ECE Florida

🌊📡 What if underwater robots could talk to each other in real time?

Researchers in UF Electrical & Computer Engineering have developed BlueME, a compact communication system that allows underwater robots to exchange data over distances exceeding 700 meters while using minimal power.

The breakthrough could improve ocean exploration, environmental monitoring, offshore infrastructure inspections and autonomous marine operations by enabling robots to share information without returning to the surface.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4uJIYsb

Congratulations to Ivan Ruchkin, Ph.D., on being named the recipient of the IEEE TC CPS Early-Career Award.

The award recognizes outstanding early-career contributions to the field of cyber-physical systems — an area at the intersection of automation, autonomy, safety-critical systems and control.

Ruchkin’s research focuses on improving the safety and reliability of learning-enabled cyber-physical systems, including trustworthy monitoring, system verification and neural-network controller repair.

This recognition highlights the growing impact of ECE research in shaping safer, more reliable intelligent systems.

Congratulations to Dillon Vann on being awarded a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship.

The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program supports graduate students who demonstrate exceptional potential for impactful research and innovation. Vann was among 15 Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering students selected this year.

A first-year doctoral student in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Vann conducts research in the Photonics Lab led by Volker Sorger. His work focuses on silicon photonics, Fourier optics and solid-state physics applications through the Florida Semiconductor Institute.

We look forward to seeing the impact of his research in photonics and semiconductor science.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4dvz1bH

Today, UF ECE had the pleasure of hosting our first collaborative webinar with Beirut Arab University. The session was intentionally designed as an introductory and collaborative “get to know you” discussion rather than a traditional research seminar. Our goal was to help identify shared research interests, spark new ideas, and lay the groundwork for future collaborations, workshops, and more focused seminars involving faculty, researchers, and eventually students from both institutions.

One of the many ways UF ECE continues to stay ahead of the curve is through our strong emphasis on experiential learning, global engagement, and creating meaningful opportunities for faculty and students to connect beyond the classroom and across international borders.

We had an excellent discussion and have already begun planning future collaborations, including UF ECE’s own Dr. Laura Kim being invited by BAU’s Dr. Ali Haidar, Chairman of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, to present a future webinar to BAU graduate students.

It was also especially wonderful to see a familiar Gator connection on the call, with UF alumnus Dr. Ziad Osman, now a professor at Beirut Arab University, joining the discussion as well.

Excited to continue building these international relationships and creating new opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and experiential learning for our UF ECE community.

As artificial intelligence continues to grow, so does the energy needed to power it. Some experts warn that energy demands could eventually outpace supply — creating major challenges for the future of AI infrastructure.

That challenge has Volker Sorger looking beyond Earth for answers.

Sorger, UF’s Walden and Paula Rhines Endowed Professor in Semiconductor Photonics and deputy director for Strategic Initiatives at the Florida Semiconductor Institute, is partnering with NASA to send photonic semiconductor chips to the International Space Station for testing. 🚀

The research explores how photonic chips — which use light instead of electrons to process information — could enable faster, more energy-efficient computing systems and eventually support space-based data centers.

“The sky is not the limit. Space is the limit.”

Read more: https://bit.ly/4eRxBcA

Let the spring ECE newsletter show you how UF ECE is protecting critical infrastructure — from lightning strikes that threaten power and communication systems to the deep ocean floor where conditions are too extreme and too dangerous for humans to reach — through advances in AI, robotics, next-generation semiconductors, and so much more.
This issue highlights the incredible ideas shaping that progress, from foundational research to real-world impact. Read all about it now: https://bit.ly/4nr7MSS

Faith Snow has been named the ECE Staff Member of the Year — a recognition of the impact she’s making on students across the department.

As ECE’s industry coordinator, she has expanded career fairs, strengthened industry partnerships and created more opportunities for students to connect with future employers.

In addition to this honor, she also received the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering’s Excellence in Leadership staff award.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3OWSrNd

From the Swamp to Capitol Hill.

Jayden Nargen, a student in the University of Florida Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, recently traveled to Washington, D.C., for IEEE-USA’s Congressional Visit Day—joining engineers nationwide to engage directly with lawmakers.

Through five meetings in a single day, Nargen advocated for increased federal research and development funding and support for the Keep STEM Talent Act—policies that influence the future of innovation, workforce development and student opportunity.

This experience reflects how UF students are not only advancing technology, but helping shape the policies behind it.

🔗 Read more: https://bit.ly/4d1ATaB

Congratulations to the Electrical & Computer Engineering Class of 2026 🎓

Your work in and out of the classroom has prepared you to solve complex challenges and drive innovation forward. We’re proud of everything you’ve accomplished and excited to see what you build next.

The UF Solar Gators have unveiled Flare, their newest solar-powered race car — designed with a clear goal: sustained performance at the national level.

The student-built vehicle features a redesigned body, a 50% larger solar array and key improvements to battery and electrical systems, all aimed at increasing efficiency and reliability over long distances.

This summer, the team will compete in the Electrek Formula Sun Grand Prix and the American Solar Challenge, testing their design across endurance and cross-country formats.

Beyond competition, projects like this give students hands-on experience solving complex engineering challenges under real-world conditions.

🔗 Read more: https://bit.ly/48wXhas