ME 903 Graduate Seminar: Professor Deema Totah
2025-03-06 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | 3M Auditorium, rm 1106 Mechanical Engineering Building, 1513 University Ave, Madison, 53711
The ME 903: Graduate Student Lecture Series features campus and visiting speakers who present on a variety of research topics in the field of mechanical engineering. Professor Deema Totah is a professor at the University of Iowa.

Welcome Back, Badger - Jeff Roznowski
2025-03-07 09:55 - 10:45 | 1800 Engineering Hall, 1415 Engineering Drive, Madison, 53706
Please help us welcome Alumnus Jeff Roznowski (BSIE, MBA) as he shares insight from his professional journey since graduating from UW-ISyE.

All students are welcome!

Jeff Roznowski

Jeff worked for many years in the telecommunications industry, culminating in his leadership role as President & Co-Founder of the Wisconsin Wireless Association. He is a former adjunct professor at MSOE, and is also a passionate public servant who has volunteered his leadership and expertise to several civic, government and philanthropic organizations.

ECE Research Seminar Series: Dr. Rich Mildren
2025-03-07 11:00 - 12:00 | 2239 Engineering Hall, 1415 Engineering Drive, Madison, 53711
2239 Engineering Hall

Sub-monolayer manipulation of diamond surfaces using a two-photon technique

Abstract:Engineering the termination and defects of diamond surfaces are important for quantum computing and sensing, and electronic applications. Techniques for manipulating the surface include processes based on plasma, chemical, electron and ion beams, and laser treatments. Although laser writing offers a convenient technique for defining complex surface patterns, its applications have been limited due to poor depth resolution and contamination via graphitization. We describe an unusual non-ablative UV laser direct-write technique for manipulating the surface chemistry and etching top-layers with sub-monolayer precision. This effect, which appears to be unique to diamond, is interesting from a surface physics perspective as well as applications in nano-scale engineering of diamond surfaces. The talk will describe the phenomenology of the process, and provide an example of where the process can be used to enhance surface electronics.

Rich Mildren

Biography:Rich Mildren is a Professor of Physics in the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Macquarie University. His research is in the development of novel and versatile photonic sources, instrumentation and applications. His PhD (1997) and early postdoctoral research (1998-2004) was in the plasma kinetics of high-power gas lasers. During this period, he was a visiting fellow at the National Research Council in Pisa, Italy. For 3 years (2005-2008) he led R&D for a University spin-off company in wavelength-switchable medical lasers, during which time he brought several medical laser products through to the stage of medical device regulatory approval. His most recent focus, conducted in the MQ Photonics Research Centre, is in photonics using advanced materials such as diamond. He has six awarded patents and authored 150+ peer-reviewed journal articles. He was the recipient of the Australian Museum Eureka Award for Outstanding Science for Safeguarding Australia in 2017 and elected an OSA Fellow in 2018.

Dr. Mildren’s visit is hosted by ECE Dugald C. Jackson Assistant Professor Jennifer Choy.

ECE RISE SEMINAR SERIES: Trustworthy AI - Chulin Xie
2025-03-07 12:00 - 13:00
Via Zoom

Improving Trustworthiness in Foundation Models: Assessing, Mitigating, and Analyzing ML Risks

AbstractAs machine learning (ML) models continue to scale in size and capability, they expand the surface area for safety and privacy risks, raising concerns about model trustworthiness and responsible data use. My research uncovers and mitigates these risks. In this presentation, I will focus on the three cornerstones of trustworthy foundation models and agents: safety, privacy, and generalization. For safety, I will introduce our comprehensive benchmarks designed to evaluate trustworthiness risks in Large Language Models (LLMs) and LLM-based code agents. For privacy, I will present a solution for protecting data privacy with a synthetic text generation algorithm under differential privacy guarantees. The algorithm requires only LLMs inference API access without model training, enabling efficient safe text sharing. For generalization, I will introduce our study on the interplay between the memorization and generalization of LLMs in logical reasoning during the supervised fine-tuning (SFT) stage. Finally, I will conclude with my future research plan for assessing and improving trustworthiness in foundation model-powered ML systems.

