News: MAE

The award was announced in early September and is part of NASA’s Space Technology Research Grants Program. Through the ECF award program NASA supports early career faculty in their efforts to examine the theoretical feasibility of ideas and approaches that are critical to making science, space travel, and exploration more effective, affordable, and sustainable. Sobhani’s proposal aims to use machine learning and novel ionic liquids to develop thermally stable, low viscosity, high-performance heat transfer fluids. Spacecraft encounter extreme thermal environments once they are beyond Earth’s... Read more

From exploring the mechanics of early-stage bone metastasis to analyzing price formation policies in wholesale electricity markets, Cornell Engineering’s Sprout Awards are funding unique research projects with the potential to grow partnerships across Cornell. Read more

Savransky, who joined the faculty of Cornell’s Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in 2014, is one of 89 new Senior Members from 17 countries. Savransky’s research at Cornell has included varied topics that share a common focus on detecting and characterizing extrasolar planets. The topics have included investigations of advanced control and estimation for active wavefront control systems; computer vision and machine learning applications for automated optical system alignment and astronomical image post-processing; optimal scheduling for autonomous space observatories and... Read more

As concerns about climate change intensify, researchers are exploring the potential for large-scale human intervention in the Earth’s climate system, a strategy sometimes referred to as geoengineering. Two leading researchers in the area discuss how their research in sunlight reflection methods fits into the bigger picture of potential climate solutions. Read more

With artificial intelligence poised to assist in profound scientific discoveries that will change the world, Cornell is leading a new $11.3 million center focused on human-AI collaboration that uses mathematics as a common language. Read more

Varda’s goal is to create a fleet of satellites that will be used to carry out pharmaceutical research in the microgravity of Earth’s orbit. In the recent test, Varda’s 200-pound satellite successfully separated from the rocket. Eventually, Varda will have a fleet of research and production capsules that will grow specific protein crystals while in space. These capsules will then de-orbit and parachute back to Earth, where the pharmaceutical materials inside will be used to make prescription drugs. Past studies have shown that growing some protein crystals in space leads to more perfect... Read more

Graduating members of the Tri-Service Brigade received commissions to begin their military service – including the brigade’s first commission into the U.S. Space Force – at a May 26 ceremony in Statler Auditorium. Read more

From monitoring blood pressure to potholes: Professor Max Zhang's Internet of Things (IoT) course teaches students how to leverage IoT sensor technology to solve real-world problems and help the community. Read more

Cornell Engineering has announced the winners of its seventh annual Engineering Innovation Competition, which recognizes innovative product concepts and prototypes from students. Read more

The Trustees noted Zhang’s dedication to academic excellence, environmental justice, and community engagement as well as his work’s focus on moving toward a sustainable and equitable society. Zhang, who joined the faculty of Cornell Engineering in 2006, has focused much of his research on projects that have an impact in real people’s real lives. Working with community partners, he leads several efforts on the electrification of the heating sector, characterization of renewable resources and solar development. Zhang is also contributing to the understanding of the effects of airborne... Read more