Using Data-Driven Innovation to Pave the Way for Safer —and More Efficient—Robots

As more industrial and autonomous robots come online for an increasingly diverse array of applications, ensuring adequate safety protections exist for the humans who share their workspaces is a growing concern. Luis Duffaut, an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, was recently awarded a prestigious CAREER award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to continue his research to develop advanced control systems using a data-driven approach to establish safety-control laws while continuing to optimize and guarantee performance.

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Vermont FIRST Tech Challenge sparks innovation and teamwork at state championships

A cacophony of whirring motors, timing buzzers, and shouts of encouragement filled the Lamoille Union High School gymnasium during the 2024 Vermont First Tech Challenge (FTC) as 19 teams from across the state took center stage for the annual robotics competition.

Founded in 1989, FIRST is a global not-for-profit organization with a mission to inspire young engineers through a mentorship program that cultivates their STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) skills in a team-based format that fosters self-confidence, communication, and leadership skills. The organization offers three different program levels to provide an opportunity for youths to work in teams to learn how to design, build, and program robots: LEGO® League (FLL for ages 4-14) and the Tech Challenge and Robotics Competition (FTC and FRC, both for ages 14-18).

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The updated name better aligns with faculty expertise and available student opportunities

The faculty of the former Electrical Engineering (EE) program in the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences (CEMS) has recently voted to adopt a new name— the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Program—that better reflects the scope and breadth of the undergraduate curriculum and highlights the importance of computer engineering as a core research and hands-on learning opportunity for students studying to become electrical engineers.

“Our faculty recognizes that computer engineering—which blends aspects of electrical engineering with computer science—is a highly sought-after combination of skills for which there is a critical need in the modern workforce,” said Marilyn J. Cipolla, Chair of the Electrical and Biomedical Engineering Department (EBE) where the program will continue to be housed.

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The University of Vermont and Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO) have signed a five-year strategic agreement to collaborate on research projects, curricular enrichment, and workforce development. The agreement’s purpose is to advance use-inspired research that helps to ensure a more resilient, affordable, and sustainable transmission system as Vermont accelerates the clean energy transition.

This agreement, which builds on a number of previous UVM-VELCO collaborations, will support the development of UVM’s NES²T (Next-gen Energy Systems Simulation Technology) lab, which will be housed on the main campus. This lab will support the evaluation of what-if scenarios on a “digital twin” of the Vermont power system, leveraging UVM researchers’ innovative power systems research and VELCO’s operational knowledge, grid planning information, and real-time data to increase the electric grid performance.

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The day-long event featured a morning ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new semiconductor teaching lab and unique career-building activities for students with GlobalFoundries employees in the afternoon.

University of Vermont (UVM) faculty, students and staff gathered this morning alongside employees of GlobalFoundries (GF) for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the culmination of their growing partnership and the launch of Vermont's first educational semiconductor lab. The celebration was the lead-off event for GlobalFoundries Day which continues through the afternoon with activities designed to engage students in the company's mission, current programs and developments, open jobs, and internships.

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The UVM startup's thin-film solar panels are poised to transform the clean-tech industry.

With their revolutionary solar panels, Verde Technologies enthralled the judges and participants at this year’s Clean Tech Open—the world's largest and longest-running clean technology accelerator. The University of Vermont startup’s thin-film perovskite solar panels, which are lightweight, flexible, affordable, and easily installable because of their adhesive backing, won second place and the People’s Choice awards at the Cleantech Open's annual Global Forum, held in San Jose, Calif., in October. Verde competed against over 90 companies from across the globe.

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In an effort to create a cleaner and more energy-efficient Vermont, the University of Vermont (UVM)―in conjunction with over a dozen manufacturing and electric utility companies, state and local government offices, Vermont higher education institutions, and non-governmental organizations—has formally announced the Vermont Clean and Resilient Energy Consortium (VCREC). The VCREC seeks funding for research and related economic and commercial development related to clean energy, and to collaborate on projects of mutual interest to support clean energy delivery, renewable energy, decarbonization, and energy resiliency. 

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