The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and the European Council of Academies of Applied Sciences, Technologies, and Engineering (Euro CASE) invited MechSE professor Kyle Smith to participate in The Grainger Foundation Frontiers of Engineering 2026 EU-US Symposium (EU-US FOE). The symposium was hosted at the University of Chicago this week, November 2 to 5.
Smith presented his work on electrochemical desalination using battery electrodes patterned with flow channels as part of a session on Water Security.
“I was grateful to interact with other researchers from the U.S. and the EU to learn about their alternative approaches and perspectives on the broad field of water separations. In addition, learning about the various other themes represented there may result in connections that I didn’t anticipate beforehand.
“During my time at Illinois I have found it helpful to acknowledge that there is a continuum space defined by awareness and understanding of mechanisms, spanning from known to unknown, across that two-dimensional space. Through activities like this, I enjoy opportunities that increase my understanding of problems of which I am already aware, while being surprised about mechanisms of which I was previously unaware. This idea applies regarding fundamental technical aspects and application or human factors. Given that participants from both academic and industry were represented, I had opportunities for learning in both respects.”
The symposium brought together approximately 60 emerging engineering leaders to discuss cutting-edge research and technical work across a range of engineering fields. This year, four themes were covered: 1) The Human Electronics Nexus: Soft Robotics and Bio integrated Materials; 2) Generative AI for Physics and Matter; 3) Neuromorphic Computing: Post Von Neumann Architectures, Hardware and Physical Computing; and 4) Water Security: Desalination and Blue Energy, Nanofluidics and Separation.
Through its domestic and bilateral symposia, the Frontiers of Engineering program connects engineers across disciplines, sectors, and countries, expanding their professional networks and exposing them to new perspectives and approaches. Challenging participants to engage with developments and issues beyond their own fields can foster collaboration, encourage the transfer of techniques across disciplines and national contexts, and build lasting relationships among the next generation of engineering leaders.
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Kyle Smith is an associate professor of mechanical science and engineering in The Grainger College of Engineering. He is an affiliate of materials science and engineering, computational science and engineering, and the Beckman Institute.