Transforming oil wells into batteries for the sun and wind
USC researchers want to convert idle oil and gas wells into much-needed storage for sustainable energy, making California blackouts a thing of the past.
USC students map uncharted territory to assist in rescue efforts
Trojans joined their UCLA counterparts in a three-day “mapathon” to plot out some of the world’s most remote regions. The work assists humanitarian efforts after disasters.
Paul Westphal, 70, USC All-American and Basketball Hall of Fame guard
The three-time letterman went on to the NBA, where he was named an all-star five times.
New AI tool can predict in seconds what a movie will be rated
USC Viterbi researchers are using artificial intelligence to identify violent and sexual content in scripts before a single scene is shot.
Earthquake prediction becomes a top priority for USC-based research center
As the new director of the Southern California Earthquake Center, Yehuda Ben-Zion wants to advance quake forecasting to a place where we can see the “big one” coming.
Technology and design keep traditions like lighting the menorah alive
Two USC students collaborate on a social-distanced solution to the complicated logistics of lighting menorah candles together during a pandemic.
Joe Árvai aims to grow USC’s Wrigley Institute into a true sustainability hub
The new director of USC’s environmental research institute wants to leverage all of USC Dornsife’s unique strengths to help ensure a more livable future.
To better understand diabetes, scientists gaze inside insulin-producing pancreatic cells
A USC-led team has developed advanced imaging techniques that allow for a uniquely detailed glimpse inside the body’s insulin factories.
3 USC Viterbi professors named National Academy of Inventors fellows
Keith Chugg, Jay Kuo and Gerald Loeb join this year’s list of 175 distinguished academic inventors.
Funding backs a new generation of tools for computational neuroimaging
The grant, which provides up to five years of funding, will help develop computational tools to make neuroimaging both more powerful and more useful.
California appears to be in for a dry, warm winter
La Niña conditions in the Pacific Ocean may lead to sandals and sunglasses at Christmastime. USC experts explain what such warm weather means for the state’s water supply and wildlife.
Big waves, big controversy: USC scientist helps settle debate over tallest wave surfed in 2020
USC wave expert Adam Fincham assembled a team to bring a little science to a big-wave contest, with bragging rights and prize money on the line.
Robots may someday learn how to drive by watching us behind the wheel
USC researchers have developed a method that could allow robots to learn new tasks, like setting a table or driving a car, from observing a small number of demonstrations.
‘Socialism’ is a trigger word on social media – but real discussion is going on amid the screaming
A USC social media expert through more than 14,000 online posts. He found support for socialism — and attacks on it — appear to be on the rise.
How Americans can help stop fake news
Worried about democracy? Concerned about inaccuracies regarding COVID-19? USC researchers share how all of us could assist in limiting the spread of misinformation.
Semi-autonomous robot created at USC Viterbi disinfects cluttered spaces
LASER-D — Legged-Agile-Smart-Efficient Robot for Disinfection — can go most anywhere a person can go, disinfect the space and even check its work.
Virtual reality project will recreate a 15th century religious experience
USC Dornsife’s Sabina Zonno and Lynn Dodd have received a National Endowment for the Humanities grant to develop an immersive world around a Renaissance-era manuscript.
6 USC researchers named 2020 AAAS fellows
The USC professors join 40 previously selected faculty members as fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Building tech devices that don’t gorge on electricity
To better process modern mountains of big data, USC’s Joshua Yang creates novel devices called ”memristors“ that use the least amount of energy and physical space possible.
Regulators can help clear the way for entrepreneurial energy companies to innovate
Giving state-level regulators more discretion in approving hydropower facilities in the United States led to faster adoption of the clean technology, a USC researcher and colleague find.
Air Force veteran dreams of going to space
After graduating from USC Viterbi, astronautical engineering student Edward Proulx hopes to work at NASA and someday explore the final frontier.
Flaws emerge in modeling human genetic diseases in animals
USC stem cell expert Gage Crump notes that the desire for speed in research must not come at a cost of accuracy and reproducibility.
Decoding complex brain signal patterns could help people with neurological and mental disorders
A new algorithm developed by USC researchers may someday help a paralyzed patient move a robotic arm just by thinking about it.
Celebrating 20 years of empowering women in STEM
The Women in Science and Engineering program at USC has recruited a record number of women faculty to the university and enabled a generation to advance their careers in the sciences.