Materials Science and Engineering Professor Xudong Wang is improving the electrical efficiency and biocompatibility of batteries and implantable electrostimulation devices for tissue repair. When light hits the nacre of an oyster’s inner shell, variations in thickness create shimmering interference patterns, resulting in the lustrous glow of mother-of-pearl. Nacre is composed of thin, microscopic layers of […]
Author: wisconsinengineer
The Máquina fountain has been a popular topic among Wisconsin Engineer writers, but its recent demolition closes an important chapter for the College of Engineering. “That’s supposed to be a fountain?” “Does it actually work?” “I heard that if you turn it on, Agricultural Hall will fall down.” These rumors, exchanged amongst UW–Madison’s student population, […]
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Seeing Madison with Fresh Eyes
What makes Madison stand out from the rest of the world? Taking a step away from the city can give students a fresh perspective to answer this question. Like any city, Madison has its own unique culture. Understanding it empowers you to know how the city differs from the rest of the world and understand […]
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Our History of Predicting the Future
Throughout the 128-year history of the magazine, its writers have attempted to predict what the future will look like. Now that the future’s here, is it everything they dreamed of? First and foremost, let’s get one thing out of the way: No, humans haven’t developed nuclear fusion power yet. Despite predictions made by WEM writers […]
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Life on Mars? The Search Continues!
25 years after the magazine featured a story about life on Mars, we’re still searching — but recent science sheds light on what we could find. Aliens have been the darling of human imagination since ancient times. From Christiaan Huygens’ hemp-growing sailors and musicians to Marvel’s trees and racoons, visions of alien life over the […]
After 85 years, 1410 Engineering Drive will soon be demolished and replaced by a state-of-the-art engineering building. The UW-Madison College of Engineering announced in early 2024 their decision to demolish 1410 Engineering Drive, one of the oldest buildings on the engineering campus, this autumn. Over the upcoming summer, its occupants, including engineering research labs, Computer […]
As self-driving cars transition from futuristic concept to imminent reality, engineers face a monumental challenge, requiring a balance of innovation and caution: ensuring the safety of passengers and pedestrians where any failure could result in significant damage. Looking to the future of transportation, autonomous vehicles may hold the potential for safer, faster journeys. But, assessing […]
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Breaking Bad: A Chemical Analysis
UW–Madison chemistry experts scrutinize the science behind one of television’s most sensational shows Breaking Bad, a hit crime drama about a chemistry-teacher-turned-meth-cook, is widely praised for the intricate use of chemistry throughout the series. While critics argue that this chemistry is inaccurate or overexaggerated, UW–Madison chemists argue Breaking Bad leaves little room for error when […]
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Progress STEMming from Art
The interweaving of art and STEM topics as shown by the UW-Madison Design Hub and Chemistry Department Is there truly a difference between STEM and STEAM? Topics involving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are often thought of as entirely separate from art. However, art is a fundamental part of the projects that occur in the […]
For nearly 50 years, the IEDE Student Center has evolved to improve climate and feelings of belonging for students within the College of Engineering, building a network of diverse engineers. Conversations regarding diversity in education date back centuries. While American universities began offering degrees in engineering in 1817, it took 59 years for the first […]