Florida State University students, faculty and staff are getting an in-depth lesson on artificial intelligence and its applications in research, courtesy of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, part of the College of Arts and Sciences.  

The 2026 AI Bootcamp series kicked off Aug. 6 on campus and runs through Oct. 9. 

The free educational series, organized by Cottrell Family Professor of Chemistry Oliver Steinbock and Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Wen Zhu, features guest lecturers, interactive workshops, panel discussions and guided debates. The bootcamp programming covers a comprehensive range of topics throughout the fall, from agentic AI and data analysis with large language models, to mental health considerations and career planning in the AI landscape.  

The series, which takes place in the Kroto Auditorium at FSU’s Chemical Sciences Laboratory, has drawn in faculty, staff and graduate and undergraduate students from departments across campus who are interested in diving deeper into the unique challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence, in the research laboratory, the classroom and beyond. 

Featured speakers for the series include experts from FSU’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Interdisciplinary Data Science Master’s Degree Program, Department of Scientific Computing, Department of Computer Science, FSU Libraries, Information Technology Services and the School of Information in the College of Communication and Information. Visiting speakers include guests and returning FSU alumni from Emory University, Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Florida, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Google X and AI-driven platform Synfini. 

To view the complete AI Bootcamp program or register for the series, visit the bootcamp website.

For more information on events at the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, visit chem.fsu.edu. 

The post FSU hosts 2026 AI Bootcamp series to aid students, faculty, staff learning and research  appeared first on Florida State University News.

Researchers at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and the Florida State University-headquartered National High Magnetic Field Laboratory have designed new quantum computing architecture that uses magnetic levitation to smooth over design flaws in the intricate bits necessary to run a quantum computer.

Quantum bits, or qubits, can be as small as a few nanometers, and manufacturing them inevitably introduces random flaws onto their surface. By using superconducting magnets to levitate neon particles, the research addresses a challenge in electron-on-neon qubit devices: the tendency for electrons to become trapped by random tiny bumps on the neon surface, making them function unpredictably.

The study, published in the American Physical Society journal PRX Quantum, could help pave the way for more reproducible and scalable quantum computing technologies.

“Instead of hoping that the right nanoscale feature appears in the right place, we want to decide where each electron qubit sits,” said study co-author Wei Guo, a professor at Florida State University, the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, or MagLab.  “Magnetic levitation gives us a way to place a clean neon carrier above the chip, while the chip still provides the circuitry needed to control and read the qubit. In this architecture, the qubit is no longer found by chance. It is built by design.”

What they made: A new design for electron-on-neon qubits

The researchers proposed a chip design that uses superconducting loops to magnetically hold tiny solid-neon particles above the chip surface. Instead of placing a solid-neon film directly on the chip, where it can inherit roughness from the substrate underneath, the new architecture uses nearly spherical neon microparticles as carriers for electron qubits.

“A simple way to think about it is that we give the electron a tiny, clean, floating island to sit on, rather than asking it to find a good spot on a rough landscape,” said study co-author Yinghe Qi, a MagLab postdoctoral researcher. “The chip underneath still provides the microwave circuits needed to control and read the qubit.”

Why it matters: Engineering a better chip

The work opens a path toward a new class of hybrid quantum devices, where clean quantum materials are integrated directly with chip-based control circuits.

“We have not built a full quantum computer in this paper, but we showed that the essential ingredients can work together in a realistic design: clean electron confinement, tunable qubit energy levels, strong coupling to microwave circuits and a way for neighboring qubits to communicate,” Guo said.

Technological advantages

Unlike the bits in ordinary computers, which store information as 0s or 1s, qubits use the rules of quantum mechanics to process information that can represent multiple possibilities at the same time until it is measured. To build a useful quantum computer, researchers need qubits that are clean, stable, controllable and practical to arrange in large numbers on a chip — a mix of properties that is difficult to achieve.

Electron-on-neon qubits, which use a single electron held above solid neon, are a promising platform for qubit design because of their accuracy and their ability to maintain their quantum information long enough to perform calculations. The electron sits in a clean environment, while the chip underneath provides the microwave circuits needed for control and readout.

The design shown in this study preserves the advantages of these qubits while using levitation to remove the randomness of a bumpy surface. 

“The main advantage is reproducibility,” said study co-author Yiming Xing, an assistant professor in the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. “Right now, useful electron-on-neon qubits depend on random nanoscale surface features, almost like hoping the right defect appears in the right place. Our approach replaces those random traps with designed, clean neon carriers placed at intended locations on a chip. If demonstrated experimentally, this could make electron-on-neon devices more predictable, reduce unwanted charge noise and make it easier to build larger arrays of qubits.”