Chulin Xie

BioChulin Xie is a PhD candidate in Computer Science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, advised by Professor Bo Li. Her research focuses on the principles and practices of trustworthy machine learning, addressing the safety, privacy, and generalization risks of Foundation Models, agents, and federated (distributed) learning. Her work was recognized by an Outstanding Paper Award at NeurIPS 2023, a Best Research Paper Finalist at VLDB 2024, and press coverage like The Verge and TechCrunch. She was a recipient of 2024 Rising Star in Machine Learning and IBM PhD Fellowship. During her PhD, she gained industry experience through research internships at NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Google.

Zoom Link

Mechanics Seminar Series: Professor Nicholas Boechler
2025-03-07 12:05 - 12:55 | 3M Auditorium, rm 1106 Mechanical Engineering Building, 1513 University Ave, Madison, 53711
The Mechanics Seminar Series is a weekly seminar given by campus and visiting speakers on topics across the spectrum of mechanics research (solids, fluids, and dynamics). Professor Nicholas Boechler is a professor at the University of California San Diego.

ME Faculty Candidate Seminar
2025-03-10 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-03-12 12:00 - 13:00 | 2188 Mechanical Engineering Building, 1513 University Avenue, Madison, WI, 53706, United States
Join the Department of Mechanical Engineering for Faculty Candidate Seminars during the Spring 2025 semester.

These will take place on Mondays and Wednesdays of each week from 12-1pm in room 2188 ME Building.

ECE Seminar Series in Advanced Semiconductor Materials and Devices - Dr. Bei Shi
2025-03-11 12:00 - 13:00 | 4610 Engineering Hall, 1415 Engineering Drive, Madison, 53711
4610 Engineering Hall

Monolithic Integration of III-V Optoelectronic Devices on Silicon by SelectiveArea Heteroepitaxy

Abstract:Silicon photonics is a cornerstone of next-generation data communications, heterogeneous computing, and quantum technologies, enabling large-scale photonic integration. On-chip optical interconnects in photonic integrated circuits (PICs) overcome the limitations of electronic interconnects, providing higher transmission speeds and bandwidth. However, silicon’s indirect bandgap restricts its optoelectronic performance, necessitating the heterogeneous integration of III-V compound semiconductors to enhance PIC functionality, reduce energy consumption, and enable scalable applications. In this seminar, I will present my research on wafer-scale monolithic integration of III-V optoelectronic devices on silicon photonic chips leveraging advanced heteroepitaxy techniques. This includes high-quality III-V heteroepitaxy on silicon, with a focus on quantum dot (QD) lasers and indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) shortwave infrared photodetectors. I will also introduce selective area heteroepitaxy of QD lasers on large- scale silicon photonic wafers and their monolithic integration with silicon nitride waveguides for low-loss facet coupling. Finally, I will discuss future perspectives on novel III-V/Si heteroepitaxy and integration architectures for energy-efficient AI and quantum information processors.

Bei Shi

Bio:Bei Shi is a Principal Scientist at Aeluma, Inc., a Santa Barbara-based startup commercializing large-scale III-V materials and devices integration on silicon, and a Research Specialist at University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). He earned his Ph.D. from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) in 2018, advised by Prof. Kei May Lau, and later joined UCSB as a postdoctoral scholar under Prof. Jonathan Klamkin. His research focuses on heterogeneous integration of silicon photonics via advanced heteroepitaxy, quantum dot lasers for AI hardware and data centers, and shortwave infrared avalanche photodetectors for LiDAR, sensing, and quantum applications. Dr. Shi has authored 70+ journal and conference papers (Optica, ACS Photonics, APL), delivered three invited talks and served as a session chair/committee member at major international conferences. Additionally, Dr. Shi filed six U.S. patents, served as a Guest Editor for MDPI Crystals/Sensors, and received the 2019 Charles Kao Best Paper Award in Industry Innovation. He is also a Principal Investigator leading DoD- and NASA-funded projects to develop monolithic integration of quantum dot lasers on scalable silicon photonics platforms for diverse cutting-edge applications.

NEEP Seminar: Ashish Avachat, University of Pittsburgh
2025-03-11 12:00 - 13:00
Tuesday, March 1112:00-1:00pmERB 106Remote Participation: Please contact office@ep.wisc.edu for the Zoom link.

