Research for Cleaner Water
Minnesota lakes and ecosystems need to be protected for future generations. People need clean water and a clean environment to thrive. When microplastics get into the environment there is concern they will damage the ecosystem and human health.
Microplastics can originate from cigarette filters, car tires, cleaning and personal care products, city dust, larger plastic products, and synthetic textiles.
Plastic debris degrades into smaller and smaller pieces. When the pieces reach less than five millimeters or about the size of a sesame seed and smaller, they are called microplastics.
Some plastics contain toxic additives which can be broken down to microplastics and ingested by organisms, including humans.
“Microplastics can carry pollutants that can be toxic and may cause the organisms that eat them to have a toxic response. We want to understand what the scope of the problem is out in the environment.“
Melissa Mauer-Jones, assistant professor, UMD Chemistry and Biochemistry
Research for healthier lakes.
Keeping invasive spiny water fleas out of Minnesota’s lakes and rivers means that walleyes and other fish continue to thrive, and that’s good for Minnesota’s tourism and restaurant industries. Learn more about our research on spiny water fleas .
Research for connected communities.
The Tweed’s exhibition “A Life Well-Painted: The Art of Carl Gawboy” connects the history of our region with today, and connects the museum to the community. Learn more about Bois Forte Anishinaabe and Finnish artist, Carl Gawboy's body of artwork .
Research for amplified care.
Augmenting the care humans provide allows people with dementia to stay independent longer. This takes research for smarter robotics. Learn more about how Pepper the robot is helping senior citizens maintain quality of living and delay assisted living care.
