July 21, 2025

Assistant Professor Amna Mazen (AC/MMET), along with her team from the Robotics and Remote Sensing Lab (RRSL), won this year’s Benchmark for Autonomous Robot Navigation (BARN) Challenge, held as part of IEEE’s International Conference on Robotics and Automation, one of the largest and most prestigious robotics conferences in the world.

Introduced in 2022, the BARN Challenge tests an algorithm’s ability to maneuver a Clearpath Jackal robot through both simulated and real environments in order to elevate the performance of autonomous robots in challenging environments. In their first year as participants, the Michigan Tech team not only won but set a new standard for navigational algorithms for autonomous robotics.

“Many people attending ICRA came up to us to ask how our algorithm works and how we were able to be so successful,” Mazen said. “The organizers told us that this competition may have to change in the future based on our performance. Algorithm tuning may be a thing of the past.”

Learn more about the BARN Challenge and the RRSL team’s unprecedented success at Michigan Tech News.

No matter where you are in life — just getting started or planning for retirement — a session with a financial consultant can help you create a plan for your goals. And, there's no cost for a consultation as a part of your retirement plan. You’ll get answers to these questions and more:

• Am I invested in the right mix of investments to help meet my goals?
• Am I saving enough to create the retirement income I need?
• How do I take income from my retirement account once I stop working?

Matthew Bunch from the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA) will be available on Michigan Tech's campus for one-on-one sessions from Aug. 4 through Aug. 8. MTU employees can schedule time slots with Bunch at the Lakeshore Center (Conference Room 201) and at the MUB Datolite Room (MUB 100) during his time here.

RSVP today, as space is limited. You can register for sessions with TIAA directly by logging in to your TIAA or guest account, then searching for "Michigan Tech" in the Institution field. When asked how you would like to meet, select "In Person at My Employer."

You can also register for a meeting by calling TIAA at 800-732-8353 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.

Bridge Michigan quoted Josh Mueller (MSE) in a story about what researchers are learning from the shipwreck of the Western Reserve, one of the Great Lakes' first all-steel freighters, which sank in Lake Superior in 1892. Mueller discussed the era's lack of material testing and the possibility that the ship's steel construction and the lake's cold temperature contributed to its sinking.

Equipment Threshold Change

Effective July 1, 2025, the University’s asset capitalization threshold has increased from $5,000 to $10,000. This applies to movable capital equipment with a useful life of more than one year with title vested to Michigan Tech upon acquisition. This change will help reduce the administrative burden associated with tagging, recording and tracking equipment.

The $10,000 equipment threshold will be used in all Sponsored Programs proposal budgets moving forward.

For sponsored projects awarded prior to July 1, 2025, indirect costs will not be applied to purchased or fabricated equipment with a unit cost of $5,000 to $9,999. Account code E658M should be used for those items that would have been classified as equipment using the $5,000 threshold and are now classified as supplies using the $10,000 threshold.

When charging expenses to all non-sponsored indices and to sponsored projects awarded on or after July 1, 2025, the applicable minor equipment/supply account codes should be used for items with a unit cost under $10,000.

For questions regarding sponsored projects, please contact Kelly Kallio at 906-487-2226 or kmkallio@mtu.edu. For other questions regarding equipment, please contact Traci Bishop at 906-487-2449 or trbishop@mtu.edu.

*****

Support Michigan Tech's 36th Annual Parade of Nations

Dear Michigan Tech Colleagues,

The Parade of Nations Planning Committee is excited to announce that the 36th Annual Parade of Nations will take place on Sept. 20! This year’s theme, “Games Around the World,” will spotlight the shared joy of play across cultures and celebrate the vibrancy of our international community.

The event will feature our iconic multicultural parade, global cuisine and a variety of cultural performances illustrating the multiple heritages reflected by our students and in our community. Flags from over 80 countries will be represented, and we expect thousands of attendees from across our region.

To make this event as impactful as ever, we’re asking for your department’s support. Your contribution helps us showcase the Keweenaw’s rich cultural representation that strengthens our University and aligns with our commitment to creating a more unified campus experience.

If your department is able to contribute, please use our Parade of Nations account number: D96104. Your support will be recognized and appreciated throughout the event.