Title: Radiation-based Computational Imaging and Ontology

Abstract: In recent years, the modern smart phone cameras have leapfrogged the traditional cameras by employing the principles of computational imaging. Similar to the distinctions between such computational photography and the traditional photography, the radiation-based computational imaging and its traditional counterpart have two major distinctions. One, radiation-based computational imaging systems utilize a tight integration of instrumentation, for example, radiation source and image acquisition system, with the computer algorithms that are used for image formation, reconstruction, and analyses. And, two, radiation-based computational imaging systems use joint-optimization of the said instrumentation and algorithms to improve the image quality. By using this twofold philosophy of computational imaging comprising tight integration and joint-optimization–wherein we apply computational methods to the noisy, incomplete, and perhaps distorted raw measurements that are acquired at a minimum costs of time and radiation–we can reconstruct a “true image” with the best possible image quality for a given imaging task, for example, nuclear fuel characterization for fuel qualification. Given the surge of interest in nuclear energy and development of new generation of nuclear reactors, at the core of which are the nuclear test fuels and materials, I believe that the nuclear fuel and materials characterization is the cornerstone of a resilient and sustainable energy future. Because of the complexity of the nuclear fuels, especially during and after irradiation, they are considered to be one of the most challenging objects for imaging and analysis. Overcoming these challenges will not only deepen our understanding of nuclear fuels but also stimulate the development of imaging and analysis techniques that are applicable to a broader spectrum of objects across various engineering and scientific disciplines. And, the lessons learned from the development and optimization of these imaging and analysis techniques for non-nuclear applications will directly benefit nuclear fuel and materials characterization. Therefore, research on nuclear fuel characterization and on development of radiation-based imaging systems exist in a mutualistic symbiosis. In this seminar, I will present my contributions to the fields of radiation-based computational imaging and nuclear fuel characterization. With these past contributions as a backdrop, I will then discuss my future research thrusts, which are directed at capitalizing the mutualist symbiosis between nuclear fuel and materials characterization and development of innovative imaging and analysis techniques to contribute significantly to nuclear engineering and engineering physics and beyond.

Speaker: Ashish Avachat, University of Pittsburgh

Bio: Ashish Avachat is a research assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science at the University of Pittsburgh. His research is dedicated to developing radiation-based computational imaging systems and noise-robust ontology techniques for better characterizing objects—in their natural states—from nuclear engineering and other engineering and science disciplines. Prior to joining the University of Pittsburgh, Ashish was a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Ashish received his M.S. and Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology.

This seminar is presented by the Institute for Nuclear Energy Systems and the Nuclear Engineering & Engineering Physics Department.

ECE RISE SEMINAR SERIES: Clean Energy Technologies - Dr. Dorsa Talebi
2025-03-12 12:00 - 13:00 | 4610 Engineering Hall, 1415 Engineering Drive, Madison, 53711
4610 Engineering Hall

Electrical Drive Systems: Lightweight and Scalable Propulsion for Aerospace and Sustainable Energy

Abstract:As AI and machine learning revolutionize software and computing, as our transportation is being electrified, global energy needs are growing dramatically. At the core of energy conversion and motion systems, electrical drive systems are the unsung heroes—powering everything from the wheels of electric cars to the propellers that lift air taxis into the sky to the emerging humanoid robots. This presentation will outline the developments to shape the next era of electric drive systems for air vehicle electrification and sustainable energy.Join this talk to explore how non-traditional axial flux machines are pushing the boundaries of electric powertrain technology, achieving an unprecedented 14.8 kW/kg power-to-mass ratio—nearly three times the state-of-the-art 5 kW/kg benchmark of commercial systems today. This breakthrough is made possible through amultidisciplinary integration of electric machine design, advanced thermal management, and next-generation manufacturing techniques, delivering over 94% efficiency at the takeoff for an aircraft flight profile and redefining what’s possible for electric transportation in the future.Beyond aviation, electrification of transportation presents new challenges, including geopolitical concerns surrounding rare-earth materials. This talk will introduce the development of rare-earth-free motors, a transformative step toward sustainable electrification—impacting not only traction motors but also renewable energy applications like wind turbine generators. This innovation builds upon conventional wound-field synchronous machines but eliminates the need for additional mechanical or electrical exciters. Instead, by leveraging existing stationary coil sets and systematic harmonic injection, the excitation magnetic field is generated on the rotor without the use of brushes or permanent magnets. This novel approach merges the fundamentals of conventional electric machines with a modern harmonic excitation approach and simple and robust rotating power electronics.The presentation will conclude with a summary of upcoming research trends and opportunities.

