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Spring 2015
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  • Spring 2016

    Spring 2016: Premium Blend

    Found in everything from space shuttles to dental fillings, composite materials have thoroughly infiltrated modern society. But their potential is still greatly untapped, offering researchers ample opportunity for discovery.

  • Fall 2015

    Fall 2015: Collision Course

    Within the particle showers created at the Large Hadron Collider, answers to some of the universe’s mysteries are waiting.

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    Spring 2015: Almost Human

    Model systems like pigeons can help illuminate our own evolutionary and genomic history.

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    Fall 2014: Small Wonder

    UT Arlington's tiny windmills are bringing renewable energy to a whole new scale.

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    Winter 2014: Overdue for an Overhaul

    The stability of our highways, pipelines, and even manholes is reaching a breaking point.

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    2012: Mystery solved?

    Scientists believe they have discovered a subatomic particle that is crucial to understanding the universe.

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    UT Arlington researchers unlock clues to the human body’s most mysterious and complex organ.

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    2010: Powered by genetics

    UT Arlington researchers probe the hidden world of microbes in search of renewable energy sources.

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    2009: Winning the battle against pain

    Wounded soldiers are benefiting from Robert Gatchel’s program that combines physical rehabilitation with treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.

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    2007: Sensing a solution

    Tiny sensors implanted in the body show promise in combating acid reflux disease, pain and other health problems.

  • 2006

    2006:Semiconductors: The next generation

    Nanotechnology researchers pursue hybrid silicon chips with life-saving potential.

  • 2005

    2005: Imaging is everything

    Biomedical engineers combat diseases with procedures that are painless to patients.

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Motorists

Engines of Progress

UT Arlington receives Walmart grant to build small motors assembly system, help strengthen U.S. manufacturing 

Illustration by Harry Campbell

Once a source of American pride, the manufacturing industry took a nosedive between 2000 and 2009, with the loss of 5.8 million factory jobs. That trend has been on the reverse, however, and now UT Arlington is joining the effort to keep the resurgence going. The University recently received a grant from the Walmart Foundation to build a robotic small motors assembly and testing system that would cut manufacturing costs, allowing more goods to be produced in the United States.

Made possible through a collaboration between Walmart, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the Walmart Foundation, the Walmart U.S. Manufacturing Innovation Grant is part of $4 million in awards distributed to seven research and development institutions last year. Each grant was designed to fund the creation of new processes, ideas, and jobs to boost America’s growing manufacturing footprint.

Aditya Das, senior research scientist at the UT Arlington Research Institute (UTARI), is leading the University’s efforts. He says UTARI has been conducting pioneering research in automated product miniaturization and system integration for more than a decade.

“We can leverage all the tools and knowledge we’ve built up during that time and put it to use on this project,” Dr. Das explains. “Walmart is committed to bringing manufacturing to America. We’re doing our part to develop U.S. manufacturing by building a machine that helps produce these small motors.” The motors are found in toys, electric shavers, hair dryers, electronic devices, and a bevy of other consumer goods.

President Vistasp Karbhari believes the grant to support UTARI positions the University as a strong partner for industry with the know-how to propel manufacturing innovation.

“Walmart, the Walmart Foundation, and the U.S. Conference  of Mayors clearly recognize that pre-eminent research universities are the places where engineering solutions can best be devised to increase manufacturing efficiency and lower costs,” he says.

“This significant collaboration will bridge the gap between the capabilities of robotic automation and the cost-prohibitive nature of most automation processes.”

Illustration by Harry Campbell

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