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Scientists Can Now Watch Materials Fail in Real Time

In a review article, Professor Horacio Espinosa explains how that could speed the design of better batteries, chips, and protective materials.
Jun 3, 2026|from Northwestern Engineering News

ASME Magazine Names Ryan Truby to Watch List

The list, published by Mechanical Engineering Magazine, recognizes 25 early-career engineers who are chasing breakthroughs in their respective fields.
Jun 1, 2026|from Northwestern Engineering News

McCormick Student Entrepreneurs Win VentureCat Grand Prize

Trevor Abbott and Quinn McGinley won $100,000 for HaptE, a computer vision system that reduces execution errors and optimizes the warehouse floor in real time.
May 28, 2026|from Northwestern Engineering News

Junsoo Kim Receives NSF CAREER Award

Kim studies the mechanics of soft materials, such as gels, rubbers, and their composites and will receive $678,248 from NSF’s Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation.
May 26, 2026|from Northwestern Engineering News

Sinan Keten Wins 2026 Zdenek P. Bažant Medal

The award recognizes significant contributions to the field of mechanics through research, practice, teaching, and outstanding leadership.
May 20, 2026|from Northwestern Engineering News

Mechanical Engineering Faculty and Students Earn Major Honors

Faculty and students received national and international awards recognizing research, leadership, and innovation.
May 14, 2026

Medals Recognize Horacio Espinosa’s Impact

Espinosa won the Zdeněk P. Bažant Medal for his contributions to the mechanics of failure and damage, and the Horace Mann Medal that honors Brown University graduate school alums.
May 6, 2026|from Northwestern Engineering News

Antonio Daniels, Aaron W. Saak to Speak at 2026 Graduation Ceremonies

On June 15, the two respected alumni will address graduates at the McCormick Undergraduate Convocation and PhD Hooding and Master’s Degree Recognition Ceremony, respectively.
Apr 30, 2026|from Northwestern Engineering News

Creative Agency in the Age of AI

On Mar. 6, the Center for Human-Computer Interaction + Design convened an interdisciplinary group to explore what creative agency looks like in the age of AI.
Apr 3, 2026|from Northwestern Engineering News

Sinan Keten Named New Chair of Northwestern Mechanical Engineering

Keten will succeed Wei Chen, effective September 1, 2026.
Mar 11, 2026|from Northwestern Engineering News

AI-Designed Modular Robots Keep Moving When Damaged

The Engineer wrote about the work by Professor Sam Kriegman, who developed a modular robotic system designed to operate outdoors and maintain mobility, even when damaged.
Mar 11, 2026|from The Engineer

Evolved Robots Are Born to Run and Refuse to Die

Developed by Professor Sam Kriegman, AI-designed metamachines can run in the wild, recover from damage, and transform into new shapes.
Mar 6, 2026|from Northwestern Engineering News

McCormick Student Lands Patti Grace Smith Fellowship in Aerospace

Third-year mechanical engineering student Barkot Simegn will serve as an intern on vehicle design for Ursa Major Technology’s rocket program.
Feb 24, 2026|from Northwestern Engineering News

Advancing the Science of Engagement in Digital Safety Research

On Jan. 16, the Center for Human-Computer Interaction + Design convened an interdisciplinary group of bold thinkers to explore strategies around the ethical and effective community engagement of vulnerable users in digital spaces.
Feb 17, 2026|from Northwestern Engineering News

Elephants’ Peculiar Whiskers Help Them Sense the World Around Them

Scientific American spoke with Professor Mitra Hartmann about how every mammal has whiskers whose size, shape, and material properties are almost certainly adapted to the way that species uses touch in its environment.
Feb 12, 2026|from Scientific American
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