Bio:Dorsa Talebi earned her Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Texas A&M University in 2024 under the supervision of Prof. Toliyat. Her research focuses on advancing unconventional electric machine designs, with integrated cooling systems, particularly axial flux machines, to enable hyper-efficient,lightweight solutions for aircraft propulsion, drones, robotics, and more. During her graduate studies, Dorsa gained industry experience in powertrain R&D through internships at Tesla and Lucid Motors and co-invented a rare-earth-free electric machine, addressing material sustainability challenges while achieving high-performance electric drive systems for electric traction and renewable energy applications, supported by Texas A&M’s Advancing Discovery to Market (ADM) funding. Her expertise spans electric machine design and the multidisciplinary co-design of power electronic converter, thermal management systems, and structural components.Dorsa holds multiple issued U.S. patents and patent applications and has authored multiple papers published in various IEEE conferences and journals. Her achievements include several awards and scholarships, such as the Texas A&M Energy Institute Graduate Fellowship. Dorsa is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the Advanced Electrical Machines & Power Electronics (EMPE) Lab at Texas A&M University.

Artificial Intelligence in Research: Ethical Challenges and Considerations
2025-03-12 16:00 - 17:00
Wednesday, March 12 at 4:00pmEngineering Hall 2309

Host: Dr. Carolina Quintana-Kuether

Guest Speaker: Laura Grossenbacher, Director of Undergraduate Program Review and Director of Technical Communication Program in the College of Engineering

Title: Artificial Intelligence in Research: Ethical Challenges and Considerations

Abstract: As AI tools become more available and essential in modern engineering, it is crucial for students and professionals alike to understand not only the benefits but also the ethical challenges that arise. Whether you are a student new to AI or an experienced researcher, this discussion will deepen your understanding of the ethical considerations and impact of AI technologies in society, research integrity, and the future of engineering. Join us for this compelling session and take away practical insights that will guide you as you navigate this exciting, yet complex, world of AI in your work.

Bio: Laura Grossenbacher is Director of Undergraduate Program Review and Director of the Technical Communication Program in the College of Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin and has been teaching courses in engineering communication and ethics for over twenty-five years to both undergraduates and graduate students in the UW Madison College of Engineering.

Since year 2012 she has been developing ethics cases for use with a variety of different Professional Engineering groups, including engineers working for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, American Transmission Company, Madison Gas and Electric, WE Energies, Realtime Utility, the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, and the American Water Resources Administration. She has also held ethics workshops for the Wisconsin Structural Engineering Code Refresher Annual Conference, the Wisconsin Concrete Pavement Association, the Wisconsin Society for Landscape Architects, and the American Society for Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers.

Her ethics workshops are designed to engage engineers and other professionals in discussing and applying codes of ethics, moral theory, and behavioral science to practical cases. She is a member of the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics (APPE), and a current co-chair, with Rider Foley, of the Online Ethics Center Community of Practice in Teaching Engineering Ethics. Her most recent conference workshops have been for the annual ABET Symposium and at the American Society for Engineering Education on using applied ethics cases to interrogate challenges with power and inclusivity.

ISyE- Make pins for Pi(e) day!
2025-03-12 18:00 - 19:00 | 2255 Engineering Hall, 1415 Engineering Drive, Madison, 53711
2255 Engineering Hall

Have you ever wanted a customized pin to put on your backback, hat, or totebag? Now you can with IISE! We will have all the supplies for you to create designs of your choice to make your very own pins for an early Pi Day celebration! Speaking of Pi, we will have FREE PIE at this event! Come by for an exciting Pin Social with Pi(e).

NEEP Seminar: Sébastien Philippe, Princeton University
2025-03-13 12:00 - 13:00
Thursday, March 13 12:00 – 1:00pmERB 106Remote Participation: Please contact office@ep.wisc.edu for the Zoom link.

Title: Reducing Global Nuclear Risks Through Science, Engineering, and Policy

Abstract: Global nuclear risks—including nuclear weapons use, proliferation, and arms racing—are growing amid renewed geopolitical tensions. Addressing these challenges requires an interdisciplinary framework that integrates scientific modeling, engineering innovation, and policy analysis. In this talk, I will discuss how nuclear weapon effects modeling and verification technologies can guide risk-reduction strategies. I will present recent work using atmospheric transport and dispersion methods to model fallout from nuclear explosions—including historical tests like Trinity—and assess the humanitarian and environmental consequences of nuclear war. I will also highlight how integrating radiation detection, remote sensing, and cryptographic protocols can overcome verification challenges and enable new strategic arms control initiatives. Finally, I will outline a research agenda integrating space-based sensors and robotics to enhance nuclear safeguards and monitoring as well as advancing engineering level-code to support the safe deployment of fusion energy and next-generation nuclear technologies.

