Illinois ECE

09/11/2026

ECE Professor Kent Choquette and a team of Illinois researchers are rethinking how semiconductor lasers are designed, showing that lasers don’t need perfectly repeating patterns to precisely control light.

The research is getting attention from Interesting Engineering. Explore: https://interestingengineering.com/science/laser-breaks-repeating-patterns-semiconductor-design

By embedding tiny dielectric structures inside the semiconductor, researchers created a laser that can control light in a new way.

09/10/2026

Whether you're an incoming freshman or a returning student, if you've got an idea, the Landuyt Center wants to help you build it. Head to the Illini Union, September 14 from 4-6 pm, to meet the team, explore entrepreneurship programs, and grab fun swag.

09/09/2026

Join us on Thursday, September 10 at 4pm in the Grainger Auditorium in ECEB for the ECE Alumni Awardee Panel. Hear from Aran Hegarty, James Raftery, Jr., Prasun Raha, Pradeep Shenoy, and Sharon Xue Yang. Learn more: https://calendars.illinois.edu/detail/6590?eventId=33556222

09/09/2026

Illinois researchers have successfully demonstrated a superconducting electric motor designed to help bring zero-emissions propulsion to large commercial aircraft.

The CHEETA motor reached 1,500 RPM during its initial public demonstration, and testing has since pushed it to speeds of up to 2,400 RPM and torque of 400 N·m. Next up: higher power, continued testing and, ultimately, flight. ✈️

09/07/2026

ECE juniors and seniors: City Scholars gives you the chance to live, learn, and intern in Chicago while staying on track toward your Illinois degree. Work 20 hours a week with a Chicago tech company, take Illinois courses, and build connections in the city’s tech ecosystem.

Applications for Spring 2027 close September 13 at midnight.

Learn more and apply: https://cityscholars.grainger.illinois.edu/students/city-scholars-internship

09/04/2026

New friends. New beginnings. Lots of Illini spirit. 💙🧡

09/03/2026

Got a tech idea? Don’t let the deadline pass. 👀

ECE students, the Tech Startup Challenge is your chance to turn an idea into action, build your entrepreneurial skills, and compete for funding to take your concept further. Applications are due Sept. 6.

Apply now: https://landuyt.illinois.edu/programs/tech-startup-challenge

09/02/2026

ECE Professor Nam Sung Kim has been selected for the 2026 SRC Rama Divakaruni Technical Excellence Award, recognizing his pioneering contributions to memory and storage architecture. Read more: https://ece.illinois.edu/news/kim-receives-2026-src-rama-divakaruni-technical-excellence-award

ECE Professor Nam Sung Kim receives the 2026 SRC Rama Divakaruni Technical Excellence Award for pioneering contributions to memory and storage architecture for data centers.

09/02/2026

From academic support to career resources, student organizations, campus services and more, the Grainger Engineering resource guide puts some of the most useful info in one place.

Starting at Illinois? Consider this your cheat sheet. 👀

Check it out: https://grainger.illinois.edu/news/blog/resource-guide

Everyone wants a different college experience, and we know the importance of finding community and making connections socially and academically. We hope these resources help you make the most of your experience at Grainger Engineering!

09/01/2026

Congratulations to Associate Professor Katie Driggs-Campbell on being selected for the 2026-27 Emerging Research Leaders Academy (ERLA) cohort! This cohort works to assist mid-career faculty in expanding/enhancing their research programs, pursue larger grants, and lead campus research initiatives. Read more.

Sixteen rising stars chosen for the 26-27 Emerging Research Leaders Academy