Future research: Building a working prototype

The researchers plan to use their design to build a working prototype of an electron-on-neon qubit.

The main components of their design — superconducting loops, microwave resonators and patterned chip structures — are compatible with fabrication methods already used in quantum-device research, which will help researchers move from design to prototype and beyond.

Collaborators and support

Co-authors on this study included FSU postdoctoral researchers Sosuke Inui and Charles Peretti. Dafei Jin, an associate professor at the University of Notre Dame, was also a co-author.

The project received support from the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and the Florida State University Quantum Initiative. The FAMU Center for Quantum Science and Engineering supported contributions by Xing and supported the Notre Dame team through the National Science Foundation ExpandQISE grant administered by Florida A&M University.

The post FAMU-FSU College of Engineering researchers design magnetically levitated quantum bit appeared first on Florida State University News.

Florida State University researchers studying male green sea turtles off the coast of Brazil have discovered two distinct migration strategies, with some turtles traveling up to 1,000 kilometers after breeding while others remain in the same area year-round.

The findings shed new light on the movements of male green sea turtles, which are much harder to study than females. Female turtles regularly return to nesting beaches to lay their eggs, giving researchers predictable opportunities to tag and monitor them. Males, however, rarely return to land after entering the sea as hatchlings, leaving major gaps in scientists’ understanding of where they travel and which marine areas are important to their survival.

The FSU team, based in the Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science, tracked adult male green sea turtles at a remote breeding site off Brazil’s coast during three breeding seasons. The study provides new information about where the turtles travel during and after breeding season and could help guide conservation efforts in areas they use for migration and feeding. The research was recently published in Marine Ecology Progress Series.

“Many turtles undertook long-distance migrations, with some migrating for almost a month,” said Armando Barsante Santos, one of the study’s co-authors and a postdoctoral researcher in the Marine Turtle Research, Ecology and Conservation Group at FSU. “Their sense of navigation is impressive, and identifying paths they use during their oceanic migrations is essential for conservation management.”

The post Turtle travels: FSU researchers uncover different migration strategies among male green sea turtles appeared first on Florida State University News.

New FSU Quantum Initiative certificate will prepare students and professionals for careers in the rapidly expanding quantum workforce

Florida State University is launching Florida’s first formal graduate-level credential in quantum information science and engineering, opening a new pathway for students and professionals to enter one of the world’s fastest-growing technology fields. The Graduate Certificate in Quantum Science & Technology is now accepting applications for Spring 2027 enrollment.

Administered by the FSU Quantum Initiative, the interdisciplinary certificate will give graduate students and working professionals rigorous training across quantum physics, materials science, chemistry, computer science and engineering. Drawing on courses from multiple departments and two colleges — the FSU College of Arts and Sciences and the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering — the program positions FSU to help build the emerging quantum workforce vital to the nation’s technological leadership and security.

“Quantum science is reshaping the future of computing, communication, materials and national security, and Florida State University is positioning itself at the forefront of that transformation,” said FSU Vice President for Research Stacey S. Patterson. “This new graduate certificate reflects the strength of our research enterprise and our commitment to preparing students for the high-demand careers that will drive the next generation of discovery and innovation.”

Students will complete required coursework in quantum information and computing, choose from a broad selection of electives and gain access to world-class research facilities, including the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and the new Interdisciplinary Research & Commercialization Building. The building houses cleanroom and nanofabrication facilities as well as dilution refrigerators for low-temperature quantum experiments. The FSU Quantum Initiative also is developing partnerships with leading quantum technology companies and national centers to connect students directly with career opportunities in the rapidly growing quantum industry.

“Florida State University is an ideal place for students to pursue training in quantum science and technology because of the extraordinary breadth of expertise across our campus,” said Sam Huckaba, dean of the FSU College of Arts and Sciences. “Students in this program will learn from faculty working at the cutting edge of physics, chemistry, materials science, mathematics, computer science and related fields, while also benefiting from access to world-class research facilities. That combination of talent, infrastructure and opportunity will prepare them to make meaningful contributions in a rapidly evolving field.”

FSU has made bold investments in quantum science and engineering, including hiring ten new faculty. Many of these faculty will teach new courses that will serve both their departments and interdisciplinary programs.

“The most important challenges in emerging technologies cannot be solved within the boundaries of a single discipline,” said Suvranu De, dean of the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. “This certificate reflects the strength of the partnership between the College of Arts and Sciences and the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, bringing together complementary expertise to prepare students for a future where quantum information science and engineering is transforming computing, sensing, communications, and enabling new approaches to materials discovery. It is exactly the kind of interdisciplinary collaboration needed to tackle fundamental scientific challenges and develop the quantum technologies of tomorrow.”

