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Winter 2014
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Inquiry Magazine Archive

  • Spring 2016

    Spring 2016: Premium Blend

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

  • Fall 2015

    Fall 2015: Collision Course

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

  • Spring 2015

    Spring 2015: Almost Human

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

  • Fall 2014

    Fall 2014: Small Wonder

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

  • Winter 2014

    Winter 2014: Overdue for an Overhaul

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

  • 2012

    2012: Mystery solved?

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

  • 2011

    2011: Boosting brain power

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

  • 2010

    2010: Powered by genetics

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

  • 2009

    2009: Winning the battle against pain

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

  • 2009

    2007: Sensing a solution

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

  • 2006

    2006:Semiconductors: The next generation

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

  • 2005

    2005: Imaging is everything

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

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Marketplace

Empowering Energy Consumers

Researcher creating system to help homeowners track their power usage, potentially lower their energy bills  

Giacomo Ghidini

Giacomo Ghidini

Giacomo Ghidini is bringing the power back to the people—literally.

Dr. Ghidini, who recently received his Ph.D. from UT Arlington and now serves as an adjunct professor, is developing a sensor and monitoring system to put consumers in charge of tracking their energy, gas, and water use so they can save money.

“I think Ghidini’s idea could revolutionize how people handle their energy consumption,” says Sajal Das, a former professor at the University who helped mentor Ghidini on the project.

Traditionally, power providers have been in control of Web-based smart meter applications that can help homeowners and other consumers monitor and regulate their energy consumption. But with Ghidini’s sensor, the power would be with individual property owners.

Dr. Das believes the work could save homeowners or businesses 10 to 15 percent of energy expenses. He and Ghidini were among 100 recipient teams of a 2012 National Science Foundation Innovation Corps grant, which has the aim of moving research ideas to the marketplace.

“What makes the grant exciting is that we’re taking what we learn inside the lab to where it will be put to use,” Ghidini says.

The project also made the final cut in the UT System Horizon Fund Student Investment Competition. Ghidini says the experience provided important lessons on how to pitch the idea to venture capitalists.

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