2026 News Archive

USC engineering and education researchers join forces on responsible AI

Mechanical Engineering Professor Yi Wang and College of Education Associate Professor Hengtao Tang have received National Science Foundation funding for a three-year project that combines real-world engineering challenges with education research on ethical AI literacy.

Keeping the lights on: Building a power grid we can count on

Electrical Engineering Assistant Professor Xin Fang is leading National Science Foundation-funded research to help grid operators keep power systems stable and responsible as inverter-based resources, including wind and solar, account for a growing share of the nation's electricity supply.

NSF CAREER Award supports Jalilvand's work toward more powerful batteries

Golareh Jalilvand's research could inform batteries that help electric vehicles travel farther, allow phones and other devices to run longer between charges, and improve energy storage for the power grid.

From MCEC to NASA: A mechanical engineer's journey to the space industry

Ilana Lu earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering at the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, where research, hands-on learning and a co-op helped turn her interest in welding and additive manufacturing into a career in the space industry.

USC, Midlands Technical College partnership brings future engineers and machinists together

Through a distinctive, hands-on partnership, University of South Carolina aerospace and mechanical engineering students and Midlands Technical College machine tool technology students are working together to connect the people who design components with the people who bring them to life.

The Nuclear Company funds new undergraduate nuclear research scholarships at USC's Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing

University of South Carolina undergraduate students will have a new opportunity to explore the future of nuclear energy thanks to an investment from The Nuclear Company.

Researchers dig into South Carolina soil for smarter bridge design

Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor Sarah Gassman is leading a three-year project to help the South Carolina Department of Transportation use state-specific data to design bridge foundations that are safe, reliable and potentially more cost-effective

Chemical engineering researcher lands highly competitive NSF EAGER award for turning defects into stronger materials

The project is funded through NSF's Early-concept Grants for Exploratory Research, or EAGER, program, which supports potentially transformative research ideas that are considered high risk but could lead to significant advances.

Want to work with AI? USC's graduate certificate helps students understand what's behind the hype

The University of South Carolina's Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing is preparing students to do more than simply use AI tools through its 12-credit-hour graduate certificate in Artificial Intelligence.

Two roles, one mission: How an IIT undergrad balances school and service

For Tyrek Long, military service and college are not competing priorities - they are two halves of the same education. The leadership, discipline and technical expertise he develops in one role makes him stronger in the other.

When Humans and Robots Share the Factory Floor

As robots and other advanced technologies become more common in manufacturing, workers are increasingly being asked to operate alongside and collaborate with machines and digital systems that can be difficult to understand.

Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing welcomes new faculty for the 2026-27 academic year

The new faculty bring expertise spanning artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, materials science, human-machine interaction and other areas of engineering and computing.

A breath of fresh air for landfill gas

A landfill is more than the final destination for our garbage. They also produce methane that can be used to generate electricity. But a common contaminant in that gas can damage engines and make the fuel difficult to use.

Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing Advances Plans for Nuclear Innovation Center

The University of South Carolina will establish a Nuclear Innovation Center through the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, a major new initiative aimed at positioning South Carolina as a national leader in nuclear energy research, innovation, partnership, and workforce development.

Two engineering students are building a better way to study childhood obesity

Senior aerospace engineering major Patrick Wynne is trying to teach a child-sized fitness watch to calculate heart rate on its own. Junior mechanical engineering student David St. John is figuring out how much energy it takes to do it.

A Legacy of Teaching and Mentorship: Remembering Vincent Van Brunt

The Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing is mourning the loss of Chemical Engineering Distinguished Professor Emeritus Vincent Van Brunt, a beloved teacher, mentor and colleague.

The Story Behind a Remarkable Gift: A Conversation with Lisa Owen

For chemical engineering alumna Lisa Owen ('86), an unexpected reconnection with the University of South Carolina on social media prompted a conversation that would ultimately shape one of the most meaningful decisions of her life - a transformational gift for the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing.

Can a heartbeat help detect autism earlier?

For most children, autism is not diagnosed until they're between three and five years old, when behavioral differences become more noticeable. But what if doctors could identify signs of autism much earlier -- even during infancy?

