Tracking the fiery path of particles: UF leads combustion research
A research team led by the University of Florida is using artificial intelligence and high-performance computing to explore swarms of airborne particles to solve combustible mysteries, a study that may lead to more efficient engines and better combustion in power plants. What can we learn from fast-and-furious particles burning in a group? “It can improve safety, including…
In Memory of Dr. Chen-Chi Hsu, Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering
The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering honors the memory of Dr. Chen-Chi Hsu, Professor Emeritus, who passed away on March 22, 2025, at the age of 89. A dedicated educator, researcher, and mentor, Dr. Hsu served on the MAE faculty for nearly three decades and continued to support the department long after his retirement. Dr….
Forecasting the final frontier: How research prepares U.S. for the next solar storm
“At the University of Florida Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, our researchers are at the forefront of studying space weather and its impact on technology and national security. The recent powerful solar storm underscores the importance of their work to better understand and forecast these natural events.” — UF Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering…
Musgrave Wins Elite Air Force Young Investigator Award to Embody Structures with Intelligence
The Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) Young Investigator Program (YIP) is a highly competitive and prestigious award granted to early-career scientists and engineers who show exceptional promise. It provides three years of research funding totaling $450,000. Beyond the monetary support, being selected is a significant professional honor. Patrick Musgrave, mechanical and aerospace engineer at…
Shaping the Future of Underwater Robots with NSF CAREER Award
Patrick Musgrave, a mechanical engineering professor at the University of Florida, has been awarded a CAREER grant from the National Science Foundation, one of the most prestigious honors given to early-career faculty in science and engineering. The award supports both groundbreaking research and educational outreach, and it includes federal funding for a five-year project aimed at…
Enzymes as Nanoscale Machines: The Intersection of AI, Biochemistry, and Engineering
Enzymes are nature’s tiny machines, responsible for everything from digesting food to breaking down environmental pollutants. But what if we could design custom-made enzymes to tackle real-world challenges—like neutralizing harmful chemicals or detecting diseases—more efficiently than ever before? Jing Pan Ph. D., a faculty member in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University…
Message From The Chair – Summer 2025
As we welcome summer, I’m proud to reflect on another extraordinary season at MAE. This edition of our newsletter showcases the incredible breadth and depth of work happening across our department—from space biomanufacturing and award-winning research to student-driven innovation and alumni distinction. Each story speaks to the excellence that defines us. Our faculty continue to lead…
2025 MAE Awards: Honoring Excellence in Innovation and Achievement
The UF Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering gathered at the Wayne J. Reitz Union’s Rion Ballroom for a vibrant evening of celebration, honoring the outstanding achievements of its faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Dr. Warren Dixon warmly welcomed the crowd as guests enjoyed dinner, lively conversation, and a shared sense of pride in the UF…
Honoring Excellence: MAE Professors James A. Trainham and John D. Abbitt III Retire, Leaving Enduring Legacies
James A. Trainham James A. Trainham, Professor and Associate Chair for Industry Relations at the University of Florida’s Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, has retired after an illustrious career that seamlessly bridged academia and industry. His tenure at the Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (MAE) has been marked by significant contributions to advancing renewable energy…
UF’s Douglas Spearot Honored with Prestigious Brimacombe Medal by The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society
Douglas Spearot, Ph.D., the Newton C. Ebaugh Professor, has been recognized by The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS), the largest professional society for materials science and engineering. TMS has more than 10,000 members worldwide, and only nine professionals were selected this year for the Brimacombe Medal. The Brimacombe Medal is a mid-career award that recognizes…