M.C. Dean Engineering Hub at NC State

Advancing energy infrastructure, grid resilience, advanced manufacturing and workforce development

The M.C. Dean Engineering Hub at NC State brings together the College of Engineering and M.C. Dean to accelerate innovation in electronic systems, distributed energy, grid modernization and advanced manufacturing. The hub is designed to connect industry expertise with NC State's research strengths, creating opportunities for applied research, student engagement and workforce development.

About the Hub

Launched in February 2026, the M.C. Dean Engineering Hub reflects a shared commitment to solving real-world infrastructure and energy challenges. The partnership focuses on four core areas:

  • Grid Innovation
    Advancing next-generation microgrid management, hybrid-mode operations and islanding solutions.
  • Energy Storage and Demand-Side Management
    Improving resiliency, emergency response and long-term sustainability of energy systems.
  • Advanced Manufacturing for Large-Scale Infrastructure
    Supporting scalable, reliable infrastructure for growing global demands.
  • Workforce Development
    Creating opportunities for students through fellowships, research, project-based learning and industry engagement.

"The MC Dean Energy Storage project is an ideal platform for integrating highly multidisciplinary research combining power systems, power electronics, control systems, optimization, power markets, and cyber-security. Another notable feature is that our students will get the chance of showcasing their work on real-world microgrid facilities. This will open up lots of new collaboration opportunities between us and the power industry in the coming years." 

Aranya Chakrabortty
Associate Department Head for Research, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Current Graduate Projects

The hub supports 5 multidisciplinary projects. M.C. Dean hosts monthly advising sessions for each team:

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"The M.C. Dean project has not only supported my pursuit of important research but also provided a valuable opportunity to better understand industry needs. Through this collaboration and our meetings with M.C. Dean advisors, we have gained deeper insight into the emerging industry trends. This perspective helps us position our research to be more practical, relevant, and impactful."

Nabindra Shrestha
Doctoral Student

2025-2026 Undergraduate Projects

As part of its commitment to experiential learning and workforce development, the M.C. Dean Hub sponsored four projects. M.C. Dean engineers worked directly with and mentored the student teams throughout the projects.

Project 45: Multi-Discipline Modular Design Quality Process

This project focused on developing a modular framework to improve design quality processes across multidisciplinary engineering environments. The team explored methods to streamline collaboration, standardize workflows and improve quality assurance practices in complex infrastructure projects.

Project 46: Modeling Stand-Alone and Grid-Connected Microgrids for Cost

Students developed simulation models to analyze the operational and economic performance of stand-alone and grid-connected microgrid systems. The project examined cost optimization, resiliency and energy management strategies relevant to modern power infrastructure.

Project 47: Modeling Stand-Alone and Grid-Connected Microgrids for Cost

Building upon similar energy systems objectives, this second microgrid-focused team investigated scalable modeling approaches for distributed energy systems and evaluated cost-performance tradeoffs in resilient grid architectures.

Project 48: Smart Tailgating Detection System

This project designed an intelligent tailgating detection system aimed at enhancing security and access control in facilities and critical infrastructure environments. The solution leveraged sensing and monitoring technologies to identify unauthorized entry events in real time.

Through these projects, students gained hands-on experience working on industry-relevant challenges while interacting with professionals and mentors connected to M.C. Dean and the broader engineering ecosystem. The sponsorship also provided students with opportunities to strengthen technical, project management and collaborative problem-solving skills in preparation for careers in advanced infrastructure and technology sectors.

Student Opportunities

Through the M.C. Dean Engineering Hub, students will have opportunities to engage in applied research, industry-informed projects, fellowships and hands-on learning experiences. These activities are intended to help prepare the next generation of engineers to design, build and manage intelligent, resilient infrastructure systems.

Smiling person in a suit under a tree, outdoors, on a sunny day.

"My research interests are in control theory and its applications. I am glad that the MC Dean Hub gave me the opportunity to pursue my PhD research in applying advanced control-theoretic ideas for managing large batteries in microgrids. Developing these control laws will become essential as more data centers and other power electronics based loads get integrated in distribution grids over the coming years. The project will give me a chance to bridge the gap between theory and practice in microgrid research."

Alex Haines
Doctoral Student
Young man speaking at a University of Maryland podium during an event.

"Data center loads are going to become a regular part of tomorrow's power grid. Research needs to be done to ensure that the power electronics of these loads work synchronously with the daily operation and control on the grid side. My work in the MC Dean project is addressing these needs. I plan to use new concepts on solid-state transformers, a key technology developed in the FREEDM Systems Center at NC State, as well as developing industry standards for this purpose."

Owen Mank
Doctoral Student

Recent Activities

Launch of the M.C. Dean Engineering Hub

NC State’s College of Engineering and M.C. Dean announced the launch of the hub in February 2026. The announcement highlighted the hub’s role in supporting research, workforce development and innovation in energy infrastructure and technology.

FREEDM Research Symposium

The 2026 FREEDM Research Symposium featured a dedicated M.C. Dean Hub Projects session on February 11. Topics included:

  • Data Center Digital Twin for Energy and Power Management System Design in Grid-Connected and Islanded Modes
  • Coordinated Control of Energy Storage in Networked Microgrids
  • Dynamic Data Center Models for Grid Stability
  • Future Industrial Infrastructure Distribution Systems

Workshop on Energy Needs for AI Data Centers

In March 2026, ECE, FREEDM and M.C. Dean hosted a workshop at Hunt Library focused on the energy needs of AI-scale data centers. The event convened utilities, data center developers, technology companies, government and academic leaders to discuss:

  • AI-driven power demand growth
  • Grid integration challenges
  • Cooling and energy efficiency needs
  • Infrastructure scalability
  • Future energy technology pathways

The workshop demonstrated the hub’s role as a convening platform between academia and industry.

Senior Design Day

As part of its commitment to experiential learning and workforce development, the M.C. Dean Hub sponsored four interdisciplinary Senior Design projects. M.C. Dean engineers worked directly with and mentored the student teams throughout the projects. These projects were showcased during the annual Senior Design Day on April 17th, where students present industry-driven solutions addressing real-world engineering challenges.

The sponsored projects reflected key themes aligned with the M.C. Dean Engineering Hub, including smart infrastructure, energy systems, automation and advanced engineering processes.

Looking Ahead

The M.C. Dean Engineering Hub will continue to expand activities that connect NC State faculty, students and industry partners around high-impact infrastructure challenges. Future efforts may include additional workshops, research projects, student showcases, senior design engagement, lab tours, fellowships and workforce development initiatives.

Future Events

Student Research Symposium - September 14, 2026 at the NC State Plant Sciences Building.

Additional details will be announced soon.