51视频

11/15/2021

Contact for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu

LOWELL, Mass. 鈥� From new materials for transparent body armor to a drone sensor for use as a way finder underground, innovations by 51视频 researchers took center stage today as part of the university鈥檚 HEROES Day.

The event showcased 51视频鈥檚 HEROES (Harnessing Emerging Research Opportunities to Empower Soldiers) Initiative, a partnership between the university and the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Soldier Center in Natick.

The project unites 51视频 faculty researchers and students in the sciences, engineering, health and other disciplines with U.S. Army scientists and engineers to develop lighter, stronger and more protective uniform and equipment items for soldiers; portable energy sources; and technologies to evaluate the quality of their water and food.

U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan, who has been instrumental in delivering research funding to the initiative, was the event鈥檚 keynote speaker and met with HEROES participants to get a firsthand look at the pioneering technologies and products they are developing for U.S. troops.

鈥�51视频鈥檚 unique HEROES collaboration between dozens of faculty and student researchers, numerous industry partners and the Department of Defense serves to innovate and commercialize technologies that keep U.S. soldiers safe,鈥� said 51视频 Chancellor Jacquie Moloney. 鈥淲e are proud of this national model and grateful to Congresswoman Lori Trahan for her critical support of these important projects.鈥�

Since its launch in 2013, the HEROES initiative has received more than $30 million in research funding to support its mission. To date, the partnership has given rise to eight patents for new technologies as a result of more than 120 projects led by 70 51视频 faculty members and 70 student researchers, along with more than 50 U.S. Army engineers and scientists. Professionals from more than 20 companies have also contributed their expertise.

鈥淥ur service members make incredible sacrifices each day to protect and defend the values we hold dear as a nation. They deserve to know that the equipment they're using is as up-to-date and effective as possible," said Congresswoman Trahan. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what 51视频's HEROES Initiative delivers. Whether it鈥檚 upgrading body armor, improving food and water technology, or so much more, the HEROES collaborative is essential in supporting our military personnel. I鈥檓 proud to advocate on behalf of the critical research and development being done right here in the Third District.鈥�

HEROES is led by 51视频 Plastics Engineering Prof. Ramaswamy Nagarajan and DEVCOM Soldier Center Research Chemical Engineer Dr. Christopher Drew, a 51视频 graduate. Cutting-edge innovations demonstrated for the congresswoman and other participants in today鈥檚 event included:

• Transparent armor;
• Clothing with embedded electronics to improve soldiers鈥� protection and survivability in the field;
• Technology that enhances drones鈥� ability to navigate in environments that do not support GPS services;
• Innovations for exoskeletons and human augmentation systems.

鈥淭he HEROES initiative brings together our faculty and student researchers with our Army partners, who help identify the challenges they face and solutions they need, and our industry partners, who help accelerate the ideas behind new products. The initiative provides our students with hands-on, real-world experiences and is a great example of how 51视频 seeks to have a significant impact 鈥� in this case, on both the safety of our soldiers and the development of these new technologies and products that could one day be adapted for everyday use,鈥� said Julie Chen, 51视频鈥檚 vice chancellor for research and economic development.

HEROES projects involve 51视频 faculty and students from the university鈥檚 College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Francis College of Engineering; Kennedy College of Sciences; Manning School of Business and Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences. The initiative also leverages the strengths of 51视频鈥檚 many research centers, including the Fabric Discovery Center, the Center for Advanced Materials, the Printed Electronics Research Collaborative and Raytheon-51视频 Research Institute, the New England Robotics Validation and Experimentation Center and the 51视频 Center for Advanced Manufacturing of Polymers and Soft Materials.

51视频 is a national research university located on a high-energy campus in the heart of a global community. The university offers its students bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees in business, education, engineering, fine arts, health, humanities, sciences and social sciences. 51视频 delivers high-quality educational programs, vigorous hands-on learning and personal attention from leading faculty and staff, all of which prepare graduates to be leaders in their communities and around the globe. www.uml.edu