For first-generation UF student Ivanna Milian, ‘the only option is to succeed’
From her first days in elementary school, Ivanna Milian’s family nurtured her path to becoming a first-generation college student. As they drove to school each morning, her father peppered her with positive affirmations. “I didn’t really like them, but I think the encouragement as I was growing up really helped me get more confidence,” said the…
UF students use Halloween horror to master theme park design
This Halloween season, the University of Florida campus was transformed into “Camp Deer Creek,” a 1980s-themed summer camp that has been overrun by demons. The full-scale haunted house, set up on Norman Field from Oct. 30-Nov. 1, was the brainchild of Swamp Haunters, a student team from the Gator Theme Park Engineering and Design Club in the Herbert Wertheim…
Warming Hearts and Toes: MAE Socktober
This October, the UF MAE community came together to make a difference in Gainesville through Socktober, a sock drive benefiting St. Francis House, a shelter for women, families and children experiencing homelessness. The effort raised 155 pairs of socks, enough to bring comfort and warmth to many in need. “One of the most requested items at…
Tiny filter, big breakthrough: UF team helps lithium–sulfur batteries keep their charge
Longer-lasting phones, lighter drones, electric cars that drive farther. These are just some of the possibilities thanks to a new battery separator design from University of Florida researchers and their partners. Think of a tiny coffee filter, but this one works inside a battery. The team recently showed that a one-atom-thick filter can block sulfur chains…
MAE Momentum 2025: Showcasing Innovation and Impact in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Proudly annoucing the release of MAE’s third annual magazine publication! We invite you to explore this edition of MAEmomentum, our most expansive yet, packed with stories showcasing the incredible work of our MAE community—students, student groups, faculty, staff, alumni, and development partners. These pages reflect the impact and ingenuity of our community as we continue to advance the…
Friction, Focus and Forward Motion
Triple Gator, trailblazer and PECASE recipient. Alison Dunn makes UF MAE proud with her curiosity, mentorship, and innovation. Scroll through this exclusive MAE Momentum feature, to see how she’s shaping engineering, one surface at a time. Engineering For The Body: Biomedical research that bridges surfaces, sensation, and human-centered design. Alison Dunn Ph.D. makes surfaces behave. It’s…
Eric Realmuto Selected as Naval Reactors Engineer and 2025 General Albritton Scholar
On September 4, 2025, Midshipman Eric Realmuto completed the rigorous technical interview process to earn a position as a Naval Reactors Engineer in the United States Navy. This interview occurred at Naval Reactors Engineering Headquarters in Washington D.C., and included two technical engineering interviews and an interview with Admiral William Houston, Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program….
MAE Students Represent at HiPerGator Dedication
The University of Florida celebrated the launch of the next generation of its HiPerGator supercomputer this week, marking another major milestone in UF’s artificial intelligence initiative—and MAE students were front and center. Out of only four student groups attending campus-wide, two were from the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering: Swamp Launch and Gator Motorsports, led…
Empowering Future Engineers with SHPE
The University of Florida chapter of the Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) is an extensive organization whose pillars are based on supporting and connecting students to professional, academic, and mentorship opportunities. Beyond these pillars, SHPE means a home away from home – a Familia, as its members label it. Students of all backgrounds are welcome…
UF engineering team tackles spaceflight fuel challenge in zero-gravity experiment
“Once cryogenic liquid turns to vapor, it can no longer be used as propellant. Our research is focused on providing a technology to minimize or even eliminate that boil-off loss.” said the research teams lead, Jacob Chung, a professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and member of the Astraeus Space Institute. The work —…