Space, health and engineering innovations make UCF Research’s Top 10 news list for 2022 | Jobs Vox

As high-profile launches like Artemis 1 fuel public interest in space exploration, the stories topping UCF’s Top 10 research news list this year have brought renewed focus to reaching the Moon and beyond.

These were stories about innovative methods of building off-world settlements; exploration of resources in less studied parts of the Moon; creating new modes of electric vehicles and spacecraft; and the strange behavior of near-Earth asteroids.

Many of the top stories also highlight the amazing innovations achieved when disciplines like engineering and medicine meet. These included stories about the development of a rapid test for Lyme disease; A real-time, optics-based device for monitoring blood clots; and engineering solutions to physical problems of the heart.

And in one of last year’s most popular stories, mechanical and aerospace engineers used jet propulsion research techniques to answer a top question during the pandemic—do face masks work?

The stories rounding out the top 10 focused on sustainability, including the genetic rescue of Florida panthers and developing a zero-carbon emission jet engine.

Here are the top 10 UCF Research News Stories of 2022:

1. Face masks cut distance airborne pathogens can travel in half, new study finds
2. UCF researchers create lunar regolith bricks that could be used to build Artemis Base Camp
3. NASA selects UCF for $35 million mission to Moon’s mysterious Greithusen Dome
4. UCF and NASA researchers design charged ‘power suits’ for electric vehicles and spacecraft
5. Monitoring genetic mutation will be key to Florida panther management
6. Arecibo Observatory-led team discovers large near-Earth asteroid with changing rotation
7. UCF-developed real-time blood monitor saves doctors vital time during surgery
8. UCF to lead $10M NASA project to develop zero-carbon jet engine
9. Rapid Lyme Disease Tests May Soon Be Heading to a Doctor’s Office Near You
10. UCF researchers use engineering expertise to solve heart problems

The annual Top 10 list is based on UCF research on UCF Today page views and coverage received by global, national, state and local media. The stories were fueled by news releases and pitches from UCF’s research office and colleges.

Overall, the UCF research was referenced in a total of more than 3,100 news stories in 2022. new York Times, forbes, daily mail, popular ScienceThe Orlando SentinelWFTV, Fox35, WESH, Spectrum News13, WKMG, WMFE, Orlando Business Journal, Florida Today, Florida Trendseven more.