CU ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Mechanical Engineering Research & Industry Summit

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Research & Industry Summit

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

Koelbel Building | ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½, Colorado

Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering at CU ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ lockup

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Engineering Across Scales: From Lab Discovery to Industry Impact

The boundaries between mechanical engineering disciplines are rapidly disappearing. Biomedical devices, advanced materials, robotics and energy systems increasingly rely on shared advances in sensing, manufacturing and computation. Translating this work from the laboratory into marketable technologies and products depends on sustained exchange between academic researchers and the industry partners who understand the paths to deployment, scale and commercial impact.

The summit will showcase research in four thematic areas:Ìý

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Advanced Materials and Manufacturing
  • Robotics and Design
  • Energy, Environment and Quantum Sensing

Designed as part research showcase and part open house, the event offers ample opportunities to meet faculty, graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, explore emerging technologies and connect with potential collaborators in an informal setting. Participants can explore opportunities for collaboration, sponsored research and talent recruitment while building relationships across disciplines. Drawing on Colorado's exceptional concentration of academic research, national laboratories and technology companies, the summit is designed to spark new partnerships and establish an annual signature event for the engineering community.

Your Hosts:

Gregory Whiting portrait photo

Gregory Whiting
Professor and Associate Chair of External Relations
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½

​Functional and additive manufacturing, printed and flexible electronics, transient electronics, distributed sensing

Ginger Ferguson portrait photo

Virginia Ferguson
Professor and Associate Chair of Research
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½

Biomaterials, tissue mechanics, soft-hard tissue interfaces, biomimetic tissue regeneration

Event Schedule

More schedule details to come as soon as talks and sessions are finalized.

8-9 a.m.

Check-in & Breakfast

9-10 a.m.

Session 1: Kick-off and Industry-CUME Research Partnerships Overview

Introduction and Welcome
What Makes Industry Research Work Within CUME
Panel Discussion: CUME & Industry Research Success Stories

10-10:20 a.m.

Coffee Break & Posters

10:20 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Morning Parallel Sessions

Session 2: Energy, Environment & Quantum Sensing (ECCS 201)

Session 3: Robotics, Design & Global Impact (ECCS 201)

12-12:30 p.m.

Lunch Pick-up

12:30-1:30 p.m.

Session 4: Panel Discussion and Q&A with Industry Research Partnerships at CU ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½

1:30-1:50 p.m.

Coffee Break & Posters

1:50-3 p.m.

Afternoon Parallel Sessions

Session 5: Advanced Materials, Mechanics & Manufacturing (KOBL 352)

Session 6: Biomedical Engineering & Human Health (KOBL 352)

3:50-4:35 p.m.

Plenary Talk

4:35-4:45 p.m.

Closing Remarks

4:45-6 p.m.

Happy Hour & Poster Session

Location and Building Directions

Koelbel Building
995 Regent Drive
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½, CO 80309
(303) 492-1811


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