FSU is extending its commitment to quantum education beyond the graduate level. The university already offers introductory quantum computing courses for undergraduate and high school students, and plans are underway to develop formal programs for both groups. Together, these efforts will create a comprehensive quantum education pipeline that introduces students to the field early and supports them through advanced training.

“Quantum information science is not just a frontier for research; it is becoming a foundation for the economy of the 21st century,” said Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Michael Shatruk, director of the FSU Quantum Initiative. “With this certificate program, we are giving students in Florida the tools to be part of that future. And by reaching students at the undergraduate and high school levels, we will be planting those seeds early.” 

The FSU QIST Graduate Certificate Program is accepting applications for the Spring 2027 cohort through Oct. 1, 2026. The program is open to current FSU graduate students in relevant STEM disciplines as well as external post-baccalaureate applicants, including industry professionals seeking foundational knowledge in quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum materials and related technologies. More information and the online application are available on the program website.

About the FSU Quantum Initiative

The FSU Quantum Initiative is a cross-departmental research and education hub spanning the departments of Physics, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Materials Science & Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, and Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at Florida State University. FSU Quantum coordinates quantum science and engineering research, education, and industry partnerships across the university, with access to the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and the Interdisciplinary Research & Commercialization Building.

The post Florida State University launches Florida’s first graduate credential in quantum information science and engineering appeared first on Florida State University News.

Hurricane warnings are only effective if people understand them.

A new study by Florida State University faculty in the School of Communication in the College of Communication and Information and the Department of Geography in the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy examined an experimental forecast graphic developed by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) that adds inland tropical storm and hurricane watches and warnings to the traditional track-forecast cone, which historically emphasized coastal impacts.

The FSU study found that the new graphic helps nonexperts identify which inland areas are under a hurricane or tropical storm watch. But the updated format, developed by NHC in 2024, didn’t change respondents’ perceptions of risk or their intentions to take protective action. It also didn’t improve their ability to identify regions under warnings. The research was published in the American Meteorological Society journal Weather, Climate, and Society.

“The National Hurricane Center has made a number of thoughtful changes to improve how hurricane information is communicated,” said Assistant Professor Elizabeth Ray, the study’s lead author. “We had a simple question. Do those changes actually help people understand what the graphic is telling them about the risk they face?”

Analyzing public understanding

The researchers surveyed participants in Florida and Georgia using both a traditional hurricane cone graphic and the updated experimental version. Respondents who viewed the inland-enhanced graphic were better able to identify areas under tropical storm or hurricane watches, but that improvement did not translate into higher perceptions of risk or plans to avoid storm danger. One challenge is that people often misunderstand what the familiar “cone of uncertainty” actually represents.

“For years, research has shown that people often mistake a wider cone for a bigger storm,” Ray said. “Our findings suggest that even with an updated graphic, that misconception can be hard to shake.”

Turning data into action

The NHC introduced the updated graphic in 2024 to better communicate inland hazards such as flooding, tornadoes and damaging winds. The revised version adds inland hurricane and tropical storm information to the familiar forecast cone to show that serious hurricane impacts often extend well beyond the coastline.

The researchers emphasized that the findings are not a criticism of NHC’s forecasting, which they describe as highly accurate. Instead, the study focuses on the communication challenge of translating complex scientific information into messages the public can quickly understand and use.

“Our question wasn’t whether the science is good,” said co-author Patrick Merle, professor and director of the School of Communication. “The science is excellent. The question is how we communicate that science so people who aren’t meteorologists understand the risk they’re facing.

If people find information credible but still don’t understand it well enough to take protective action, then communication has fallen short. The goal is to empower people with information they can use to stay safe.”

The researchers said people should not rely on the graphic alone but also seek out local forecasts and information about expected impacts.

“Our findings are a reminder that one graphic can only tell you part of the story,” Ray said. “Don’t rely on the cone alone. Pair it with clear, local information about what impacts to expect and what actions to take. That gives you a fuller picture of what the storm could mean where you live and what to do next.”

The research was supported by an internal Florida State University SEED grant and informed by conversations with NHC, which provided the experimental forecast graphics used in the study. Department of Geography Assistant Professor Bradford Johnson was a co-author of the research. The project is part of a broader line of research on crisis and risk communication being conducted through the College of Communication and Information’s Crisis and Communication Collaborative (C3), co-directed by Ray and Merle.

Visit the School of Communication website for more information about research conducted at the College of Communication and Information.

