UCF in the News

As reports of lithium-ion batteries overheating and catching fire continue to make headlines, a Central Florida company says it may have found a safer solution. A Central Florida startup, C-Batt, is working to revolutionize battery technology with a new material called "Obsidia" that could replace graphite — an essential component of most lithium-ion batteries. C-Batt began a decade ago as a spinoff project incubated at the University of Central Florida’s business development program. The team has spent the past seven years developing Obsidia, operating largely under the radar. The technology is built around a coal-based derivative, aiming to reimagine a traditionally maligned fossil fuel into something valuable and sustainable. Their vision: a safer battery that’s not only high-performing but also sourced entirely within the U.S., avoiding reliance on foreign supply chains.

Mars, a cold desert world with a thin 95% CO₂ atmosphere and days just 24.6 hours long, hides evidence of ancient lakes and organic carbon chains that hint at past habitability WikipediaLive Science. Proposals to warm and pressurize Mars — injecting greenhouse gases, using engineered nanoparticles, sublimating polar ice — show terraforming might be within reach of the University of Central Florida. Yet our own planet, with its complex ecosystems and socio-political challenges, remains unrestored despite clear methods for the regeneration of Earth.OrgScienceDirect. This article humanizes Mars, dives into hard numbers, and asks: if we can dream of terraforming Mars, why haven’t we restored Earth?

In a groundbreaking study published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, researchers from the University of Central Florida (UCF) and their collaborators have unveiled new knowledge regarding the formation of distant icy bodies in our solar system, specifically those that reside beyond Neptune. Through an innovative examination utilizing the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the team focused on Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs), which are remnants of the early solar system, and found significant variations in surface methanol among these celestial bodies. This revelation has the potential to reshape our understanding of the solar system’s evolution, shedding light on not only the origins of these icy objects but also the intricate chemical processes that may be in play.

On May 22, Universal Studios will welcome guests into its Epic Universe theme park for the first time, the first new major theme park to open in central Florida in over 25 years. Given the growing excitement and early ticket sales, it seems certain to be a hit for Universal, but it’s also going to be a big boost for the state of Florida. Epic Universe, the upcoming central Florida theme park, will generate $2 billion for the state in its first year, according to calculations from the director of UCF’s Institute for Economic Forecasting. The Universal Orlando attraction is the first major theme park opening in the area is over 25 years. It’s expected to have a trickle-down effect for all theme parks in the area. The park is expected to generate $2 billion for the state in its first year and create more than 17,500 jobs in year one, according to calculations by Dr. Sean Snaith, director of the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Economic Forecasting. Snaith’s calculations, which were provided by Universal, estimate the Universal Orlando parks have generated an economic impact of $44 billion since 2019—and the company’s investment in building Epic Universe has had a nationwide economic impact of $11 billion so far.

The University of Central Florida is increasing security and offering extra resources for mental health support following Thursday's mass shooting on the campus of Florida State University. UCF issued a message in response to the violence and notified students, faculty and staff about the increased support. “We stand in solidarity with the FSU community during this impossibly difficult time, sending our strength and support as they navigate the aftermath of this tragedy,” the message stated. “We know that this news may feel especially personal for many in our community -- please know that you are not alone. We are here to listen and to help you feel safe, cared for, and supported.” On Friday, UCF opened a space for reflection and support from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. in the Magnolia Room of the Live Oak Event Center. Sophomore Noemi Tilky said it was reassuring to see the space was made available to the entire UCF community. “They can have someone to talk to and having that person to talk to, I think, is a very good thing to have,” Tilky said. UCF’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) also offers crisis support and mental health services through appointments, walk-ins, and a 24/7 crisis hotline at 407-823-2811.

Jenna Koo, a final-year nursing student at the University of Central Florida, never anticipated that her college experience would equip her with the skills to save lives. As she approaches graduation, Koo is acutely aware of the looming nursing shortage in Florida, projected to reach nearly 60,000 by 2035, according to the Florida Hospital Association. Mary Lou Sole, Dean of the UCF College of Nursing, noted that the growing population in Central Florida exacerbates the nursing shortage. The college is set to move into a new facility in Lake Nona this August, which will allow them to educate an additional 150 graduates annually who are eligible for licensure. "Those nurses tend to stay in Central Florida and the state,” Sole told News 6. Koo, who is set to graduate this spring, has already secured a position as an emergency department nurse. Reflecting on her journey, she acknowledged the demanding nature of the job but also the rewarding moments, stating, “The best is when a patient comes to you and says thank you for the care that you have given me.”