[ { "id":"144965-21896209", "datetime_modified":"20260203T101921", "datetime_start":"20260210T150000", "datetime_end":"20260210T160000", "has_end_time":1, "date_start":"2026-02-10", "date_end":"2026-02-10", "time_start":"15:00:00", "time_end":"16:00:00", "time_zone":"America\/Detroit", "event_title":"MICDE \u2013 NERS \u2013 MIPSE Joint Seminar: Brian Haines, Los Alamos National Laboratory", "occurrence_title":"", "combined_title":"MICDE \u2013 NERS \u2013 MIPSE Joint Seminar: Brian Haines, Los Alamos National Laboratory: Radiation-hydrodynamics Modeling & Application to Prediction of Inertial Confinement Fusion Experiments", "event_subtitle":"Radiation-hydrodynamics Modeling & Application to Prediction of Inertial Confinement Fusion Experiments", "event_type":"Workshop \/ Seminar", "event_type_id":"21", "description":"Abstract:\nThe xRAGE radiation-hydrodynamics code is a state-of-the art simulation tool for modeling inertial confinement fusion experiments. xRAGE is one of only three radiation-hydrodynamics codes developed in the U.S. with sufficient physics to credibly model both capsule implosions as well as the high-Z cylindrical hohlraums used to convert laser energy into an X-ray drive for the capsule. xRAGE solves the equations for hydrodynamics and other physics in an Eulerian reference frame and features adaptive mesh refinement, which makes it uniquely well-suited to accurately modeling capsule defects and engineering features that are important factors limiting capsule performance. In the first half of this talk, we will discuss the physics modeling capabilities and algorithms available in xRAGE with an emphasis on those relevant to high-energy-density physics and inertial confinement fusion. In the second half of the talk, we will discuss the successful application of xRAGE to provide pre-shot predictions for seventeen high-yield capsule implosions on the National Ignition Facility. This will include the modeling methodology, how we establish prediction uncertainties, and how we have learned from prediction failures to improve the methodology. Our predictions have exhibited a 67% success rate thus far, which is much higher than other pre-shot predictions over the same set of experiments.\n\nBio: \nBrian M. Haines is a Senior Distinguished Scientist in the Eulerian Codes group in the X-Computational Physics division at Los Alamos National Laboratory. He is currently the lead for the Ignition Applications project, which includes the THOR and BrassOwl experimental campaigns on the National Ignition Facility. Brian leads the effort to produce LANL xRAGE pre-shot predictions and post-shot analysis of high-yield implosion attempts on the National Ignition Facility. Brian led the decadal effort to develop the xRAGE radiation-hydrodynamics code into a state-of-the-art tool for modeling inertial confinement fusion (ICF) and high-energy density physics experiments and has pioneered the use of xRAGE to perform large-scale high-resolution full-physics three-dimensional simulations of ICF implosions to understand the impacts of hydrodynamic instabilities and engineering features. Prior to his current position, Brian was a Metropolis postdoc in the Methods & Algorithms group from 2011-2013 and did various internships as a student with Argonne National Laboratory, LANL, the National Security Agency, and the Institute for Defense Analyses\u2019 Center for Communications Research. Brian received a Ph.D. in mathematics from Penn State University in 2011 and a B.A. in mathematics and physics from New York University in 2006. Brian has co-authored 100 peer-reviewed publications that have received over 3,400 citations and has been awarded a Secretary\u2019s Honor Award from DOE, four distinguished performance awards from LANL, five defense program awards of excellence from NNSA, an ICF program award from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), and a Director\u2019s Science and Technology Award from LLNL.", "occurrence_notes":null, "guid":"144965-21896209@events.umich.edu", "permalink":"http:\/\/events.umich.edu\/event\/144965", "building_id":"1000397", "building_name":"Lurie Robert H. Engin. Ctr", "building_official_id":1000397, "campus_maps_id":"90", "campus_maps_link_path":"robert-h-lurie-engineering-center", "campus_maps_link":"https:\/\/maps.studentlife.umich.edu\/building\/robert-h-lurie-engineering-center", "room":"Johnson Rooms", "location_name":"Lurie Robert H. Engin. Ctr", "has_livestream":0, "cost":"", "tags":["Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences"], "website":"https:\/\/micde.umich.edu\/event\/brian-haines-los-alamos-national-laboratory\/", "links":[ { "type":"other", "url":"https:\/\/micde.umich.edu\/event\/brian-haines-los-alamos-national-laboratory\/", "title":"Brian Haines seminar" } ], "sponsors":[ { "group_name":"Michigan Institute for Computational Discovery and Engineering", "group_id":"3286", "website":"http:\/\/micde.umich.edu" }, { "group_name":"Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences", "group_id":"4000", "website":"" }, { "group_name":"Michigan Institute for Plasma Science and Engineering (MIPSE)", "group_id":"4073", "website":"" } ], "image_url":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_144965_original-1.jpg", "image_description":"Man with beard and glasses in black shirt", "styled_images":{ "event_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/event_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_144965_original-1.jpg", "event_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_144965_original-1.jpg", "event_large_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/event_large_2x\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_144965_original-1.jpg", "event_large_lightbox":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large_lightbox\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_144965_original-1.jpg", "group_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/group_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_144965_original-1.jpg", "group_thumb_square":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/group_thumb_square\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_144965_original-1.jpg", "group_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/group_large\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_144965_original-1.jpg", "group_large_lightbox":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/group_large_lightbox\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_144965_original-1.jpg", "event_large_crop":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/event_large_crop\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_144965_original-1.jpg", "event_list":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_list\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_144965_original-1.jpg", "event_list_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_list_2x\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_144965_original-1.jpg", "event_grid":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_grid\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_144965_original-1.jpg", "event_grid_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/event_grid_2x\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_144965_original-1.jpg", "event_feature_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/event_feature_large\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_144965_original-1.jpg", "event_feature_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_feature_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_144965_original-1.jpg" }, "qr_code_url":"http:\/\/events.umich.edu\/event\/144965\/qrcode.png", "occurrence_count":1, "first_occurrence":21896209 } , { "id":"145462-21897377", "datetime_modified":"20260213T151659", "datetime_start":"20260219T153000", "datetime_end":"20260219T163000", "has_end_time":1, "date_start":"2026-02-19", "date_end":"2026-02-19", "time_start":"15:30:00", "time_end":"16:30:00", "time_zone":"America\/Detroit", "event_title":"IES Energy Seminar Series - The Reactor Around the Corner: Understanding Advanced Nuclear Energy Futures", "occurrence_title":"", "combined_title":"IES Energy Seminar Series - The Reactor Around the Corner: Understanding Advanced Nuclear Energy Futures: Denia Djokic, Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences and Molly Kleinman, Ford School's Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program", "event_subtitle":"Denia Djokic, Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences and Molly Kleinman, Ford School's Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program", "event_type":"Workshop \/ Seminar", "event_type_id":"21", "description":"Abstract:\nSmall modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced nuclear technologies are gaining attention as key solutions to climate change, energy insecurity, and the growing energy needs of data centers. However, the potential expansion of the global nuclear industry introduces\u2014and in some cases reinforces\u2014problems that technological solutions alone will not be able to fix. To help ensure that advanced nuclear energy serves the public interest rather than predominantly corporate and geopolitical actors, we must have robust governance frameworks in place before the widespread implementation of SMRs. \n\nThis presentation will highlight the findings of the recent Science, Technology, and Public Policy (STPP) program\u2019s Technology Assessment Project (TAP) report, \u201cThe Reactor Around the Corner: Understanding Advanced Nuclear Energy Futures.\u201d We will discuss our research approach, in which we use the analogical case study (ACS) method to examine historical and contemporary technology parallels. By analyzing past technologies similar in form, function, or impact, we can identify repeating social patterns and anticipate the social, environmental, ethical, equity, economic, and geopolitical implications of emerging technologies.\n\nOur analysis reveals that without robust governance frameworks, the widespread adoption of SMRs risks entrenching global disparities, privileging private interests over public good, overlooking local and Indigenous knowledge, intensifying environmental injustices, and failing to deliver on promises of local empowerment. We present policy recommendations for responsible governance of SMRs and the uranium supply chain to maximize benefits and minimize harms.\n\nThis interdisciplinary collaboration between the Ford School\u2019s Science, Technology, and Public Policy (STPP) program and the College of Engineering\u2019s Fastest Path to Zero Initiative (FPTZ) in the Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences demonstrates how policy and engineering expertise can be effectively integrated to address complex sociotechnical challenges.\n\nDenia Djoki\u0107 Biography:\nDenia Djoki\u0107 is an Assistant Research Scientist at the University of Michigan\u2019s Fastest Path to Zero Initiative in the Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences. Her research focuses on the social, political, equity, and environmental justice aspects of nuclear waste management, advanced nuclear energy technology, and energy systems more broadly. Dr. Djoki\u0107 holds a PhD in nuclear engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, where she was a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management Graduate Student Fellow, and a BS in physics from Carnegie Mellon University.