The post FSU study finds new hurricane graphic helps people identify watch areas, doesn’t change risk perception appeared first on Florida State University News.

A Florida State University computer scientist has earned one of the most prestigious awards available to early career faculty for exploring how wireless networks can help devices collaborate to run advanced artificial intelligence applications more efficiently and reliably without relying on cloud computing, supporting the next generation of AI technologies.

Assistant Professor of Computer Science Xiaonan Zhang is a recipient of a 2026 Faculty Early Career Development Award, or CAREER Award, from the National Science Foundation for her work developing frameworks that allow devices connected through wireless networks to collaborate and execute complex AI applications closer to where data is generated.

The CAREER Awards Program offers the NSF’s most significant awards in support of early career faculty who have the potential to serve as academic leaders in research and education. The award provides five years of funding to support research, student training and educational outreach activities while helping faculty pursue long-term scientific goals.

“Receiving this was a reminder that persistence matters and good ideas often take time to develop,” said Zhang, who earned her doctorate from Clemson University in 2020 and joined FSU’s faculty that same year. “Earning a CAREER Award after years of proposal writing, revision and resubmission made the recognition especially meaningful, both personally and professionally.”

The use of AI is increasing in areas of society like healthcare, transportation, environmental modeling and emergency response, requiring more reliable, efficient wireless networks to move massive amounts of data and coordinate real-time decisions. A wearable health monitor or tablet used by a paramedic could use AI to quickly analyze a patient’s condition, for example, but many advanced AI models require more computing power and memory than a single device can provide. While cloud computing data centers help process these tasks, relying entirely on distant infrastructure can introduce delays, consume network resources and create challenges when internet connectivity is limited.

Zhang’s research explores how wireless networks can allow nearby devices to collaborate and jointly run AI applications such as analyzing medical data, helping autonomous vehicles make real-time driving decisions and improving emergency response during disasters. Rather than serving solely as a pathway for transmitting data, these networks can help coordinate where AI computations occur, how resources are shared among devices and how systems adapt when conditions change.

“My goal is to rethink the role of wireless networks in the age of AI,” Zhang said. “I believe future AI-integrated wireless networks will not only connect devices but also help them work together more effectively.”

By exploring how devices work together while remaining reliable in changing network environments, the research could make these advanced technologies more accessible in areas with unreliable cloud connectivity while also expanding the range of devices capable of running them.

“Dr. Zhang’s work addresses increasingly important challenges as AI becomes more integrated into everyday life,” said Weikuan Yu, Department of Computer Science chair. “Rather than viewing wireless networks solely as a way to transmit data between devices, her research explores how devices can work together and share resources to make AI systems more efficient, reliable and resilient. This award recognizes both the significance of this research and Dr. Zhang’s innovative vision for bringing together wireless networking, distributed computing and AI.”

Zhang’s award will also support educational initiatives like establishment of new courses and research opportunities designed to help students deepen their understanding of AI and recognize that the field involves more than just creating intelligent algorithms; the algorithms need to run efficiently across multiple devices and networks for practical use in real-world systems. Zhang will also continue mentoring undergraduate students through the FSU Career Center’s InternFSU Program and engaging K-12 students through FSU’s Young Scholars Program.

“As AI becomes increasingly incorporated into the physical world, scientists need to design communication, computing, and intelligence together so AI can operate more efficiently, reliably, and securely across connected devices instead of relying on distant cloud data centers,” Zhang said.

To learn more about research conducted in the Department of Computer Science, visit the department’s website.

The post FSU computer scientist earns NSF CAREER Award to advance collaborative artificial intelligence systems appeared first on Florida State University News.

The post Florida State University establishes new model to foster international research collaborations appeared first on Florida State University News.

A new artificial intelligence tool developed by researchers at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and Florida State University’s Center for Advanced Power Systems could help make electric grids more reliable and reduce operating costs. The system improves forecasts of electricity demand and renewable energy generation, giving grid operators better information to balance supply and demand.

As more renewable energy comes online, today’s electric grid has become increasingly difficult to manage. Uncertainty in forecasts can force operators to keep too much reserve power, increasing costs, or too little, raising the risk of blackouts. The FSU-developed model addresses that challenge by treating the power grid as a connected network to generate more accurate forecasts. The research was published in IEEE Transactions on Network Science and Engineering.

The forecasting system, called GridFusionX, combines information such as past electricity demand, power generated from renewable sources, energy market prices and other data points to generate predictions and confidence intervals, helping operators run the grid more efficiently and with less wasted reserve power.

