ECE News

John Albrecht has been named interim associate dean for research for the College of Engineering at Michigan State University. His appointment begins Sept.1, 2026. Albrecht has been a professor in the Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Chemical Engineering and Materials Science since 2012. He has served as the executive director of the University Research Organization (URO) in the MSU Office of Research and Innovation since 2022 and will continue in the leadership role while serving as interim with the college.

For decades, silicon has been the foundation of modern electronics because it is abundant, relatively affordable and well suited to the precise control of electrical current that makes computer chips possible. But today’s most advanced systems, from AI hardware to high-power and quantum technologies, are pushing silicon harder than ever, demanding more speed, more power and operation in hotter, harsher environments. As those demands grow, heat has become a major bottleneck: silicon remains essential, but it does not move heat nearly as well as diamond, making it harder to keep next-generation devices cool, compact and reliable.

This graduation season, more than 1,100 Michigan State University College of Engineering graduates are taking their next steps into careers, research, continued education and professional growth. Their paths reflect the range of opportunities shaped by technical preparation, hands-on learning, mentorship and problem-solving.

Two faculty members from the Michigan State University College of Engineering have received among the highest honors presented to faculty members at MSU. The awards recognize outstanding faculty members for research that enhances MSU’s intellectual prominence nationally and globally.

If you’ve ever driven through a whiteout or dense fog you’ve experienced the danger of navigating with low visibility. Autonomous vehicles face the same challenge, especially in places with changing seasons because they were trained to operate in clear weather conditions.

Each year, Michigan State University’s Design Day showcases the creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills of graduating undergraduate students as they present real-world solutions to complex challenges. Design Day is a premier undergraduate academic event highlighting the creativity and ingenuity of Spartan Engineering students. This spring, Infrastructure Planning and Facilities (IPF) proudly sponsored several student teams whose projects reflect a shared commitment to accessibility, sustainability and campus safety.

Michigan State University has awarded comprehensive scholarships to 51 extraordinary first-year students - 16 of them are headed to the College of Engineering. Alumni Distinguished Scholarships are part of a 71-year-tradition, University Distinguished Scholarships were initiated in 2000, and the Joseph R. and Sarah L. Williams Scholarships have enabled more students than ever to receive full merit awards to MSU.

Michigan State University College of Engineering students earned recognition this spring in competition, entrepreneurship, scholarships, fellowships and research. Their work spans computer science, civil engineering, biosystems engineering, elec

After a national search, John Papapolymerou has been recommended as dean of the College of Engineering at Michigan State University, effective June 1, 2026. He will serve as dean designee prior to the June 12 meeting of the MSU Board of Trustees. Papapolymerou has served as interim dean since Oct. 1, 2024.

MSU Amateur Radio Club traces its roots to 1919, when students used radio to broadcast weather reports and farm market prices with the call letters 8YG. In 1925, that early station became part of the history of WKAR, MSU’s public broadcasting station, while a separate amateur radio station was formed as 8XBU and later renamed 8SH.

Today, W8MSU and W8SH make up MSU Amateur Radio Club, giving students hands-on experience with radio communication, technical operations and community service.