\n\nMolly Kleinman Biography:\nMolly Kleinman serves as the Managing Director of the Science, Technology, and Public Policy program at the University of Michigan\u2019s Ford School of Public Policy. In this role, she has co-authored reports on equitable community partnerships, generative AI, facial recognition, and vaccine hesitancy. Dr. Kleinman received her PhD in Higher Education Policy from the University of Michigan Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education, her MS in Information from the University of Michigan School of Information, and her BA in English from Bryn Mawr College.", "occurrence_notes":null, "guid":"145462-21897377@events.umich.edu", "permalink":"http:\/\/events.umich.edu\/event\/145462", "building_id":"1000448", "building_name":"Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Building", "building_official_id":1000448, "campus_maps_id":"56", "campus_maps_link_path":"electrical-engineering-and-computer-science-bld", "campus_maps_link":"https:\/\/maps.studentlife.umich.edu\/building\/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science-bld", "room":"1303", "location_name":"Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Building", "has_livestream":0, "cost":"", "tags":["Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences"], "website":"https:\/\/ies.engin.umich.edu\/energy-seminar-series\/", "links":[ { "type":"other", "url":"https:\/\/ies.engin.umich.edu\/energy-seminar-series\/", "title":"IES Energy Seminar Series Webpage" } ], "sponsors":[ { "group_name":"Institute for Energy Solutions", "group_id":"5361", "website":"" } ], "image_url":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145462_original-1.jpg", "image_description":"Denia Djokic, Molly Kleinman", "styled_images":{ "event_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/event_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145462_original-1.jpg", "event_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145462_original-1.jpg", "event_large_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/event_large_2x\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145462_original-1.jpg", "event_large_lightbox":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large_lightbox\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145462_original-1.jpg", "group_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/group_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145462_original-1.jpg", "group_thumb_square":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/group_thumb_square\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145462_original-1.jpg", "group_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/group_large\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145462_original-1.jpg", "group_large_lightbox":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/group_large_lightbox\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145462_original-1.jpg", "event_large_crop":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/event_large_crop\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145462_original-1.jpg", "event_list":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/event_list\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145462_original-1.jpg", "event_list_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_list_2x\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145462_original-1.jpg", "event_grid":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_grid\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145462_original-1.jpg", "event_grid_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/event_grid_2x\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145462_original-1.jpg", "event_feature_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/event_feature_large\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145462_original-1.jpg", "event_feature_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_feature_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145462_original-1.jpg" }, "qr_code_url":"http:\/\/events.umich.edu\/event\/145462\/qrcode.png", "occurrence_count":1, "first_occurrence":21897377 } , { "id":"145435-21897344", "datetime_modified":"20260213T094338", "datetime_start":"20260220T153000", "datetime_end":"20260220T170000", "has_end_time":1, "date_start":"2026-02-20", "date_end":"2026-02-20", "time_start":"15:30:00", "time_end":"17:00:00", "time_zone":"America\/Detroit", "event_title":"NERS Colloquia: Grad Student Poster Sessions", "occurrence_title":"", "combined_title":"NERS Colloquia: Grad Student Poster Sessions", "event_subtitle":"", "event_type":"Presentation", "event_type_id":"16", "description":"Explore research across nuclear science, from advanced reactor systems and materials to radiation detection, fusion, policy, and more.", "occurrence_notes":null, "guid":"145435-21897344@events.umich.edu", "permalink":"http:\/\/events.umich.edu\/event\/145435", "building_id":"1000397", "building_name":"Lurie Robert H. Engin. Ctr", "building_official_id":1000397, "campus_maps_id":"90", "campus_maps_link_path":"robert-h-lurie-engineering-center", "campus_maps_link":"https:\/\/maps.studentlife.umich.edu\/building\/robert-h-lurie-engineering-center", "room":"Johnson Rooms", "location_name":"Lurie Robert H. Engin. Ctr", "has_livestream":0, "cost":"", "tags":["Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences"], "website":"", "links":[ ], "sponsors":[ { "group_name":"Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences", "group_id":"4000", "website":"" } ], "image_url":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145435_original-1.jpg", "image_description":"NERS Colloquia logo", "styled_images":{ "event_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/event_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145435_original-1.jpg", "event_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145435_original-1.jpg", "event_large_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large_2x\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145435_original-1.jpg", "event_large_lightbox":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large_lightbox\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145435_original-1.jpg", "group_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/group_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145435_original-1.jpg", "group_thumb_square":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/group_thumb_square\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145435_original-1.jpg", "group_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/group_large\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145435_original-1.jpg", "group_large_lightbox":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/group_large_lightbox\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145435_original-1.jpg", "event_large_crop":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/event_large_crop\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145435_original-1.jpg", "event_list":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_list\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145435_original-1.jpg", "event_list_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_list_2x\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145435_original-1.jpg", "event_grid":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_grid\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145435_original-1.jpg", "event_grid_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_grid_2x\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145435_original-1.jpg", "event_feature_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_feature_large\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145435_original-1.jpg", "event_feature_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_feature_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145435_original-1.jpg" }, "qr_code_url":"http:\/\/events.umich.edu\/event\/145435\/qrcode.png", "occurrence_count":1, "first_occurrence":21897344 } , { "id":"145463-21897379", "datetime_modified":"20260213T152559", "datetime_start":"20260226T153000", "datetime_end":"20260226T163000", "has_end_time":1, "date_start":"2026-02-26", "date_end":"2026-02-26", "time_start":"15:30:00", "time_end":"16:30:00", "time_zone":"America\/Detroit", "event_title":"IES Energy Seminar Series - Chemical engineering and chemistry in energy systems: past, present and path forward", "occurrence_title":"", "combined_title":"IES Energy Seminar Series - Chemical engineering and chemistry in energy systems: past, present and path forward: Suljo Linic, Chemical Engineering", "event_subtitle":"Suljo Linic, Chemical Engineering", "event_type":"Workshop \/ Seminar", "event_type_id":"21", "description":"Abstract:\nI will discuss historical links between chemical engineering, chemistry, energy systems, and environmental sustainability. I will outline the transformative potential of chemical engineering in the design of sustainable energy systems and the key limitations preventing us from taking full advantage of this potential. I will describe some promising directions, focusing on specific avenues that we have been exploring.\nIn this context, I will discuss our recent work on developing multifunctional catalytic materials that allow us to make chemical conversion processes more selective and efficient. I will focus on a few reactions that have dramatic environmental impact, including solar water splitting, upgrading shale gas component into useful chemicals and fuels, developing alloy electrocatalysts for fuel cell applications, and some others.\n\nBiography:\nSuljo Linic was born in northwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he completed his elementary and high school education. His family were forcefully displaced from Bosnia during the Bosnian war of 1990s. He moved to the USA in 1994 after being awarded a faculty scholarship from West Chester University (West Chester, PA). He completed his BS degree in Physics with minors in Mathematics and Chemistry at West Chester University (PA) in the spring of 1998. Suljo obtained his PhD degree in chemical engineering at University of Delaware, specializing in surface and colloidal chemistry and heterogeneous catalysis. He was a Max Planck postdoctoral fellow with Prof. Dr. Matthias Scheffler at the Fritz Haber Institute of Max Planck Society in Berlin (Germany), working on first principles studies of surface chemistry. He started his independent faculty career in 2004 at the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor where he is currently Martin Lewis Perl Collegiate Professor of Chemical Engineering and the director of Energy Systems Engineering program. He was also a Hans Fischer Faculty Fellow from 2015 to 2019 at the Department of Chemistry at Technical University in Munich.\nSuljo\u2019s research has been recognized through multiple awards including the Gabor A. Somorjai Award by ACS, the Emmett Award by The North American Catalysis Society, the ACS Catalysis Lectureship for the Advancement of Catalytic Science awarded annually by the ACS Catalysis journal and Catalysis Science and Technology Division of ACS, the Nanoscale Science and Engineering Forum Young Investigator Award by American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the ACS Unilever Award awarded by the Colloids and Surface Science Division of ACS, the Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award awarded by the Dreyfus Foundation, the DuPont Young Professor Award, and a NSF Career Award. Suljo has presented more than 200 invited and keynote lectures, published more than 100 peer-reviewed paper in leading journal with over 25,000 citations. He serves as the associate editor of ACS catalysis journal.", "occurrence_notes":null, "guid":"145463-21897379@events.umich.edu", "permalink":"http:\/\/events.umich.edu\/event\/145463", "building_id":"1000448", "building_name":"Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Building", "building_official_id":1000448, "campus_maps_id":"56", "campus_maps_link_path":"electrical-engineering-and-computer-science-bld", "campus_maps_link":"https:\/\/maps.studentlife.umich.edu\/building\/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science-bld", "room":"1303", "location_name":"Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Building", "has_livestream":0, "cost":"", "tags":["Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences"], "website":"https:\/\/ies.engin.umich.edu\/energy-seminar-series\/", "links":[ { "type":"other", "url":"https:\/\/ies.engin.umich.edu\/energy-seminar-series\/", "title":"IES