“Our research looks at smart systems as a dynamic puzzle: every factor, from different energy sources, to shifting demands in cities and changing prices and how they fit together,” said study co-author Tuy Nguyen, an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “What happens in one area can affect neighboring areas because they share power lines, weather patterns and energy markets. By continuously analyzing these pieces, we can predict energy needs more accurately and adapt to ensure both reliability and cost savings.”

How does GridFusionX work?

The main innovation in the AI tool developed in this research is multi-modality: the ability to use many sources of information in estimates.

“Whether we’re predicting power usage, traffic patterns or even weather, reducing uncertainty in our predictions lets us make smarter, more adaptive decisions that benefit daily life,” said Associate Professor Olugbenga Moses Anubi and a co-author of the study.

The system uses a graph neural network — a mathematical representation of connected objects — to map how what happens within one region in the power grid can affect neighboring regions. The tool addresses a critical gap in existing methods by providing both spatially connected predictions and measures of uncertainty.

The model’s precision allows grid operators to plan reserves more efficiently and respond proactively to sudden changes, such as spikes in demand or drops in renewable generation. In real-world tests across ten European regions, GridFusionX improved forecasting accuracy by up to 56% and cut reserve costs by as much as 66%, all while maintaining reliable service.

Why it matters

Today’s power grids have become increasingly complex. Regional power nodes are linked not just by electrical lines, but also by market economics, weather patterns and other issues that affect power usage.

“Right now, utility companies estimate your usage to make sure you never underpay, which almost always means you overpay,” Anubi said. “With our approach, predictions become more precise, so your bill matches what you truly use.”

Knowing how much energy is needed and when it is needed is a problem of predictability.

“The main vision is engineering intelligence,” said Associate Professor Ravikumar Gelli. “We want to help utility operator balance generation and load and help consumers pay less. That’s the vision behind it.”

A new generation of energy scholars

FAMU-FSU faculty are incorporating concepts used in this research into classes about cyber security systems for electric grids and artificial intelligence for power systems. Doctoral student researcher Quoc Bao Phan led the study.

“It benefits students to work on a project like this because they have the chance to work with four faculty instead of just one,” Anubi said. “This mentorship serves as a model for other students and other kinds of collaborations. There are good learning and research outcomes for students and that is also an important part of this project.”

Assistant Professor Abdulrahman Takiddin was also a co-author of this study. This work was supported by the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.

Visit the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering website for more information about the research at the college. Visit the Center for Advanced Power Systems website to learn more about advanced power system engineering research at the center.

The post FAMU-FSU College of Engineering researchers create artificial intelligence tool to manage modern power grid appeared first on Florida State University News.

Florida State University researchers are part of an international team whose work reveals that North and South American mammals interacted before the Panamanian land bridge formed about 3 million years ago.

Professor of Geology and Environmental Science Yang Wang and geology doctoral student Chance Hannold are coauthors of a new study that challenges the long-held belief that North and South American mammals did not mix until the continents joined through an isthmus, a narrow strip that connects two larger land masses. Instead, the researchers found evidence of some North American animals clustering in present-day southern Mexico before opportunities arose to move further south beginning about 7 million years ago.

This research was published Thursday in the journal Science.

“Fossils, as well as ancient sediments and soils, provide valuable archives of past life and environmental conditions,” said Wang, who is also a faculty affiliate of the National Science Foundation-funded, FSU-headquartered National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. “By studying these natural archives, we can better understand how mammalian communities responded to past environmental changes and the processes that gave rise to present-day biodiversity patterns. This knowledge, in turn, can help us better anticipate the potential impacts of future environmental perturbations on the biosphere.”

North and South America were once isolated continents home to distinct groups of animals. Until recently, scientists believed those animals moved north and south only after the Isthmus of Panama formed about 3 million years ago. Biologists refer to this as the Great American Biotic Interchange, or GABI.

However, the new research suggests many North American mammals migrated to present-day southern Mexico and remained there in a sort of geographical holding pen until the continents moved just close enough for smaller species, including racoon-like coatis, ringtails and rodents, to travel farther south, likely by island hopping through the Caribbean or rafting on vegetation.

This suggests that intercontinental species migration began at least 4 million years before GABI. For context: At the beginning of that 4-million-year gap, early human ancestors had just genetically separated from chimpanzees, and by the end of it, the Stone Age had begun.

For this research, Wang and Hannold, a fifth-year doctoral student, conducted fieldwork in Mexico in from 2022 to 2024, collecting samples of ancient soil and fossilized tooth enamel.

“Earth’s natural processes, such as volcanism, the formation of the Isthmus of Panama, and the uplift of the Himalayas, have shaped the environments and climates in which animals, including humans, live,” Wang said. “We took our field samples back to the lab at FSU to conduct stable isotope analyses, which help identify when, where and in what conditions these animals lived, providing the environmental context for this study’s collection of fossils.”

