Illinois Innovators

As the world assesses how they can support projects in non-industrialized countries, a new study brought to light just how important cultural and environmental factors are when providing humanitarian engineering aid in these regions. Ann Perry Witmer, a lecturer of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, joins the program to discuss her study on how contextual engineering improves the success of projects in non-industrial societies. It takes an in-depth look at some of the perspectives that may determine its effectiveness. She has created and supported a number of organizations that have provided engineering assistance to communities in Central America, the Caribbean, South America, and Africa and was a past faculty advisor for Illinois’ chapter of Engineers Without Borders.

Nenad Miljkovic's research group, collaborating with colleagues at Kyushu University of in Japan, discovered a method to de-ice surfaces in a matter of seconds. The method does so by using 1% of the energy and point 0.01 percent of the time. Professor Miljkovic talks about the discovery and how it could impact a number of industries. His is the principal investigator of the Energy Transport Research Laboratory, the associate director of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Center and an associate professor of mechanical science and engineering at at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Among the emphases of the lab is the interaction between liquids and a solid surface.

If modifications of Einstein’s general relativity do exist in nature, could they leave observable imprints in astrophysical systems and in gravitational wave observations? Hector Silva, a postdoctoral research associate with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Department of Physics discusses his observations specifically as it relates to black holes and neutron stars. A native of Brazil with a PhD from the University of Mississippi, Silva earned the Gravitational Wave International Committee-Braccini Thesis Prize for his thesis “Compact Objects in Relatavistic Theories of Gravity."

In 2017, the U.S. Army began outlining plans for the Internet of Battlefield Things, allowing military to be connected on the battlefield the same we are connected in our homes. It includes not only common consumer items like smartphones, wearable devices, cameras, etc., but provides analytics to help predict and perceive the enemy’s movement, for instance or to give machines the autonomy to carry out a course of action based on the programmed intent. The $25 million Army Research Project leans on six institutions, including the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Tarek Abdelzaher, a professor of computer science, is the academic lead of the Army Research Lab’s Alliance for IoBT Research on Evolving Intelligent Goal-Driven Networks (REIGN). He joins the program to talk about its progress.

The is world’s leading expert in spectroscopic imaging and the Director of the Cancer Center at Illinois, Rohit Bhargava joins the show to talk about several ways engineering is playing a role in solving diagnosis and treatment of a variety of cancers. His group has developed a 3D printer that makes highly precise scaffolds of living organs such as the heart.

The is world’s leading expert in spectroscopic imaging and the Director of the Cancer Center at Illinois, Rohit Bhargava joins the show to talk about several ways engineering is playing a role in solving diagnosis and treatment of a variety of cancers. His group has developed a 3D printer that makes highly precise scaffolds of living organs such as the heart.

Inventables is a 3D carving company that is helping ignite a revolution in digital fabrication. They are helping others start companies using their products, which include powerful machines, software, and materials. Zach Kaplan, the company's CEO discusses the unique technology, the Inventables business model, and his active role within the Chicago VC community.

Inventables is a 3D carving company that is helping ignite a revolution in digital fabrication. They are helping others start companies using their products, which include powerful machines, software, and materials. Zach Kaplan, the company's CEO discusses the unique technology, the Inventables business model, and his active role within the Chicago VC community.

Professor Krein talks about how he is helping shape the future of advanced energy applications, specifically in electric vehicles and solar power. A recent article in the IEEE Spectrum Krein, a research professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Illinois, detailed the ways the Colleges are prepping the next generation of manufacturers, which includes training in artificial intelligence and robotics. The past chair of the IEEE Transportation Electrification Community, he is a leading expert in power and energy systems, including power electronics, machines, drives, transportation electrification, and electrical energy, with emphasis on nonlinear control approaches.

Professor Krein talks about how he is helping shape the future of advanced energy applications, specifically in electric vehicles and solar power. A recent article in the IEEE Spectrum Krein, a research professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Illinois, detailed the ways the Colleges are prepping the next generation of manufacturers, which includes training in artificial intelligence and robotics. The past chair of the IEEE Transportation Electrification Community, he is a leading expert in power and energy systems, including power electronics, machines, drives, transportation electrification, and electrical energy, with emphasis on nonlinear control approaches.