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College of Engineering News

A modern building lit up at night

Oct 30, 2026
Institute for Energy Efficiency invests in energy-efficient AI, data centers, and quantum technologies

Five projects led by UCSB engineers have received seed funding from the Institute for Energy Efficiency.

Source: The Current
C Santa Barbara materials professors Chris Palmstrom (left) and Chris Van de Walle (center) pose with physics professor and Nobel laureate Michel Devoret (right) inside the colleges OASIS innovation facility. Picture taken by Matt Perko, Office of Public Affairs and Communications

Oct 29, 2026
Rebuilding the Heart of a Quantum Computer

Three UC Santa Barbara researchers bring complementary strengths to a $27.9 million NSF institute tackling one of superconducting quantum computing’s longstanding limitations.

Illustration by Jeremy Guay depicting a disaster response scene with collapsed buildings, smoke, emergency vehicles, and first responders. Wireless antennas and a mobile base station transmit signals across the area, while an augmented-reality display shows the locations of responders, a detected victim, hazards, and a safe route.

Oct 27, 2026
Finding People When GPS Fails

UCSB’s Upamanyu Madhow is developing ways to use wireless signals to locate people and detect movement when disasters compromise communications and visibility.  

Researcher in blue lab coat, safety glasses, and gloves looks at a microscope slide

Oct 27, 2026
Can Microbes Help Solve the Plastic Waste Problem?

As a 2026 Gloria Moy Petersen Fellow, bioengineer Carolyn Mills wants to find out.

A man lit by red light looking down toward a small device in his hand

Oct 25, 2026
Red MicroLEDs Developed at UCSB Achieve Record Efficiency

The advance could enable more energy-efficient optical communications in data centers and support next-generation displays.

Source: The Current
Medical illustration of a blood clot obstructing a blood vessel in the brain, restricting blood flow.

Oct 14, 2026
Brain Surgery by Autonomous Robot? It's Possible — and Could Save Lives

UCSB researchers are developing an autonomous robotic system that could navigate the brain’s blood vessels, remove dangerous clots, and make lifesaving stroke treatment more accessible.

Source: The Current
UCSB assistant professor Nina Miolane seated in a red chair, with assistant professor Haewon Jeong standing next to her.

Oct 05, 2026
Much More Than the Sum of Its Parts

Powerhouse team of UCSB professors wins NSF award to use AI to discover scientific laws for group interactions.

An artist rendering of an electron tunneling from an individual nitrogen atom to a nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond.

Oct 05, 2026
How Electrons Find Their Way to Diamond's Quantum Defects

An international team of researchers reveals the pivotal role of tunneling in charging the diamond NV center.

Image of laboratory instrument in the research lab of UCSB faculty member Bolin Liao

Oct 02, 2026
UCSB Mechanical Engineer Receives Moore Foundation Award

As a 2026 Experimental Physics Investigator, Bolin Liao will develop platform for imaging and controlling quantum interactions with 2D materials. 

Source: The Current
Stylized photo of a researcher at a colorful optical table

Oct 01, 2026
UCSB Researchers to Collaborate in Three of NSF's Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes

Electrical and computer engineering professor Daniel Blumenthal is part of $290 million renewal of quantum science program.

Source: The Current
Materials professor Craig Hawker speaks in front of a crowd gathered during the Innovation 360 workshop

Sep 28, 2026
Preparing Bioengineers for What Comes Next

AIChE fellowship will support Michelle O’Malley’s efforts to broaden early-career researchers’ view of how discoveries move from the lab into the world.

A student wearing a headset works at a laptop while taking notes at a desk.

Sep 28, 2026
Applications Open for UCSB's New Online Master of Engineering & Technology Leadership Program

New professional degree combines advanced technical education with leadership and management training.

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