Junjie Niu and Prasenjit Guptasarma will each present a show for UWM\u2019s Science Bag series, a live show for older kids and adults that gets into the popular science behind everyday life. In February, Niu, associate professor, materials science & engineering, tackles the topic of energy in his show, \u201cLithium-Ion Batteries: Making Mobile Magnificent.\u201d In March, don\u2019t miss Guptasarma, associate dean, when he asked the question of the year, \u201cArtificial Intelligence: Friend or Foe?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Niu will introduce the principles of how li-ion batteries store electric energy and how to improve the energy density of the battery by designing better parts \u2013 the electrode materials and electrolyte. He will answer questions like: How can a battery power your cell phone for a week? How can scientists extend the distance an electric car can travel before it needs to be charged? What happens to the battery\u2019s performance in very cold weather?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Niu\u2019s show runs Fri., Feb. 9 at 6 p.m.; Fri., Feb. 16 at 1 p.m.; and Sun., Feb. 18 at 3 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In his show, Guptasarma will explore the history, basic principles and potential future directions of AI, which has a real potential of becoming almost human. Since AI has the capacity to learn both the best and the worst of human behavior, how we can we bolster the technology\u2019s beneficial uses and minimize the harmful ones? How might it affect human beings today, and in subsequent generations? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Guptasarma\u2019s show runs on Fri., March 1 at 6 p.m.; Fri., March 8 at 1 p.m.; and Sun., March 10 at 3 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n