Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Georgia Tech College of Engineering @gatechengineers.bsky.social · 12h

Road curves can be deadly, accounting for 1/4 of fatal crashes. Civil engineers are using AI & a smartphone to calculate safe speeds for curves, helping communities check dangerous stretches much more quickly. They’re deploying the tech in a pilot w/ Georgia’s Forsyth County. b.gatech.edu/3KKjyZc

Georgia Tech College of Engineering @gatechengineers.bsky.social · 1d

Dean’s Scholar & biomedical engineering student Nathan Wallace has used a prosthetic leg for most of his life. Now he’s using his experience as an amputee to help researchers design and test better robotic prostheses powered by AI. b.gatech.edu/3KL09HD

Nathan Wallace gives a thumbs-up during testing of a microprocessor-powered prosthetic leg.

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Georgia Tech College of Engineering @gatechengineers.bsky.social · 6d

Not a bad way to spend a couple of weeks: 3 @ece PhD students have been in Alaska capitalizing on its unique geography and research tools to study the Earth’s upper atmosphere. b.gatech.edu/48Jx3Ck

Three students pose in front of a field of antennas that are part of the Ionospheric Research Instrument in Alaska.

The research team spotted this aurora outside their airplane window during one of their flights.

A waterfall along Richardson Highway in Alaska.

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Georgia Tech College of Engineering @gatechengineers.bsky.social · 8d

We loved seeing hundreds of young faces light up with the thrill of exploration and discovery at our 2nd STEM Fest — a partnership with alumnus Calvin Mackie and his organization, STEM Global Action. b.gatech.edu/46M4DVK

A young student rides a "hovercraft" at STEM Fest.

A student takes aim with a paper airplane at STEM Fest.

A student flies a plane in a computer simulator at STEM Fest.

A volunteer explains wave energy to kids at STEM Fest.

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Georgia Tech College of Engineering @gatechengineers.bsky.social · 13d

A big week on North Ave. First, ranking No. 3. Now opening our new hangar facility & Aircraft Prototyping Lab. It’s purpose-built to advance electric & hybrid electric propulsion and autonomous flight systems. Check it out!

Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera, aerospace engineering School Chair Mitchell Walker and other dignitaries cut the ribbon to open the Aircraft Prototyping Lab.

A student talks with a reporter at the opening of the Georgia Tech Aircraft Prototyping Lab and hangar facility.

People mill about among reception tables inside the high bay area of the new Georgia Tech Aircraft Prototyping Lab after the ribbon cutting.

An airplane frame on display during the opening reception of the Georgia Tech Aircraft Prototyping Lab.

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Georgia Tech College of Engineering @gatechengineers.bsky.social · 15d

Reclaiming our spot at #️⃣3️⃣ in the new @usnews.com rankings for undergrad engineering. We also notched 3 of the nation’s top programs, in:

* Environmental engineering
* Biomedical engineering
* Industrial engineering – No. 1 for the 25th straight year!

See the full rundown: b.gatech.edu/3W5esZW

Graphic with the top of Tech Tower and text, "No. 3 undergraduate engineering program in the nation."

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Georgia Tech College of Engineering @gatechengineers.bsky.social · 16d

Help stroke survivors regain their stride? Yeah, #WeCanDoThat. b.gatech.edu/42CGOyj

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Georgia Tech College of Engineering @gatechengineers.bsky.social · 22d

We’re doubling the power of our Clark Scholars Program, thanks to an $11M investment from the Clark Foundation. The gift means we’ll be able to support 2x as many engineering students with scholarships, mentoring, community, and much, much more. b.gatech.edu/3Vk7gc8

Dean Raheem Beyah with two Clark Scholars

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Georgia Tech College of Engineering @gatechengineers.bsky.social · 23d

Full house to hear from alumnus Greg White about his career in private equity, the value of taking risks, and how he still uses his engineering skills at our latest Dean’s Distinguished Lecture, hosted by @rbeyah.bsky.social.

Alumnus Greg White discusses his career while Dean Raheem Beyah listens during the latest Dean's Distinguished Lecture.

A student listens to Greg White during the Dean's Distinguished Lecture.

Students listen to Greg White during the Dean's Distinguished Lecture.

Alumnus Greg White talks with a student after the Dean's Distinguished Lecture.

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Georgia Tech College of Engineering @gatechengineers.bsky.social · Sep 4

With the largest single gift in Tech history, 1957 mechanical engineering grad John Durstine will seed bold ideas & unique student experiences. And he’ll ensure our world-class faculty members have unprecedented resources to change the world.
b.gatech.edu/41Z3KI7

Georgia Tech Receives Record $100M Gift From Alumnus John W. Durstine

The largest single gift in Institute history will support faculty and academic excellence.

b.gatech.edu

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Georgia Tech College of Engineering @gatechengineers.bsky.social · Sep 2

Same shipping time but cheaper? A new Georgia Tech study shows moving Atlanta-bound cargo through Savannah instead of West Coast ports is just as fast and costs less. b.gatech.edu/45ZoEHX

A container cargo ship docked at the port of Savannah.

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Georgia Tech College of Engineering @gatechengineers.bsky.social · Aug 28

Fast charging is supposed to wear out batteries. Except, what if it didn’t? Georgia Tech engineers found higher currents can actually make batteries made from zinc last longer. It’s a first step to making them an attractive alternative to lithium-ion batteries. b.gatech.edu/47dOLNK

Illustration of a battery with blue and orange bolts of electricity inside.

