Antarctic glacier melting; energy research

May 21, 2024

A reflection in the windows of Engineering Hall frames a student passing by. (Photo: Steve Zylius/UCI)

UC IRVINE NEWS

‘Vigorous melting’ found at Antarctica glacier

A team of glaciologists led by UC Irvine used high-resolution satellite radar data to discover evidence of the intrusion of warm, high-pressure seawater many kilometers beneath the grounded ice of West Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier. The team found that widespread contact between ocean water and the glacier causes “vigorous melting” and may require a reassessment of global sea level rise projections. The glaciologists relied on data gathered from March to June of 2023 by Finland’s ICEYE commercial satellite mission, which monitors changes on the Earth’s surface. “When we have a continuous time series and compare that with the tidal cycle, we see the seawater coming in at high tide and receding and sometimes going farther up underneath the glacier and getting trapped,” said lead author Eric Rignot, a professor of Earth system science. “Thanks to ICEYE, we’re beginning to witness this tidal dynamic for the first time.”

Engineers develop neural network for energy systems

Engineering researchers have developed a neural network to search and identify materials with compositions that improve the performance of energy systems. Over the past two decades, new metal alloy designs that combine multiple principal elements in high concentration have triggered a surge in material research. These multicomponent alloys, often called high-entropy alloys or multiprincipal element alloys, demonstrate exceptional mechanical properties, including high-temperature strength, putting them in good position for applications in nuclear reactors and propulsion systems. The team’s neuron map presents an effective process for exploring the vast compositional space of multicomponent alloys and lays the groundwork for discovering ultrastrong alloys for application in severe environments.

UCI Health celebrates National Hospital Week

UCI Health marked National Hospital Week earlier this month by celebrating the commitment and camaraderie of workers at all locations in Orange and Los Angeles counties. “These gatherings are more than just fun; they reflect our commitment to create a community-oriented, inclusive and engaging workplace,” said UCI Health President and CEO Chad T. Lefteris. “I thank all co-workers for their hard work, dedication and role in making UCI Health the best place to give and get care”

#IamUCI

Grad student aims to refine AANHPI health data

Chris Weir is pursuing a Master of Public Health degree with an emphasis on two tracks: sociocultural, diversity and health, and epidemiology. His unusual decision to choose two tracks reflects his past experiences and future goals around social epidemiology, particularly his hope to advance collection methods for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander data.. Weir envisions a future where data-driven policies reflect the nuanced diversity of AANHPI individuals, especially multi-race people like himself. “I see myself working alongside policymakers, community leaders and advocacy groups to push for the collection and analysis of disaggregated data that accurately represents the breadth and depth of my community’s experiences,” he says. “I plan to take what I learned at UC Irvine to the level where it can make a real impact: policy and practice.”

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