Stable isotope analyses found evidence that the early arrival of North American mammals in Mexico was driven by the development of savanna grasslands in the region. The data revealed that C4 grasses — warm-season plants that include corn, sugarcane, switchgrass and Bermuda grass — were present in the area around 10 million years ago and became a dominant component of early horses’ diets by 5 million years ago.

“Yang’s new research is truly interdisciplinary, as it combines geological and biological evidence to investigate how geological processes created one of the great natural ecological mixing experiments of the Cenozoic Era,” said Mike Stukel, chair of the FSU Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science. “It is also fascinating to consider how these results might shed light on the current mixing experiment occurring as humans intentionally and unintentionally spread different species across the planet.”

Wang and Hannold’s work was supported by the National Science Foundation through a portion of more than $500,000 in funding for the project. The broader study was led by principal investigator Jack Tseng, an associate professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and coauthored by researchers from Stanford University, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, California, and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, as well as the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, both located in central Mexico.

To learn more about research conducted in the FSU Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science, visit eoas.fsu.edu.

The post FSU geologists discover North, South American mammals mingled before continental connection appeared first on Florida State University News.

Researchers at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and Florida State University’s Resilient Infrastructure and Disaster Response Center have identified how hurricane flooding can impact health long after a storm.

In research published in the Journal of Cleaner Production, the researchers identified the factors that are most likely to create hazardous respiratory conditions inside homes after flooding.

Roof age, prevalence of indoor mold spores and maximum flood depth led to the most new respiratory symptoms among people in the homes the researchers studied. Airflow rates in bathroom exhaust fans, how often people opened their window blinds and the airtightness of the building were also important factors.

“We pay a lot of attention to direct impacts immediately after storms, but hazardous conditions can linger after floodwaters recede,” said Assistant Professor Ebrahim Ahmadisharaf, a study co-author. “Although the respiratory health impacts of flooding are indirect and may emerge gradually, timely intervention offers the best chance for supporting health. We wanted to pinpoint which factors were most harmful, because that tells us where intervention can do the most good.”

Understanding post-flooding impact

The researchers examined residential buildings that were damaged after Hurricane Ida, which made landfall near New Orleans in 2021 before moving through the Northeast US, and Hurricane Ian, which passed through South Florida in 2022. They separated their data geographically into three groups: Louisiana, Northeast US and Central and Southern Florida.

Working with public health researchers, they surveyed people whose homes had been impacted by the two hurricanes. Because flood-related mold exposures and respiratory health effects can persist after major storms, researchers conducted health surveys and mold sampling five to seven months after the hurricanes impacted the study area.

The team combined survey results with home inspections, lab analyses of indoor and outdoor mold spores and flood modeling to develop a comprehensive building-scale database for analyzing the connection between post-hurricane environmental factors and respiratory health. The database contained information for each building with a wide range of potential factors that affect respiratory health, including building properties, human indoor activities, indoor and outdoor mold and flood characteristics.

Why it matters

Although researchers have long known that mold leads to respiratory problems, this study presented a systematic examination of how conditions after flooding can exacerbate the growth of hazardous mold using a more detailed database than previous research.

 “Knowing the factors that are most likely to affect health gives us a guide for how to intervene before health problems begin,” said Professor Yassir AbdelRazig, a study co-author. “We know that resources for investment — for property owners and for outside agencies — are limited. This study gives a framework for what interventions can have the greatest impact.”

The research could help homeowners, health officials, insurance companies and emergency managers understand where health risks are greatest and develop strategies to minimize issues.

Future directions

Although the researchers examined conditions after hurricanes, the same problems can manifest after storms that don’t make headlines. Nuisance flooding, which doesn’t pose a threat to life or cause major property damage, can still lead to water intrusion at homes and prime conditions for mold growth.

Future research could add to the buildings surveyed, offering more robust analyses of the factors that affect respiratory health. A project using a control building without residents could examine the gradual effects of water intrusion over time and give researchers an understanding of how mold develops and affects indoor air quality, Ahmadisharaf said.

“Engineering has a major role to play in improving human health,” he said. “The indoor environments where we spend many hours of our lives are huge drivers of health. This research is about understanding that environment to help improve it.”

Doctoral alumna Maryam Pakdehi and doctoral student Ahmed Suliman were the lead author and co-author on this research, respectively. This study was supported by the National Science Foundation, the Danfoss Faculty and Graduate Student Fellows program, and an Early-Career Research Fellowship from the Gulf Research Program of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

The post FAMU-FSU College of Engineering researchers find factors that cause respiratory impacts after flooding appeared first on Florida State University News.

