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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

Robust, safe and human-centered artificial intelligence

Active materials, autonomous systems and robotics

Communications, networks, privacy and security

Computer systems and architecture

Machine learning, signal processing and information theory

Optimization and control

Quantum engineering and sensing

Construction engineering and management

Transportation 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!