Energy Seminar Series Webpage" } ], "sponsors":[ { "group_name":"Institute for Energy Solutions", "group_id":"5361", "website":"" } ], "image_url":"", "image_description":"", "styled_images":{ "event_thumb":"", "event_large":"", "event_large_2x":"", "event_large_lightbox":"", "group_thumb":"", "group_thumb_square":"", "group_large":"", "group_large_lightbox":"", "event_large_crop":"", "event_list":"", "event_list_2x":"", "event_grid":"", "event_grid_2x":"", "event_feature_large":"", "event_feature_thumb":"" }, "qr_code_url":"http:\/\/events.umich.edu\/event\/145463\/qrcode.png", "occurrence_count":1, "first_occurrence":21897379 } , { "id":"145465-21897380", "datetime_modified":"20260306T085718", "datetime_start":"20260312T153000", "datetime_end":"20260312T163000", "has_end_time":1, "date_start":"2026-03-12", "date_end":"2026-03-12", "time_start":"15:30:00", "time_end":"16:30:00", "time_zone":"America\/Detroit", "event_title":"IES Energy Seminar Series - Igniting Microrobotics: Combustion-Driven Actuation at Small Scales", "occurrence_title":"", "combined_title":"IES Energy Seminar Series - Igniting Microrobotics: Combustion-Driven Actuation at Small Scales: Cameron Aubin - U-M Robotics", "event_subtitle":"Cameron Aubin - U-M Robotics", "event_type":"Workshop \/ Seminar", "event_type_id":"21", "description":"Abstract:\nThe field of microrobotics is experiencing a \u201cCambrian Explosion\u201d before our very eyes. Applications for these diminutive devices span several disciplines, including healthcare, environmental monitoring, exploration, and industrial inspection. However, scaling laws fundamentally constrain the design of microrobotic systems, particularly in how they store energy, deliver power, and perform mechanical work. As robots shrink, conventional actuators struggle to generate meaningful forces. The limited energy density of microbatteries leaves many platforms tethered to external energy sources.\n\nIn this talk, I will present a new class of combustion-driven microactuators that leverage the high energy density of chemical fuels to produce rapid, high-power mechanical motion at millimeter scales. I will show how these actuators enable microrobots that jump far beyond their body length (2 orders of magnitude), perform aerial maneuvers, traverse challenging terrain, and drive mechanical transmissions that convert linear actuation into rotary motion. Together, these results point toward a new class of highly energetic, untethered microrobotic systems capable of operating where conventional actuation and power technologies fail.\n\nBiography:\nCameron Aubin is an Assistant Professor of Robotics at the University of Michigan, where he leads the Zoetic Robotics Laboratory. He received his B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University (2014) and his M.S (2020) and Ph.D. (2023) in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University. His interdisciplinary team develops energy-material systems that blur the line between power, structure, actuation, and control, enabling more enduring, adaptable, and autonomous machines. Dr. Aubin\u2019s research interests include soft and biologically inspired robots, microrobots, chemical and combustion-powered systems, batteries, and advanced materials and manufacturing. His work has been published in several reputable journals, including Nature and Science, and has been featured in popular media outlets, including CNN, PBS, BBC, Wired, and Veritasium. Recent honors include a Best Paper Award in Benchmarking and Reproducibility and a Best Student Paper Finalist Award (as PI) at IEEE RoboSoft 2025.", "occurrence_notes":null, "guid":"145465-21897380@events.umich.edu", "permalink":"http:\/\/events.umich.edu\/event\/145465", "building_id":"1000448", "building_name":"Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Building", "building_official_id":1000448, "campus_maps_id":"56", "campus_maps_link_path":"electrical-engineering-and-computer-science-bld", "campus_maps_link":"https:\/\/maps.studentlife.umich.edu\/building\/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science-bld", "room":"1303", "location_name":"Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Building", "has_livestream":0, "cost":"", "tags":["Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences"], "website":"https:\/\/ies.engin.umich.edu\/energy-seminar-series\/", "links":[ { "type":"other", "url":"https:\/\/ies.engin.umich.edu\/energy-seminar-series\/", "title":"IES Energy Seminar Series Webpage" } ], "sponsors":[ { "group_name":"Institute for Energy Solutions", "group_id":"5361", "website":"" } ], "image_url":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145465_original-1.png", "image_description":"Cam Aubin", "styled_images":{ "event_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145465_original-1.png", "event_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145465_original-1.png", "event_large_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large_2x\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145465_original-1.png", "event_large_lightbox":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large_lightbox\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145465_original-1.png", "group_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/group_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145465_original-1.png", "group_thumb_square":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/group_thumb_square\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145465_original-1.png", "group_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/group_large\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145465_original-1.png", "group_large_lightbox":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/group_large_lightbox\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145465_original-1.png", "event_large_crop":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large_crop\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145465_original