Speaker: Sébastien Philippe, Princeton University

Bio: Dr. Sébastien Philippe is a Research Scholar and Co-Principal Investigator at Princeton University’s Program on Science and Global Security (SGS), where he develops technical solutions to assess and reduce nuclear weapon risks. He earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Princeton and completed his postdoctoral training at Harvard. Before his academic career, he worked as a nuclear weapon system safety engineer for the French Ministry of Armed Forces. Dr. Philippe is the author of an award-winning book on the legacy of French nuclear testing in the Pacific, as well as two dozen peer-reviewed publications and major technical and policy reports on fissile materials and nuclear weapons issues. He regularly briefs policymakers and speaks at the United Nations, where he currently serves as a scientific advisor. His work has been featured in The New York Times, CNN, Science, Nature and other major media outlets worldwide. This year, Dr. Philippe is receiving the 2025 Joseph A. Burton Forum Award from the American Physical Society, recognizing “outstanding contributions to the public understanding and resolution of issues at the interface of physics and society.”

This seminar is presented by the Institute for Nuclear Energy Systems and the Nuclear Engineering & Engineering Physics Department.

BME Seminar Series: Wei Qiu
2025-03-13 12:00 - 13:00 | 2188 Mechanical Engineering Building, 1513 University Avenue, Madison, WI, 53706, United States
Understanding Aging at Multi-scale Using Explainable AI

Wei QiuPhD CandidateComputer Science and Engineering DepartmentUniversity of Washington

Abstract:As human lifespans continue to extend, it becomes increasingly critical to understand the aging process not only to increase lifespan but also to enhance healthspan. This talk explores how Artificial Intelligence (AI), coupled with Explainable AI (XAI), can illuminate the complex mechanisms of aging at multiple scales, enhancing our ability to predict and explain these processes transparently.

First, I will introduce my work in AI for personalized health insights. I will present the ENABL Age framework, which integrates AI and XAI to provide precise and interpretable assessments of biological aging. This model not only estimates biological age but also explicates the factors contributing to aging, offering insights for personalized health strategies.

Second, I will discuss my AI innovations in omics data analysis, with a focus on cancer as an age-related disease. I have designed DeepProfile, which analyzes large-scale cancer datasets to identify key biomarkers and pathways, enhancing our approach to precision oncology. Additionally, I have developed StrastiveVI, which further isolates aging-related signals from single-cell transcriptomic data, revealing universal aging patterns and facilitating targeted anti-aging interventions.

Third, the discussion will turn to our pioneering work in the automated generation of plain language, democratizing access to complex biomedical findings and enhancing public health literacy. This work advances biomedical communication by enabling more comprehensible health-related information.

In conclusion, I will outline a vision for future directions in integrating transparent AI with aging research. This effort requires extensive collaboration across biology, clinical science, AI research, public health, and data science. Emphasizing a multidisciplinary approach, we aim to address the complex challenges associated with aging, paving the way for innovative solutions that not only enhance the precision but also the accessibility of healthcare.

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ME 903 Graduate Seminar: Professor Sam Kriegman
2025-03-13 16:00 - 17:00 | 3M Auditorium, rm 1106 Mechanical Engineering Building, 1513 University Ave, Madison, 53711
The ME 903: Graduate Student Lecture Series features campus and visiting speakers who present on a variety of research topics in the field of mechanical engineering. Professor Sam Kriegman is a professor at Northwestern University.

ISyE - Movie Night with HFES
2025-03-13 17:30 - 18:30 | 3210 Mechanical Engineering, 1513 University Ave., Madison, WI, 53706, United States
Dive into the world of digital product design with this insightful series.

Explore the creative process, challenges, and triumphs behind crafting user-centered experiences in the digital realm.

Free popcorn and drinks.

Sign up here!

