News
Keep posted on what our department and its members are accomplishing on a daily basis.
Researchers Create Moisture-Driven Tech That Powers Green Batteries – and Dissolves Spy Gear
Posted on July 1, 2026 | Filed Under: News
A non-toxic, stretchable battery operates by extracting moisture from the ambient environment – even in climates as dry as the desert.
Dan and Jean Eddleman: Turning Roadblocks Into Stepping Stones
Posted on June 25, 2026 | Filed Under: Alumni and Features and Giving and News and Newswire
Dan, a Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering alumnus, and Jean, a Department of Biological Sciences alumna, want to ‘pay it forward.’ The couple’s three-part planned gift to the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, …
What to Know from NC State’s Quantum Workshop
Posted on June 24, 2026 | Filed Under: News
Industry professionals, students, faculty and researchers explored the future of quantum machine learning during summer school at NC State.
The Game is Afoot: ECE Students Win Day of Giving 2026 Dean’s Hide-and-Seek Challenge
Posted on June 9, 2026 | Filed Under: Campus Life and Events and Giving and News
Neil Sood, spring 2026 graduate in electrical engineering and computer engineering (and current graduate student), and Madeline Wall, a fourth-year student double majoring in electrical engineering and computer engineering, put their hide-a …
NC State University and Axiro Collaborate on Next-Gen Phased Array and ISAC Research
Posted on June 4, 2026 | Filed Under: Faculty and News and Research
NC State’s Integrated Communication and Sensing Lab (ICaSL), led by Assistant Professor Suresh Venkatesh, and Axiro Semiconductor are advancing research in FR2/FR3 phased-array platforms and integrated sensing and communications (ISAC) tech …
What You Can Do With a Master’s in Wide Bandgap Semiconductors
Posted on May 22, 2026 | Filed Under: News
Choosing a graduate program is a major decision, especially if you want a degree that leads directly to industry demand. A master’s in wide bandgap…
Second Annual Green-G Conference Explores Intersections Between Biology and Engineering
Posted on May 21, 2026 | Filed Under: News
At an interdisciplinary meeting held May 5-6, NC State researchers from several different departments discussed with invited guests how living systems sense, respond and communicate — and, in turn, how we can translate biological principles …
Researchers Improve AI’s Ability to Learn New Tasks Without Sacrificing Performance
Posted on May 19, 2026 | Filed Under: News
A new framework allows AI models that have already been trained to learn new tasks without sacrificing performance when performing old tasks.
Congratulations to our Spring 2026 Graduates!
Posted on May 18, 2026 | Filed Under: Alumni and Events and Features and News and Newswire
Congratulations to the nearly 500 Spring 2026 Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) graduates! Hundreds of friends, family and #NCStateECE community members gathered at Reynolds Coliseum on May 7 to celebrate the Class of …
COE Seniors Recognized for Outstanding Achievements
Posted on May 14, 2026 | Filed Under: News
The Outstanding Senior Awards categories are Citizenship & Service, Humanities, Leadership and Scholarly Achievement. Seniors are nominated by their respective academic departments, and winners are chosen by a selection committee made u …
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Two Experts Share Advances in Quantum Computing
Viewing a modern quantum computer, one is immediately confronted with novelty and beauty. The chandelier of a superconducting quantum computer like IBM’s Quantum System One calls to mind a painting like Julie Mehretu’s Stadia II. Visually arresting, the real magic—its animating force—is invisible to the naked eye.
Posted on July 1, 2026
These ‘Cyborg Insects’ Could Become the World’s Stealthiest Spies—Because They Hide Where Humans Can’t
Imagine a war zone where swarms of cockroaches equipped with miniature backpacks sneak across front lines to spy on enemies. It might sound like a scene from a horror movie, but experiments to accomplish exactly that are underway. SWARM Biotactics, a German company founded in 2024, aims to create “bio-robotic swarms” for military use.
Posted on April 21, 2026
NCSU students add sensors, weather station to whirligigs
N.C. State engineering students are expanding sensor monitoring and adding a real-time weather station at Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park to better track wear on the park’s kinetic sculptures.
Posted on April 19, 2026
Not your average bandage. This NC State invention requires electricity to heal
Currents of electricity flowing through the body are often associated with bad things like electrocution. However, that power can be beneficial when treating chronic wounds or injuries that struggle to heal on their own.