-1.png", "event_list":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_list\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145465_original-1.png", "event_list_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_list_2x\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145465_original-1.png", "event_grid":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_grid\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145465_original-1.png", "event_grid_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_grid_2x\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145465_original-1.png", "event_feature_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_feature_large\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145465_original-1.png", "event_feature_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_feature_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145465_original-1.png" }, "qr_code_url":"http:\/\/events.umich.edu\/event\/145465\/qrcode.png", "occurrence_count":1, "first_occurrence":21897380 } , { "id":"145571-21897540", "datetime_modified":"20260313T143918", "datetime_start":"20260319T104500", "datetime_end":"20260319T114500", "has_end_time":1, "date_start":"2026-03-19", "date_end":"2026-03-19", "time_start":"10:45:00", "time_end":"11:45:00", "time_zone":"America\/Detroit", "event_title":"IES Energy Seminar Series - Solving Optimal Transmission Switching with De-energization", "occurrence_title":"", "combined_title":"IES Energy Seminar Series - Solving Optimal Transmission Switching with De-energization: Benoit Jeanson, RTE", "event_subtitle":"Benoit Jeanson, RTE", "event_type":"Workshop \/ Seminar", "event_type_id":"21", "description":"Abstract:\nOptimal Transmission Switching (OTS) has been widely studied as a way to improve the secure operation of power systems by adjusting network topology. This presentation introduces an extension of OTS that explicitly allows partial grid de-energization following contingencies. Such a formulation reflects operational situations where disconnecting a limited portion of the grid may be preferable to operating the system under severe overload conditions. The problem is formulated as an optimization model capturing switching decisions and post-contingency feasibility. A fast heuristic based on this model is used to quickly identify feasible network configurations and detect critical contingencies. Building on the same formulation, the optimization problem is further addressed using a Benders decomposition approach with specialized mechanisms to maintain computational tractability. Results on realistic grid instances illustrate how this approach can improve system resilience by reducing contingency-induced de-energization.\n\nBiography:\nAfter graduating as an electrical engineer from ENSEEIHT (Toulouse, France), Beno\u00eet spent more than 20 years at RTE, the French transmission system operator, where he held several positions mainly related to power system operations. He first worked as a short-term planning engineer before joining the headquarters, where he contributed to the development and dissemination of new power system study methodologies. During this time, he was also involved in European coordination initiatives within ENTSO-E. He later contributed to the development of open-source initiatives for power systems in collaboration with the Linux Foundation Energy. Since 2023, he has been pursuing a PhD at TU Delft through CRESYM, focusing on topology optimization of power grids, with support from RTE.", "occurrence_notes":null, "guid":"145571-21897540@events.umich.edu", "permalink":"http:\/\/events.umich.edu\/event\/145571", "building_id":"1000395", "building_name":"Francois-Xavier Bagnoud Building", "building_official_id":1000395, "campus_maps_id":"17", "campus_maps_link_path":"francois-xavier-bagnoud-building", "campus_maps_link":"https:\/\/maps.studentlife.umich.edu\/building\/francois-xavier-bagnoud-building", "room":"1032", "location_name":"Francois-Xavier Bagnoud Building", "has_livestream":0, "cost":"", "tags":["Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences"], "website":"https:\/\/ies.engin.umich.edu\/energy-seminar-series\/", "links":[ { "type":"other", "url":"https:\/\/ies.engin.umich.edu\/energy-seminar-series\/", "title":"IES Energy Seminar Series Webpage" } ], "sponsors":[ { "group_name":"Institute for Energy Solutions", "group_id":"5361", "website":"" } ], "image_url":"", "image_description":"", "styled_images":{ "event_thumb":"", "event_large":"", "event_large_2x":"", "event_large_lightbox":"", "group_thumb":"", "group_thumb_square":"", "group_large":"", "group_large_lightbox":"", "event_large_crop":"", "event_list":"", "event_list_2x":"", "event_grid":"", "event_grid_2x":"", "event_feature_large":"", "event_feature_thumb":"" }, "qr_code_url":"http:\/\/events.umich.edu\/event\/145571\/qrcode.png", "occurrence_count":1, "first_occurrence":21897540 } , { "id":"145466-21897381", "datetime_modified":"20260216T113714", "datetime_start":"20260319T153000", "datetime_end":"20260319T163000", "has_end_time":1, "date_start":"2026-03-19", "date_end":"2026-03-19", "time_start":"15:30:00", "time_end":"16:30:00", "time_zone":"America\/Detroit", "event_title":"IES Energy Seminar Series - Energy Needs and Opportunities in Wastewater Treatment AND In situ treatment of PFAS using adsorptive and reactive barrier walls", "occurrence_title":"", "combined_title":"IES Energy Seminar Series - Energy Needs and Opportunities in Wastewater Treatment AND In situ treatment of PFAS using adsorptive and reactive barrier walls: Charlie Werth, UT Austin & ARPA-E", "event_subtitle":"Charlie Werth, UT Austin & ARPA-E", "event_type":"Workshop \/ Seminar", "event_type_id":"21", "description":"IES Seminar Abstract:\nEnergy demands to treat municipal wastewater can represent up to 2% of U.S. electricity consumption, and 40 to 60% of this demand is required for aeration to biologically oxidize organic waste and nitrify urea-sourced ammonia. This energy consumption is ironic, given that organics in domestic wastewater have the potential to favorably deliver more than 5 billion amps of current, and that 50 million GJ\/yr of energy are used each year to produce the equivalent amount of ammonia via the Haber-Bosch process. In this talk, I will explore opportunities to transform wastewater treatment plants into energy factories, where electrochemical methods are used to direct electrons in wastewater toward synthesis of value-added products, and advanced separation methods are used to recovery ammonia as a commodity fertilizer.