ECE News

Natalie Crawford, whose contribution to analysis and modernization of the U.S. Air Force is legendary and who received an Honorary Doctorate of Engineering degree from Michigan State University in 2016, has died at 86.

What if a soft robot like Baymax in the Disney animated film Big Hero 6 were real? Xiaobo Tan, MSU Foundation Professor and Richard M. Hong Endowed Chair in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and his team are working to bring that science fiction to life by designing robots made of soft materials that are safer for both human interaction and delicate objects.

For a second time, students passionate about the evolving space market had an unparalleled opportunity to learn from experts working on electronics designed to survive the harsh realities of space. And Michigan State University’s Green and White Council stopped in to see the results firsthand.

A wide range of disciplines are adopting artificial intelligence, or AI, at a rapid pace. From science and medicine to the humanities and education, AI is influencing the landscape of how information is accessed and processed. At Michigan State University, the College of Engineering is exploring new ways for AI to improve lives through railway safety, AI security, learning and health outcomes.

MSU Mobility celebrates Mobility Week, a global initiative focused on innovation at the intersection of transportation and technology, taking place Sept. 20-27, 2025. This initiative brings together mobility and transportation technology experts from around the globe to build partnerships and identify opportunities to accelerate innovation.

Michigan State University’s College of Engineering welcomed 14 faculty members to its world-class academic team in Fall 2025. Interim Dean of Engineering John Papapolymerou said these additions will help the college successfully support a growing student body and expand research and innovation that matters to Michigan communities and beyond.

As rail infrastructure across the United States ages under increasing freight demands and higher-speed passenger traffic, the need for smarter, faster, and more reliable inspection methods has never been more urgent. A cross-disciplinary team of Michigan State University (MSU) faculty, postdocs, graduate, and undergraduate students are answering that call with a breakthrough hybrid sensing system that could redefine how railroads detect and prevent failures.

Michigan State University researcher Zhaojian Li has received the 2025 Outstanding Young Investigator Award from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Dynamic Systems Controls Division (DSCD) for his expertise in learning and control of robot systems, including using robots to harvest fruit.