AI is changing the classroom. Here's what students and parents need to know this school year

University of South Carolina computer science professor Dr. Ramtin Zand discusses how AI is reshaping classrooms and what students, parents and educators should know.

Feels like home: How a new student organization is helping international graduate students connect

Graduate students - many of them international - often arrive on campus without a built-in support system, making it difficult to navigate the academic, professional and personal challenges of graduate school.

Visiting students from Oman reflect on research, culture and Chipotle (yes, Chipotle!) at USC

Over a three-week period earlier this month, rising seniors from National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Oman participated in the Global Scholar Program at the University of South Carolina.

Consulting for an AI-powered world

A consulting project with Google gave one Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing student a chance to solve real artificial intelligence challenges.

Building a healthier tomorrow: Biomedical engineering alum named to Gamecock35

Biomedical engineering alumna Lena Wallace is turning cutting-edge research into practical health care solutions, and her work earned her a spot on the prestigious Gamecock35 list this past spring.

Mustain earns one of electrochemistry's highest honors

For William Mustain, being named an Electrochemical Society Fellow is the kind of recognition he never imagined when he first started his career.

Making waves: Molinaroli engineering students build a concrete canoe

When most people think of concrete, they picture roads, sidewalks or building foundations, not something that floats.

From clean water to critical minerals: USC technology targets lithium recovery

As the race to secure supplies of lithium accelerates, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing researchers are pursuing an unlikely solution: technology originally designed to make drinking water cleaner.

"Why should I care about AI?" Inside one student's effort to connect USC with the future of technology

While over 23,000 active users across the university are benefitting from the power of ChatGPT as a tool to enhance learning and research, one USC student is helping lead conversations on AI usage.

Cleaner hulls and energy efficiency: New coatings could reduce marine growth, corrosion and fuel use

Marine biofouling is the buildup of microorganisms such as barnacles, mussels and algae on surfaces constantly exposed to water. For ships and other marine structures, this growth can cause serious problems.

Fabio Matta earns ASCE Fellow distinction

Civil Engineering Professor Fabio Matta was recently named a Fellow by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Board of Direction. The distinction is held by only 3% of ASCE members.

AI Takes Flight: Undergrad develops airport energy forecasting system

Supported by USC's Magellan Scholar Grant, computer science major Farid Tavakoli is developing a machine learning system that can forecast an airport's energy consumption and costs.

Engineering their legacy: Four professors reflect on careers shaped by students

Four Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing faculty members retired this spring after decades of teaching, research and mentorship.

A teacher, mentor and friend: Remembering Wally Peters

The Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing is saddened by the passing of Mechanical Engineering Distinguished Professor Emeritus Wally Peters on May 25, 2026.

Reimagining batteries, one material at a time

For Chemical Engineering Assistant Professor Hui Yang, materials science is more than studying structure and properties to power everyday technology. It's reimagining how they can work better.

Drones, data and the future of clean water

Manually collecting water samples can be time-consuming, expensive and physically demanding. Those challenges drew rising junior Sofiane Lachab to a research project focused on an autonomous water-sampling drone.

Built at USC, shared with the world: Tech leaders continue support of engineering education

Digital image correlation is commonly used by Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing faculty and students. But it started with a small group of University of South Carolina researchers experimenting with digital imaging tools more than 40 years ago.

From passing view to lifelong passion

For South Carolina Honors College sophomore Brady Hurd, inspiration did not come from a classroom or a textbook: it came from a bridge.

Gibbons Legacy Society Dinner Celebrates Alumni Achievement and the Power of Giving

The Gibbons Legacy Society Dinner celebrated two accomplished alumni, Lindell "Lin" Bradley and Kelly Kopchak, while also recognizing the donors whose investment in students and programs helps strengthen engineering and computing education.

Meet the civil engineering professor behind award-winning railroad research

Out of more than 160,000 members in the American Society of Civil Engineers, only five were selected this year for the prestigious Walter L. Huber Civil Engineering Research Prize.

Student Spotlight: Grace Ware

Rising junior Grace Ware is a first-generation, biomedical engineering major at the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing

AI that assists, not replaces: A new era in manufacturing

If you ask a traditional AI system, "When will this equipment fail?" the answer might be a prediction based on previous data. While useful, Agentic AI takes it further.