ISyE - Student lunch
2025-03-14 11:30 - 12:00
3121 Mechanical Engineering

Come have FREE LUNCH prior to hearing from Binil Starly, the Director for the ASU School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks as he speaks on ISyE Cyber-Manufacturing: Delivering Manufacturing Services Over Web 3.0. More information about Binil Starly and his presentation can be found here.

ISyE - Cyber-Manufacturing: Delivering Manufacturing Services Over Web 3.0
2025-03-14 12:00 - 13:00 | 1163 Mechanical Engineering, 1513 Engineering Dr., Madison, WI, 53706, United States
Cybermanufacturing enables the shared use of networked manufacturing infrastructure to deliver manufacturing resources on-demand while maximizing capacity utilization, reducing consumption of natural and material resources, and reducing costs to product design and manufacturing. This talk will highlight three areas where our group has contributed to the understanding of Cybermanufacturing systems – 1) With the explosive growth of 3D product models, the data contained in them, may be used to democratize access and broaden those who are able to engage in product design and manufacturing; 2) Understanding of manufacturing capability available over the entire US through Natural Language Processing (NLP), and its interface with Large Language Models (like BERT & GPT-4); 3) Opportunities for a manufacturing two sided service marketplace, and our laboratory’s work in ‘computational mechanism design’. In the future, the digital connection across factories will also lead to Manufacturing Networks that are highly agile, distributed, and resilient. Emerging digital technologies such as Pervasive Sensing, Computational Intelligence, Edge-Fog-Cloud Computing, Digital Twins, Smart Automation, Intelligent Collaborative Robots etc., open new possibilities in the design of smart collaborative physical and digital networks of factories.

Bio: Binil Starly serves as the Founding School Director and Professor in the School of Manufacturing Systems & Networks at Arizona State University, leading a group of 21 faculty and more than 13 staff within the School. For the Fulton Schools of Engineering, he leads the Workforce Development strategy for Microelectronics and Advanced Manufacturing. He has over 20 years of experience in digital manufacturing in the areas of intelligent machines, decentralized manufacturing, additive manufacturing, and factory automation. His laboratory is working on technologies that merge the digital and the physical world towards advancing both discrete and continuous manufacturing processes. He has received the National Science Foundation CAREER award for research in bio-additive manufacturing, SME ‘20 Most Influential Professors in Smart Manufacturing’, SME Young Manufacturing Engineering Award (2011) and numerous teaching awards.

Mechanics Seminar Series: Professor Franck Vernerey
2025-03-14 12:05 - 12:55 | 3M Auditorium, rm 1106 Mechanical Engineering Building, 1513 University Ave, Madison, 53711
The Mechanics Seminar Series is a weekly seminar given by campus and visiting speakers on topics across the spectrum of mechanics research (solids, fluids, and dynamics). Professor Franck Vernerey is a professor at the University of Colorado Boulder.

BME Seminar Series: Shalin Mehta, PhD
2025-03-17 12:00 - 13:00 | 1003 (Tong Auditorium) Engineering Centers Building, 1550 Engineering Drive, Madison, WI, 53706, United States
Mapping cellular responses to perturbations with dynamic computational imaging and AI

Shalin Mehta, PhDPlatform LeaderComputational MicroscopyChan Zuckerberg Biohub

co-sponsors: Morgridge Institute for Research and the Center for Quantitative Cellular Imaging

Abstract:Discovery of biological mechanisms, drugs, and therapeutics is being accelerated by image-based profiling of cellular responses to perturbations. In this seminar, I will discuss our recent work on computational imaging to visualize the dynamic responses to perturbations and self-supervised learning to analyze the perturbations and responses.

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Biomechanics Faculty Candidate Seminar: Ronghui Wu
2025-03-17 12:00 - 13:00 | 2188 Mechanical Engineering Building, 1513 University Avenue, Madison, WI, 53706, United States

ISyE-Let's Dance!
2025-03-18 12:00 - 13:00
Back by popular demand and just in time for March Madness, Professor Laura Albert will share her advice on how to build a better bracket.

This will be a virtual event, and pre-registration is requested. After you register, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Laura Albert hosts the annual “Let’s Dance” event just in time for March Madness.

NEEP Seminar: Christopher Perfetti, University of New Mexico
2025-03-18 12:00 - 13:00
Tuesday, March 1812:00-1:00pmERB 106Remote Participation: Please contact office@ep.wisc.edu for the Zoom link.

