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College of Engineering news

Researchers celebrate achieving a plasma from the control room at the Wisconsin HTS Axisymmetric Mirror Project (WHAM) experiment
July 18, 2024

First plasma marks major milestone in UW–Madison fusion energy research

A fusion device at the University of Wisconsin–Madison generated plasma for the first time Monday, opening a door to making the highly anticipated, carbon-free energy source a reality. Over the…

Corn field
July 16, 2024

Upcycling discarded plants: New UW-Madison center to harness energy, nutrients from biomass

The nonprofit Schmidt Sciences and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) have selected a multi-institution group of researchers to establish the new Center for Mineral and Metal Oxide…

Consortium for Holistic Steel Systems members John Klein, Hannah Blum, Andrea Hicks and Thomas Sputo
June 27, 2024

With a strong foundation, new steel consortium at UW-Madison blends sustainability with structural integrity

A new research consortium at the University of Wisconsin-Madison leverages structural engineering research excellence and the applied experience of industrial partners. Hannah Blum, an associate professor of civil and environmental…

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…

PhD student Kevin Stindt and Associate Professor Megan McClean
June 17, 2024

Transfer tech: A new method for manipulating fungi in microbiomes

By targeting the bacteria in microbiomes, scientists can improve human gut health, bolster the hardiness of agricultural crops, and treat wastewater. Bacteria aren’t the only members of microbiomes, though. Fungi…

UW Crest with engineering background
June 14, 2024

Researchers distill the facts of a chemical separation process (and upend a decades-old theory)

Since it was developed a few decades ago, the chemical separation process of organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN), has drawn attention for its potential to revolutionize vital industries, including those in…

Christy Remucal
June 5, 2024

Finding PFAS: New Center of Excellence will amplify ability to detect and identify ‘forever chemicals’

Federal support is helping the University of Wisconsin-Madison broaden its ability to study potentially harmful “forever chemicals” that are infiltrating our soil and water. Christy Remucal, a professor of civil…

Benedikt Geiger and PhD student Michael Gerard with HSX
June 5, 2024

How modifying magnetic fields can tame turbulence in fusion devices

In magnetic confinement fusion devices, an unruly plasma is a big obstacle to harnessing fusion as a clean energy source. This turbulence in the plasma, which isn’t fully understood, causes…