If you have any questions or would like more information, feel free to reach out to International Programs and Services at 906-487-2160 or to IPS Director Christian Montesinos at cmontesi@mtu.edu.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to support one of Michigan Tech’s most beloved traditions.

*****

Talk: 'Closing the Loop of Battery Recycling via Sustainable Mining Technologies'

The National Science Foundation-funded project “REU Site: InSPiRES: Integrated Circuits and Semiconductor Processes to Promote Responsible Engineering and Sustainability” at Michigan Tech will host a talk today, July 28, at 3 p.m. in H-STEM 348.

Peijia Lin, research associate in the Department of Chemical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, will present "Closing the Loop of Battery Recycling via Sustainable Mining Technologies."

From the abstract:
Critical minerals/metals, including rare earth elements, battery elements, and precious metals, are important gradients that enable advancements in modern technologies and energy storage techniques. These important elements, primarily existing in Mother Earth, are mined from the ground, extracted, and undergo a series of separation and purification steps to be transformed into their usable forms. However, the primary resources are relatively dilute, unrenewable, and refractory, which has put the domestic supply chain of critical metals in great concern nowadays. With the depletion of ore grades and historic mining methods mainly focused on primary sources, there is a need for the mining/metallurgical technologies to be developed more sustainably. This presentation introduces the concept of sustainable mining and/or urban mining, which has been growing fast in the past decades. Unlike conventional mining methods, sustainable mining seeks to explore a variety of primary and secondary resources and integrates different processing methods to meet the growing demand for critical metals. Here in our chemical processing lab, we integrate metal-bearing secondary resources with primary ore bodies, utilizing them as a synergistic feedstock to enhance the valuable content in the feed, improve processing efficiency, minimize environmental impact, and mitigate the risk of falling short of critical metal supplies. The final products resulting from our designed process flow sheet, which meet the commercial specifications with over 99% purity and 90% recovery, are returned to the cradle of battery manufacturing.

Lin specializes in hydrometallurgy, chemical processing, waste recycling and water treatment techniques. Her research interest lies in the recycling of critical metals from waste batteries and mine tailings. She obtained her Ph.D. in Mining Engineering at the University of Kentucky, focusing on the recycling of valuable metals, including base metals (Cu, Ni, Co), precious metals (Au, Ag), and rare earth elements, from various sources of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) using metallurgical processes.

At MTU, Lin has worked with Professor Lei Pan on the Battery Recycling Project, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technology Office (DOE-VTO). She is leading the metallurgical processing to produce high-purity battery components from various resources, including end-of-life batteries, electronic wastes, primary minerals and plant wastewater.

To have your event automatically appear, please submit them to the University Events Calendar.

Strength and Conditioning : Summer Middle School Program

Monday, July 21, 10–10 a.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Multi-Purpose

Lead by the MTU Strength and Conditioning Staff, this 8-week summer program is for athletes looking to improve their performance and fitness level to prepare for the upcoming season. Program includes (3) sessions per week in a varsity collegiate setting and SDC membership access for the duration of the program.

Strength and Conditioning : Summer High School Program

Monday, July 21, 11–11 a.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Multi-Purpose

Lead by the MTU Strength and Conditioning Staff, this 8-week summer program is for athletes looking to improve their performance and fitness level to prepare for the upcoming season. Program includes (3) sessions per week in a varsity collegiate setting and SDC membership access for the duration of the program.

Summer Volunteer Opportunity

Monday, July 21, 12:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m. | MUB Circle (Shuttle Pick up and Drop Off). Service Location: Paavola Wetlands (No 9, Hancock, MI 49930)

Looking to volunteer and spend some time outside! Student Leadership and Involvement is partnering with the Keweenaw Land Trust (KLT) for a hands-on afternoon of service in the great outdoors. Date: Monday, July 21 Time: 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM Location: Paavola Wetlands Shuttle Information: Transportation will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Shuttles will depart from the MUB Circle at 12:10 What to Bring: Clothes you don’t mind getting dirtyClosed-toe shoesRefillable water bottleA hat (recommended)We’ll provide sunscreen, bug spray, and work gloves. Use this link to RSVP and request a spot on the shuttle. If you have any questions, please contact us, activities@mtu.edu or 906-487-1963.