Featured Post from University of Delaware

Concepts and habits from gasoline refueling found to mislead EV charging

Apr 9, 2024

2 min

Many electric vehicle (EV) drivers carry over concepts and habits acquired from driving gasoline cars when they are charging of EVs – but the mismatch leads to time wasted, inconvenience and “range anxiety” about not finding a charger when needed, according to a new study published in the journal Energy.

The research was carried out by Professors Willett Kempton of the University of Delaware and Frances Sprei of Chalmers University in Sweden, both experts in EV technology and usage.

They interviewed EV users in both Sweden and the United States, finding unanticipated and previously unreported concepts and habits of EV charging.

Among the other findings:

If industry and consumers take advantage of these findings, that could lead to more effective charging methods, help new EV buyers adapt, and inform planning of charging stations.

Novice EV drivers, and even many of those who had months of EV experience, monitor the battery charge gauge while driving, then when the gauge is low, seek a charging station to recharge. This “monitor gauge” model is derived from driving gasoline-powered vehicles.

By contrast, the study found that a few experienced EV drivers had developed a strategy of selecting a trigger event, and using it to spur them to plug in their EV.

“Some of the more sophisticated EV users had picked a repeating event that happens at a place they can plug in and at a time or event lasting several hours. This is common when returning home at the end of the day or arriving at work," Kempton said. “A few people had selected unexpected triggers, such as shopping, and for one, when walking his dog in the evening.”

To arrange an interview with Kempton, visit his profile and click on the "contact button" – this message will reach him directly. Or contact UD's media relations department.

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Willett Kempton

Professor, Marine Science and Policy

Prof. Kempton invented vehicle-to-grid power (V2G); he researches, publishes and lectures on offshore wind power and on electric vehicles.

Vehicle-to-Grid PowerOffshore Wind Policy

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Sep 3, 2026

1 min

Why Dolly Parton’s intersectional philanthropy keeps making headlines

Dolly Parton’s generosity keeps showing up in the news because it feels both big and deeply personal. Her charitable work, especially around literacy, education and community support, connects to real-life needs that people understand right away, all while being a big part of her own intersectional identity. That makes her philanthropy easy to notice and even easier to care about. Jennifer Naccarelli is chair of the Department of Women & Gender Studies here at the University of Delaware and the founding director of the Center for Study & Prevention of Gender Based Violence. On Dolly Parton's passing she said: "In practice, Dolly Parton's life is a case study in intersectionality: the various social identities that she encompassed and her interactions with various social structures led to her unique perspectives, lifelong commitments and magnificent catalog. While not an political activist, and hesitant to call herself a feminist, her work and religious identity informed her contributions to so many communities. She was an ally before that term entered the vernacular. It is truly a loss of a model human and great talent." To speak with Naccarelli about Parton and other feminist icons, email mediarelations@udel.edu.

Aug 27, 2026

2 min

Disaster Response Expert: How Flood Evacuations Impact Vulnerable Families, Infants and Companion Animals

When disasters strike, evacuation decisions can be complicated by factors that emergency planners may not always anticipate — including the needs of pets, infants and other vulnerable members of a household. University of Delaware disaster researcher Sarah DeYoung studies how people make decisions during disasters and how emergency planning can better account for the needs of families and their companion animals. Her expertise includes evacuation decision-making, companion animals in disasters, infant feeding in emergencies and maternal and child well-being during disasters. DeYoung's research is particularly relevant as communities around the world respond to natural disasters, including the devastating flooding currently affecting Nepal. DeYoung has conducted field research following 13 disasters, including the 2015 Gorkha earthquake in Nepal, where she studied maternal and infant health and feeding in the aftermath of the disaster. She says that pets can significantly influence evacuation decisions. People may delay or avoid evacuation if they cannot bring their animals with them, while others may return to dangerous areas to retrieve pets. Her work examines how emergency managers can better incorporate animals into evacuation and sheltering plans. She also studies the particular challenges facing mothers and infants during disasters, including access to food, infant feeding, shelter and other basic necessities. Topics she can discuss include: • How pets influence evacuation decisions • Challenges of evacuating and sheltering with companion animals • How emergency planners can better account for pets and families • Emergency warnings and evacuation decision making • The needs of mothers and infants during disasters • Infant feeding and access to basic necessities during disaster recovery • How disasters affect vulnerable populations and family well-being To reach DeYoung directly and arrange an interview, visit her profile and click on the "contact" button. Interested reporters can also send an email to MediaRelations@udel.edu.

Aug 26, 2026

1 min

How Trade Wars Are Reshaping Fashion and Apparel

Trade disputes and tariffs have become an increasingly common part of the global economic landscape, with the fashion and apparel industry often caught in the crossfire. University of Delaware professor Sheng Lu can explain how these disruptions reshape sourcing decisions, supply chains, prices and the products ultimately available to consumers. Lu can discuss: • How new tariffs, including those on Canadian jackets and wool products, could affect consumers, fashion companies and apparel supply chains. • How tariffs can affect apparel prices and product availability for U.S. consumers. • Why fashion and apparel supply chains are particularly vulnerable to trade policy changes. • The impact of trade disputes on fashion companies and retailers in the U.S. and abroad. • What previous trade disputes can tell us about the potential consequences of tariffs. To arrange an interview, visit Lu's profile and click on the “contact” button. Interested reporters can also email MediaRelations@udel.edu.