Seeking Self-Sufficiency for Long-Term Space Journeys Mon, June 17, 2019 FOE alum Adam Arkin at the University of California, Berkeley is genetically engineering processes to convert the carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and water found in Mars’ atmosphere to food, drugs, and even resins that could be fashioned into tools and other usable objects. Read More
Additive Manufacturing Glass Optics Thu, June 13, 2019 Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s Rebecca Dylla-Spears (USFOE 2014) has engineered a direct ink writing (DIW) process for 3D printing glass that ultimately could lead to improving the size, weight, and power of optical systems. Read More
Rise of the Plastic Eaters Thu, June 06, 2019 Gregg Beckham (USFOE 2018) at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory has engineered a new enzyme capable of breaking down plastic bottles, which could put a much-needed dent in plastic pollution. Read More
Cutting Energy Use in CO2 Conversion Process Using Glycerol Mon, June 03, 2019 Paul Kenis (USFOE 2008) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has engineered a new electrolysis technology that uses glycerol, a cheap biofuel byproduct, to reduce energy consumption and surplus carbon dioxide. Read More
Quantum Leap Into the Brain Thu, May 30, 2019 Purdue's Shriram Ramanathan (USFOE 2010) has engineered a quantum material that may help in early diagnosis of neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s and could even lead to unlocking science-fiction concepts like downloading the contents of the brain. Read More
Inspiration from a Nobel Prize Winner Thu, May 23, 2019 From appearing on the Big Bang Theory to visiting her high school alma mater, Nobel Prize winner, NAE member, and FOE alum Frances Arnold continues to inspire the next generation of engineers to never stop learning. Read More
Wearable Sensors for Preemies Could Make Us All Healthier Mon, May 20, 2019 FOE alum and NAE member John Rogers at Northwestern University has engineered small, sticker-like wireless biosensors that monitor necessary vital signs—all without the need for large equipment and wiring. Read More
Desalinating Hypersaline Brines Thu, May 16, 2019 Ngai Yin Yip (JAFOE 2018) at Columbia University has engineered a process to treat hypersaline brines, which are produced by industrial processes such as oil and gas production and present a growing environmental concern around the world. Read More
Averting an L Train Apocalypse in NYC Mon, May 13, 2019 Columbia's Andrew Smyth (JAFOE 2012) engineered strategic repairs to New York's L train tunnel, which had been damaged by flooding during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The plan allowed normal operation on weekdays, with only minor adjustments to nighttime and weekend schedules. Read More
Using Reflection to Reduce Northern Sea-ice Loss Thu, May 09, 2019 Stanford's Leslie Field (USFOE 1995) has tested spreading powdered glass ‘microspheres’ over sea ice to increase its reflectivity and slow its melting, which could help slow the Earth’s warming. Read More
Engineering That Serves the Homeless Mon, May 06, 2019 At the University of Arkansas, NAE member Ajay Malshe (USFOE 2007) led student teams in providing recommendations based on materials engineering and manufacturing to build a self-managed community of low-cost housing for people experiencing chronic homelessness. Read More
FOE Alumni Elected to the National Academy of Sciences Thu, May 02, 2019 Congratulations to MIT's Paula Hammond, Columbia's Michal Lipson, Harvard's Zhigang Suo, and the University of Chicago's Matt Tirrell, who were elected to NAS this week. Forty percent of newly elected members are women, the most in any one year. Hammond, Suo, and Tirrell are also NAE members. Read More
Creating a Culture That Boosts Female Inventors Mon, April 29, 2019 Jayshree Seth (USFOE 2008) has secured more than 60 patents in a world once dominated by white men, thanks in part to 3M's commitment to information sharing and increasing the number of women in its technical ranks and management. Read More
Rare Toxic Cocktail from California Wildfires Thu, April 25, 2019 Purdue University's Andrew Whelton (USFOE 2018) is advising California on water contamination in Paradise with benzene, a known carcinogen, caused by last fall's Camp Fire and is pushing the state to authorize more sophisticated testing. Read More
3D Printed Metamaterials Offer Novel Optical Properties Mon, April 22, 2019 Sameer Sonkusale (USFOE 2015) at Tufts University has engineered 3D printed metamaterials with advanced microwave or optical properties inspired by the compound eye of a moth, with possible applications in healthcare, telecommunications, and imaging. Read More
Using Nano-Needles to Modify Plant Genes Thu, April 11, 2019 Markita Landry (USFOE 2017) at the University of California, Berkeley has engineered nanotubes to edit plant genes, which could lead to breeding new varieties of crop plants faster and easier. Read More
A Water Filter That Uses Bacteria to Kill Bacteria Mon, April 08, 2019 Young-Shin Jun (EU-US FOE 2016) at Washington University in St. Louis used bacteria to engineer a novel membrane technology to purify water while preventing biofouling, or buildup of bacteria and other harmful microorganisms that reduce the flow of water. Read More
A Biosensor for Faster Parkinson’s Diagnosis Thu, April 04, 2019 The University of Central Florida's Sudipta Seal (USFOE 2009) has engineered a new dopamine biosensor that could speed up diagnosis of conditions such as Parkinson’s and depression. Read More
Innovative Sensor for Bridges Mon, April 01, 2019 Shantanu Chakrabartty (JAFOE 2014) at Washington University in St. Louis has engineered a novel low-cost sensing technology to dramatically transform the economics of bridge preservation and management and ultimately improve the serviceability of bridges. Read More
Study Links Celebrex with Heart Valve Calcification Thu, March 28, 2019 FOE alum W. David Merryman, a bioengineer at Vanderbilt University, analyzed big data to find a link between heart valve calcification and Celebrex, a popular arthritis drug that was previously declared safe. Read More