The license agreement formalizes rights to patented multi-domain drone payload technology for aerospace and defense applications

The Florida State University Research Foundation and NorthStrive Defense Tech have signed an exclusive patent license agreement covering new multi-domain drone technology that can transport payloads across air and water.

The technology enables an unmanned aerial drone to transport a cable-suspended payload through water while maintaining flight above the surface, leveraging buoyancy-assisted transport to potentially improve payload efficiency compared to traditional air-only drone systems.

Unmanned systems are increasingly being developed to operate across maritime, aerial and payload-delivery missions. The United States, United Kingdom and Australia are advancing underwater drone technologies through the AUKUS defense partnership, and the U.S. Navy is pursuing the development of unmanned surface vessels capable of carrying large payloads over long distances in support of manned warships. These developments underscore a broader defense market shift toward unmanned platforms that can operate with flexibility in a variety of missions and environments.

“Florida State University faculty produce game-changing research in areas of defense challenges, and this licensing agreement expands the reach of that work through development and translation through this new start-up,” said Valerie McDevitt, associate vice president of Strategic Partnerships and Innovation.

NorthStrive Defense Tech has obtained an exclusive, worldwide, sublicensable license within the aerospace and defense technologies field to make, have made, use, sell, have sold, sublicense, and import licensed products covered by U.S. Patent No. 12,291,334 and associated know-how. NorthStrive Defense Tech LLC, a startup formed for the licensing of FSU technology, is focused on identifying, acquiring, licensing, developing, and commercializing advanced defense technologies, with an emphasis on drone, autonomous systems, aerospace, and dual-use applications.

In connection with the license, NorthStrive Defense Tech entered into a sponsored research agreement with the FSU Research Foundation to fund and collaborate on additional research and development activities intended to advance the technology toward a working prototype and potential commercial-grade units. That sponsored research program remains ongoing.

About NorthStrive Defense Tech

NorthStrive Defense Tech LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of PMGC Holdings Inc. focused on identifying, acquiring, licensing, developing, and commercializing advanced defense technologies, with an emphasis on drone, autonomous systems, aerospace, and dual-use applications. Read more about this licensing agreement in the original NorthStrive Defense Tech press release.

About PMGC Holdings Inc.

PMGC Holdings Inc. is a diversified public holding company focused on building, acquiring, and supporting operating businesses and strategic assets across high-growth sectors.

PMGC Holdings Inc and NorthStrive Defense Tech undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

About the Florida State University Research Foundation

The Florida State University Research Foundation (FSURF) is a not-for-profit corporation, and a direct-support organization of Florida State University as provided for in Section 1004.28, Florida Statutes. FSURF was formally established by the Florida Board of Regents in September 1993.

FSURF serves as the principal conduit for the Office of Commercialization, whereby the products of university research are made available to the marketplace. FSURF is the assignee of the University’s Intellectual Property (IP), and therefore, is the fiscal agent for all activities with respect to the commercialization of the IP.

FSURF promotes and encourages, and provides assistance to, the research and training activities of faculty, staff and students at FSU.

The post Florida State University Research Foundation signs license agreement with NorthStrive Defense Tech for multi-domain drone payload technology appeared first on Florida State University News.

Florida State University will lead four major projects as part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s highly coveted Genesis Mission, showcasing the university’s strengths in advanced technological innovation.

These landmark projects, led by FSU’s world-class faculty, utilize artificial intelligence and machine learning to tackle some of the nation’s most complex challenges, spanning high-temperature superconductors for fusion energy, quantum error correction, particle physics, and nuclear reaction modeling.

“These awards further affirm Florida State University’s emergence as a national leader at the frontiers of discovery, innovation and national service,” said FSU President Richard McCullough. “To secure four projects through the Department of Energy’s Genesis Mission is a defining achievement for our institution and a powerful recognition of the caliber of our faculty. FSU is helping shape the scientific agenda for the nation’s future by advancing the artificial intelligence, quantum and energy frameworks that will strengthen our national infrastructure, accelerate American innovation and reinforce U.S. technological leadership.”

The Genesis Mission represents a major federal investment to unite DOE national labs, industry and academia to accelerate breakthroughs in energy dominance, physical sciences and national security. It has drawn comparisons to the Manhattan Project or Apollo mission. The Department of Energy awarded 278 awards across 26 identified science and technology challenges to accelerate U.S. innovation and scientific leadership during a summit in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, July 22.

FSU secured four awards and the FSU-headquartered National High Magnetic Field Laboratory is partnering on a fifth award led by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Three of the FSU awards stem from the Department of Physics, and the other is from the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.

