Both Duke's Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Computer Science Departments were recently ranked among the top 20 for women in STEM. Discover the secret to their commitment to fostering inclusive, collaborative education and research.

Dear Colleagues,

As we approach the end of 2024, I’m excited to highlight the outstanding achievements within our department. Alongside the computer science department, MEMS has been recognized for its collaborative environment and support for women in STEM. Check out our array of fantastic female faculty in MEMS above! 

This fall, our faculty received major honors, including Professor Adrian Bejan’s ASME Medal for his groundbreaking work in thermodynamics and design in nature. Our students continue to push boundaries, with innovations like a new solvent-free polymer resin for 3D printing, leading to a transformation in customized medical implants.

We're also incredibly excited to welcome new faculty members to our growing community of researchers. Joanna Deaton, Xianyi Chen and Christopher Douglas bring with them a wealth of expertise in robotics, automation and fluid dynamics.

Our senior mechanical engineering students recently demonstrated creativity and teamwork in the Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race and our research in robotics, materials and climate solutions are making significant impact.

This will be my last MEMS newsletter sending the Chair’s message. I have been honored to serve MEMS for the last 5+ years and have been inspired by the vision and excellence of our team. I will be handing the reins over to Christine Payne in the new year, and I am excited to participate in her leadership and vision.

The accomplishments in this and all MEMS newsletters reflect the spirit of innovation and collaboration that defines Duke MEMS, and I look forward to the continued progress we will achieve together.

To future successes,

Cate Brinson, PhD
Donald M. Alstadt Chair and
Sharon C. and Harold L. Yoh, III Distinguished Professor

Duke researchers are pursuing robots that learn like humans, help perform delicate surgeries and look after crewed space flights. Find out why the future of these technologies will be shaped by their efforts.

Discover why a new solvent-free polymer that can be used in commercial digital light processing 3D printers could to major advantages across different applications such as biodegradable medical implants.

Researchers have given robots a sense of touch by “listening” to vibrations. See why this ability is allowing them to identify materials, understand shapes and recognize objects just like human hands.

No matter how clean our technologies become, people must be persuaded to use them to make a difference. Find out how lessons learned in removing dams could inform the adoption of cleaner cement.

Find out how a $25 million gift from philanthropists Bruce and Martha Karsh will spur learning and innovation in STEM-related fields at Duke University via a new undergraduate scholars program.

Read all about how Joanna Deaton is bringing expertise in the field of medical robotics and advances in surgical tools to Duke's growing team of all-stars.

Find out how Christopher Douglas plans to expand on his research of thermo-fluid dynamics, motivated by the generation of renewable power.

Xianyi Cheng’s work focuses on dexterous manipulation in robotics. Come see why she's emphasizing the need for robotic systems that can handle diverse complicated manual tasks.

Adrian Bejan was recently awarded the ASME Medal for his career spanning several decades defined by creativity and impact. Discover why his recognition of flows in all systems mirrors is own career.

Duke Engineers have garnered a lot of attention in the last few months. Find out which faculty and students were recognized this fall for their outstanding achievements and contributions.

Join a group of senior mechanical engineering students as they take on the streets of downtown Baltimore in a Keith Herring sculptured masterpiece with the hopes of surviving  the Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race.

Seniors in our mechanical engineering and materials science department got creative during a design sprint, the perfect warm-up for their upcoming capstone design projects. Watch the fun games they designed for the MEMS State Fair!

Follow @DukeEngineering on Instagram for more!

“From when I was an undergraduate at Duke to the moment I joined MEMS, I’ve always felt so connected and welcomed here.”

—REBECCA SIMMONS,

on the collaborative spirit of the MEMS department

Background image for "On Camera": George Hart, Geometry Ascending a Staircase (2013), from the Duke Engineering art collection.

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