Title: TBA

Abstract: TBA

Speaker: Christopher Perfetti, University of New Mexico

This seminar is presented by the Institute for Nuclear Energy Systems and the Nuclear Engineering & Engineering Physics Department.

ECE Discovery Panel: Applied Electromagnetics & Acoustics
2025-03-18 12:20 - 12:50 | 1413 Engineering Hall – Cheney Room, 1415 Engineering Drive, Madison, WI, 53711, United States
Engineering undergraduates! Join us in the Cheney Room (1413 Engineering Hall) as faculty members explore the technical area of Applied Electromagnetics & Acoustics! All undergraduate students are welcome as Assistant Professor Chu Ma, Assistant Teaching Professor Nathan Strachen, and Assistant Professor Haihan Sun talk about application ideas, advanced course electives in this area, and future job opportunities. It’s a great place to ask your questions about classes and career paths in this growing ECE field.

Come for the insights, stay for the pizza!

Invited Fluid Mechanics Seminar
2025-03-19 12:00 - 13:00 | 2188 Mechanical Engineering Building, 1513 University Avenue, Madison, WI, 53706, United States

CEE Mentor Night
2025-03-19 17:30 - 19:30 | Union South, Varsity III, 1308 West Dayton St, Madison, Wisconsin, 53715, United States
Share your career insights with the next generation of Badger engineers during Mentor Night on March 19 at Union South from 5:30-7:30 pm.

Register to be a CEE Mentor!

This event gives students an opportunity to learn about career focus areas within the fields of civil, environmental, and geological engineering through structured networking time with alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the CEE Department.

The event begins with light refreshments and snacks, followed by a brief remarks from Department Chair Greg Harrington and community networking in 15 minute increments. Mentors meet with students in small groups to provide career insights and guidance based on real-world experience and to foster discussion.

A list of possible talking points for mentors to consider will be provided in advance. Please feel free to contact Amanda Thuss with any questions.

NEEP Seminar: JungHyun Bae, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
2025-03-20 12:00 - 13:00
Thursday, March 20 12:00 – 1:00pmERB 106Remote Participation: Please contact office@ep.wisc.edu for the Zoom link.

Title: Cosmic Ray Muons for Spent Nuclear Fuel Monitoring, Geological Repository, Nuclear Security, and Quantum Computing

Abstract: The development of an effective monitoring method for spent nuclear fuel (SNF) in dry storage casks is important to meet the increasing demand for long-term storage safety assessments. An ideal monitoring technique should provide quantitative information on stored SNF and ensure material integrity without requiring the casks to be opened. However, conventional non-destructive examination (NDE) methods, such as X-ray imaging, are impractical due to the substantial shielding designed to contain radiation within dry storage casks. To overcome this limitation, cosmic ray muons have been explored as an alternative radiation probe, utilizing their ability to penetrate the entire dry storage system. This talk will introduce an advanced muon tomography system developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), which enhances existing methodologies by addressing limitations such as low muon flux.

Additionally, ongoing muon-related research activities at ORNL will be discussed, including: (1) the deployment of a muon telescope to investigate deep geological repository storage facilities, such as the Underground Research Laboratory or Yucca Mountain; (2) the development of a cosmic radiation noise cancellation algorithm to improve the detection sensitivity of radiation portal monitors for nuclear security and safeguards; and (3) the development of a quantum error correction algorithm to mitigate radiation-induced decoherence in superconducting qubits, caused by high-energy muons and gamma rays, with applications in enhancing the resilience of quantum computing systems.

Speaker: JungHyun Bae, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Bio: Dr. JungHyun Bae, appointed as a Eugene P. Wigner Distinguished Staff Fellow, joined Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 2022. He is a staff member of the Used Fuel and Nuclear Material Disposition group within the Nuclear Energy and Fuel Cycle Division. is current research focuses on developing an advanced muon tomography system for monitoring spent nuclear fuel casks, deep geological repository nuclear waste storage and management, and enhancing nuclear security and safeguards.

This seminar is presented by the Institute for Nuclear Energy Systems and the Nuclear Engineering & Engineering Physics Department.

ME 903 Graduate Seminar: Jason Woods
2025-03-20 16:00 - 17:00 | 3M Auditorium, rm 1106 Mechanical Engineering Building, 1513 University Ave, Madison, 53711
The ME 903: Graduate Student Lecture Series features campus and visiting speakers who present on a variety of research topics in the field of mechanical engineering. Jason Woods is researcher at NREL.