The awards are for an initial phase one that is nine months. However, researchers who received the awards are invited to show initial results of their work and apply for a second phase of funding that will likely be announced next year.

FSU Vice President for Research Stacey S. Patterson emphasized the strategic alignment of these projects with FSU’s mission to deliver solutions to critical global challenges.

“FSU has strategically positioned itself at the intersection of artificial intelligence and physical sciences to address some of the most critical vulnerabilities our country faces,” Patterson said. “From rebuilding a secure domestic supply chain for high-performance fusion magnets to paving the way for unbreakable, fault-tolerant quantum computers, these projects are highly practical solutions to real-world national security challenges. We are incredibly proud of our faculty for securing these historic awards, which will inspire next-generation breakthroughs and solidify FSU’s role as a trusted partner in federal scientific leadership.”

FSU researchers are leading the following Genesis projects:

AI-Powered Manufacturing of High Temperature Superconductors for Fusion Energy

Challenge Area: Reenvisioning Advanced Manufacturing and Industrial Productivity

Led by Associate Professor Fumitake Kametani, this project uses AI to transform how high temperature superconducting tapes are made for fusion energy magnets. Manufacturing these highly engineered tapes involves subtle, hard-to-detect variations that limit performance uniformity and thus drive up costs of magnets, so the team is building an AI “digital twin”, which is a predictive computer model of the production line. This model learns how manufacturing conditions shape tape quality, helping rebuild a US-owned supply chain of this critically important technology for US energy security. FSU leads the project with the US manufacturer High Temperature Superconductors, Inc., and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Sanghyun Lee, associate professor of Mathematics, and National High Magnetic Field Laboratory researchers Aixia Xu, Yan Xin, Jeseok Bang, and Chris Segal, will also play key roles in executing the project, as well as MagLab Chief Materials Scientist David Larbalestier.

Teaching AI to Fix Quantum Errors

Challenge Area: Realizing Quantum Systems for Discovery

Led by Professor of Physics Nicholas Bonesteel, this project develops AI that acts as a real-time diagnostic system for quantum computers. Quantum computers are extraordinarily sensitive to noise, and keeping a quantum computation on track requires rapidly interpreting streams of indirect error signals. For today’s leading quantum codes, efficient classical algorithms handle this task — but they break down for the richer, more powerful codes expected to follow. The team is training neural networks to decode these signals for this next generation of quantum codes — essential groundwork for quantum computers that work at full scale. Co-Principal Investigators on this award include Assistant Professor of Physics Yanzhu Chen, Professor of Computer Science Xiuwen Liu, and FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Professor William Oates.

Accelerating Cosmic Discovery in Particle Physics

Challenge Area: Unifying Physics from Quarks to Cosmos

Led by Wyatt-Green Chair of Physics Mayly Sanchez and Robert O. Lawton Professor of Physics Harrison B. Prosper, this project uses AI to help scientists figure out one of the biggest mysteries in the universe: why everything around us is made of matter instead of antimatter. A massive U.S. experiment called DUNE will shoot invisible particles called neutrinos 800 miles through the Earth to find out, but physicists can only interpret what they see by comparing it against computer simulations that aren’t yet accurate enough. Today, improving those simulations is slow, hand-guided work that can take years. The FSU team is training an AI on millions of recorded neutrino collisions to find every place the simulation disagrees with reality at once, then compress what it learned into compact equations physicists can read. The team will transfer what the AI learns from one experiment directly to DUNE, opening the way to a system that unites the world’s neutrino data into a single shared model of how neutrinos interact with matter.

AI and Quantum Computing for the Next Generation of Nuclear Science

Challenge Area: Delivery of Fusion Energy

A multi-institutional team led by FSU will combine artificial intelligence with next-generation quantum-computing methods to improve understanding of atomic nuclei and other quantum systems. By combining AI-driven data analysis with advanced quantum-information methods, the researchers will address longstanding challenges in interpreting the vast amounts of experimental nuclear data collected over decades. Their work aims to produce predictive models that reveal how quantum systems interact, evolve, decay, and respond to external influences. Beyond advancing fundamental science, these developments could contribute to progress in quantum technologies, clean energy, and national security. The project brings together principal investigator Alexander Volya, Hitesh Changlani, and Yanzhu Chen of FSU; co-principal investigator Grigory Rogachev of Texas A&M University; Richard J. deBoer of the University of Notre Dame; collaborators at Quantinuum; and participating students and researchers across the institutions.

The post Florida State University secures Department of Energy Genesis Mission awards appeared first on Florida State University News.