College of Engineering

About the OSU College of Engineering: The college is a global leader in artificial intelligence, robotics, advanced manufacturing, clean water and energy, materials science, computing, resilient infrastructure and health-related engineering. Among the nation’s largest and most productive engineering programs, the college awards more bachelor’s degrees in computer science than any other institution in the United States. The college ranks second nationally among land grant universities, and fifth among the nation’s 94 public R1 universities, for percentage of tenured or tenure-track engineering faculty who are women.

 

Researchers improve chemical reaction that underpins products from foods to fuels

CORVALLIS, Ore. – A chemical reaction that’s vital to a range of commercial and industrial goods may soon be initiated more effectively and less expensively thanks to a collaboration that included Oregon State University College of Engineering researchers.

The study, published in Nature, involves hydrogenation – adding the diatomic hydrogen molecule, H2, to other compounds.

Bird flu markers in wastewater may come from wild birds, study led by Oregon State shows

CORVALLIS, Ore. – New research shows that wild birds can account for much of the avian influenza virus evidence found in wastewater in Oregon, suggesting wastewater detections of the virus do not automatically signal human, poultry or dairy cattle cases of bird flu.

The study looked at the new clade of avian influenza virus that first appeared in the United States in January 2022 and by the end of 2024 had infected poultry and cattle throughout the country.

Researchers show how to efficiently convert captured carbon dioxide into green energy

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Methanol, important for the manufacture of many everyday goods and for its green energy potential, may soon be produced faster and more efficiently thanks to a collaboration that included two Oregon State University researchers.

Zhenxing Feng and Alvin Chang of the OSU College of Engineering helped characterize a novel electrocatalyst developed by collaborators at Yale University and helped explain the improved efficiency for deriving methanol from carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that’s largely responsible for global climate change.

New 3D printing approach means better biomedical, energy, robotics devices

CORVALLIS, Ore. – An Oregon State University researcher has helped create a new 3D printing approach for shape-changing materials that are likened to muscles, opening the door for improved applications in robotics as well as biomedical and energy devices.

The liquid crystalline elastomer structures printed by Devin Roach of the OSU College of Engineering and collaborators can crawl, fold and snap directly after printing.

Toddlers show increased physical activity with a robot playmate moving around the room

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Parents seeking help in encouraging toddlers to be physically active may soon need to look no further than an inexpensive robotic buddy for their kids, a new study by Oregon State University suggests.

The findings are important because movement plays a key role in the overall health of children, both in youth and later on in adulthood, the authors note.

Bicycle rolling-stop laws don’t lead to unsafe behavior by riders or motorists, research shows

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Laws that let bicyclists treat stop signs as yield signs lead neither riders nor motorists to act unsafely, according to a groundbreaking Oregon State University study.

The project by OSU College of Engineering researchers featured a novel experimental technique – linking separate bicycle and motor vehicle simulators – and the findings are important as more and more states consider bicycle rolling-stop legislation, said David Hurwitz, the study’s leader.

Pacific Northwest semiconductor and mass timber industries each receive $500,000 awards from White House

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University-led efforts focused on microfluidic technology for semiconductors and mass timber design and manufacturing each have received $500,000 awards from the White House.

In Oct. 2023, the White House, through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, announced the designation of 31 Tech Hubs, including the two led by Oregon State.