Posted on June 26, 2025
Case Study: How TPUXtract Leveraged Keysight Tools for AI Model Extraction
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at the heart of modern computing, driving advancements in industries ranging from autonomous systems to enterprise security. However, as AI models become more sophisticated, so do the threats targeting them.
A team of researchers at North Carolina State University (NCSU) recently demonstrated a new technique for extracting AI models from hardware accelerators using electro-magnetic side-channel analysis (SCA). This article explores their findings and highlights how Keysight’s Side-Channel Analysis tools aided in validating and executing their attack.
Posted on March 19, 2025
Whirligigs and Innovation: NC State Engineering Students Bring Science to the Park
Last week was Engineers Week. Also known as EWeek, this week of engineering celebration was established in 1951 by the National Society of Engineers with a goal of ensuring a “diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce.” Engineering is, of course, the “E” in STEM and it is still a goal to help create a diverse and well-educated future workforce, not just in Engineering, but in all of the STEM fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. I think it was incredibly insightful of the Engineering Society to recognize the importance of promoting workforce development in Engineering in 1951.
We know how important engineering is to our society when we think about buildings and bridges, but what other ways does engineering make our lives better? How can engineering knowledge help us to monitor, protect, and improve things in our everyday lives? Have you ever thought about how engineering is making a difference in your hometown right now? Here on the NC Science Trail, we celebrate the power of engineering everyday, and we’d like to thank our partners at the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park for sharing the information below on a new engineering project designed to help protect Wilson, North Carolina’s most beloved artform – the whirligigs.
At Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, art and science are coming together in an exciting new way. A team of electrical and computer engineering students from North Carolina State University is partnering with the park and RIoT to bring cutting-edge technology to one of Vollis’ iconic kinetic sculptures. Their goal? To study how wind powers the whirligigs and to create a system that can help monitor the health of these beloved artworks for years to come.
Bringing Science to the Whirligigs
The students will install sensors on BBB Blue Star, one of the largest whirligigs in the park, standing 35 feet tall. These sensors will measure factors like tilt, vibration, and rotation speed to gather data on how efficiently the sculpture moves in the wind. By collecting this information, the team hopes to provide valuable insights into how the whirligigs interact with their environment.
How It Works
The project involves three key sensors:
- Tilt Sensor – Detects any shifts in the whirligig’s position.
- Vibration Sensor – Measures any unusual movement that might indicate a need for maintenance.
- Rotation Sensor – Uses magnets and a magnetic field detector to track how fast the whirligig spins.
The data collected will be sent via radio signals to a central computer in the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park Museum and Gift Shop, where it can be monitored and analyzed. This system could help conservationists by acting as an early warning system—if a whirligig starts vibrating too much, for example, they’ll know to check it for potential issues.
A Learning Opportunity for All
This project isn’t just about science; it’s also about education. Once the sensors are fully operational, the data will be displayed on the park’s website, allowing anyone—from students to visitors—to explore real-time information about how the whirligigs move. A dedicated page for the NC State students and their research is being created and will be linked here once available: [NC State Whirligig Data Page – Coming Soon]. This will open the door for new learning experiences, sparking curiosity in engineering, physics, and environmental science.
This exciting collaboration was made possible through NC State’s Senior Design Program in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The program challenges students to apply their technical skills to real-world problems, and Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park was chosen as one of the projects to tackle. To learn more about the program, visit NC State Senior Design Program.
Why Now?
Recent changes in Wilson’s downtown landscape, including the demolition of Farmers Warehouse, have affected wind patterns around the park. The construction of a new downtown baseball stadium nearby will further alter how the wind moves through the space. By collecting data before and after the stadium’s completion, researchers will gain valuable insight into how these environmental changes impact the whirligigs.
The Future of Whirligig Science
This partnership is just the beginning. The students plan to test the sensors on smaller whirligigs at NC State before installing them at the park. By May, the sensors should be up and running on BBB Blue Star, providing valuable information for both conservation and education.
Through this collaboration, Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park continues to evolve—not just as a home for art, but as a place where innovation and creativity thrive. With the help of technology and bright young minds, the whirligigs are spinning into the future!
Posted on February 26, 2025