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College of Engineering news

Stock photo of rural farm
November 4, 2024

With up to $50 million, team will improve energy access for rural Wisconsin residents

The University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering is partnering on a grant of up to $50 million to bring smart grid technology to rural and underserved communities throughout Wisconsin. In…

PhD student David Skrovanek and Professor Daniel Ludois
October 18, 2024

An ocean of possibilities: Electrostatic machines could make wave energy a reality

Wind, solar and hydropower are a good start when it comes to renewable energy, but the real prize is lurking just off the coast: There’s enough energy produced by ocean…

iStock GPU
October 11, 2024

Investment in AI hardware gives optics and photonics research a major boost

There are a lot of reasons why artificial intelligence burst into the mainstream in the last few years—but one of the biggest factors has been the rapid advancement of graphics…

Fernando Alvarado and the first cohort of sustainability scholars
September 13, 2024

Sustainability scholars program is a win-win for graduate and undergraduate engineers

Professor Emeritus Fernando Alvarado spent 30 years in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, studying renewable energy, power systems pricing and computer applications in…

Phillip A Levy Engineering Center spelled out on the entrance of the new UW-Madison College of Engineering Building
September 11, 2024

With $75 million gift for new UW-Madison engineering building, brothers’ impact spans generations and transcends campus boundaries

A historic $75 million gift will fuel construction of a much-needed new engineering building at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With their lead gift—the largest single gift in college history—brothers and…

PhD student Jiahao Zhao
September 3, 2024

New antenna design thwarts attempts to sidetrack or steal sensitive information

By blocking “backdoor” access, an antenna developed by University of Wisconsin-Madison engineers may enable both military personnel and ordinary citizens to keep their communications more private and secure. Called a…

Communications satellite
July 1, 2024

Through years of hard work, a promising new ‘low-work-function’ cathode material is poised to fill vacuum electronics

A multi-year collaboration between electrical and materials science engineers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has resulted in a promising new electron emission cathode material, a key component in modern vacuum…

Power lines
June 25, 2024

Just in time for summer storms and big heat waves, new tools may help electrical grid operators mitigate major blackouts

A new suite of software tools will allow the nation’s electrical grid managers to detect and track instabilities in real time. Developed by engineers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Washington…

A multifunctional sensing sticker
June 19, 2024

Printed sensors in soil could help farmers improve crop yields and save money

University of Wisconsin-Madison engineers have developed low-cost sensors that allow for real-time, continuous monitoring of nitrate in soil types that are common in Wisconsin. These printed electrochemical sensors could enable…

Mahima Gupta
June 17, 2024

Focus on new faculty: Mahima Gupta is designing power converters for the electric revolution

Power converters are an essential component of many electrical systems, from a smartphone or electric car to the electric grid. These devices flip current from AC to DC or DC…