QuPIDC), which is led by Purdue University and also includes Los Alamos National Laboratory, Stanford University, Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, the University of Oklahoma, and Virginia Tech. The collaboration is one of 10 new Frontiers in Energy Research Centers recently funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. The centers support top-tier interdisciplinary teams as they pursue transformative basic research that will advance energy technologies. The quantum optics center will receive $13.9 million overall, and UMBC will receive $570,000. QuPIDC aims to develop ways to generate… Continue Reading Quantum photonics expertise earns UMBC spot in DOE Frontiers in Energy Research Center

Vladimir Putin, president of Russia, walks across a stage in front of two men sitting on white chairs

Putin’s visit to Mongolia defies ICC warrant and tests neutral nation’s ‘third neighbor’ diplomacy

/ 7 minutes of reading

Mongolia has attempted to bolster its independence from its more powerful neighbors by developing cordial relations with so-called third neighbor countries that include the United States, Germany, Japan and South Korea, explains Christopher Tong, associate professor of Asian studies at UMBC and Chares Krusekopf at the Royal Roads University. We attended the Ulaanbaatar Duologue in June 2024 and witnessed Mongolia’s diplomatic efforts firsthand. It is a strategy that has worked for the country, but as events like Putin’s visit highlight, it can be a tough balancing act.” Continue Reading Putin’s visit to Mongolia defies ICC warrant and tests neutral nation’s ‘third neighbor’ diplomacy

A U.S. vice presidential candidate stands with his hands raised in prayer with the white and blue DNC 2024 digital sign behind them

The specter of China has edged into US election rhetoric − for Republicans much more than Democrats

/ 6 minutes of reading

Fan Yang, professor of media and communication studies at UMBC, an expert on how China is represented in U.S. media culture and politics, explains how the fact that China is edging into the election rhetoric is of little surprise – nor is the imbalance in emphasis given to the country by the Democratic and Republican tickets, respectively. Continue Reading The specter of China has edged into US election rhetoric − for Republicans much more than Democrats

outdoor pedestrian corridor with a large group of professionally dressed students walking across; in foreground an easel with poster advertising Summer Undergraduate Research Fest that reads "SURF's UP 2024" at the top

27th Summer Undergraduate Research Fest prepares students for scholarly next steps

/ 3 minutes of reading

In early August, 124 students from seven states and the District of Columbia participated in UMBC’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fest (SURF), sponsored by the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences (CNMS). The students came from UMBC and other universities, community colleges, and three high schools, and they presented 106 posters and gave six “lightning talks” about research projects they completed over the summer. Almost all participants had completed their research under the mentorship of UMBC faculty. CNMS Dean William R. LaCourse encouraged the students to carry their experience at UMBC with them after the summer ends.  “I hope this summer… Continue Reading 27th Summer Undergraduate Research Fest prepares students for scholarly next steps

Three college students in business suits stand with a college professor in a balcony with the U.S. Capitol behind them.

Peter Wilschke ’24, political science and economics, celebrates national research accomplishments

/ 7 minutes of reading

“Most of what I accomplished as an undergrad was something I had to decide I wanted to do without having anyone to tell me I should do it,” explains Peter Wilschke ’24, economics and political science. He hit the ground running after graduation in May, beginning a two-year research assistant position at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors in Washington, D.C. “I’ve learned how far I can go if I try everything I can think of. It gives me motivation and a little bit of pressure to keep up that level of work throughout my time at the Fed Reserve and, hopefully, in grad school.” Continue Reading Peter Wilschke ’24, political science and economics, celebrates national research accomplishments

Black Farmers An adult with shoulder length brown hair wearing a blue blouse and a gold necklace stands outside in front of a building and orange stone arches. Researcher Loren Henderson

Academic Minute: Centering the voices of Black farmers

/ 2 minutes of reading

As a community, farmers in the United States often face challenges that are out of their control, such as drought, livestock disease, and global pandemics like COVID-19. For Black farmers, says Loren Henderson, associate professor of public policy, these obstacles are compounded by land theft, inadequate succession planning, systemic racism, and discriminatory U.S. Department of Agriculture policies and practices. As a result, Black farmers today are facing extinction. Henderson was featured on The Academic Minute to talk about her research. Continue Reading Academic Minute: Centering the voices of Black farmers

Microscope image shows twisted rope-like structures made from carbon nanotubes.

