News

Are we on the cusp of frictionless mechanical systems?

06/06/19 — Machines often require expensive maintenance or replacement because the physical contact of their moving parts creates friction that wears these components down. Now, Berkeley engineers have developed a novel approach to eliminate friction in mechanical systems.

A faster technique to purify elements

06/04/19 Berkeley Lab — Thanks to a new chemical separation method developed by nuclear engineering professor Rebecca Abergel, researchers now have a better way to attain actinium-225, a promising therapeutic isotope for cancer treatment.

Bar chart ranking graduating startup founders from US public universities

Berkeley grads dominate funded founders ranking

05/30/19 TechCrunch — Berkeley is far ahead of its peers in a new survey that ranks which U.S. universities have graduated the most founders of startups that raised $1 million or more in roughly the past year.

Machines that heal

05/30/19 — Rikky Muller is building tiny, wireless devices that can be implanted in the brain, with the aim of treating conditions such as epilepsy or spinal cord injuries.

Caleb Wright and Charles Yang at the U.N. Environmental Assembly in Kenya

Berkeley engineers propose solutions for reaching U.N. development goals

05/28/19 — Three UC Berkeley undergrads attended the U.N. Environmental Assembly in Kenya and saw their proposals included in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Berkeley Engineers off to change the world

05/22/19 — At two rainy commencement ceremonies, speakers called on graduates to draw on their Berkeley Engineering education to promote equity as well as innovation.

Salto the jumping robot

05/22/19 — Topping out at less than a foot, Salto the robot looks like a "Star Wars" imperial walker in miniature. But don't be fooled by its size - this little robot has a mighty spring in its step.

PEER grant to improve seismic safety of natural gas infrastructure

05/17/19 PEER — The California Energy Commission awarded a $4.9 million grant to the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center on May 15 to improve the seismic risk assessment of natural gas storage and pipeline infrastructure.

Berkeley links up with Facebook, but wants to see tech giant’s accountability

05/17/19 — Stung by bad press and government investigations, Facebook is investing $7.5 million in a partnership with three universities - UC Berkeley, Cornell and Maryland - to develop new methods to improve detection of fake content, fake news and misinformation campaigns. At Berkeley, the work will be led by EECS professors Hany Farid and Alexei Efros.

Building tech solutions for social good

05/15/19 — Tech for social good - that's not just the motto of Berkeley's Blueprint club, but an accurate description of the work they're producing.

Berkeley’s top graduate, engineer Tyler Chen, is an aspiring Elon Musk

05/10/19 — Tyler Chen, a joint major in materials science and bioengineering, is this year's winner of the University Medal, Berkeley's highest honor for graduating seniors. He's also an inventor, a black belt in taekwondo, and a relentless optimist.

Demo of SIGNAL, a new multi-player computer game

Bringing out the science of war games

05/07/19 — A first-of-its-kind online game is poised to revolutionize the field of war-gaming. This new multi-player computer game was custom-built to explore deterrence and decision-making in an escalating conflict.

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority partnership advances ‘future energy’ educational program

05/04/19 — UC Berkeley and the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) are teaming up to establish a new educational program to accelerate infrastructure systems for sustainable energy.

Graduating students in caps and gowns leaping in front of script California

Engineering’s 2019 commencement speakers

05/03/19 — This year's commencement speakers are Elizabeth Hausler, Ikennah Browne, Jack McCauley and Gracielita Mendoza-Beginez.

New machine learning technique may help prevent blindness for millions of diabetics

05/03/19 — Thanks to cutting-edge machine learning techniques developed by IEOR's Risk Analytics and Data Analysis Research (RADAR) Lab at UC Berkeley, millions of diabetic patients now have a cheaper and more accurate way to screen for eye disease.

Scott Shenker elected to the NAS

05/01/19 — EECS professor Scott Shenker is one of eight UC Berkeley faculty elected to the National Academy of Sciences this year. He is considered to be one of the top computer scientists in the country and has designed new ways to configure complex computer networks.