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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…

Lukas Desorcy takes a microscope image of a diffusion welded sample
March 16, 2026

The safety breakthrough behind tomorrow’s compact nuclear reactors

Compact heat exchangers could enable advanced nuclear reactors that are smaller, more efficient and more affordable—but a critical step in their adoption is verifying they can withstand the high temperatures and possibly high pressures in…

October 7, 2025

With major U.S. investment, UW-Madison leads effort to advance abundant fusion energy for all

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is leading a major multi-institution project to develop and test a critical fusion technology—research that will directly benefit commercial fusion power plant developers. A $19 million Fusion Innovative Research Engine (FIRE)…

August 21, 2025

Ultra-rugged sensor can monitor molten salt chemistry in energy systems

A team of University of Wisconsin-Madison engineers has developed a sensor that can be easily integrated with high-temperature molten salt systems to safely monitor the salt’s purity. The sensor, which can withstand the harsh environment…

Professor Xiaoping Qian holds the 3D-printed optimized heat exchanger
May 6, 2025

Tapping a new toolbox, engineers buck tradition in new high-performing heat exchanger

By combining topology optimization and additive manufacturing, a team of University of Wisconsin-Madison engineers created a twisty high-temperature heat exchanger that outperformed a traditional straight channel design in heat transfer, power density and effectiveness. And…

May 6, 2025

In an increasingly energy-hungry world, nuclear power is enticing.

With new interest nationally and in our state, there’s a nuclear energy renaissance in the works. Fission reactors already generate reliable and robust energy, without producing greenhouse gas emissions. Nuclear…

Alastair Big Luna
April 9, 2025

From finance to fission: Nontraditional student makes bold move for PhD

Alastair Big Luna (PhDME ’25) speaks deliberately and calmly, even though he’s unsure what the next chapter of his life will bring. As a father of three who moved across…

hero energy graphic
March 15, 2024

Energy Reservoirs

We’re capturing the potential in a portfolio of new, more sustainable storage technologies. Every year, renewable resources like wind and solar become a larger slice of the energy mix in…

nuclear reactor
September 1, 2021

UW-Madison engineers receive $3.6M in DOE nuclear research awards

The U.S. Department of Energy recently awarded more than $48.8 million through its Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP) to support university-led nuclear energy research and development projects, including a total of about $3.6 million awarded…

February 26, 2021

Focus on new faculty: Ben Lindley, designing advanced nuclear reactors

Even as industry moves forward with developing next-generation nuclear reactors, there are a variety of scientific and technological questions that still need to be answered. “With these new reactor types,…