MechSE Magazine 2025
Reef Rebirth: How engineering could save the world's coral (special feature)
Watch the entire film series (with captions) on YouTube >>
Or immerse yourself in the deeply reported multimedia story.
Click the button to the right >>
Generations of observation and research have recorded significant changes in the world’s reefscapes. Coral reefs are known to be very sensitive to environmental factors such as temperature, pollution, and pH and oxygen levels. They are also impacted by the levels of different forms of algae, which in turn are subject to the same oceanic factors.
These complex organisms represent not only a critical component in the ocean machine, but also a resource for bio-inspired materials design. Illinois Grainger engineers and marine experts are using mechanical, materials, and environmental engineering in an effort to preserve our reefs.
For even more coral...
READ:
The Crochet Coral Reef is an artwork developed in 2021 responding to climate change and also a global community-based exercise in applied mathematics and evolutionary theory, as well as the U. of I. and Champaign-Urbana's participation in the work of art.
LISTEN:
Amy Wagoner Johnson was featured on two episodes of the
Redefining Energy Tech podcast:
Listen to Part 1 of the podcast >>
Listen to Part 2 of the podcast >>
WALL-E like you've never seen before (special feature)
WATCH:
Elizabeth Hsiao-Wecksler on her multiple robotics efforts geared toward improving mobility and quality of life for people with physical challenges.
WATCH:
Justin Yim talks about his vision for how robots could move in a much wider variety of ways.
Learn more about our faculty in the fields of robotics, autonomy, and control
Mickey Clemon
Sustainable manufacturing exploration >>
Safer sheep shearing >>
Nazanin Farjam
Precision manufacturing >>
Naira Hovakimyan
AVIATE Center >>
Drone design outreach project >>
Elizabeth Hsiao-Wecksler
Hands-free wheelchair prototype achieves major milestone >>
Prashant Mehta
Octopus model opens the door to soft robot control >>
Faculty News and Research
READ:
A new milestone in the study of octopus arms
Understand more about the research findings published by Mattia Gazzola and Prashant Mehta which describe an unprecedented computational model that captures the intricate muscular architecture of an octopus arm.
WATCH:
The model is in turn used to explain how structural mechanics dramatically simplify the control of the arm by automatically orchestrating complex three-dimensional recurrent motions out of simple muscle contraction patterns.
READ:
More details about Bill King's wide-ranging work in the manufacturing sector.
Launch of the Illinois Manufacturing Institute >>
$9M DoD center for large metal parts manufacturing >>
Using digital manufacturing to fight cancer >>
WATCH:
Bill King talks about designing next-generation additive manufacturing systems.
READ:
MechSE's Harley Johnson is the new Executive Director and CEO of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park.
Learn more about how Illinois Grainger engineers are leaders in quantum research and development >>
READ:
Faculty and Staff Abroad: The role of culture and community in the student experience
Read the full story and see more photos from their trip >>
READ:
More about Sameh Tawfick's plan to demonstrate space-based or on-orbit manufacturing in Summer 2026 >>
“This will be the first demonstration of manufacturing in space. Realizing such structures will enable the next stage in humanity’s space utilization and a future beyond our imagination.”
- Sameh Tawfick
Alumni
“I hope this is just the beginning. The collaboration between our alumni and our students is really a powerful tool to have.”
- Mark Woodmansee
(BSME 1994, MSME 1997,
PhD ME 1999);
Alumni Board President
GIVE:
Join the MechSE Alumni Board in supporting our first-generation students!
Visit our online giving form, and select DEI Initiatives on the drop-down under Gift Selection.
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