July 2023: Unleash • Create • Inspire

July 2023

Message from Magnus

It is humbling and exciting that Susan and Henry Samueli continue to put their trust in our program. Their latest gift, which is the largest individual donation in the history of the school, will partly be used to establish three institutes organized around areas of importance to us as a local community and a global society. They are the Institutes for Engineering+Health, Engineering+Climate and Engineering+Society. These three themes are also influencing how we think and communicate more broadly about the research going on in the school, what faculty we are hiring over the coming periods, and they connect directly with the findings in our recently launched strategic plan. I am looking forward to seeing them established over the coming year.

Best,

Magnus Egerstedt, Ph.D.

Stacey Nicholas Dean of Engineering

Human-caused climate change to blame for increase in California’s wildfires

In the quarter century between 1996 and 2020, wildfires in California consumed five times more area than they did from 1971 to 1995.

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UC Irvine engineers invent a way to 3D print optical-grade glass at the nanoscale

A research team led by scientists at the University of California, Irvine has developed a new low-temperature method for 3D printing optical-grade glass, opening the door for microelectronic systems with high-resolution, visible-light nanophotonics capabilities.

Class of 2023 shows resilience and determination to reach graduation

It was a boisterous crowd of engineering students who filed into the Bren Events Center on June 16, for the 2023 Commencement Ceremony. Family and friends packed the arena to see their loved ones achieve the milestone of earning an engineering degree.

U.S. Department of Energy opens microgrid residential communities

The Advanced Power and Energy Program at the University of California, Irvine joined the U.S. Department of Energy, KB Home, SunPower®, Southern California Edison® and Schneider Electric™ on May 22 to officially open the novel microgrid communities located in the Shadow Mountain master plan in Menifee, California.

UC Irvine students launch cutting-edge methalox rocket

Methalox – the propellant that can be produced on Mars – has been called “the fuel of the future.” That’s why Space X, Relativity Space and others are racing to see who can send a methalox rocket into orbit.

Engineering student awarded Fulbright to Denmark

Owen Trimble, a fourth-year mechanical engineering major graduating this month, has received a Fulbright award to conduct alternative energy research in Denmark during the 2023-24 academic year. He is one of five at UC Irvine to receive a Fulbright this year. Annually, about 2,000 U.S. students are offered the grant that includes a monthly stipend, health benefits and noncompetitive eligibility hiring status within the federal government after completion.

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