focus area Intelligent systems and communication

The UW–Madison engineers use a solution process to deposit aligned arrays of carbon nanotubes onto 1 inch by 1 inch substrates. The researchers used their scalable and rapid deposition process to coat the entire surface of this substrate with aligned carbon nanotubes in less than 5 minutes. The team’s breakthrough could pave the way for carbon nanotube transistors to replace silicon transistors, and is particularly promising for wireless communications technologies. Photo: Stephanie Precourt

Connecting all of the dots

Our modern world depends on countless interconnected systems that shape the ways we live, work and communicate. Moving forward, those systems—from communication and computer networks to transportation systems—will continue to grow increasingly complex, dynamic and smart, leveraging advances in artificial intelligence, autonomous technology, machine learning, quantum sensing and more.

We’re engineering the future through:

Advances in hardware and software to improve performance, safeguard privacy and maintain security
Techniques that harness the power of data science to solve engineering problems
Forward-thinking approaches to designing and building infrastructure
Methodologies that enhance productivity, improve safety and transform work

What we are specifically focusing on

Human factors, ergonomics and socio-technical systems

Health systems engineering (industrial and systems engineering)
Human factors and ergonomics (industrial and systems engineering)

Computer systems and architecture

Computer systems and architecture (electrical and computer engineering)

Machine learning, signal processing and information theory

Machine learning, signal processing, and information theory (electrical and computer engineering)

Optimization and control

Optimization and control (electrical and computer engineering)
Robotics, Control and Sensing (mechanical engineering)

Quantum engineering and sensing

Solid-state electronics and quantum technologies (electrical and computer engineering)

Construction engineering and management

Construction engineering, materials & management (civil and environmental engineering)
Structural engineering (civil and environmental engineering)

Transportation engineering

Transportation engineering (civil and environmental engineering)
Human factors and ergonomics (industrial and systems engineering)

Engineering research news

We are known for world-changing discoveries, and we collaborate with each other, with colleagues across the globe, and with industry and government partners to develop solutions to the challenging problems not only of today, but of the future. Dig into our latest research news and endeavors!

All research news