In fall 2021, the A. James Clark School of Engineering’s graduate students returned to full-time in-person learning and research, and the buzz in Maryland Engineering’s classrooms and labs hasn’t subsided since. 

Young innovators published results of their breakthrough energy storage studies in Nature Nanotechnology and Nature Communications, brought a 500-year old helicopter design to life “with flying colors,” developed respirator masks for the next pandemic, enhanced the treatment for type 1 diabetes, and led a multimillion-dollar project in autonomy for the U.S. Army. All these achievements and more, combined with faculty excellence, an extensive network of industry and government partners, unique employment opportunities, inclusive culture and vibrant student life, and a home address five miles away from Washington, D.C. placed Maryland Engineering among top 10 public graduate schools in the 2023 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools ranking. 
Christoph Brehm aims to address current gaps in the research concerning flow-surface interactions. His research focuses on how certain surface types—particularly ablative surfaces, which are rough and evolve over time—interact with transitional flows. As part of his research, Brehm will perform the first-ever simulations of transitional flow interacting with ablative surfaces at the hypersonic boundary layer.

The Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices was highlighted in a lead cover story for Baltimore Sun. They spoke with Fischell Institute director and Fischell Department of Bioengineering professor William E. Bentley and engineer Kevin Aroom about ongoing efforts to test face masks and respirators for their effectiveness in safeguarding against COVID-19 and other health hazards.

The United States’ longstanding appeal to talent from around the globe in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) has helped the nation thrive, but now it’s time to focus on bolstering our training of a domestic workforce of scientists—and engineers in particular, writes University of Maryland President Darryll J. Pines in an essay published in Issues in Science and Technology.

Launched in 2016, the Terrapin Rocket Team is a cross-disciplined organization that designs, builds, and launches high-powered rockets for competition. After early success at regional competitions like Battle of the Rockets, the team’s ultimate goal was to compete in the Spaceport America Cup—the world’s largest intercollegiate rocket engineering competition that hosts over 150 teams from across the country and from around the world.

The Clark School is excited to announce the launch of the Early Career Distinguished Alumni Society. The ECDA Society will celebrate the accomplishments and impact of Maryland engineers 40 years old and under and initiate an exclusive professional network of alumni leading the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs and change-agents. Inductees will be presented with the Early Career Distinguished Alumni Award.