Mechanics Seminar Series: Professor Matt McHenry
2025-03-21 12:05 - 12:55 | 3M Auditorium, rm 1106 Mechanical Engineering Building, 1513 University Ave, Madison, 53711
The Mechanics Seminar Series is a weekly seminar given by campus and visiting speakers on topics across the spectrum of mechanics research (solids, fluids, and dynamics). Professor Matt McHenry is a professor at the University of California-Irvine.

ECE Seminar Series in Advanced Semiconductor Materials and Devices - Sebastian Fernández
2025-03-24 12:00 - 13:00 | 4610 Engineering Hall, 1415 Engineering Drive, Madison, 53711
4610 Engineering Hall

Enabling Perovskite Semiconductors for a Brighter, Safer, and Efficient World

Abstract: Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have enabled critical functionality across a range of applications, including solid-state lighting, displays, water purification, 3D printing, sensing, and more. Metal halide perovskite semiconductors are promising candidates for next-generation optoelectronic devices, including LEDs, due to their bandgap tunability, sharp color purity, and inexpensive processing. In this seminar, I will present my research towards optimizing the performance of emissive perovskite semiconductors in both the visible and ultraviolet (UV) spectrum. Focusing first on the visible spectrum, by replacing a portion of the lead with manganese and introducing tris(4-fluorophenyl)phosphine oxide (TFPPO) as an additive in organic-inorganic hybrid quasi-bulk perovskite thin films, we can achieve bright and efficient perovskite LEDs (PeLEDs). However, while the TFPPO additive boosts green Mn 2+ -doped PeLED efficiency, it also worsens its device stability. By utilizing repeated electrical scans and time-resolved photoluminescence measurements, we systematically study this efficiency-stability trade-off. Next, we employ emissive 2D lead halide perovskites to push light emission towards the UV spectrum. By engineering the films and corresponding device architectures, we can fabricate both 408 nm violet- emitting and 399 nm UV-emitting PeLEDs. Furthermore, to achieve deeper UV light emission, one must consider other materials beyond 2D lead halide perovskites. By investigating lead-free rare earth element-based perovskite materials, we show that cerium-based perovskite films can demonstrate 367 nm photoluminescent emission paving the way for deeper UV-emitting PeLEDs. Lastly, by combining organic spacer cations and europium halides, we showcase bright, lead-free perovskite nanoplatelets and enable new non-toxic pathways for both deep blue and violet light emission. Finally, I will share my vision for engineering next-generation perovskite optoelectronic and electronic devices for applications in displays, public health, quantum computing, microelectronics, and beyond.

Bio:Sebastian Fernández is a Stanford Diversifying Academia, Recruiting Excellence (DARE) Fellow, U.S. Department of Energy IBUILD Fellow, P. Michael Farmwald Stanford Graduate Fellow in Science & Engineering, GEM Fellow, and Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Electrical Engineering at Stanford University. Previously, Sebastian received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2019 and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University in 2021.

Sebastian Fernandez

Sebastian is passionate about teaching and has led his own Differential Equations recitation five times as a Georgia Tech undergraduate as well as uploading his lectures on YouTube and amassing over 350,000 views. Additionally, Sebastian has broadened participation within engineering by serving as the vice-chair of the Stanford School of Engineering’s Dean’s Graduate Student Advisory Council and co-founding the Stanford Engineering Research Introductions Organization, which he leads as president to prepare underrepresented undergraduate students for graduate school. Sebastian’s contributions have been recognized with several honors, including the 2024 Winner of the University of Washington Chemical Engineering Distinguished Young Scholars Seminar (DYSS) Series, University of California, Berkeley Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences BETR Solid State Technology and Devices Seminar Speaker, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Materials Science & Engineering Hard Materials Seminar Speaker, Rising Star in Materials Science and Engineering (MIT, Stanford, UIUC, and CMU), Northwestern University Materials Science and Engineering Future Leader and Department Seminar Speaker, University of Wisconsin-Madison WiscProf Selectee, NextProf Nexus Selectee (UC Berkeley, Georgia Tech, and UMichigan), Cadence LatinX Student in Technology Scholarship Winner, and the Georgia Institute of Technology Undergraduate Teaching Assistant of the Year Winner.