\n\nCEE Seminar Abstract:\nPer and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are extraordinarily stable and widely used chemicals used to create many consumer and industrial products, including non-stick cookware, water-resistant textile coatings, food packaging, cosmetics, semi-conductors, and aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs). Due to their widespread use, PFAS have been released to the environment and have contaminated at least 9,500 different sites in the United States. This is a concern because even at very low concentrations PFAS ingestion has been correlated to negative health impacts, including delayed developmental, immune system suppression, and cancer. Efforts to clean up PFAS in groundwater have mainly relied on ex situ approaches, where contaminated groundwater is pumped it to the ground surface and treated in engineered reactors using energy intensive thermal, (electro)chemical, ultrasonic, or plasma-based technologies. An emerging in situ approach is to create barriers to PFAS migration in contaminated aquifers from sorbent materials, e.g., by injecting colloidal activated carbon (CAC) through wells into contaminated aquifers, where it becomes immobilized. However, there remains great uncertainty in how long these sorptive barriers will prevent PFAS migration, and if sorptive barrier amendments can be engineered to promote PFAS degradation. In this talk, I will present experimental and modeling results that address mechanisms controlling PFAS migration in CAC barriers, CAC barrier effectiveness and lifetimes, and an abiotic reaction pathway that complements CAC barriers by promoting in situ PFAS destruction.\n\nBiography:\nDr. Charles Werth is a Professor and the Bettie Margaret Smith Chair in Environmental Health Engineering in the Maseeh Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Werth\u2019s research and teaching background includes fundamental and applied studies on pollutant fate and treatment in both natural and engineered water systems, with applications in electro(catalytic) drinking water treatment, in situ groundwater remediation, and subsurface storage of carbon dioxide and hydrogen. Dr. Werth received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University, and M.S. and Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Stanford University.", "occurrence_notes":null, "guid":"145466-21897381@events.umich.edu", "permalink":"http:\/\/events.umich.edu\/event\/145466", "building_id":"1000448", "building_name":"Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Building", "building_official_id":1000448, "campus_maps_id":"56", "campus_maps_link_path":"electrical-engineering-and-computer-science-bld", "campus_maps_link":"https:\/\/maps.studentlife.umich.edu\/building\/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science-bld", "room":"1303", "location_name":"Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Building", "has_livestream":0, "cost":"", "tags":["Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences"], "website":"https:\/\/ies.engin.umich.edu\/energy-seminar-series\/", "links":[ { "type":"other", "url":"https:\/\/ies.engin.umich.edu\/energy-seminar-series\/", "title":"IES Energy Seminar Series Webpage" } ], "sponsors":[ { "group_name":"Institute for Energy Solutions", "group_id":"5361", "website":"" } ], "image_url":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/event_145466_original-1.png", "image_description":"Charlie Werth", "styled_images":{ "event_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/crop-event_145466_original-1.png", "event_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/crop-event_145466_original-1.png", "event_large_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large_2x\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/crop-event_145466_original-1.png", "event_large_lightbox":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large_lightbox\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/crop-event_145466_original-1.png", "group_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/group_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/crop-event_145466_original-1.png", "group_thumb_square":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/group_thumb_square\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/crop-event_145466_original-1.png", "group_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/group_large\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/crop-event_145466_original-1.png", "group_large_lightbox":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/group_large_lightbox\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/crop-event_145466_original-1.png", "event_large_crop":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large_crop\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/crop-event_145466_original-1.png", "event_list":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_list\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/crop-event_145466_original-1.png", "event_list_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_list_2x\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/crop-event_145466_original-1.png", "event_grid":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_grid\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/crop-event_145466_original-1.png", "event_grid_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_grid_2x\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/crop-event_145466_original-1.png", "event_feature_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_feature_large\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/crop-event_145466_original-1.png", "event_feature_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_feature_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2026\/02\/crop-event_145466_original-1.png" }, "qr_code_url":"http:\/\/events.umich.edu\/event\/145466\/qrcode.png", "occurrence_count":1, "first_occurrence":21897381 } , { "id":"146034-21898298", "datetime_modified":"20260313T152254", "datetime_start":"20260324T150000", "datetime_end":"20260324T170000", "has_end_time":1, "date_start":"2026-03-24", "date_end":"2026-03-24", "time_start":"15:00:00", "time_end":"17:00:00", "time_zone":"America\/Detroit", "event_title":"MICDE State of AI & the Future of Institutions", "occurrence_title":"", "combined_title":"MICDE State of AI & the Future of Institutions", "event_subtitle":"", "event_type":"Workshop \/ Seminar", "event_type_id":"21", "description":"MICDE State of AI & the Future of Institutions is a two-hour strategic conversation convened by the Michigan Institute for Computational Discovery and Engineering (MICDE). As AI rapidly reshapes research, education, governance, and industry, institutions face choices that will define their relevance for decades. This forum brings together faculty members and institutional leaders to examine where AI truly stands today and discuss how U-M must evolve to remain credible, competitive, and mission-driven in an AI-native era.", "occurrence_notes":null, "guid":"146034-21898298@events.umich.edu", "permalink":"http:\/\/events.umich.edu\/event\/146034", "building_id":"1005047", "building_name":"Palmer Commons", "building_official_id":1005047, "campus_maps_id":"188", "campus_maps_link_path":"palmer-commons", "campus_maps_link":"https:\/\/maps.studentlife.umich.edu\/building\/palmer-commons", "room":"Forum Hall", "location_name":"Palmer Commons", "has_livestream":0, "cost":"", "tags":["Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences"], "website":"https:\/\/micde.umich.edu\/news-events\/micde-state-of-ai\/", "links":[ { "type":"other", "url":"https:\/\/micde.umich.edu\/news-events\/micde-state-of-ai\/", "title":"MICDE State of AI & the Future of Institutions" } ], "sponsors":[ { "group_name":"Michigan Institute for Computational Discovery and Engineering", "group_id":"3286", "website":"http:\/\/micde.umich.edu" } ], "image_url":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/attachments\/2026\/03\/event_146034_original-1.png", "image_description":"State of AI poster", "styled_images":{ "event_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/event_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2026\/03\/event_146034_original-1.png", "event_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large\/media\/attachments\/2026\/03\/event_146034_original-1.png", "event_large_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/event_large_2x\/media\/attachments\/2026\/03\/event_146034_original-1.png", "event_large_lightbox":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large_lightbox\/media\/attachments\/2026\/03\/event_146034_original-1.png", "group_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/group_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2026\/03\/event_146034_original-1.png", "group_thumb_square":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/group_thumb_square\/media\/attachments\/2026\/03\/event_146034_original-1.png", "group_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/group_large\/media\/attachments\/2026\/03\/event_146034_original-1.png", "group_large_lightbox":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/group_large_lightbox\/media\/attachments\/2026\/03\/event_146034_original-1.png", "event_large_crop":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/event_large_crop\/media\/attachments\/2026\/03\/event_146034_original-1.png", "event_list":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_list\/media\/attachments\/2026\/03\/event_146034_original-1.png", "event_list_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_list_2x\/media\/attachments\/2026\/03\/event_146034_original-1.png", "event_grid":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_grid\/media\/attachments\/2026\/03\/event_146034_original-1.png", "event_grid_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/event_grid_2x\/media\/attachments\/2026\/03\/event_146034_original-1.png", "event_feature_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/event_feature_large\/media\/attachments\/2026\/03\/event_146034_original-1.png", "event_feature_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/event_feature_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2026\/03\/event_146034_original-1.png" }, "qr_code_url":"http:\/\/events.umich.edu\/event\/146034\/qrcode.png", "occurrence_count":1, "first_occurrence":21898298 } , { "id":"146554-21899265", "datetime_modified":"20260313T072550", "datetime_start":"20260324T183000", "datetime_end":"20260324T193000", "has_end_time":1, "date_start":"2026-03-24", "date_end":"2026-03-24", "time_start":"18:30:00", "time_end":"19:30:00", "time_zone":"America\/Detroit", "event_title":"GEICO Corporate Information Sessions", "occurrence_title":"", "combined_title":"GEICO Corporate Information Sessions", "event_subtitle":"", "event_type":"Careers \/ Jobs", "event_type_id":"2", "description":"3\/24\/2026 | 6:30 pm | DOW 1018 (FOOD PROVIDED: Cottage Inn Pizza)\nMajors: All Engineering Majors\nPositions: Full Time, Intern\nDegrees: Bachelors, Masters\n\nResumes Collected\nUS Citizenship or Permanent Resident\n\nGEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is a leading American auto insurer, ranking as the second-largest in the U.S. A Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary founded in 1936, it specializes in direct-to-consumer private passenger auto insurance, offering policies online and by phone. 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