Can AI help rebuild bone? New research targets safer osteoporosis care

A simple fall can be life-changing, especially if bones are not as strong as they used to be. For millions of people with osteoporosis, even minor accidents can lead to serious fractures and long recovery times.

Doctoral student gains systems engineering perspective through Scout Motors partnership

This past fall, Scout Motor’s chief technology officer Burkhard Huhnke was the lead instructor for Applied Systems Engineering for Complex Systems, a class offered through the Molinaroli College’s new industrial engineering program. Ph.D. student Austin Harper shares how the course taught him about sophisticated technology and design processes, including those Scout will use at the new plant.

Ph.D. candidate explores new frontiers in cardiovascular treatment

For Sarah Deloach, her academic and research pursuits were not linear but driven by a clear and persistent curiosity about human health. Today, Deloach's research focuses on developing new treatments for heart disease.

Class of 2026

As the Class of 2026 prepares to walk across the commencement stage, graduates leave the University of South Carolina with memories of enduring friendships, newfound passions, supportive mentors and life-changing experiences.

VEX Robotics helps launch summer campers into robot competition and beyond

Now in its 20th year at USC, the VEX Robotics camp offers middle and high school students the opportunity to develop skills in programming, mechanical design and teamwork. The summer program also serves as a gateway to competitive robotics teams and, sometimes, enrollment in the Molinaroli College. For alum Nathanael Oliver, it was as pathway to both.

The comeback kids: MCEC student organization rebuilds, earns national honor

The USC chapter of the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE) has been named SAMPE Student Chapter of the Year - an honor awarded among 49 chapters across North America.

How a biomedical engineering student became a Goldwater Scholar

Khufu Holly first learned about the Goldwater Scholarship after watching a fellow biomedical engineering student and lab mate open an acceptance letter.

Electrical engineering professor works toward sustainable power conversion

Radiovoltaics technology directly converts nuclear radiation into electricity using semiconductor junctions. And radiovoltaics is now considered the most sustainable form of power conversion, especially in harsh environments and remote locations.

MCEC seniors to be recognized on Awards Day

Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing seniors from 10 undergraduate programs will be recognized for their achievements at the university's annual Awards Day on April 16.

Associate vice president and vice provost for AI strategy announced

Building on the University of South Carolina’s early adoption of ChatGPT and its continued commitment to responsible AI use, Provost Mary Anne Fitzpatrick has appointed Mark Uline as the university’s first associate vice president and vice provost for AI strategy.

Scholarship honors computer science alum Tao Gao

When Ling Gao, Ph.D., speaks about her son, Tao, her voice carries both pride and tenderness.

Building Leaders: A civil engineering alumna’s lasting impact on the industry

As vice president of infrastructure at Thomas & Hutton and the firm's first female shareholder, alum Lisa Muzekari is helping lead a growing generation of engineers, many of them women, into the profession she has helped shape.

Fostering HOPE, one limb at a time

Hands on Prosthetic Engineering, better known as HOPE, is a student-run non-profit organization at USC that works to build prosthetic limbs at no cost for those in need.

USC has five Goldwater Scholars in 2026

Five University of South Carolina students earned the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship in 2026. This sets a record for the most Goldwater Scholars at USC in a single year and marks the 34th consecutive year the university has had at least one Goldwater Scholar.

Building more than robots: Athena Shier's leadership at USC

Saws, drill presses and 3D printers line the room, and diagrams and equations fill the whiteboards. It is equal part workshop and classroom, a space where problem-solving and collaboration are constant.

Upcoming event combines engineering and art

The Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing and College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management will co-host the second annual STEMart - Bridging Art and Engineering event on April 2 in the courtyard of the Swearingen Engineering Center.

Aiming for the next generation of advanced materials testing

The complex behavior of advanced materials presents significant challenges, often requiring extensive and costly experimental testing to fully understand their performance.

Inspiring generations of chemical engineering students and professionals

March is Women's History Month, a time to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of women, especially those who were pioneers in their field, like chemical engineering alum Rebecca Coker Thies.

How a graduate IT degree from USC's Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing can expand job possibilities

The online Master of Science in Information Technology program addresses the workforce's need for expertise in IT and digital transformation to work effectively in data and technology centric environments.

