Highlighted Research Strengths
The intellectual energy of our researchers has produced outstanding projects in every department, as well as papers published in well-respected peer-reviewed journals and patents that promise economic returns to patent-holders and licensees.
Our researchers are currently principal investigators on project grants with annual expenditures of more than $83.5 million. Here’s a glimpse of what we are doing in some areas of strength where we have interdisciplinary clusters focused on bringing solutions to some of the most important challenges facing society today:
Advanced Manufacturing
Improving hybrid and soft materials and fabrication for novel functionality and sustainable processing, and enabling real-world advanced manufacturing through nanoscale welding, 3D printing strategies, and precision engineering for metals.
Energy
Pioneering technologies for resilient and sustainable power grids to improve power grid performance; developing novel catalytic processes for biomatter to create clean, sustainable biofuels and biodegradable plastics; creating novel, smart devices for microgrids and next-gen power electronics; and advancing technologies and materials for energy conversion and storage.
Environmental Engineering
Harnessing sensor technologies, data analytics, and high-performance computing for dynamic urban systems and sustainable environmental technologies; and remediating contamination and wastewater and protecting environmental resources through microbial engineering.
Future Computing
Leading research in software and hardware development for future exascale computing and designing adaptive, self-learning neuromorphic computers for real-time data analysis.
Healthcare, Robotics, and Smart Technologies
Designing and testing computer-assisted technologies for rehabilitation, prosthetics, and surgical procedures; advancing smart health-management technologies to collect, integrate, and interpret real-time health data; and linking the brain-computer interface via non-invasive technologies to enhance human performance.
Next-Generation Materials
Creating customizable 2D functional materials for superior superconductors, magnets, and quantum computers; developing new scintillators to improve medical imaging, homeland security, and nuclear non-proliferation; and engineering materials for extreme environments like nuclear reactors, hypersonic flight, and outer space spanning.
Revolutionary Aviation
Reimagining wing design for faster, more fuel-efficient, safer next-generation commercial aircraft, and developing and testing designs, materials, and manufacturing solutions for sustained hypersonic flight.