Category: Research and Innovation

Contact tracing illustration

Computer science and engineering researchers design more secure mobile contact tracing

For public health officials, contact tracing remains critical to managing the spread of the coronavirus — particularly as it appears that variants of the virus could be more transmissible. The need for widespread contact tracing at the start of the pandemic led tech giants Apple and Google to …

Tom O’Sullivan and Ola Abdalsalam using their handheld device

A powerful, pocket-sized optical imager, no longer science fiction

Before Wilhelm Röntgen, a mechanical engineer, discovered a new type of electromagnetic radiation in 1895, physicians could only dream of being able to see inside the body. Within a year of Röntgen’s discovery, X-rays were being used to identify tumors. Within 10 years, hospitals were using …

Semiconducting oxide transistor

Electrical engineering team spotlighted for work developing a new kind of semiconductor memory

The work of a Notre Dame electrical engineering research team — including graduate students Wriddhi Chakraborty, Jorge Gómez Mir, and Huacheng Ye — was featured in vivid color in IEEE Spectrum, the flagship magazine and website of the IEEE, the world’s largest professional organization …

Different colored samples in vials

New material shown to more efficiently desalinate water

By 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population could experience a freshwater shortage. To tackle this issue, researchers from the University of Notre Dame have identified a new solvent — an ionic liquid — that improves on emerging desalination technology, directional solvent …

Digital image of sun

Engineers developing high-speed light detectors for closer look at the sun

For all that scientists have learned about the sun, plenty of unanswered questions remain about the brightest star in the sky. Advancements in solar astronomy have informed a basic understanding of the light spectrum and help predict geomagnetic storms capable of causing blackouts to electronic …

Erosion of a road on the coast of Alaska

Researchers developing accurate storm models as climate changes affect Alaska’s coastline and residents

Alaska’s tidal coastline spans over 46,600 miles, more than that of the lower 48 states combined. Portions of Alaska’s coast are among the nation’s most vulnerable to geohazards from climate change, extra-tropical storm surge, wind waves, tsunamis, ice and erosion. Because of this there is a …

COVID-19 Virus visual representation

AI could improve accuracy, efficiency of CT screening for COVID-19 diagnosis

Led by Yiyu Shi, associate professor of Computer Science and Engineering, researchers are developing a technique using artificial intelligence (AI) that would improve CT screening to more quickly identify patients with the coronavirus. The new technique will reduce the burden on the radiologists …

Inside the Afac Tunnel

Notre Dame launches Hypersonic Systems Initiative

Notre Dame has launched the Hypersonic Systems Initiative to advance the University’s expertise in developing efficient, hypersonic flight vehicles. The Notre Dame Hypersonic Systems Initiative includes more than 35 researchers from the College of Engineering and College of Science. The …

Prof. Nitesh Chawla collaborating with student

Nitesh Chawla appointed founding director of Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society

Nitesh V. Chawla, the Frank M. Freimann Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, has been appointed the founding director of the University’s Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society. Launched in December of 2019 with a $25 million gift from alumnus Robert Lumpkins and his wife, …

FlowPAC - Institute for Flow Physics and Control logo

New leadership for FlowPAC and Hessert Lab set stage for future fluid mechanics research

Notre Dame’s rich tradition of advancing the frontiers of fluid mechanics and human flight is entering its next chapter of growth with strategic changes in leadership. Scott Morris Scott C. Morris, professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering (AME), has been named director of the …