Do you know how RPI Engineering faculty are shaping the future? In just 20 minutes, you’ll discover how their research is changing the world! Join us to learn how TED Talk meets research presented in PechaKucha style! Open to ALL!!
Miki Amitay, Professor of Mechanical, Aerospace & Nuclear Engineering
What if we could change the shape of a vehicle—without moving parts—just by controlling how air flows around it? Prof. Amitay will introduce active flow control, a new technology that uses tiny devices to manage airflow and improve how vehicles perform. This approach can reduce drag, save fuel, and even replace traditional control surfaces like flaps or rudder. It is a simple idea with powerful potential for the future of air, ground, and underwater transportation.
Joel Giedt, Professor of Physics, Applied Physics & Astronomy
Can something you can see with your eyes behave like a quantum particle? The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics honored John Clarke, Michel Devoret, and John Martinis for proving that even large electrical circuits can follow quantum rules. Their discovery—that superconducting circuits can act as “artificial atoms” with discrete energy levels—paved the way for today’s quantum computers, including the IBM Quantum System One right here at RPI. Prof. Giedt will help explain how their seminal work transformed physics and opened the door to a new era of computing.
Ed Palermo, Professor of Materials Science & Engineering
Can the brain and spine truly heal themselves after injury?
For decades, treating brain and spinal injuries has relied on drugs that often miss the mark, unable to reach the right place at the right time. But what if we could change that? Come hear Dr. Ed Palermo share how his lab is designing soft, bio-inspired materials that do more than deliver medicine—they guide healing. These materials, made from estrogen-based polymers, act like scaffolds, helping nerve cells grow while gently releasing drugs where they’re needed most.
Rich Radke, Professor of Electrical, Computers and Systems Engineering
Ever wondered how a room can “know” what you’re doing? Or how an airport could track passengers and their luggage in real time?
Join Prof. Rich Radke as he shares his journey through the world of computer vision and machine learning, building intelligent systems that respond to people and environments at scale. From smart spaces to massive multi-user displays, discover how his research is shaping the future of occupant-aware technology—and hear firsthand about the collaborations and career path that brought him here.
School of Engineering
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Jonsson Engineering Center
110 8th Street Troy, NY 12180 USA
