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University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science


In major materials breakthrough, UVA team solves a nearly 200-year-old challenge in polymers

Researchers at UVA have developed a new polymer design that decouples stiffness and stretchability, allowing materials to be both strong and flexible. The 'foldable bottlebrush polymer networks' can store extra length within their structure, enabling them to elongate up to 40 times more than standard polymers without weakening.

UVA engineering professor will augment his students’ reality this spring

Devin Harris and his team have developed an augmented reality app, STRUCT-AR, that allows students to 'stress test' virtual bridges, beams, frames, and trusses. The app, which is set to be tested this spring, aims to improve students' understanding of structural behavior by providing a more interactive and immersive learning experience.

Unlocking next-gen chip efficiency: UVA researchers confirm thermal insights for tiny circuits

Researchers at the University of Virginia have confirmed a key principle governing heat flow in thin metal films, paving the way for advancements in technology and more efficient devices. The study validated Matthiessen's rule in ultra-thin copper films, providing a blueprint to mitigate thermal bottlenecks.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 4, 2024

UVA engineering professor secures federal small business grant to improve heat management in advanced microelectronics

Professor Patrick E. Hopkins of UVA School of Engineering and Applied Science has secured a $289,830 Small Business Innovation Research grant to develop a precise tool for measuring heat movement in microchips. The technology will enhance cooling and prevent overheating in next-generation devices.

Advancement in 3D-printed concrete promises strength, durability and lower carbon emissions

Researchers developed a more sustainable 3D-printed concrete material combining graphene with limestone and calcined clay cement. The new material offers enhanced strength and durability while significantly reducing carbon emissions, making it a powerful solution for addressing environmental challenges in 3D printed construction.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalJournal of Building Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 25, 2024

New AI model could make power grids more reliable amid rising renewable energy use

Researchers developed an AI model that addresses uncertainties in renewable energy generation and electric vehicle demand, making power grids more reliable. The model uses multi-fidelity graph neural networks to optimize solutions within seconds, improving grid performance even under unpredictable conditions.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalElectric Power Systems Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 24, 2024

UVA professor tackles graph mining challenges with new algorithm

A UVA professor has developed a new computational algorithm to find tightly connected clusters, or triangle-dense subgraphs, within large networks. This breakthrough can help uncover suspicious activity in fraud detection and identify community dynamics on social media with greater precision.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalIEEE Transactions on Knowledge and Data Engineering·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 18, 2024

UVA researchers pioneer AI-driven manufacturing efficiency breakthrough

Researchers at UVA have developed an AI-driven system that optimizes manufacturing processes, improving speed and quality while reducing waste. The system uses Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning to coordinate tasks in real-time, leading to faster production and reduced downtime across various industries.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalJournal of Manufacturing Systems·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 16, 2024

Nanoparticle therapy offers new hope for prostate cancer patients

A groundbreaking study has demonstrated the clinical success of a new nanoparticle-based, laser-guided therapy for prostate cancer treatment. The therapy successfully eliminated cancerous cells in 73% of patients after 12 months while preserving key functions and side effects.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalThe Journal of Urology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 16, 2024

UVA researchers engineer AI breakthrough in human action detection technology

Researchers at UVA's School of Engineering and Applied Science have developed an AI-driven intelligent video analyzer capable of detecting human actions with unprecedented precision and intelligence. The system, called SMAST, promises to transform industries such as surveillance, healthcare, and autonomous driving.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalIEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 16, 2024

Research by UVA faculty member could help prevent organ transplant rejection

Researchers have made breakthroughs in creating nanoparticles that can modify the immune system to accept transplanted organs without compromising it. This new approach has potential implications for treating diabetes, cell therapy, and autoimmune disorders, offering hope for patients who currently face rejection.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 4, 2024

UVA develops a ‘Google earth’ view of bone — with an eye toward disease prevention

A University of Virginia engineer developed a workflow to combine advanced imaging technologies for improved understanding of porous bone, which could inform disease detection. The method allows for three-dimensional rendering of bone structure across various length scales.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalScientific Reports·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 25, 2024

UVA research cracks the autism code, making the neurodivergent brain visible

A multi-university research team led by University of Virginia engineering professor Gustavo K. Rohde has developed a system that can accurately spot genetic markers of autism in brain images. The system uses generative computer modeling technique called transport-based morphometry, which reveals brain structure patterns that predict v...

UVA engineers design lookalike drug carrier to evade lung’s lines of defense

Researchers at the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science have designed a drug-carrying molecule that can slip past the lung's natural defenses. The nanocarrier, called PEG-BB, is shaped like a bottlebrush and mimics the properties of mucus, allowing it to move quickly through the airway.

UVA Engineering receives $900,000 grant to create character-building initiative

The University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science will create a character-building initiative with the new grant. The ECSI aims to develop future leaders who are prepared and motivated to apply values in professional contexts. UVA Engineering is committed to integrating character education into its undergraduate curr...

Organs on demand? UVA prints its first voxel building blocks

A UVA research team has developed biomaterials with controlled mechanical properties matching those of various human tissues, representing a significant leap in bioprinting technologies. Their unique digital assembly of spherical particles (DASP) technique can deposit particles of biomaterial in a supporting matrix to build 3D structur...

First-ever hurricane evacuation order database may hold keys to future readiness

A new US-based database of hurricane evacuation orders can help leaders and communities increase resilience, create better policy, and ultimately reduce loss of life. The HEvOD database includes nationwide public-facing evacuation orders from 2014-2022, offering insights into effective strategies for future emergencies.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 18, 2024

Navigating climate challenges: UVA engineers and environmental scientists aid Virginia’s eastern shore

A team of UVA civil and environmental engineers and environmental scientists have developed a web-based decision-support tool, called the Climate Equity Atlas, to help residents deal with the challenges caused by climate change. The tool combines historical environmental data and socioeconomic data to create a sophisticated predictive ...

University of Virginia team’s research offers hope for pulmonary fibrosis patients

A University of Virginia team has developed a new analytical tool using hydrogels to cultivate vascular sprouting from mouse lung tissue, providing new insight into idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The research aims to understand the biomechanical and biochemical cues to blood vessels in the lungs during disease progression.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalMicrocirculation·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 29, 2023

Way cool: UVA professor developing ‘freeze ray’ technology for the Air Force

UVA professor Patrick Hopkins is developing a 'freeze ray' technology to cool electronics in spacecraft and high-altitude jets, which can't be cooled by nature due to the vacuum of space. The technology uses heat-generating plasma to create localized cooling, and has been granted $750,000 by the Air Force.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 31, 2023

UVA-led discovery challenges 30-year-old dogma in associative polymers research

A University of Virginia-led study challenges traditional understanding of associative polymers' behavior, revealing that reversible bonds slow down polymer movement without creating a rubbery network. This discovery has implications for materials used in sustainability, health, and engineering applications.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 2, 2023

University of Virginia engineering researchers strive to match artistry of biological tissues

University of Virginia engineers develop a Minecraft-like, voxelated approach to create complicated structures comparable to human tissues and organs. They use droplets as the basic building blocks, assembling them into 3D constructs with precise location, composition, and properties.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalActa Biomaterialia·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 16, 2022