UMBC scientists show twisted carbon nanotubes might power “wind-up” sensors and other devices

/ 3 minutes of reading

An international team of scientists, including two researchers who now work in the Center for Advanced Sensor Technology (CAST) at UMBC, has shown that twisted carbon nanotubes can store three times more energy per unit mass than advanced lithium-ion batteries. The finding may advance carbon nanotubes as a promising solution for storing energy in devices that need to be lightweight, compact, and safe, such as medical implants and sensors. The research was published recently in the journal Nature Nanotechnology. Continue Reading UMBC scientists show twisted carbon nanotubes might power “wind-up” sensors and other devices

Group of students take a selfie in front of a Constellation sign.

With eye to research, UMBC expands partnership with Baltimore-based energy company Constellation

/ 2 minutes of reading

UMBC is strengthening the university’s research connection with the energy company Constellation, expanding on a partnership of more than 20 years with the Baltimore-based business. Constellation, the nation’s largest producer of carbon-free energy, funds scholarships and has endowed a professorship in mechanical engineering at UMBC, regularly recruits students for internships and jobs, and hosts its annual Youth Energy Summit on the UMBC campus. In March, UMBC and Constellation signed a Master Research Agreement, which will facilitate greater research collaboration between the two organizations. In April, Constellation sent representatives to the College of Engineering and Information Technology’s (COEIT’s) inaugural Research Day… Continue Reading With eye to research, UMBC expands partnership with Baltimore-based energy company Constellation

A researcher stand in front of large statue of a man on a horse sits on top of a large boulder with a plaque at the center of a plaza in Mongolia

Christopher K. Tong, MLLI, returns from a research award in Mongolia to inform his work in Asian studies

/ 5 minutes of reading

“Historically, the Mongolian empire stretched from Asia to Europe, so there is intrinsic value to studying Mongolia from a humanistic perspective. It was also interesting to see how present-day Mongolians understand and represent this history, for example, the life and legacy of Genghis Khan,” says Christopher K. Tong, associate professor of modern languages, linguistics, and intercultural communication, who received the Council of American Overseas Research Centers (CAORC) award to participate in the Overseas Faculty Development Seminar: Climate Change and Public Health: What Does Climate Change Mean for the People of Mongolia? Continue Reading Christopher K. Tong, MLLI, returns from a research award in Mongolia to inform his work in Asian studies

An adult with shoulder length, brown, wavy hair wearing a black v-neck blouse stands in front of a colorful bed of flowers

Susan McDonough, history, receives prestigious membership to the Institute for Advanced Studies to continue research on sex workers in medieval Mediterranean

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“I am incredibly energized by this opportunity to immerse myself in the archival materials I’ve been gathering concerning sex workers and their communities in the medieval Mediterranean,” shares Susan McDonough, associate professor of history at UMBC about receiving a 2024 – 2025 research membership to the Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS) at the School of Historical Studies in Princeton, New Jersey.  Continue Reading Susan McDonough, history, receives prestigious membership to the Institute for Advanced Studies to continue research on sex workers in medieval Mediterranean

Artist Levester Williams staring into the camera with a blurred image of the street behind him.

UMBC’s exploratory artist in residence Levester Williams examines history of Cockeysville marble in film project

/ 7 minutes of reading

Since 2014, multimedia artist Levester Williams has developed a personal connection and exploration with a natural material that is a historic staple of Baltimore life—Cockeysville, Maryland, marble.  Go down specific streets in neighborhoods like Highlandtown, Charles Village, Cherry Hill, or Mount Vernon and you’ll see the ubiquitous, three-to-four tiered steps made of marble outfitting the exterior of many rowhomes throughout Baltimore, much of it from Cockeysville. Beyond the steps, you’ll also find the stone in landmarks such as Baltimore’s City Hall, the Washington monuments in Baltimore and D.C., and the 108 columns of the U.S. Capitol Building.  “The stone is… Continue Reading UMBC’s exploratory artist in residence Levester Williams examines history of Cockeysville marble in film project

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