December 8, 2018

Engineers develop 3D-printed metamaterials that change mechanical properties under magnetic fields

A team of researchers have developed an entirely new class of metamaterials that can nearly instantly respond and stiffen 3D printed structures when exposed to a magnetic field, a development that could be applied to next-generation helmets, wearable armor and a host of other innovations. Full Story

November 20, 2018

Alum Nico Meyer has been selected and awarded new public art at ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station

ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station will be illuminated this holiday season with a new temporary art sculpture, ?Toying with Light? by Nico Meyer. Selected by the NTC Foundation?s Art in Public Places Committee, ?Toying with Light? is the fourth annual Illuminate the Season art installation. The kinetic light sculpture will be lit on November 30 as part of the kickoff event for Salute the Season, a full calendar of festive events celebrating the holidays from November-January. Nico Meyer, a San Diego-based artist and structural engineer, has been fabricating metal and wood sculptures for over 10 years. He holds a Master?s degree in Structural Engineering from the University of California, San Diego. Meyer?s experience with mathematics, structures, and algorithms has major influence on his art practice. Through art he explores the beauty of contrast, simplicity versus complexity and uniformity versus randomness. ?Our brains are pattern-making machines,? says Meyer. ?Individuals and communities actively create and alter patterns. This piece represents shared experience, a quality that makes the holidays special,? he said. Full Story

November 6, 2018

Undergraduate students win Galactic Unite prize

Seven UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering students were selected to receive the inaugural Galactic Unite Gavin Jones Prize, which recognizes undergraduate students at UC San Diego studying science, technology, engineering or math with a desire to make an impact on the space industry. The winners each receive a $1,500 cash prize, plus a mentor from either Virgin Galactic, Virgin Orbit or The Spaceship Company.  Full Story

October 15, 2018

World's largest outdoor shake table receives $16.3M from NSF for upgrades

The world’s largest outdoor earthquake simulator, operated by structural engineers at the University of California San Diego, has received a $16.3 million grant from the National Science Foundation to upgrade the facility to expand its testing capabilities. The funds will enable the simulator, also commonly known as a shake table, to more realistically recreate the motion of the ground during strong earthquakes.  Full Story

September 26, 2018

Sports Arena upgrades led by UCSD Structural Engineering Alum

The arena upgrades are being led by a former UCSD student and athlete. "This is a dream job for me," said Turner Project Manager Brett Stuckey. "Going to school here, studying structural engineering, graduating in 2009 ? being able to come back and build the new face-lift for the arena that I got to play in that?s the best that you could hope for." Stuckey played on the UCSD men's basketball team from 2006 to 2009 and said renovations will change the game day experience. "With this new upgrade they?re going to pull out the bleachers for every game," Stuckey said. "So the players will get this full-on arena and stadium experience every single game. Whereas when I was here it was just the two sides were pulled out." Full Story