Starting strong: The program helping first-generation engineering students find their footing

The college's Summer Start Program was created in 2021 to ease the transition into college for first-generation students. What began as a three-week pilot with two counselors has evolved into a week-long experience shaped by former scholars.

USC alum assumes command of nation's largest naval base

Captain Ray Glenn, a 1999 Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing graduate, assumed command of Naval Station Norfolk, the largest naval base in the United States.

National Engineers Week Student Spotlight: Matthew Yvon

This year's Engineers Week theme is "Transform Your Future," focusing on how engineering shapes opportunities, communities and future innovations.

New electrical engineering faculty member continues extensive renewable energy research

"My ultimate goal has been to mentor students and have my own research group to extend the work I have done in a national lab. I am enjoying my role as mentor and advisor to a younger generation of students, as well as more research collaboration." - Xin Fang

Laying the foundation for triple engineering and science major

From the fifth-ranked high school in the U.S. to the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing and one of the nation's top public honors colleges, junior Soraya Remaili has built a collegiate experience defined by research, rigor and community.

National Engineers Week Student Spotlight: Jillian McNally

This year's Engineers Week theme is "Transform Your Future," focusing on how engineering shapes opportunities, communities and future innovations.

Undergraduate student uses NASA grant to pursue research passions

Students may discover a passion for research during their undergraduate years. But few enter higher education knowing that research will be a significant part of their collegiate experiences and beyond.

Industrial engineering program debuts with hands-on campus project

The University of South Carolina's undergraduate program in industrial engineering is only in its first year, but students are already applying core engineering principles to real operations on campus.

What is inside a battery?

Batteries are part of our everyday lives, but not many of us think about how they work or what they are made of. For researchers at the Lab for Materials Properties and Structures, these questions are a full time job. Golareh Jalilvand and her team at USC's Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing are dedicated to testing alternative battery materials such as lithium iron phosphate that will help make batteries a part of the country's sustainable future. This documentary explains why for batteries, it's what's inside that counts.

Ritter reflects on three decades of teaching and research

Carolina Distinguished Professor Jim Ritter's contributions to the Department of Chemical Engineering are many, as evidenced by his lasting relationships with students, more than 170 peer-reviewed journal articles and eight U.S. patents.

College to host leaders from advanced nuclear company Antares

The purpose of the seminar is to share Antares focus, goals, and missions with students and faculty.

Mechanical engineering and business grad Colishia Dunbar puts full skillset to work

Mechanical engineering and business grad embraces her differences and puts her full skillset to work.

Engineering students seek support for SAE Formula Competition

Members of the USC chapter of the Society of the Automotive Engineers (SAE) are preparing for the 2027 SAE Formula Competition, a hands-on experience designed to prepare aspiring automotive engineers for careers in the field.

Split wire: How the military and engineering led to a cyber career

Alum Greg Beckwith knows how to balance school, work and family life. His journey to an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering was unconventional, but it provided him with the skills he uses today at Michelin.

Engineering researchers are studying next-generation materials to improve SC infrastructure

Fabio Matta’s next-generation building materials include fiber-reinforced plastic bars — essentially, glass fibers immersed in a strong polymeric resin. They are stronger than steel, don’t corrode and are lighter than traditional materials — all qualities that make them ideal for bridge and infrastructure rehabilitation.

Zhou aims to unlock the secret of strong, yet ductile metals

For centuries, the "paradox of strength and ductility" has challenged material scientists: making a metal stronger typically makes it brittle and prone to fracture.

TEDxCongaree Vista set for March 14

A group of University of South Carolina students has planned and organized TEDxCongaree Vista, featuring speakers whose topics are likely to spark conversation and inspire action.

Shaping a legacy in basketball and engineering

Freshman women's basketball student-athlete and mechanical engineering major Ayla McDowell sees everything from chemistry homework and scouting reports to defensive reads and early morning workouts as part of a larger, interconnected challenge.

Imran's work helps provide sufficient warning and preparation for extreme flooding

"When an extreme flooding event happens, my collaborators, students and I have the capacity to do forensic analysis to see how and what went wrong."- Jasim Imran

DeBacker named one of six AIAA Faculty Advisor Award recipients

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Assistant Professor Wout De Backer was selected as one of six recipients of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Faculty Advisor Award.