Research News

What if a soft robot like Baymax in the Disney animated film Big Hero 6 were real? Xiaobo Tan, MSU Foundation Professor and Richard M. Hong Endowed Chair in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and his team are working to bring that science fiction to life by designing robots made of soft materials that are safer for both human interaction and delicate objects.

MSU Mobility celebrates Mobility Week, a global initiative focused on innovation at the intersection of transportation and technology, taking place Sept. 20-27, 2025. This initiative brings together mobility and transportation technology experts from around the globe to build partnerships and identify opportunities to accelerate innovation.

For a second time, students passionate about the evolving space market had an unparalleled opportunity to learn from experts working on electronics designed to survive the harsh realities of space. And Michigan State University’s Green and White Council stopped in to see the results firsthand.

A wide range of disciplines are adopting artificial intelligence, or AI, at a rapid pace. From science and medicine to the humanities and education, AI is influencing the landscape of how information is accessed and processed. At Michigan State University, the College of Engineering is exploring new ways for AI to improve lives through railway safety, AI security, learning and health outcomes.

Shiqiang “Nick” Zou of Michigan State University has been selected for 2025–27 cohort of Early-Career Research Fellows in the Offshore Energy Safety track of the Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM).

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.

With cases on the rise, researchers are aiming to develop a “one-two punch” vaccine strategy against pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough. This work could ultimately help reduce transmission of the disease and combat the threat of resistant bacteria mutating into stronger, more lethal “superbugs.”

As rail infrastructure across the United States ages under increasing freight demands and higher-speed passenger traffic, the need for smarter, faster, and more reliable inspection methods has never been more urgent. A cross-disciplinary team of Michigan State University (MSU) faculty, postdocs, graduate, and undergraduate students are answering that call with a breakthrough hybrid sensing system that could redefine how railroads detect and prevent failures.

The College of Engineering is among Michigan State University’s top producers of research discoveries and commercialization that help build a diversified economy and generate jobs for Michigan and the Midwest. Three new National Science Foundation (NSF) grants will add $1.16 million in research funding to the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE).

Cancer fighters know that losing their hair is often part of the battle, but Michigan State University researchers have developed a shampoo-like gel that has been studied in animal models and could protect hair from falling out during chemotherapy treatment.