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Georgia Tech College of Engineering @gatechengineers.bsky.social · Aug 22

Understanding how tiny fans propel water bugs across water can inspire energy efficient, mini robots. b.gatech.edu/474KbkT

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Georgia Tech College of Engineering @gatechengineers.bsky.social · Aug 19

Making breathable air for astronauts is a complex process with heavy machinery that needs frequent maintenance. Not ideal as humans stretch deeper into space. Georgia Tech aerospace engineers have produced oxygen with a simpler, lighter system – using magnets. b.gatech.edu/4oOn5Wb

Oxygen and hydrogen bubbles stream off of electrodes towards magnets in a microgravity environment.

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Georgia Tech College of Engineering @gatechengineers.bsky.social · Aug 15

As students return to campus next week, they’ll find a new cycle track for bikes, scooters & skateboards — thanks partly to civil & environmental engineering students who worked on the idea as part of their senior design project & then as engineers at the track’s design firm. b.gatech.edu/45QsDrr

Part of the new protected cycle track on Georgia Tech's campus, which provides travel lanes for bikes, scooters, and skateboards that is separated from vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

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Georgia Tech College of Engineering @gatechengineers.bsky.social · Aug 13

Inspired by sea shells, @christos-edward.bsky.social has created a process to make normally unpredictable recycled plastic both reliable and strong. How he’s using nature’s approach: b.gatech.edu/4m8Bt9O

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Georgia Tech College of Engineering @gatechengineers.bsky.social · Aug 12

A motorcycle accident derailed Ignacio Montoya’s plans for life just as he was preparing to graduate from Georgia Tech in 2012. Now he’s back for a Ph.D. and working to help others with spinal cord injuries live better, more independent lives. b.gatech.edu/4ltAXSO

Ignacio Montoya stands with a walker in front of the Los Angeles skyline.

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Georgia Tech College of Engineering @gatechengineers.bsky.social · Jul 24

A future of autonomous drones, air taxis, and other new aircraft means more crowded skies in urban areas — and much different flying conditions. Aerospace engineer Marilyn Smith is creating tools to predict these tricky conditions & plan for safe flying. b.gatech.edu/4557F6U

Computer model turbulent winds flowing through an urban landscape with dense buildings of various heights.

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Georgia Tech College of Engineering @gatechengineers.bsky.social · Jul 22

Shao-Yun Hsu has spent years honing her medical & surgical skills. But to really help patients with lymphedema, she decided she needed one more degree: a Georgia Tech biomedical engineering Ph.D. With Brandon Dixon, she's working to supercharge lymph node transplant surgery. b.gatech.edu/44WKrzE

Brandon Dixon and Shao-Yun Hsu discuss data on a tablet computer related to their work improving lymph node transplant surgery.

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Georgia Tech College of Engineering @gatechengineers.bsky.social · Jul 21

Our competition teams have been cleaning up this summer! The newest podium finish comes from the Georgia Tech Solar Racing team, which debuted an all-new custom car. They drove 170 miles right into 3rd place at the Electrek Formula Sun Grand Prix. b.gatech.edu/4lEBn9C

Members of the Solar Racing team with their custom-built car, the SR-4: Aurora

Georgia Tech Solar Racing’s custom-built SR-4 model made its competitive debut at the 2025 Formula Sun Grand Prix.

Two Georgia Tech Solar Racing team members work underneath SR-4 car.

A team member driving the SR-4. A handful of Georgia Tech Solar Racing team members are trained to drive. The mechanics of driving are similar to commercial cars, but the driver must pay more attention to data displays on the dashboard.

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Georgia Tech College of Engineering @gatechengineers.bsky.social · Jul 18

In low earth orbit, on the moon, out to Mars, and far beyond, Georgia Tech engineers are helping humans push deeper and deeper into space. We're creating the robots and electronics for extreme environments and the systems astronauts will need for long-duration spaceflight. b.gatech.edu/3TMVaYk

Chris Carr in Hawaii with a drone that flew instruments through volcanic fog clouds to test them for use in similar conditions on Venus.

Ava Thrasher and John Christian, who developed landing algorithms involved in two recent moon missions.

Azadeh Ansari holds chip she has developed that combines many sensors into one small package.

Georgia Tech College of Engineering @gatechengineers.bsky.social · Jul 17

It’s a three-peat for our civil and environmental engineering Sustainable Solutions Team!

The defending champs took top honors again at the ASCE competition for their ideas to revitalize an old office building and the surrounding areas. b.gatech.edu/4kSRDTy

Six members of the first-place Sustainable Solutions team from Georgia Tech with their award trophy.

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Georgia Tech College of Engineering @gatechengineers.bsky.social · Jul 15

Electric engines. Computer vision. EV-capable power grids. Autonomous vehicles. See how Georgia Tech electrical and computer engineering researchers are helping create the cars of the future: b.gatech.edu/4kJRHF0

Illustration of a futuristic car with a sensor dome on top driving on a road with a city skyline in the background.

Georgia Tech College of Engineering @gatechengineers.bsky.social · Jul 14

A Georgia Tech researcher analyzing more than a century of climate science publications has found women in the field are just as productive and successful as their male peers. Yet they tend to have shorter careers & fewer total publications. New study in @pnas.org: bit.ly/464rBZC

Despite Equal Publication Success in Climate Science, Women Leave the Field Earlier Than Men

A century-long analysis of publication data looks at the gender dynamics in a field that combines male- and female-dominated focus areas.

bit.ly

Georgia Tech College of Engineering @gatechengineers.bsky.social · Jul 10

Georgia Tech engineers have found forest waste can help keep road pollution out of rivers and lakes — one natural resource helping protect another. They mixed biochar and top soil to filter out and break down heavy metals, oil & other pollutants from stormwater washing off roads: bit.ly/44G8cM2

‘Biochar’ Can Naturally Clean the Pollution that Rain Washes Off Georgia’s Roads

A new study shows how the material made from leaves and branches that collect on forest floors can be mixed with local soil to filter out road grime before it reaches waterways.

bit.ly

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